AJS

This has been without a doubt the weirdest first half of the season I can ever remember. On one hand you had four of the most lopsided losses (both score / appeared talent discrepancy) we've seen in some time along with to this point historically bad goalie save %, but when you look at what matters, you have a Top 4 team in the pairwise, leading the NCHC in points. It's so bizarre. Injuries are part of the game, but between true injuries and sickness, this team has really been hit hard and hit much earlier than normal. If you asked Berry his ideal lineup, has he been able to try that even once in the first half? This break is at a perfect time, give everyone a few weeks to heal up. The second half schedule although difficult, has a nice 5 to 3 home vs away series breakdown. This isn't ideal, but with the turnover / amount of players out the 1st half, I really would like to see some experimenting in January. For me, concentrating on Hellsten / Driscoll, even games to see who plays better. Watching these games, the goals given up haven't been really that egregious, but still, the numbers being what they are, Driscoll hasn't proven that he deserves the % of starts he's gotten. I would like to also see more experimentation with that # 6 spot on defense. Unless you're an uber talent, defense in the NCHC probably over any other position takes that most time to develop. You only get that by playing minutes. I would like to see Bast / Johnson get more and more minutes. I thought Bast looked fine against CC. Really looking forward to the second half. As bizarre of a first half as its been, you get the feeling that this team hasn't even come close to scratching the surface. Overall, great job by Berry and the staff, absolutely, ahead of where I'm guessing everyone thought they'd be.

I'm on the same page as you with @Midwestern Hawk overall attitude, but to his defense, if you're really talking highlights, how many were there really?

Like with Magli, you really wish they wouldn't pick the weekend before signing day to decide to change their minds.

I really hope this will be the case moving forward. Wish Otis well and move on.

Nobody originally, but ultimately Jamernik in the second half of the season.

One of my keys to the year was one of Ness / Budy really needed to take a step forward. To put this as nice as possible, they were underwhelming last year. I think this second half is make it or break it for Ness. Nice to hear some feel he’s starting to turn it on.

You would think having at least four uncommitted recruits on campus the weekend before early signing day would be a huge advantage. I wouldn’t be surprised if they got one or two commitments today.

Really hope this starts the Driscoll / Hellsten each get a night thru at least January.

Jandric looks incredible.

Great second half of the first.

To be fair, Driscoll gave up 3 on 5 shots, so Hellsten had better numbers.

Tough to play your way into a spot if you never play. Like the forward lines.

Still hoping to see Hellsten get the start tonight.

Not having Sanderson of course is a giant blow this weekend, but I do buy into this helping strengthen the team long term. Moore is a new player after getting that extra ice / situations he otherwise wouldn't have if Sanderson was healthy against Duluth. Hoping we see the same this weekend for Johnson / Bast.

Same reason he didn't play against St. Cloud.

Since Montana is playing on the road, I’m not so sure.

It’s a solid number. The game won’t be close, save $ and attend the next weekend where they play a team where there’s a chance the game isn’t over by half time.

Said it recently, that type of portal offer is one that I get really excited over. Give me a proven, All-Conference level D2 player.

As much fun as it is still to follow still, I've definitely backed off on hard judgements, until half way through their Sophomore years. That goes ten fold on recruits until the year prior of them arriving on campus. Then maybe five fold their prior year. Too many times being wrong on what you assumed will do that to a guy.

Completely agree. Where I'm not following you there and the incoming class, is unless something completely unexpected happens, they'll only need to fill one for sure (Sanderson), potentially two (Kleven / Frisch leave early, however doubtful) spots. Spot # 1 going to Livanavage that appears to be pretty high end (not Sanderson / Kleven level, but not many are). Spot # 2, Dunbar, who will most likely be drafted this upcoming year, having a solid year. I have a harder time really digging into Defenseman. I just don't see how Livanavage being the Defenseman you bring in is room for concern.

Hope this isn't going to jinx it, but in my mind I had a clock that restarted after each player entered the portal. I felt if we could make it a week without someone entering, then I would feel good that the hits would stop coming. We're at a week. Has anyone followed how this is going for other MVFC teams (not still playing)?

I always take a few different factors into account, (1) Age (2) League (3) Points (4) Draft stock. This specific discussion appears to be concentrating on Forwards only. I'll give a very high overview of how I felt about the last few Freshman forward classes going into their Freshman years (some end up outperforming, while others underperform from your expectations). 2021 Class: 2022 Clearly better. Kunz was the big name for me (.86 PPG draft year in USHL, Mid-Round draft pick). Schmaltz very good production his last year (PPG / 7th round pick). I was worried about Costantini (.59 PPG after being 5th round pick) and Portz (.77 PPG in final eligible year). 2020 Class: 2022 Better. This class was unique. Gaber (Blake equivalent), Ness (PPG guy), Jamernik (PPG guy AJHL). I liked this class, great production in USHL as veteran players. No NHL draft picks. No way you'd take this class over 2022. 2019 Class: This Class > 2022 (Slightly). Pinto going into Freshman year #1 guy (> Blake). Blaisdell (> James). Spicer (>Caulfield). Strinden (>Albrecht). 2018 Class: 2022 Clearly Better. Liked Hain (NTDP, Mid-Round Draft), Weatherby (Big BCHL Points, Mid-Round Draft), but didn't like Senden, hated Keane. Fun discussion. Obviously, only my opinion and some guys outperform (Costantini seems to be on that path), Senden, Jamernik (appears to be better than I thought). Others widely underperformed (still early, but Ness is on that path), Blaisdell. So, going year by year, absolutely I think the 2022 forward Class is better than average for this program. 2019 I would have taken over it, but not any of the others. Interested to hear where you differentiate.

Really? I'm on the complete opposite side of the spectrum. Taking out Spicer (NTDP) from the USHL point totals, all other incoming recruits are currently in the Top 40 (Blake 2, James 27, Strinden 30, Livanavage 39). Spicer is having a nice year with NTDP. Who would you be looking to flip instead of the recruits we have? Not saying of course that they'll be the Top 5 recruits in the country, but I'm not following where any concern would come from. What are your thoughts on Dylan James? To me he's right in the wheelhouse of an ideal recruit. Mid-round NHL draft guy, putting up a very respectable PPG his draft year. True freshman. Is your worry his age? This would be his 2nd full year of Juniors. IMO he's a Top 6 caliber guy, no doubt.

What a weird, wild first half up to this point. Last two games of the calendar year, with a real opportunity. A sweep puts them in the drivers seat for a regular season title. It puts them in a really good place as well from a national landscape. The inconsistency the last few weeks has been concerning, it also feels though that they've really been battling through roster issues (Flu, Injuries) for most of the 1st half. When is the last time they've had a full lineup? What I would like to see. (1) Hellsten start on Friday. Two goalie system until one proves they are the starter. The defense hasn't helped some nights, but regardless, Driscoll has a .889 SV%, which is awful. In fact only 14 worse (min games component on CHN) SV% in the country. (2) Bast / Johnson get minutes. You only learn by playing. It's at the point where I would prefer they send Johnson back to the USHL for the 2nd half of the year.