Irish
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Posts posted by Irish
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oh yeah, the we are young statement, sorry. not buying it.........play some hard nose hockey and win your damn games at home vs friken tech.............
Agreed!
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I just read all 23 pages as I was unable to listen to the game last night. I came up to Grand Forks from Denver to see the Sioux last week against Wisco. Here are my thoughts about that weekend and probably the season as a whole:
1)Lee is one of the most over rated defensemen. He didn't skate in the 2nd period of the Friday game against Wisco and he doesn't seem to hit enough. I think the press clippings have gone to his head. Someone on this board correctly opined how our current team do not block shots at the rate that Schneider, Fuher, Greene, Prpich, etc. did.
2)Due to the fact that Hakstol is married to the daughter of the President of the alumni association, there will always be controversy surrounding his promotion to head coach. Having personally spoken to John Marks, who was a candidate for the head coaching position, the word among all of the candidates and in college hockey in general was that Hak got the position in part because he is O'Keefe's son-in-law. I don't know if that was sour grapes on those who mention this or if there's truth to it; afterall, Blais did give his public support to Hakstol and we all know that Blais has a TON of credibility due to what he did for the program and its many successes. I personally think Hakstol knows the game and is due a huge amount of credit for the team's successes when Blais was coach but I do get tired of hearing his post-game commentary which is beginning to sound like a broken record ("we didn't have puck luck," "the bounces didn't go our way", etc.).
3)I went to Sioux boosters last week and Hakstol stated that Oshie broke his thumb about 7 weeks ago and it was never publicly announced. This is likely why his goal production is down (you try shooting with a sore broken thumb). I give Oshie props for staying in the lineup. I give Oshie props for not using that as his excuse for not scoring.
4)Goaltending. Lammy goes down too early/too often. Correct me if I'm wrong, but a majority of Wisco's goals were up high. Opponents have scouted him well and they know his weakness. In his defense though, a little back checking in the 3rd period of Saturday's game by the defense and forwards might have prevented the game tying and go-ahead goals.
5)Lack of consistent shot production. 18 shots on net in the 1st period of Friday's game against Wisco. Outstanding. Followed up by 4 shots in 2nd period, the first shot not coming until about mid way through the period...not going to get it done.
6)Stupid, untimely penalties. Lack of shots in 2nd period due primarily to spending a majority of the period killing penalties. I can't remember who, but a Sioux player took a dumbass elbowing penalty when they were in the offensive zone!!! Blais would've benched his ass.
Hopefully I won't be accused of ragging on the Sioux. I love the Sioux and my friends in Colorado always state that despite not liking the Sioux (they're DU or CC fans), they admire how, over the years, the team has that never-say-die work ethic and attitude. Win or lose, there was never any quit in them. The teams under Blais' reign garnered much respect from both opponents and opposing fans because of their discipline and hard work. I didn't see that fire in either game against the Badgers. Is this the coaching staff's fault? The players' fault? Both? Anyone, please weigh in.
There's no doubt that Hak was basically anointed as coach. Whether he was the best man for the job remains to be seen. Most of us don't have enough information yet to make that call. What upsets me most is not that we are losing (although that burns too), but the type of play we are getting lately. We have had it taken to us physically, are making stupid mistakes, and don't show up for all 3 periods - this has been going on for way too long. In my mind, my biggest question about Hak as a coach is in player development. When you look at our talent on paper (number of drafted players, expectations of level of play when signing etc) there is no way on God's earth that we should be playing like this. This is basically the first year that we are Hak's team as opposed to Blais' recriuts - I'm worried. No one seems to be getting better or playing above expectations. Usually someone unexpected has a breakout year - not this year however. We seemed incapable of scoring 5 on 5 last night. If the play doesn't pick up soon we're in for a long haul and not only for this year. Relying on nexy year's recruits seems iffy - We are basically a team made up of the last highly praised recruiting class (this year's sophomores) and look at how they are developing. We need some fire. We have for the past month - nothing yet. I hope tonight's the night (although I am tired of saying this)
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Some would say this team is young and lacking top notch talent. Some say our offensive talent is not capable of producing.
