Walsh Hall

I 100% agree. The Sioux played an incredible game, out shot and out chanced them. Wilcox and Gothberg both were great. A great hockey game (minus that last few seconds). They played their hearts out and did all they could. Sometimes the bounce goes our way, sometimes it doesn't. I have nothing but pride for the team's play last night.

I agree Dave. That 1999 lose was a tough one. They absolutely bottled us up. We could get nothing going. Very frustrating. When the Gerbe debacle game turned, it turned in a hurry. By the end of the first that one was done. I still think that those '05-'08 games were toss-ups. Those BC teams were not dominant teams. (Compared to many UND teams, Michigan... in that era)

To a large extent, yes. There are so many factors in a one and done format. Where the regionals and FF are played, how you match up with the teams you are paired with, bounces of all shapes and sizes, who is the ref and how is the game called, hot goalie or cold goalie, other upsets, sick/injured players, hitting a post or two vs. the other team hitting a post, breaking a stick at the wrong time... If the Sioux win it this year there is no question they got some fortunate breaks. Well deserving, but also a good helping of luck. That's just the way it is.

BC's overall success is not an anomaly, just like our overall success has not been an anomaly. Winning 3 of 6 is an anomaly. While success is largely measure in national championships, that really isn't the best way to do the measuring. The Frattin team was the best team in the nation. I cant believe they would have lost a 5 or 7 game series to any team at the end of the year. They lost. The 1997 team would have been taken apart by that Michigan team (very likely), and would have had virtually no chance in a 5 or 7 game series. They got lucky (via BU) and won. Such is the way the puck bounces. BC isn't doing anything different. There is no magic pill. They are doing the same thing at as high a level as anyone else.

I was being a dink to all the folks (experts) whining about Hak's system. I 100% agree with everything you just wrote because you, more importantly, are 100% right.

Dave - My mistake - Thanks for the correction

Come on... the experts here have clearly indicated the dump and chase technique doesn't work against a trap. Haven't you watched BC?

Kinda sad. For better or worse that is something he should keep.

Goon - That's for the dump and chase post - You are 100% correct. The trapping systems of today were not the norm in college hockey in the mid to late 1990's. The game has changed. To not change your approach would be incredibly stupid. Team wins in the last five years: BC- 113 UND - 105 Union - 104 Minn. - 97 Denver/QU - 90 BC has been successful, no question. UND has also been incredibly successful. I will bet that you haven't watched 5 BC games in the past 2 years. Probably far less than that. Do you honestly think their "style" is not substantially similar to ours? Do you think that BC, and BC only, have discovered some magical formula that no other college coach can decipher. Can the BC players, and BC players only, magically skate through an effective trap? If Wisconsin hadn't pulled an incredible comeback against Ohio St. we wouldn't have made the NCAA's. That would have had zero to do with Hak. Now many are saying what a great job he has done with this team. Would the opinion of Hak's job this year be different if Ohio St. wins that game? You indicate that BC's system is similar to the old Blais system. I ask again, please explain in detail Blais's system and the current BC system. In other words, please explain the logic underlining your conclusion.

What is Blais's winning percentage as a college coach and what is Hak's? Surely Blais's Porsche is substantially better than Hak's Pinto. If we are collecting Bridesmaid dresses what is Blais collecting? When did a "trap" style of play become the norm in college hockey? Please describe the various left wing lock and trap methods and for each the most effective manner in which to advance the puck. Please describe the various in-zone and neutral zone penalty kill strategies and your thoughts on the best method to counteract the strategies. I ask that you answer these questions without the assistance of the interweb. In response to these thoughts, please indicate specifically where Hak's coaching is inadequate, and what in-game changes he should be making. Maybe Blais can help write a response as he typically has free time this time of year.* Thanks in advance. If the reply is that we need to carry the puck into the zone without further explanation I don't think I'll be able to stop pounding my head into my desk. *No offense to Mr. Blais. I love the man and what he has done to continue and advance our program.

