OETKB

I wish I could be more optimistic, but this Sioux team has major problems: 1. Penalties. UND is taking too many, poorly timed penalties. 2. Defense. They are allowing far more shots than last year, even though they brought back everyone. 3. Offense. Complete lack thereof. Parise & Bochenski only explain part of this. The rest lies somewhere in the coaching or execution of the game. This is the worst offense UND has fielded since '01-02, when they actually had a valid excuse. Let's get it together, boys. Christmas isn't far away.

Are you kidding me? Another shut-out? You mean to tell me that players like Stafford, Spirko, Zajac, Fylling, Genoway, etc., etc. can't put one freakin' goal on the board? What the hell is wrong with North Dakota this year? And don't give me the Parise/Bochenski standard answer. This is a senior-laden team with plenty of good offensive players. There are no excuses.

Given how strong the team looked on paper (pre-season) and at Maine, I was very disappointed with the next few weeks. Especially the Saturday game vs. UM. That was horrible. However, the CC series looked good. I thought they deserved to win both games. The puck control is coming around, and UND has consequently re-established its forecheck. Even on the PP, the team is moving the puck much better. They will be getting more shots on the PP soon, IMO. Now, if the boys can just finish a few more chances, this team has what it takes to go far.

Watched the 1st period tonight. Dataflix was off and on. Kind of annoying, but at least WHEN it was working it streamed well. As frustrating as the poor webcasts are, I had to reflect on the fact that UND began this 4 or 5 years earlier than I thought they would. For that, I am thankful. But the broadcasts are still very haphazard. I hope they can make improvements somehow, even if the process is slow.

This is exactly what I've been saying so far this season. I'll always be a fan. However, the team needs righting. They are just not getting it done like they should be so far. In '01-02, they had an excuse. Then, the Sioux played 10 or 11 freshmen per game. This year, they've got 10 upperclassmen per game. Sorry, but there is no excuse for not playing well. That said, I saw the 1st period tonight and thought UND looked very good. I had to leave before there was any score, but from what I saw there was no way I thought UND would lose tonight. So, tomorrow night should be a great gut-check. This team needs to put a complete game together soon, or risk falling apart and giving up on the season. We've got the coaches, experience, and talent to get it done. lately, they just can't seem to close out a game, even when they are playing pretty well.

These kind of comments make me wonder. UND returns 20 players from last year, and brought in what could be the best recruiting class in the country. They are anything but a young team, unless you are referring specifically to the most talented forwards (Murray, Stafford, Zajac). So far, UND is flat-out underperforming - coaching change notwithstanding. This is a team that should, above all else, play excellent positioning and maintain puck control for the majority of the games, which they are failing to do so far. The last time UND had 10 upperclassmen with only a few freshmen (in the regular lineup) was in 2001, when they returned to the Frozen Four after winning it the prior year. This year's team really has no excuse to perform badly.

That was the general feeling going into this year, even before anyone knew Bowenkamp would miss most of the games. Pre-season, I had them pegged to go 8-2 in the regular season, with losses to SCSU & UNO. Sometimes, it sucks to be right! But on that note, 8-2 assumes we win next week. Perhaps in the playoffs, if we can get a QB performing at 100%, things can turn around. I think next season is going to be great. The roster we have waiting is as good as it has ever been.

This years' team is a huge disappointment so far. Yes, they still have a winning record. Yes, with the coaching changes and NHL defections there is an adjustment period. However, Hak has a stable of veteran players and some great young talent. Why are teams like Mankato & Northeastern having their way with UND? Very strange and disturbing year so far. I don't see many positives coming out of the last 6 games. The boys are not learning to avoid the penalty box. They are also not controlling the puck the way they ought to be with 6 or 7 seniors playing each night, not to mention two first round draft picks in the younger ranks. Not that I'm going to accuse Hakstol of mismanaging the team at this early juncture. I'm just very confused and let down by the team to date.

