AJS

Every game matters. I really do believe that. This is the first step to building some momentum heading into the offseason. To be honest, who knows, 6-5 might get you in, or at least it'll get you maybe in the conversation. Let's start rebuilding.

Strictly ticket sales, all combined sports, I think within reason, it's impossible for NDSU to have more, or even really close to UND. Let's give NDSU the 160K tickets for Football. Let's undersell UND Hockey and give them 180K (9K average). Let's undersell UND Football (5 games, Average 7K). 35K for Football. At worst, you have. NDSU Football ---> 160K UND Football / Hockey -----> 215K Let's give NDSU 2X sales for M/W Basketball. Is that 55K? Doubt it. Volleyball? Huge Wrestling / Baseball crowds? It doesn't add up at all.

Fool me once saying rings true with my take on Bubba and the state of the Football program. To me this season perfectly sums up Bubba's tenure. He's coming off a great season with real momentum, but here they sit at 3-5. Sort of like the injury plagued 2017 campaign, if you analyze this season only, I really don't think you come to the conclusion that changes need to be made. It's the pattern of his .500 career. What I mean by this season only is an argument can be made that 0-4 in one score games is bizarre. Play calls that backfire. Untimely turnovers. Always seemingly on the wrong end of a coin flip. Where I've backpedaled, is I would be open to keeping this Coaching staff (minus Bubba) together. Talent wise, I think they're close. They'll be good next year. They need someone who oozes confidence. Somebody younger. They will not take that next step, which to me all has to do with consistency with Bubba. What will happen: UND is winning their next 3 games, first four out of the playoffs, but will just be enough to spin this season into a what if positive take away for some. They will follow it up by being really good next year. It's that following year where some fluky things happen and we're right back here.

This is it. Win this weekend and playoffs become plausible.

Correct.

I think the coaches did an incredible job this past year navigating the Covid year situation. The group that was hit harder than most was the RS Junior class that was able to graduate, that were not impact players. Because of that, UND has a relatively small Senior class. 11 Deep, I would break them into. Gone Waletzko (Draft) Ghadaksaz (Going over his career, I think he's out of eligibility. That being said, they classified him as a Senior) Fenelon (Depth) Specialists Hinders - Hopefully come back if there's no replacement (1 Scholarship Position) Peterson - Hopefully come back if there's no replacement (1 Scholarship Position) Other 6 Hope they all come back. I would say that the defensive four are all high priority, "need" to come back type guys. Maag / Boltmann are at a position with some depth, but still, when healthy difference makers. Getting starters and impact guys to use that extra year is so crucial.

Season on the line in Springfield this upcoming Saturday. A win and the train gets back on the tracks, the program gets back to neutral. You don't want to sound too overly dramatic, but what does a loss do? Ends almost all hope if not all hope of making the playoffs. Then you can start to go down the rabbit hole a little bit about program momentum and where that is. UND has a good team, but it's a results driven sport. They need this win really bad. The major story lines for me: Red Zone offense. They have been almost inexplicably bad at getting points at times. They can move the ball between the 20's. If there ever was a week to turn that corner it's this one. Injuries. I did write before the Western game that my hope was anyone who was dinged up would sit. Double down on the fact that you can beat Western while getting guys healthy that were banged up. The amount of players that didn't play was startling. Hope there are a handful that will be ready to go this weekend. NDSU let down for MSU. UND saw it vs USD. Maybe that just is a thing, especially if you play them tough.

Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t believe the plan is for any FR to use their redshirt. I can’t remember the last time that has happened. Finally building depth.

Senior this year.

Blake is leading the USHL in points, Singleton is Top 5 in the AJHL.

Yes, with the possible exception of Baba. Not sure on him.

Very very important win.

Red zone issues aside, an incredible game all around. To do what they did defensively with a lot of injuries was extremely impressive.

Only this team.

The road back starts today! One week at a time!

Nice work NCHC!

Hellsten starts tomorrow and leads them to victory and you might see me singing a different tune.

Yes. UND will improve, but the NCHC looks even tougher than usual. Don’t see them as a home ice team.

Fair, still would like to see what the Freshman has to offer. Driscoll has not proven he can “steal” a game, so tomorrow is a loss with him in net. Maybe Hellsten has that.

Seeing the results of the rest of the NCHC early on and having watched this team, they will be on the road for the first round. Should have went full rebuild. Transfers are ok if they have at least 2 years of eligibility. The one year guys only work if you have a competitive team.

Give Hellsten a chance tomorrow. Driscoll has been average.

No chance they are winning tomorrow. I don’t really know what to say. They are awful. I would like to see the backup goalie play, they aren’t winning either way.

Not competitive, embarrassing to watch.

You would think the CUSA invite would have to be an all sports or none, right? I wouldn't think they would have any interest in a Football only affiliate. Is it sort of a forgone conclusion that IF NDSU was looking for someone to come along for a potential CUSA ride that it would be SDSU? This trickle down is getting very, very interesting. Is there real appeal to be apart of this version of CUSA? Edit: Football affiliate would be on the table for some teams, not all, but some.

By far my favorite lines this year.