OETKB

And because the season is only 2 weeks away, Fox is unlikely to pick up anything until the second half. Terrible TV deal.

Three games on CBS SN. Woo-hoo. And they waited so long that Fox will probably not carry anything in the first half of the season, either. Worst ....TV ....deal ....ever.

Thank you. Now, prepare to be shouted down by the "stars have to align" contingent.

Sorry for the sarcasm. I like reading your posts.

I'm talking about UND last 8 appearances in the FF. Thanks for the news flash.

Exactly. The slow lowering of expectations, to the point where "20 wins" is somehow the standard. Some of us who have actually been following UND hockey for 40 years are very unhappy with that idea. And where did this idea that the "stars have to align" in order to win a Natty come from? Since UND's last, Denver has 2, UM has 2, Duluth has 1, and BC has about 27. Enough of that talk.

As always, the apologists are out trying to shout down anybody who criticizes the team failing to finish in EIGHT STRAIGHT FROZEN FOURS. That HAS to be a record. Congrats to UND on setting the bar for worst run ever.

I'm one who questioned whether they could "hit reset" after the conference tourney in which they "Sucked" (again, Hak said that per ESPN). Well, not only did they reset just fine, they even fought through several guys having the flu, according to stories today. Apparently, Pattyn was on IV fluids before the game. Great comeback. 7th Frozen Four in 11 years under Hak. Could this finally be the year?

Zane, and the rest of the team. need to rediscover their mojo, after last weekend. I'm not doubting that they can do it, exactly. Certainly, the ability is there. But, not many teams can just "Flip the switch" after bad performances. That was what was so disturbing about last weekend. Having said that, I hope the team can "dial it in" and play some inspired, energetic hockey from here on out. They have been taught that they are not special unless they do exactly that. Let's hope the lesson is learned, and the inspiration is back.

If they burned the ships to conquer the land or die, they sure as hell did not seem to want to live last weekend. Honestly, I'm still fuming about what I saw. No sense of urgency or focus. They should have let CC go to the tourney - at least CC would have given a damn. Now all we can do is hope that they somehow miraculously pull their @#($*%& together. Not likely, but we'll see.

I can't argue with the importance of the loss of Mac. That was a big time loss. But, the sloppy, lack of focus type crap that we saw tonight was not acceptable. Hak was furious in the post-game comments, as well should he be (practically screaming "it's playoff time!"). His team failed to show up tonight. Not the first time that has happened.

I still can't get over how much of a failure this game was. Less than 20 shots. No goals after the first period. How weak is that?

"Luck" would even out over time. UND has been absolutely CURSED for the last 15 years. It's becoming a statistical anomaly that they keep getting to the NCAA's but fail to win it all. I still have hope for this year. But, with the loss of Mac, and the epic fail today, I just don't know.

No personal offense, but we need a ledge or bridge for apologists who continue to say UND is fine, even with all the epic fails of the last decade plus, IMO. For cryin' out loud, UND had TJ Oshie and J. Toews ON THE SAME LINE (with Porter and VandeVelde on line #2) and still failed to win a Natty. All some of us are saying is - when the hell is the drought going to end?

Yup. Unless they play MUCH MUCH better in the NCAA's, it will be goodnight time. Less than 20 shots? Two goals against in 20 seconds? Not acceptable.

Yeah, Al Pearson the unruly punk. Seriously?

For 11 years now we have been seeing UND teams come out flat in the playoffs. Honestly, that is one of the most unforgivable things I have continued to notice in Hak's era. Whatever he is (or isn't) doing to motivate the guys at this time of year is not working. I think back to the Denver Frozen Four. Uuugh. Huge home crowd advantage for UND, laid a big egg. This year's start to the playoffs did not seem much better.

After watching this one, I give UND a 5% chance of winning a Natty. They looked like a team that could not adapt, and did not want to crash today. No chance of winning in the NCAA's playing that way.

Another pathetic showing in the conference playoffs for UND. TWO GOALS in less than 20 SECONDS = your team did not show up to play. Less than 20 shots on goal in the whole game = also pathetic. Weak-ass game for UND. Can't defend the team on this one. One team came to play, the other did not.

Yes, OD pulled the puck under his body with his left arm

A couple quick thoughts about tonight's game. 1) They have to find a way to play better defensively in their own zone. At times, they let CC maneuver the puck freely without much energy or resistance. That can't happen in the one-and-done games. 2) This team is indeed deep. We never know who is going to step up, and other teams can't key on anyone in particular. That is a major strength. Even though Mark Mac is gone, & Parks and Cags have not been as visible lately, the team is still finding ways to win. That play from Pogo to Gords was top notch hockey.

Anyone else think Western Mich. is a very good team? I think they physically out-played ND this weekend, but ND stuck with the tenacious game plan and snuck enough goals in through hard work to sweep. This weekend should help UND play stronger down the stretch.

Yes, that 3rd goal was shameful. This loss is on Zane.

UND especially looked dominant in the first period. Plus, they never really allowed sustained pressure in the D-zone. Pretty impressive game, in particular for a team that has not had stellar Fridays at home to date.

Enjoyed watching that one, despite the outcome. I need to avoid having my friends watch hockey with me - seems like every time I invite someone over, UND loses.