sagard

Unless it became an issue with the "U" admin, it won't be a problem. The games with UMD/SCSU/MSUM are typically some of the most fun games as a fan. These games are far better attended than games vs. OSU or MichSt. Of course all the tickets are sold so who knows if anyone cares. The beauty of the 20 game league schedule is that the "U" would then probably schedule at least six of the eight remaining games at home so they would get more $$$.

When the Sioux win it will be done their way. As far as I can tell the uptempo is still the way to go if you have the horses. For the finals: '00 - Both uptempo. '01 - Both uptempo. '02 - Gophs up and maybe Maine as well. '03 - Both up. '04 - Both down. '05 - Both up. I thought the '05 DU team was loaded and didn't trap. The final game may have ended up going that way, but I don't think it was their strategery. '06 - BC up lost to UW. '07 - BC up lost to Mich St. '08 - BC up. '09 - BU??? up. Teams will try to clog and slow, but I don't think it will necessarily have an advantage at crunch time, unless they have Elliot backing them up. Even he needed a crossbar in the regionals and a goal post in the final seconds. You guys should all be proud of what they accomplished, disappointing finishes simply happen. They don't reflex poorly on your program or players in the real world, they just provide fodder for rivals to pick on. Be glad Ruesse isn't a Sioux fan or I'm sure he'd tell you everything you do wrong.

I could be wrong, but I think Stoa had a little more leverage. He like Wheeler was four years out high school so I think he could have potentially become a free agent at the end of the summer. McBain's team I'm pretty sure had his rights until after the summer of 2010.

EP being a 3-1 fav over Bucky is funny.

They will get out by bus if they have to. I'm sure your boys will get to Manchester by puck drop.

This is the first time in a LONG time I've considered the Sioux to be Cinderella. This should bode well for your guys.

That third place game sucks. Unless the Gophers are getting whooped. I hate the 3rd place game because it is only a cash grab for the league. They are soaking the faithful fans who buy the package year after year. After the Gophers getting knocked out by the end of the 3rd place games you can now imagine how I now.

I agree there should be discussions. RPI has it's flaws, but tweeking the formula to reduce negative impact wins is dumb. UW and SLU paid the price. If you can't live with negative impact wins during playoffs, discard the result as in years past. The Gophers are out from all draws unless KRACH was used. Then UM, UW, BC and Lowell are in. Miami, OSU, Cornell and Princeton are out. I do think the RPI formula needs to be changed back. You don't measure SOS using primarily your Opponents' Opponents Record, you use your opponents record. I said it at the time, but the WCHA coaches really dropped the ball allowing that RPI formula change to occur. They simply gave away a major competitive advantage. This year UW paid the price. Next year could be anyone, but the WCHA is likely to pay the price.

The RPI change kept UW and St. Larry's on the bench. Miami and OSU were the beneficiaries. Soft schedules are going to continue to prevail over those with more difficult schedules when two teams are basically equal.

Yeah but there were some here even amongst the most informed that thought they would get in no matter what. It sucks not to make it, but I'd hate to see tOSU's chances in a smoky room vs. UM and UW.

I don't think UNH is a bad matchup for you guys. They don't have scoring depth and their goal differential is only +4. This tells me they aren't that strong. BU isn't a great matchup for anyone, but at least if you guys get through there won't be BC waiting for you in DC. Good luck out East!

Yikes. The idiotic changes to the RPI formula going to a 21/25/54 vs. 25/50/25 have bumped UW and SLU from the field, replacing them will be Miami and OSU. Unless they change the formula back I think you will see some start going with an all cupcake philosophy.

Careful now. You seem like you've been hanging out with us in the land of 10,000 excuses. You guys haven't even played yet and the last time a beat up UND went out east they flogged both Jackie and Jerry.

Mine: Manchester 1. Boston University (1) vs. 4. Ohio State (15) 2. North Dakota (8) vs. 3. New Hampshire (10) Bridgeport 1. Michigan (4) vs. 4. Air Force (14) 2. Yale (5) vs. 3. Vermont (9) Grand Rapids 1. Notre Dame (2) vs. 4. Bemidji State (16) 2. Northeastern (6) vs. 3. Cornell (11) Minneapolis 1. Denver (3) vs. 4. Miami (13) 2. UMD (6) vs. 3. Princeton (12)

Dogs were in charge start to finish pretty much every night.

Sadly I'm trying to distract myself from the bigger picture which is pretty bleak from my perspective.

The truth is we ARE limited by PWR. What I'm not telling you is the Lou, Glen, Sheperd, Adam, Anderson, Lil Shep, McLeod are enroute to Boston and New York. They are going to jump in and officiate the crucial BU/Lowell and Mercyhurst/AFA tilts. If that doesn't appear to be working they are planning of having some of our PWR nerds tinker with the system at the last moment to get us in fair and square.

He has a lot of confidence in Mercyhurst and BU.

I'm pretty sure this gets the Gophers in: # Hockey East Championship game: Boston University defeats Mass.-Lowell. # ECAC Championship game: Yale defeats Cornell. # ECAC Consolation game: Princeton defeats St. Lawrence. # Atlantic Hockey Championship game: Air Force defeats Mercyhurst. # CCHA Championship game: Notre Dame defeats Michigan. # CCHA Consolation game: Northern Michigan defeats Alaska. # WCHA Championship game: Denver defeats Minnesota-Duluth. # WCHA Consolation game: North Dakota defeats Wisconsin. AFA ends up #14 in PWR, Gophers #15. Gophers have a lot better chance if Mercyhurst wins, but AFA is actually a very good team and will win that game. Not many outs left in the deck for the Gophs.

Once your kid starts playing you learn what a tough loss really is.

UMD won't generate much offense. Have your goalie stop the easy ones and you'll win minimum of 2-1.

7000+ tickets are sold. No need to screw someone more deserving over an additional 2,000 ticket sales. Scalpers are the only ones crying.

I haven't looked at all the possibilities, but I think they need UMD to lose twice and literally all the top seeds to win the semi-finals everywhere. Then they probably need help Saturday as well. They basically got what they deserved after failing to get all the points up at Tech.

Might look nice with your Maine gear. I really hope I don't have to go to the games the rest of the weekend and watch other teams. Friday night Gophs/UND would be a little fun.

Your willing to be subject to another BC beat down just to keep the harmless Gophers out of the tourney?