I have a feeling the boys (including McMahon) are going to stomp the hell out of Norhteastern tonight. Maybe I'm just being optimistic, but I know this team has what it takes to be great. The thing is, they need to do it as a TEAM this year. We've got a bunch of senior experience in Schneider, Fuher, Jones, McMahon, Fylling, Massen, etc. But so far they have not shown the leadership & poise I expect. The young talent is top-notch. But again, players like Murray & Stafford really need to get things going. I don't like the idea that they are in a Soph Slump. Not at all. In time, I think this team is going to find itself and be hell to play against. Just when that will happen is hard to say. The weak penalties, lack of crisp passing, and absence of a backcheck are some big hurdles to get over. Here's hoping they get on a roll tonight. With as much talent as this team has, I never thought the Sioux would be in this situation, even with the NHL defections and the coaching change. UND needs to prove itself an elite program yet another time. Get 'er done, boys.

Very nice, Jim. Very encouraging.

I've had a bit more time to adjust to Saturday. Here's a more well-rounded perspective. Goofs clearly came out with their A+++ game, and the Sioux were clearly not ready to handle that. Defensively, they looked like they wanted to take the puck away more than stopping UM with the body. It didn't work. Offensively, the forwards overplayed the puck all night. It was very frustrating to watch UND get caught with all three forwards hovering around the UM blue line, whilst a Goofer would steal the puck in the neutral zone and move in with odd-man rushes against one or two defensemen. The Sioux never got any momentum offensively because the passing was the worst I've seen in a long time. Passing drills anyone? Briggs played a very good game Saturday. However, he was not tested much. 23 shots? Not good enough to win in the WCHA. Sioux need to play physical defense and shore up the passing/neutral zone play. They have the experience and talent to be a very good team, but they looked lost out there last weekend.

I'm up late, so here is some honest analysis of Saturday's game: Murray, Massen, and Porter were trying to save the team all by themselves. The rest of the forwards were invisible most of the time. Schneider is back to being a major force. Greene has regressed to a point I'd not been willing to fathom. He and Jones were not good tonight. Jones got smoked for one of the goals. Greene whiffed the puck and missed assignments for more than one gaol. Youch. The most entertaining part of the game was when Rory McMahon fought. That is a bad, bad statement in what should be a huge game for the Sioux. Maybe some of the kids don't get it, but putting on the Sioux jersey involves decades of tradition. Tonight's showing was one of the worst in decades.

With a showing as bad as Saturday, I would hope the coaches are fuming. There is no excuse. This team is experienced. I'll apologize in advance, because I'm pretty mad about tonight's flop. However, if I were coach for a night, I might break out the "There are 20 guys in the USHL who would be happy to replace your sorry butts" speech right about now.

That's probably the BIGGEST egg I've seen UND lay in years. Perhaps going back to that horrific game vs Mankato in '01-02. The difference being this team has no excuse. They have tons of experience and depth. If this team can't be bothered to show up for one of the biggest games of the year, what can we really hope for as fans?

Another Satellite Party Saturday bites the dust. I'm having a hard time remembering when the last Sioux victory was on Satellite Party day. It had to have been 4 years ago. Sioux were pathetic tonight. Couldn't pass the puck to save their lives. Defense sure didn't look as good as they are billed to be. A total team flop.

Sioux steal another ugly game. What ever happened to clean passing and a strong forecheck? UND has been very poor offensively so far, and very lucky to get the wins, IMO. With as much experience and talented youngsters as they have, they look very sloppy to me.

I'm outa here. Gotta go play some ball. What a crap game so far.

I agree that the end of the period was a joke. This is not what hockey is supposed to be. Thanks alot NCAA. Great idea. Just like the last time. Pissed off fans and 10 guys in the box at a time. Perfect.

Penalties or not, the Goofs have looked MUCH SHARPER than the Sioux so far in this game. Why can't UND advance the puck and get quality shots on net?

Considering that UND has not scored much in any game so far, I just hope they can avoid the crazy shootout type of game they had in the Final Five vs the Goofs. UND needs to play solid defense first, with an aggressive set of 4 lines giving their all. If we can get that, I think the Sioux take 4 points, but the scores will probably be more like 3-2 each night.

Saves in the game were 30 (or 31, not sure) to 22 for Volp. Not acceptable. However, good to see the Sioux really turn up the heat in the last 10 minutes. That's the Sioux team I'm used to!

Massen puts UND up 2-1. Oh, it's good to hear that name. We need him to have a good year.

They get a little desperate....they score 0:30 later. Hmmm?

It figures. When is UND going to take 'Kato seriously?