hockeytherapy13

You know what surprised me? Adam Wodon (I think all of us have some opinions about him) actually voted for Frattin that year when he was on the committee. I about spit my coffee out when I heard that on a CHN podcast.

This prediction is realistic and I’d be all for it. These are 2 very evenly matched teams but we really are the better team on paper (famous last words?). If we can keep Laba somewhat contained and not get hit goalie’d, I like our chances a lot. Hopefully Laba doesn’t pull an Alex Bump on us.

Ugh I remember watching that

Heck maybe he benched himself because he knew he screwed up. But I really wonder which teammate he had the issue with because obviously that could greatly affect chemistry with certain teammates. Like most of us, I really only care about how this will affect the on-ice product because this team clearly doesn't need any other distractions.

I had heard that from a friend on Tuesday but I assumed it was nonsense...but now it seems like he was right. Do we know whose girl it was and did it cause some fisticuffs in the locker room? Not great, Bob. Either way, I'd prefer it if Louis scored on the ice instead.

Still waiting to hear what the deal was. At least someone has to have some insight. Hoping for @gfhockey to chime in.

No idea. I was really high on Strinden coming into the season but he hasn’t had the offensive punch I thought he would. He was given time in top 6 for a while with Boisvert but that line was off and on which seemed partly due to his mediocre play making. But now on that 4th line with players similar to his style, he had a solid weekend. But despite my preseason assumptions, top 6 isn’t the home for him this season but maybe he pops next year

It’s gotten to a point now where I’m not sure who fits in the top 6 for elevated playing time. 4 guys obviously are James, Berg, Boisvert, Perron (I think Swanson is too but 5x5 is a work in progress) The top line this weekend of James-Berg-Perron was good. Might as well keep them together The 2nd line of Schmaltz-Boisvert-Swanson was just ok. Boisvert has 2 points in the last 6 games (only 1 point during a weekend we scored 9 goals). Who do you put with him other than Swanson because some of his combos haven’t worked at even strength. Schmaltz is a great defensive forward and can dig pucks along the boards well and Swanson is a dish master, but for some reason that line with Boisvert didn’t create a ton 5x5 this weekend on a huge sheet of ice. Other ones that haven’t been the answer with Boisvert consistently: Strinden (went 11 straight games without a single point but did well on the 4th line). Jammer has been good at times but still is more of a bottom 6 guy. Omac, Wilkie, and Kunz all struggled in a top-6 role but seemed to flourish with each other Saturday so those 3 should stay together again. The line of Croal-Littler-Strinden was great together in their role. So it seems like those 3 or Jammer belong on 4th unless you consider swapping Littler and Schmaltz to elevate Littler’s ice time.

I’m actually genuinely curious if Berry and Larson shook hands after the series on Saturday. It’s mainly a question for those who were there because it wasn’t shown for those watching on TV. I know it’s fun to have the fire of rivalry against Clown but in the big picture we want a certain level of diplomacy amongst the small community of college hockey. Not saying they need to hold hands and hug but exhibiting respect still matters.

I’m hoping Berry doesn’t go into “nice guy mode” by playing Monty just because his brother plays for CC. It’s a nice story but winning is nicer. We took 5/6 points on the road with Croal in the lineup. He had 4th-line ice time but we took care of business with that lineup and that 4th line got a goal Saturday and were on the ice to set up Macdonald’s 1st period goal. Croal was on the PK and we killed 7/8 penalties on the weekend. if Jammer is good to go or allowed to go, put him back in and take Andrew out. Not sure who they would label the extra skater (I’d choose Kunz but that’ll never happen) but with a full lineup of healthy bodies we might as well play the best players.

Did Berry and Larson shake hands after the game last night?

Berry whispering in his ear. “You better not let a single goal in during practice this week or TJ starts”.

Prediction: Hobie puts up a 40-save shutout. Berry post-game press conference: ”Yeah we’re really hoping to have a goalie to take the reins down the stretch here. So we will see how practice goes this week and decide who to start next Friday”. (Subsequently starts TJ)

Maybe he told coach that the guys want to rally around Hobie and Coach wouldn’t hear it. I’m sure that’s not what happened but man that would be something

Schloss just posted that this was the 4th time this season that UND blew a 3rd period lead. Did Hakstol have 4 of those his entire 11-year coaching career here? This is scary

If TJ starts another game this season, it’s a guarantee the staff isn’t watching the games. The only way he should play again is if Hobie craps the bed. Enough is enough. The super senior is not better than the sophomore

Props to Berry for keeping Omac and Kunz down on the 3rd line with Wilkie. That finally feels right. Couldn’t have been easy for the staff to do that but I’m glad they finally did it

Happy to see Mac in the top 6 and Kunz out of it. Obviously Schmaltz needs to prove me wrong but man idk what’s going on there. It’s clear that Berry has no interest in playing the goalie who is better or has earned it because he has had his mind made up on TJ since before the season started no matter what

Monty plays his heart out for UND, but I’m sorry to say this is a good thing for the team. If him having an injury is what it takes to get a well-deserving Croal back into the lineup, then so be it. A guy with his edge, speed, and tenacity is a spark this team needs. Oh and don’t forget how badly we need him on the PK

Yeah they are in a major slump. One of these teams is going to get out of a slump this weekend and obviously I hope it's us. Or maybe we tie both games and each game goes to a 15-round shootout which will feel like continued slumps for everyone

If Hobie starts Friday and we have restructured our lines, I think we get at least a split. Something tell me we are coming out of clown town with 4 points. Not sure why I'm feeling optimistic but it's there for now. Also hinges on the health of Strathmann because him being in the lineup makes a legitimate difference on the back end. If TJ starts Friday and our lines are practically the same, then that will prove this coaching staff has learned nothing and is trying to expect different results by trying the same things. In that case, we come away with 1 of 6 points

Yeah they dogged on the team more than ever. Especially when they mentioned that anytime UND takes a penalty you can expect the puck to end up in the net

I’m concerned Zellers and Schultz may decommit if things keep spiraling here.

This is logical thinking and Hobie has earned it. Which is why we’ll see TJ in 2 weeks.

Boisvert and Zellers are the 2 I’m worried about as well