The logistics of not having sites selected for the regionals until the bracket is announces would be very problematic. I like the 2 out of 3 idea, but it would be strange to have that format in the first two rounds and jump to one and done in the more important games.

First, many people's opinions are just flat out wrong. I can say a Honda is a nicer car than a Porsche. It's my opinion, but my opinion is 100% wrong. It astonishes me how limited some folks' perspective is. To say Hak is anything but an elite coach is moronic. In many of the past seasons we are talking about literally a bounce or two from a national championship. It's just as nuts to say Hak's a great coach because we won this past weekend where we got a bounce, as to say he is inadequate because we lose a tournament game in a similar fashion. Look at the body of work. It speaks for itself. If we weren't competitive, weren't in the mix for league championships I would have a problem as well. To the folks that say Hak doesn't change from his system: I really don't understand this one. I haven't seen a game this year where the breakouts, forechecks, PP, etc. haven't been modified during the game. Doesn't mean that it works, but the system 100% changes. If you can't see that you have no business complaining.

We stayed at the Marriott and had a splendid time. The turn out for the other teams was pathetic. Were there even 20 Denver fans? The venue is what it is, but the playing conditions were poor. The ice seemed bad and the boards and glass had major issues. I'm glad a really fluky goal didn't decide someone's fate. The games had a ping pong feel with the glass and very lively boards. Lots of restaurants, etc. in the area and the skyway system is convenient. Too bad the weather was crappy, but that is a crap shoot this time of year. Fan fest would have been enjoyable. The sightlines are crappy. We moved up to the upper deck and thought the view was much better. Unfortunately it felt like we were in a wind tunnel. It was quite chilly. All-in-all an enjoyable weekend.

There was a stretch this year were he was hands down the best player on the ice. He can flat out control the play. I hope we see that type of play this weekend.

Is the Pourhouse 21+ only?

Just checked the NCHC site and they show us playing the evening game.

USCHO has us playing the early game. I'm quite upset as I would have been able to get there for the evening game, but not the afternoon.

I've seen him play a few times and am curious to see how he progresses. He is a very good skater, has good hands, and exceptional hockey sense. Best western ND player I've seen in the past decade. He was keyed on every game and still produced. He will certainly need to put on some muscle to play at the next level.

I thought the US were doing a great job in the third until a bad bounce resulted in the 1st Canadian goal. After that there was a definite change in demeanor and the 2nd goal was an unfortunate bad play by the goalie. I'm not going to blame the lose on the officials, but they were flat our brutal all game (both ways, and it has to be hard to draw the line with the physical play.)

At the youth level the participation in hockey is definitely growing in the non-GF areas of the state. The West is really catching up with the East. I'd guess in the next ten years that the West wins at least 2 state championships, and probably more. Many of the better athletes in Bismarck, Minot... are focusing on hockey. That wasn't the case in the past.

There is no question that in general football is much more popular than hockey. It ain't even close. UND hockey is the highest level of college hockey available. Kids grow up dreaming of playing for UND or BC or U of M... Nobody dreams of playing in the second tier. If a local kid has the option of playing at Alabama, Notre Dame... we aren't winning many of those battles. To play this level of football you need to be an exceptional athlete. No question about that. I am not belittling them at all. But winning at this level is quite different than being the best college team in the nation. I'd equate it to winning the net division opposed to the scratch./gross division. I frankly thought that NDSU should use their success to try to transition up.

I'm a UND fanatic, but I do realize that our football team won't be competing against the big boys. It's just the way it is.

And some schools like to display the highest level of division one national championship trophies opposed to those inconsequential, best of the lousiest, subdivision things...

Completely agree. Not comparing Fargo, Bismarck, and Grand Forks for who is "better," but only Grand Forks is a college town.

I would be way more impressed if NDSU won in wrestling. It's a big accomplishment to win at a lower level, but nowhere winning at the top level. I always felt the same way about UND's championships at a lower level. It's nice, but it just shows you have the best players of the players that aren't good enough to play at the top level.