Oldguy

Having endured the East Coast bias BS for two plus periods tonight, it was pretty sweet to hear them stopping the Merrimack love-fest and eat it at the end of the game.

I think if UND gets their heads back in it, they can score a couple in the 3rd.

I love how the announcers are talking about how this is what Merrimack wants, after a 4 shot period by them. Wow, really?

That was basically an ass kicking by a team that was hungry versus a team that looked...well...not playoff worthy.

I keep expecting him to punch one in at some point. Why not today?

By "hurt", I was just repeating what Schloss said about injuries, so this is not my fault! 😇

Nobody is hurt going into the playoffs. When did that last happen?

So, does Dalton Andrew get a chance this weekend, or does Jubenvill play forward?

This is a great time to have a bye. A bad time would be March 26th! Ice the injuries, boys, not the drinks...

Zellers gets two or three tonight

Honestly, UND looked surprised that Clarkson came out to get a win. Didn't seem to realize that until half the game was gone. That needs to be corrected.

Exactly. I was thinking "You guys look like last year's team" on Saturday. Undisciplined, hot-and-cold, poor passing, inconsistent goaltending.

Biggest surprise for me so far is that Kernan is good enough to play a top 6 role. That bodes very well for the forward group's talent level. They are young, but they certainly passed the eye test and played with speed and tenacity. Weibe looks to be on a whole new level. Really glad he came back.

Watched all of the interviews posted above. The best part, IMO, was when Gibson Homer was asked how good this team is. He said "This team is SO good!" He went on to comment about an abundance of speed. Great news from a junior GT that has played in the NCHC - I would think he knows how to gauge the team.

I'm actually unhappy about the lack of coverage lately. I'm paying for the site purely for UND hockey news, but Schloss has been AWOL lately.

I guess I was thinking it might be best if Littler didn't have to play center. He would probably be more productive as a winger, IMHO.

I'm thinking 3rd line center. Solid get.

https://www.goldstreamgazette.com/sports/langfords-ollie-josephson-heading-to-university-of-north-dakota-8182242 He was at the 2025 World Junior Showcase, so that is a good sign.

Spunar seems like a very good get - one that was unexpected. So totally new set of GT's, and some new veteran forwards. Currently at six portal players on the roster, with 5 of them likely being starters. And, I expect another starting center, at minimum, so likely 1/3 of those who dress on game day will be portal guys. Crazy new era, but I'm finding the offseason very interesting to follow.

Agree, except that the very last play he attempted in a UND jersey is unfortunately stuck in my head forever.

We now have six returning forwards. Somehow need to bring in six from CHL/portal. It's been way too quiet.

The most significant things said all related to... ~Finding the right guys who want to battle for UND and want to be held accountable. ~Getting back to what he has seen work at the college and pro level, which is a dedication to doing things right every day, without a day where that mindset does not exist. This may not exactly be "modern" in terms of what some kids want, but it certainly can be an approach that works, if they truly get the right recruits that will stick around and work hard enough. It blew me away in March when Berry was talking about going light in practice to keep guys fresh. They only play two games a week in college - that would be more valid it they played an 80+ game schedule, but not in the NCAA's.

I'm guessing UND needs to bring in at least two portal centers to fill the giant hole that Berg, Schmaltz, & Boivert are leaving.

So now our returning upperclass forwards are only James, Strinden, & Montgomery. Not good.

That's three of our top 4 "returning" forwards that are now leaving. Crapola.