RedFrog

Probably more than once.

On paper, this looks to be a great series. Time to see what the boys are made of and will be the most significant indicator to date on whether this will be a transition year or a year that we have a legitimate shot at some post season success. My prediction is that first team to 3 wins each night.

I'm curious to see how the team responds defensively. Offensively, I would like to see the zone time from Saturday night, but with more opportunities at the net ... which means that guys need to shoot the puck and perimeter shots need to get past the first defender. UMD has only given up more than 1 goal twice in their 8 games. I feel like this series will be like most of our games this year ... a race to 3.

Honestly, I don't blame the fan base either. I think it is because we see the improvements and the potential of this team and to have what you can only call a letdown against an inferior opponent gives feelings of the recent past. I hope (and expect) that this season will play out differently ... but will remain somewhat skeptical until given more of a reason to believe otherwise.

Yeah, I was thinking to myself tonight after thew game what I would have accepted as a record 3 weekends into the season? I would have accepted 4-2, preferred 5-1, and been ecstatic at 6-0. I really felt the defense was MUCH better tonight, so that makes me feel a little better. Now I just hope to see progress offensively.

The loss to Minnesota last Saturday is what it is and while did not look good, can be expected. The loss last night at Clarkson is inexcusable, not only because of who the L is to, but the way it looked. Tonight had better be an absolute dominating effort that reflects such on the scoreboard ... anything less and the end of the year is going to be a lot of "ifs and buts" again.

Swanson

Absolutely not hating on him. He had a really bad game, it happens, but it also can't simply be tolerated and excused. I fully expect that he will bounce back and this team still NEEDS him to be a leader and contributor. I agree with a previous poster that at this point we'll have to trust Jax to handle it in a manner he sees fit. From my perspective in my recliner, I think he needs a night off. Regardless, I want to see a more focused, driven, and controlled Strinden the next time he steps on the ice, be that Friday or not and I think a lot of fans will be watching his performance more closely.

I am in the group that believes Strinden needs to sit on Friday. Not only as a result of his play, but I think he needs to get himself in a better place. I remember thinking that this kid looks lost.

Need more production out of Strinden ... I think he gets one tonight.

It appeared the team played with tempo the entire night and there was no let up at any point in the 3rd period. I have been impressed with the effort and conditioning through the first 3 games of the season. On an unrelated note, no crashes of the NCHC app on Roku last night.

Zellers

Any takes on the Michigan State @ Boston University series this weekend? The other intriguing series is Maine at Quinnipiac.

I think the boys will be feeding off the energy in the Ralph tonight ... one of two things will happen, either they'll use the energy to get a lot of early scoring opportunities or they will be too amped and take early penalties. I wouldn't be surprised to have a Motzko lead team poking the bear early to try and get retaliation. It is on Jackson and Co to ensure the right outcome of these two scenarios.

I like this quote from his Mom (highlighted for emphasis).

I think the bigger question is how does Dane and Bryn get it in front of them so they see that! Probably where the social media accounts become a big asset.

Plus he went 15-5 on faceoffs.

Aside from "River Hawks", this reference irked me ...

Pretty sure I heard/read that it will be on Midco Sports+, but no NCHC.TV that I can see. Even clicking on the "watch" button on the game on NCHChockey just takes you to the Midco Sports+ page. I don't have Midco cable, so it looks like it will be radio for me tonight.

Great opportunity to get the season off on a positive note tonight with a sweep. With only two teams (Maine and Michigan) ahead of us and in the top 10 of the current poll having a clean slate this weekend and we can take a significant step forward for only being one set of games into the season. I don't want to look back at tonight as a "what could have been" come NCAA selection time.

FYI, the response I got from Sidearm sports regarding the NCHC app crashing on Roku.

The NCHC app on Roku progressively got worse through the night ... kicked us out once in the first period, twice in the second period, and probably 7 or 8 times in the third. May need to just airplay it as has been recommended until it is fixed. As far as the game, I really liked the hustle and effort of the entire team. There was definitely a lot of sloppy play and Gibson did a really good job when called upon to make some big saves. The two he let in were a breakaway and a rebound to an open guy on a PK. That 4th line was really fun to watch tonight, they were so hard on pucks and on the forecheck. The sloppy play can be fixed. Was it just me, or did the game appear to be played at a higher speed than in recent years?

I had the same issue last week during the exhibition where it kicked us out 5 or 6 times ... it only did it once to us during the 1st period tonight. I was planning on uninstalling the app and reinstalling, but if that doesn't fix it, I'm not sure what to do. I'm on a Roku TV.

OK, blogs are posted so it must be score prediction time ... I'm going 4-2 good guys ... Reschny, James (x2) and Swanson.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1JMvXws58b/ I'm curious to see how Toews' comeback goes. Hope he can stay healthy and have some good production.