KetoChronos

Too little too late

They need to do what Wisconsin did to Michigan State.

Maybe it’s as simple as the team that scores first has a big advantage in games at this level. Wisconsin scored and then fell into a tight defensive game. North Dakota has been winning face offs and getting shots on goal, but not many scoring chances. Few clean looks at the net.

I don’t think North Dakota has found an answer for Mike Hastings physical style of play. He was smiling on the bench after the boarding call. Wisconsin’s penalties haven’t been dumb frustration slashing calls, but penalties from aggressive play. And, North Dakota hasn’t got any favorable bounces.

I’m a DU fan but watched the first period on the app and also the Sioux Bulldogs highlights. I don’t think you have anything to worry about. Your team played with speed and energy, just hit a solid defensive effort. I did think the Hawks were a bit lax on defense, but not much you can do to stop two rebound goals, a redirect and two NHL quality scoring efforts. Hard to say whether a couple weeks off will hurt or help, but I suspect a few extra days to heal bumps and bruises will be an advantage.

College Hockey News NPI Tracker allows for customization, including customized future game results. Though this chart will differ depending on other game results, if SCS sweeps North Dakota, there is a chance that they could be in the NPI Top 16. Perfect storm perhaps, but a chance. North Dakota is in even if they lose the rest of their games.

You can’t blame TJ.

It’s the Chicago sports phenomenon. The Cubs have never had to win because they fill the stands anyway. Fans buy “wait ‘til next year.” The Ralph will be full whether or not North Dakota wins. I’m a DU season ticket holder since 2017, so have seen UND visit Magness many times. The Sioux/Hawks played hard last night. It wasn’t a weak effort. Your team gave it everything they had. Maybe they came out a bit flat, but I thought North Dakota dominated the second period. Denver’s defense was just too much. Not many good chances. I don’t know much about Berry, but have seen heard the negative comments from people I know in GF. Whether or not he’s the problem, teams have to shake things up from time to time, and your team needs fresh leadership. There’s no doubt about that. It’s obvious. What I saw last night was a North Dakota team with talent that played hard. They have lost confidence, and confidence grows with success.

T.J. Semptimphelter's .901 seasonal save percentage ranks him 9th out of 10 regularly starting NCHC goaltenders. Western Michigan has two highly ranked goalies.

I read here that UND fans are upset and worried, but I wouldn’t count them out as of yet. Full disclosure, I grew up near GF and now live in Denver and am a diehard DU fan. Growing up I was a Sioux fan of course. So, some mixed allegiances. October to December is less about wins than it is growth and coming together as a team. Denver started slow last season and also in 21-22 seasons when they won the championship. What matters is tournament time. That’s where the wins absolutely matter. Your team could very well get its act together and surprise the naysayers. I do have to agree with those who are critical of Berry. Sometimes teams just need a fresh start, a new face and approach.

Denver picked up two transfers in the portal this year, Eric Pohlkamp and Samu Salminen. Both have made a meaningful contribution. Pohlkamp (defenseman) came from Bemidji State, where he was the top player and a top CCHA star. He was drafted by the San Jose Sharks in 2023. Pohlkamp connected with David Carle as a member of the World Junior Championship team that Carle coached. Salminen (forward) transferred from Connecticut and is a Junior. He was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in 2021. Salminen had some history with Denver as a commitment that for some reason didn’t work out for him as a freshman. Denver does seek transfers, just not as many as some teams.

Robert Morris will return North Dakota to the win column.

I did watch Berry’s comments, and he seemed to blame the players. He said some played well, some didn’t, and you all have to play well to beat Denver. I’m not sure it makes sense to be critical of your players. DU was simply the better team tonight.

NCHC teams have won five of the past seven NCAA championships!! A Big Ten team hasn’t won since 2007!!! UND has realistically the financially strongest franchise in college hockey. Every UND game is sold out, in a larger arena than most teams play in. UND has an incredible fan following. The NCHC is still the strongest league in college hockey. Sure, it will ebb and flow a bit. The east coast teams tend to get favored tournament schedules, but year after year NCHC teams have dominant pairwise rankings. I watch a lot of college hockey, and I think the competition and entertainment value in the NCHC is second to none. Colorado College also belonged in the current tournament. Who thinks RIT is a better team than CC? Who thinks Northern Michigan is a better team than CC? With Arizona State entering the NCHC, our product will be even better. Greater competition, tougher to win championships. But, I see it as a good thing. The NCHC is strong and getting stronger.

I know you all hate me because I am a Denver fan, grew up near GF but in Boulder now. But, point is that I think UND comes off to other teams in the NCHC as being laser focused on winning the Penrose. So much press attention to the Penrose. Honestly, we have DU season tickets and as a fan, I never hear about the Penrose Cup. So, there is something to it with UND’s post season trials. As a DU fan I haven’t cared much about the Penrose or even NCHC tournament, except that it matters for NCAA seeding, and you want to go into the NCAA on the upswing. In Denver it really is all about the NCAA championship. That said, with so many excellent teams in college hockey, we know that no matter who your team is, winning the Championship is extremely difficult. It’s an uphill battle for everyone, and you have to leave it all on the ice. It takes some luck too, the kind of luck Michigan had last night. NCAA tournament pairings are painful. Denver has had to travel to Massachusetts to play two teams with a massive local fan base. For DU they aren’t just road games, they’re games in a hostile atmosphere. And, UND had to fight through a regional that featured two strong Big Ten teams. Let’s face it, no matter how talented you are, winning in the NCAA tournament is very difficult.