Wilbur

Or get yourself a piece of tape and cover the damn thing up.... Slovakia won't be easy....

Agreed. Need to change that group up. Have had some chances, but just haven't gotten consistent play from that group. No time to wait around and see if they get it done. Canada is playing like they're beatable. But if the USA doesn't score it won't matter.

Need to bury chances. If Geaudreau has that same chance against UND in the NCAA tournament he'd score. When I'm cheering for him, he can't buy a goal. Can't really complain about anything......goaltending was good....had chances.....just couldn't bury them. And yes, Seth Jones found out how fast Russians really are.

Not the first time we've seen Germany on the run while in Russia.....(drum crash) Germany was extremely generous in giving chances up to the U.S., not a lot their little goaltender could do.

I like how the Russian comes out and calls the Canadians dirty......Right before you play Canada make sure to call them dirty...... The Canadians finish all of their checks anyways.....the Russian superstar could have himself a rough night.

Yup, basically a Vikings win guarantees a rematch the following week. The defense would hold them in it for a while at Curly's place, but Ponder winning a playoff game on the road doesn't really make any sense. Whatever happens on Sunday, given the cards this team was dealt, this season can be called a success for the Vikings. Win win situation for the Packer fans in attendance at the metrodump. Knock the Vikings out of the playoffs on their home field, or just smile and say "see ya next week".

Not that there is any current need, but after next year there is only one goaltender in the stable. Anybody heard of possible goaltenders on the recruiting radar of the green and white?

Thank you captain obvious!!!! I was hoping this last game of the year for the packers would be meaningless. Unfortunately it will likely be for a bye, which means Green Bay is dressing their starters.

Agreed. Without the defense of this football team they aren't 9-6. I had no hopes of the Vikings having a winning record this season, and regardless of how they finish the defensive staff is owed a huge pat on the back for getting this team to the brink of a postseason birth. If they finish 10-6 Leslie Frasier may be up for coach of the year (will not win it, repeat, will not win it). With the horrible QB play they have gotten this season, and Pearcy being the only legit WR on the team before getting hurt, to make the postseason says something about keeping the group together.

The top line for the USA has got to produce. Miller-Gaudreau-Grimaldi. Way too much talent not to be a force on the score sheet. That line struggled a bit with the physicality that Finland threw at them, but they had a ton of chances that hopped over sticks. I bet Gaudreau may have burned his sticks. Lot of bad bounces for him yesterday.

61 goals in 59 games.....I don't care if its pee wee B, thats pretty impressive. Sounds like the guy is a finisher. I'll keep beating the dead horse.....why didn't it work out at SCSU?

If Gibson is the best option they're in trouble. Gord and Ferraro were both calling him the guy, and if he's the guy......ohh no.....

I'll give Rocco a break. He scored a goal that the doofus official didn't see go in right in front of him....doesn't matter in the prelims anyways. If thats the goaltending the USA is going to get they won't improve upon their seventh place finish. Gibson was terrible. Not that a whole lot of guys played great. Gudreau had a lot of pucks hop over his stick in good scoring areas, and they missed the net on a lot of chances. Glad they start out with Germany. Get some players going.

Yeah.....besides 2011, lets look where the regionals were....Not too much travel for BC other than that one year. Last ten years: 2012...Worcester.... 2011....St. Louis... 2010....Worcester.... 2009....Didn't qualify 2008...Worcester... 2007...New Hampshire....close to home 2006....Worcester.... 2005....Worcester.... 2004....New Hampshire.... 2003....Rhode Island 2002....Didn't qualify Five out of the eight times they qualified it was in Mass. Seven of eight times it was an east coast location for them.

Yeah, trying to bring Frattin into the argument does no good..... Kudos to the AD of the women's sports at NDSU. Handling it the way it should be handled.

If it was the coach's option I go with the penalty shot every time. I mean if you can have Danny Kristo take it, he takes it. But if it was a situation where maybe a Stephane Pattyn draws one, boy.....I'd rather have Kristo and company with space and a 5-3. Let me be clear though. If Pattyn draws one in a five on five situation, I let him take it.

Talking point: UND is down 4-1, and is going on a powerplay and given a penalty shot in the same sequence. The shot has to be taken by a guy that is a goal scorer on your team, but nothing spectacular. Do you do what Tech did and risk missing the penalty shot (we all know goalies have a big advantage) and blowing the powerplay, or do you turn down the penalty shot and have a 5-3 powerplay for a full two minutes? As a former coach with my team down 4-1, struggling to get anything going offensively, and at a critical point in the game. I take the 5-3 to try and get some momentum going, at least even in the offensive end for a bit. I think you have a better chance of getting one on a 5-3 than you do on a penalty shot against a goaltender that is playing well. Thoughts?

And two guys back after the Christmas break in McMillan and hopefully Parks.... Healthy bodies.....good goaltending.....four lines.... What what what?

I had Kristo in the Sioux survivor for Saturday.....too bad Rowney didn't do it for me on Friday. 2-1 Sioux.

Wow......an open hockey game vs. Tech. Like when did that ever seem possible five years ago?

Defense optional.

That third line better better pick it up or they'll become the fourth line.

Lineups posted. All sorts of changes for Tech, UND just makes one and everyone knew it was probably coming. (Mattson back in for Panz) Go get two points fellas.

May as well give Sam Houston the big sky championship. They just won the conference tournament.

Sam Houston State is absolutely rolling. Wow do they look good.