However, by my count, UND had SIX drafted forwards playing tonight, and THREE drafted defensemen, two of which were first rounders. I don't know how many Tech players are draftees, but I'm guessing they didn't have 9 on the ice.
So, what is wrong with UND? Hak says he doesn't want to over-analyze it. Just wants to keep working.
I respect that. However, I think that if this team hasn't developed a sense of determination and leadership on it's own, that needs to be injected through a shake up. The military does that when they throw a bunch of young guys together in basic training. First, you break them down slightly through hard workouts and some harsh attitudes from the drill sergeants. Then, you allow team spirit to build after the egos have been abated. It might be time for "boot camp". Not to exact vengence on the players, but to change the direction of this team.
Sorry to say it, but if you can't get a better effort out of this group than we saw tonight you have to wonder what is going on with the coaching staff.
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I hust got home also and listened to the radio on the way - I almost threw up listening to the crap they were spewing.
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This seems to be a new modern day (post Bjorkman) low. We got our asses handed to us at home by Michigan Tech. Did we even come close to scoring a 5 on 5 goal?
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Please share with us why you believe the next few years will be bleak when some of the top prospects are headed this way. All this team needs to find is some consistent goaltending.
I just got back from Friday's game with Michigan Tech - Just what kind of freshman class do you think will turn this team around? - In addition, if they progress like this years sophomores, we're in real trouble.
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Please share with us why you believe the next few years will be bleak when some of the top prospects are headed this way. All this team needs to find is some consistent goaltending.
Take Toews and Oshie from this team (which might happen if they decide to move up) and what do we have to build on? The lack of development of current players who have been highly rated (Lee for example) leaves me to worry no matter who's comming in. No one seems to be getting better. In addition, there are several disturbing trends this year - One is our lack of physical play on Defense. We went from a team who had the most feared defensemen in the league to a team that gets outhit in our own arena. In addition, the undisciplined play (stupid penalties), inconsistant play (taking entire periods off), horribe penalty kill, and poor goaltending make me worry that unless we get our acts together we are in for a long period of frustration. Counting on next year's freshmen to pull us up (especially at this point of this year) makes me uneasy. Our mental approach as a team may be my biggest concern - why can't they turn it on for 3 periods?
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The Sioux lost a lot of talent from last year - so did other teams especially the Gophers. I think the frustration on several threads boils down to the fact that the Gophers seem to have reloaded and we haven't - or haven't shown much so far. Our freshman class may develop with time, but no one seems to be able to step up and make a difference now. Other teams (Gophers again) seem to have recriuted impact players. In addition, many of the Sioux players this year seem to have stagnated or gotten worse - our entire sophomore defensive corps are not playing like last year and we seem to have the worst goaltending tandem in the league at least according to their stats. Other than Duncan, no one is scoring like up to potential including Oshie and Toews. Although most of us are loyal Sioux fans, sitting each week thinking mayby this will be the week where they get it together is getting old. We are used to being at the top or near the top every year. Add in the finest facility in college hockey and mediocrity is not acceptable. In addition, several aspects of the Sioux play are particulairly frustrating - especially being out hit, being taken to task at home, extremely poor goaltending, and stupid penalties especially from people who should know better. I'm certainly not giving up on the Sioux, but would like to see some traditional Sioux hockey out of this team. They have played some of the crappiest periods of hockey that I have seen from a Sioux team since the early 70's. I hope things turn around or the next few years may be bleak.
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Let me vent and share my frustration also. it is obvious that this team has trouble in all areas - timely scoring, defense, goaltending, will to win, intensity, mental mistakes. My feeling is that the ultimate responsibility is with the coaches. When Blais was here, players knew that if they came to UND with talent they would leave as players in the NHL sense of the word. Thjat's not happening now. Does anyone think that Finley, Lee, Lameraux, Toews, Oshie, etc are playing better this year. Almost no one is developing. We are playing much worse as a team than in the past. In addition, we were out-recruited this year. I agree with other posters that it is a mystery as to why we can't get a stud goalie in here. It is painful to watch us get out-hit in our own arena. Hakstol was basically anointed as coach - It's time for him to show us what he's got. I will not be happy until we are competing with the Gophers. Blais would never allow this type of play without kicking some but. We need a wake-up call soon.
