Irish

After watching Day 1 it is pretty clear that we really need to up our recruiting game. Not saying we don't have some nice players coming in, but wow there is some elite talent buzzing around in this tournament. Hopefully we're on it. We need the portal this year but need to rebuild a steady pipeline that is balanced in numbers and by position.

Exactly - we need to sell our program to top talent. We've had a good track record in the past.

Wow - that big brain of yours has uncovered the root of our problems.

A great game followed by a long slide. It showed our potential and what possibly could have been. We expected a team like this for the season and a top 5 team nationally.

As long as we have seasons and droughts like this one - yes. Are you happy with how things are going with our program?

In summary - this season was a disaster - we are offloading some guys who didn't develop at all here including some draft picks. We are hoping to get home ice next year - it will be the third year we get a portal goalie. Meanwhile in the big picture - 3 of our big rivals are loaded, top seeded, and playing fast and with skill - Gophers, Michigan, and of course Denver. Even if next year pans out like we hope we will be light years away from the top. Look at the Gophers top line and then look at ours. Berry and Co. need a course correction now or we could be in for a long slow ride. We need top talent again and soon. So far all we hear from Berry is the "culture" talk.

Desperate times call for desperate measures - hey, it's worth a shot.

They should also be forced to watch all of the Gopher, Michigan, and Denver playoff games to see what teams with talent and speed look like. However, if looking at our goalie situation doesn't dial them in I don't know what will. It's been a long long time since I have seen a Sioux Hockey coaching staff flounder this much.

This is exactly accurate - and quite an eyeopener as to how our current coaching staff operates - throw in slow play and here we are.

The odds of Berry seeing the light are around zero percent. Coaches are notoriously stubborn with their systems. And other than this board and the fanbase there is no demand for excellence in our athletic department. Be prepared for more of the same. Sadly.

Nailed it. My worry is that there are no short leashes in the AD's office and Berry won't make the necessary changes on his own. If this happens we will be like Wisconsin. Also I thought when we got Karl as assistant he would give us a boost in recruiting and that our goalie play would be outstanding. Not sure what is going on there. We need to be a team that is hard to play against and has speed and skill again. We look and play slow and high end talent doesn't want to play like that.

Compare our talent to the top programs - how do you like us now? Either that or we underperformed tremendously - missing the tournament again. Or we can't develop talent. Being on the road in the NCHC playoffs doesn't exactly scream talent. And why for craps sake do we need a portal goalie for the third year in a row. Recruiting is down and we are reaping the results.

But they can recruit talent - something that is missing from out current program.

What are the odds that Berry actually does a self-examination and sees that having a system where offense goes to die isn't working? My guess is less than 10%. Changes need to be made to get more Blue Chippers but coaches are notoriously stubborn about their "systems". And for the love of all that's holy recruit some good goalie prospects. A no brainer. Our "culture: now is one that can't hold leads even when the season is on the line.

As an Irishman I see it as my duty - the game didn't help either

Sorry - in my defense I've been drinking

Who exactly has been coached up lately - this team has regressed in the off season

What fun ending were you watching?

Our program problems in a nutshell - you would think our "culture" would include steady improvement. If we get the reputation of not being able to develop players we'd better strap in for a bumpy ride.

Recruiting has been off for a few seasons now - and unless we can start selling our program to some Blue Chippers get used to the "hey, we had a winning season" mantra. Our lack of ability to recruit a good goalie is stunning.

I don't see anyone who is not safe - remember, this is the AD who extended the 5-6 Bubba after one of the worst season of coaching calls I have ever seen.

You are correct but this season has been a real head-scratcher to us fans

Good to hear - hopefully he and his staff will take a hard look at the program - especially focused on what they need to do so high end talent once again wants to come here.

Who is this new goalie and what has he done with DeRidder?