Snake

Could one say the same thing about UM up until their 5-min major PP against AA on Friday? I saw very little of that game, so I have no idea how UM actually played; but they were possibly 4 minutes from losing on Friday as well.

Oh, I'm sure they'll be fine working the Ray Lewis angle.

Considering these are college kids, I think it simply comes down to playing smart and within their abilities. Play a smart game, keep things simple, don't try to do too much, and don't give the refs an opportunity to intervene. Basically, try to play like pros.

I think Nelson not returning set this whole thing up since it starts exactly with finding someone to play with Knight and Kristo. The dominoes fall from there as they search for the right compliment. Simply putting Rocco on that top line could avoid a lot of shuffling by allowing the reunion of a pretty successful RPM tandem from last year.

While they're undefeated since Kerdiles started playing, they've had quite a soft schedule. Still...wins are wins.

I think it's fair less than a week removed when factoring in a 12 hour time change. Next weekend? Not acceptable.

Umm...coulda been that little meat grinder of a tournament played twelve time zones away?

I would think coaches could cover that during film, etc.

I've used my lip reading skills to see Hak dropping f-bombs toward the officials while they're at the bench, so I know it's directed both ways. If it happens between the coaches and officials...fine. But, directing it at the "kids" is a bit over the top in my opinion. Granted, these aren't "kids" we're actually talking about, but respect is earned and if the officials expect respect from the players they need to hold a higher standard when calling penalties, escorting players to the box, discussing things with coaches, etc. It's funny how one week in this league you can have a kid from a non-conference school assessed a penalty for yapping at an opposing coach, but then turn around the next week and witness officials treating the players in an equally egregious manner.

They needed Mario rusty and lacking confidence to improve their chances against Notre Dame!

Veterans playing stupidly. Story of the game.

I think the goal kinda calls him on it, don't ya think?

You bring up both RGIII and AP. Funny how both injuries occurred on the same crappy playing surface. How can a team, throwing money around the way Dan Snyder does, tolerate the absolute WORST playing surface in the league?

I bet it really irks Cherry that "Mr. Gold" Jonathan Toews didn't play in the CHL.

Pretty sure I was serious when I posted this. Judge the whole body of work and don't get caught up in the highs and lows. I wonder if USA Hockey has considered having a "full time" coach for this team. It seems to me that it would help provide some continuity from tourney to tourney - especially when it comes to building the team. Having a HS coach like Housley in this role probably makes a lot more sense than a college coach who likely has much more on his plate during the season.

I've read on a few blogs that some think all Russia really cares about is beating Canada in this tourney. Well, they get their shot again!

That's kind of what I'm saying, Oxbow. I think he'd be playing smarter and better if he had been able to play a full college season last year.

I think that you've pretty much summed up my thoughts. I've noticed his tendency for the risky play throughout the tournament. It hadn't really shown itself through the college season so far. I have to keep reminding myself that this kid really only has a half a season of hockey under his belt the past year and a half. Still, the "heady" stuff should be there.

When you add this to the Quentin Shore thing and how they played since then it still seems like something's not right at DU. Maybe the BU game indicates otherwise...just speculating.

Aside from a couple of these guys being Canadian, I agree. I do suppose we should really reserve judgement until the tourney is over. It's not like we we had our doors blown off by Canada and Russia.

My impressions on Rocco thus far have been that he has actually tried to force passes at somewhat inopportune times (i.e. just inside the blue line, drop passes, etc.). I hadn't really noticed overly selfish play, but maybe it's not for on-ice actions???

I think you raise an excellent point here. In a way, it makes me want to say "to heck" with traditional markets and "why not" try to introduce the game to non traditional markets? I mean, if you can't sell regional tourney games that actually mean something in so-called "hockey markets," why not play some mid season non-con games in warm, non traditional markets? What does college hockey really stand to lose?

I think burd was referring to Gregoire and St. Clair verballing to DU and CC, respectively, before ultimately choosing UND.

JT had a signed NLI, no? Did Gregoire or St. Clair? Just curious... I think most fans are bitter at JT for bailing so close to the start of the season, not simply because he had a change of heart. At least that's how I'm reading the fan sentiment.

Well, if he performs in the WJC as well as he has since blaming himself after personally "losing" that Friday DU game it could be a special tourney!