RedFrog

@brianvf I'll give you first choice, especially since we have 3/4 picks the same already and are essentially picking from the same player pool.

Thus, if we compound those losses with another loss (or worse) to Bemidji, we may very likely be sweating come March. I would rather take care of business this weekend and know that we are in a good place with our non-conference results going into the break. I would prefer to be strongly in the 8-10 range of the NPI or better going into March. Not sweeping this weekend just takes another step toward being in the 14-20 range.

^This^ If this team wants to show it is a top 10 team and will not have the fan base sweating the bubble this year they will need to sweep this series. I fear that anything else will make March a nerve racking month.

Ollie

James

I think that providing the opportunities for our players to play in events such as the World Juniors and the Spengler Cup has to be a recruiting boon and you give each and every player that is provided those opportunities the support they need to participate in those. I think moving forward, there will obviously be more attention provided to the schedule surrounding the holiday season because of these events and the potential impact on our roster. Do I want to risk losing to Canisius Mercyhurst? Not really, but the long term benefit of that risk far outweighs the potential short term benefit, IMO. I also like the fact it gives some of those guys who haven't necessarily received the ice time to do so and earn more playing time. I remember the season we dressed the only 17 healthy skaters we had and made a run to make the NCAAs and win a regional. If Jackson is truly bringing us back to a higher standard, then this should not be an issue.

Man, did the quality of these videos SUCK!! I had a DVD burner that I would record the games to live and then I would go back and pull clips from the DVDs. Obviously it was not a high dollar setup. LOL

Zellers

Reschny

I need to give a shout out to Strinden for his play since the Saturday night debacle against the Gophers. In the 4 games since he has 2 goals, 4 assists and is a +6. Being one who was calling for him to be sat to send a message, he has responded admirably. I never doubted that it he would bounce back and be a key contributor to this team, and this team needs him to be. Now we need to find a way to get Menghini going ... no points yet this season and did get scratched the Friday game at Clarkson.

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).