Irish

Not sure because Mr. Flameout 2024 isn't saying much. I like a culture that shows up for big games - not one who takes 10 minutes off in the third of a playoff game. Hard to say with Berry (who mentions culture every time he has a chance to) - time to look at some cultures that show up in the playoffs.

Once again Denver gets it done while we sit and watch - with a team that could beat them. We hear nothing from our hockey program but Bubbs needs to seriously figure it out and get it done. Are their any changes made?

We just plain aren't getting it done. Whether it's coaching philosophy (the shell you mentioned), game prep, building for the tournament, or recruiting we are missing something. Probably a combo. Two sad things about this - one - we don't seem to change at all. I thought Karl and Dillon would bring some changes but here we are on our 4th portal goalie and our defense (which was a total rebuild - another problem) seemed to have it together mid season then lapsed into missed coverages, turnovers, and horrible passes. Two - it seems that Hockey Bubs has found the sweet spot that Football Bubba is in - winning just enough to get extension after extension but collapsing in the playoffs year after year. Oh, and third - our AD seems once again to be MIA. I really hope we figure this out and do what is necessary to become a top program again.

Unless BC didn't come out for the first 10 minutes of the 3rd - then anything can happen.

So in summary - Denver is the luckiest team ever and we are the unluckiest. Perhaps there might be another reason why one team comes to play in the post season and the other is one and done.

No - it means that once again we got talent - Time for Berry to get it done.

Not surprised given our current administration.

I don't think it's too much to expect our program to win some regional games and get to the Frozen Four regularly - Apparently on this board that is too high an expectation. Frustrations were for Hak were that he needed to win to win a Natty - frustrations for Bubs are that he needs to win a regional game. Sad.

And even less happy now - absolutely no tourney success.

How about if your expectation is to win some games in the regional and put yourself in position to win a natty instead of flaming out in the first round - or even making the tournament?

Exactly - we just aren't getting it done. According to many posters we are the most unlucky team in the division and Denver is the luckiest. I think there is more behind this. Coaches need to figure it out real soon.

Yes - some talent coming in - but why did we have to replace our entire defense this year and why are we on our 4th portal goalie? Our recruiting is inconsistent.

This is Bubba's 11th season here (after a 22-21 career at Duluth. When you say "long term" you must mean many decades. We know exactly what Bubba can and will do - if the majority of people are happy with where we are at that is a problem. And as for people "from the region" it used to be pretty well split between Sioux and Bison fans - now not so much. There is no demand for excellence from our administration and now perhaps many fans. This is sad. Me might as well get used to being a slightly over .500 team because that is what we will get with Bubba - and sadly next year .500 seems a reach. Our rivals would never put up with this - why should we?

I respect KG's coaching skills - but why are we on our 4th portal goalie?

Welcome to mediocreville - population - us.

And yet Denver is going to the Frozen Four again not us. If it's not recruiting that only leaves one other thing.

We folded like a cheap suit after 2 periods. Not sure what lesson Berry needs to learn but I hope he learns it fast. With a Frozen Four berth on the line I would have thought we would come out with fire - especially after a two period lead. This happens too much to Berry's teams for it to be chance or bad bounces. Winners do better under pressure.

All the more reason not to shut down.

I'm not so sure I buy that - almost all of the other top teams develop good goalies - We should be able to sell our coaches and program to great goalies who (at least in theory) have a chance to win a National Championship. I can't believe how this is an issue year after year.

With our tradition and Karl on staff I am truly amazed that we are continually portal shopping for a goalie.

Exactly this

The big question is will he adapt. Like football Bubba he appears to be hard baked. Both culture culture culture guys while collapsing in the playoffs. The third period was brutal.

Yes - we have Karl on staff who should be great at developing goalies - yet we can't seem to recruit a blue chipper and have had nothing but portal goalies lately. What gives? I thought with him we would have solid goaltending every year. Ludwig definitely went downhill from the first half of the season.

And we "developed" backwards this season.

Because championship teams don't come into the 3rd period with a lead and then immediately collapse within the first 5 minutes.