sagard

I think CC is looking like UMD last year. The could easily finish stronger than UM, SCSU, DU and UW, but miss the tourney.

Don't kid yourself about the Gophers missing the tourney. I told you that when they were 2-7-1. There is a better chance that the Gophers will lose their next four games, than the Gophers missing the tourney.

I'm all for you guys recruiting ND kids. "Ladies and Gentlemen, yoooouur North Dakota's Pride on ICE!" The websight may be already taken though...

Their are only a couple scenarios that I can come up with that would keep UND out of the evening semi-final. None is likely. 1. UND loses in the first round. 2. Gophers finish 4th and UW chokes to AA. That would put the Gophs and UMD in the evening semi. I'd pretty much bank on UND playing Friday evening.

Currently UND, UMD, UM, UW are locks for the NCAA. All have strong RPI's that even it they lose four straight, they will be in the top 13. SCSU and DU are locks if they make the Final Five, and could easily make the tourney without making St. Paul as SCSU did last year. CC really has their backs against the wall. They are the bubble, but will have a very difficult time picking up comparisons. Currently their records in the "teams under consideration" and the "common opponents" categories are terrible. On the bright side, they appear to be playing very well. I think they will have to win two games at the X to qualify. If I were a Sioux fan, I'd root against them. If they do qualify they would likely be the first round opponent for the Sioux on their ice. Instead of Bemidji or some other cupcake.

There may be a rule on the books that if teams were to have played only twice, head-to-head would not be a tie-break criteria. However, I am very sure that UND would get top seed if they end up tied with UMD. Nice work this weekend for your crew. Wow.

I had heard that they are way ahead of last years pace with ticket sales. That combination with the fact that we are likely now to have a Gophs/Sioux semi-final, tickets will be scarce. Or you are right, you could bet against the Gophs and end up getting tickets for a song. Of course you could get shut out, or end up paying $100 per ticket for the semis.

This begs for the KFAN joke: Male: Is it OK for guys to get a perm? Nice sounding Female: It depends. Male: On what? Nice sounding Female: How far along in the sex change process they are!

If the Sioux lose to BC or any Hockey East chumps, I'm going to have a hard time forgiving you!

The brackets are pre-determined. The #1 PWR team's bracket will face the #4 PWR team's bracket and the #2's bracket will face the #3's bracket. So as long as Maine and BC don't finish #1-#4 or #2-#3, the precious eastern teams will have to go through the West to make the final. However, I do think if it is all off UND/UM/UMD/UMich will be placed in Western regionals if Maine can not be bumped from a #1 seed. This will suck for all western teams involved, and Maine and BC will cruise to Boston.

Be careful of what you wish for! Actually I'm kind of hoping it works out that way as well. Of the current #1 seeds, I think Maine is the team most likely to lose their seed, with Michigan potentially sneaking in as the last top seed. UND will not lose their comparison with UMD, unless they lose three straight to UMD. Very unlikely.

They don't count non-conference games against conference opponents. This was a complaint last year by BU fans during the Beanpot tourney.

Ah come on.. Third place and the Final Five championship are still the immediate goals. I really want UMD to need points against UW. About the injuries, GP came back as it was really seemed to inspire Guyer who had his best weekend in weeks. Vanek came back on Saturday and Lucia finally reunited Vanek/Koalska/Riddle. Now the question will be whether or not Ryan P. will return, apparently he has looked very good in practicing. Sure it is possible the Gophers could choke away home ice, but it is very unlikely. While the Gophers have not really been a match for UND or UMD (1-7-0) yet, they have been better than just about everyone else as their 19-4-3 record would suggest. But enough about the Gophers, are the Sioux back on track or what?

No excuses about refs on the preceding Sunday. The Sioux had better damn well win a game at the DECC. But not two! Three points would be great.

The thread on POI talking the most about Spirko is the recent one about "Future Gopher", but to me it is nothing but speculation. The person that said the Gophers had Spirko was kidding that the Gophers had landed Bertram, Bradford, and Kessel as well. Clearly still available.

Mason won't call anything. Should help CC. UMD may have a let down for part of the weekend as it is sandwiched between UM and UND, but should have enough offense to get at least three points.

One thing to look for is Maine will have a very difficult time holding their #1 seed. I'm guessing when the conference playoffs are done the #1's will be UND, UMD, BC and Michigan. Maine will be the top #2 and the Gophers next.

Sid should just stick to kissing the T-Wolves, Mason, and Pohlad's collective backsides. The Gophers actually had a younger average the previous two seasons and managed to do OK. Age wise they were the youngest team in both the St. Paul and Buffalo Frozen Fours. The Gophs got whipped be UMD this year because UMD played great, simple as that.

I'm pretty sure it would have to be a volunteer position. Not sure how UW has managed to have their coach all these years, unless he has an unrelated job in Madison.

What no choice for Lamoureux? Only kidding, I've never seen Brandt play badly although I'm sure he has. Brandt is still the guy I'd go with, although Schwietzer and Belfour certainly did OK as freshmen.

I don't think a goalie coach can be paid, unless he is also a full assistant. So it becomes more of an issue of whether or not anyone qualified that Blais trusts is living in the GF area. I've never understood why Brandt hasn't played more the last two seasons. Based off Blais record, I can only assume there ARE reasons.

I'd love it if the Gophers could still make third. They won't get there without SCSU getting at least two points in Madison next weekend. I think UMD is in the drivers seat. Reichmuth is playing very well. For the NCAA's, UND will still likely be the top WCHA team in the seedings.

You all are too down reguarding the Sioux's chances. Heck my team is 1-7 against the top WCHA teams, and I haven't written them off despite the recent debacle. The NCAA draw will determine who from the WCHA has the best chance. As long as UND is the #1 out West, they will be my favorite. The Frozen Four is still almost two full months away. Speaking of the draw. Maine is losing their grip on the last #1 seed. They are clinging to RPI tie-breaks for both the Michigan and UMD comparisons. I think we could easily end up seeing UND, UMD, UMich and BC as the top seeds.

You guys shouldn't be reduced to rooting for the Gophers. If the Gophers are going to have any chance against UMD or UND in the post season they are going to have to figure out a way to win the special teams battle. UMD is putting a clinic on with their PP. Even if UMD takes the McNaughton, unless UND loses three straight to UMD, UND will be the #1 out west. That is FAR more important. I don't see how the Gophers are going to get two by Reichmuth in the third. I'm calling a 2-2 tie.