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It should be on our coaching staff to bring these guys along. A major part of Blais' success was the fact that if you had talent and came to UND you would leave playing like a NHL hockey player. This was common knowledge among hockey players. If you needed to get jacked up to perform, that's what happened. That's how he got major talent to come here before our state of the art facility. Now, if things don't change it looks like players will leave here having regressed during their time here. The coaches need to pick it up. Also - how we got stuck holding the bag with the worst goaltending stats in the WCHA is beyond me.
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I've said this before but I'm frustrated so I'll add my 2 cents again - Other than Duncan and maybe 1 or 2 others - is anyone playing better this year than last. There seems to be no improvement among our sophomore defensemen. They seem to have gone backwords as a group. I'm not excited about our freshmen class. Other teams with a lot less tradition and facilities seem to have ourrecruited us. If you combine their stats do we have the worst goaltending in the league? This is NOT Fighting Sioux hockey as I know it. We seem to have no home court advantage - other teams used to fear comming here - we would beat them physically and on the scoreboard. Fighting Sioux hockey is not about being 7 and 7. Wait until we play the good teams. The coaches need to shape this team up.
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Punt my ass - it would be nice if we tried to win this game!
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Our 3 or 4 man rush is killing us.
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We need to PUT SOME PRESSURE ON THE QB Why are we content to let him stand back there and pick us apart?
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If they don't start sending someone to put pressure on the QB it will be a long day.
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For all of us who have been critical of Chris Mussman's playcalling in the past, let me be the first to say, great job today and really all season. This offense is a machine right now.
I'll admit I have been one of the critical ones - great offensive job today - keep the momemtum going
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Playing it safe on that last series - I hope it doesn't come back to bite us
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go for the damn touchdown and stop trying to run the clock - didn't we learn anything from last time?
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Good God - did any defensive players show up today?
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We put in the 3-4 specifically to stop the option - we look like we've never seen it before.
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When is the last time we saw a UND defense get used like this?
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Other than Duncan, is anyone better than they were last year? Did anyone progress? What a lack of development from a group that we expected big things from.
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Anyone notice that Lee made a penalty and everyone calls for Finley's head?
Hey, you know, Finley didn't do that badly tonight but I think Finley could go on a goal scoring tear and it won't matter.
I think Finley needs to come to grips that he and Grieco just flat out suck. Who cares about Finley's last season where he was one of the best on the team in the second half. He sucks. Who cares that Grieco has only played in 6 games as a Sioux. He sucks. Who cares that Lee has done pretty darn well and is close to leading the team in PP points. He sucks. Too bad Hak has gone to 2 straight Frozen Fours. He sucks.
Did I miss anyone?
Let's face it. This team sucks. Let's all go down to Minnesota and root for the Gophers!
Hey - I just got back from the game and need to vent -
This is not Fighting Sioux hockey as I have known it.
The defense has some glaring lapses and turnovers
We got out hustled and out hit except for a few spurts
We have some players who are non-participants on offense
We take untimely penalties - no discipline
=Lamoreaux or Greico needs to step up and play
We seem to be having trouble handling the puck
Did we get any breakaways or odd man rushes?
I got criticized on an earlier thread for suggesting that the Gophers out recruited us this year - Which one of our freshmen is having a breakout year?
How long are we going to blame it on "bad breaks" or "poor officiating"
Let's face it - this team needs to get going soon
Don't rip everyone who posts who is frustrated. We are NOT playing anything close to good hockey now.
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The key to winning this game - simple - leave the agressive offense uncorked and stop playing conservative like we seem to do every time we play Omaha. This is not the time to tighten up. A look at the film the last two weeks should show how effective we can be when we play loose. I know that not going for it on 4th and 1 has been discussed at length, but look what a big difference one loss has had on our rankings. We need to play to win plain and simple.
Swept again!
in Men's Hockey
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