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If she does, it's without my knowledge & it was nice knowing you guys. She ain't physical, but she's a guru though at destroying me emotionally (like all women who toy with guys' heads; not out of hate, just following their biological programming). But seriously, I really feel that both Hakstol & even Zane are feeling the weight of a whole state & program on their shoulders. Zane will be lauded as one of the greatest players in program history if he can be the most focused he's ever been for 120 minutes next week. But once #8 happens, I really think we can have as much success as York has had the last 10-15 years.

We all have our personal demons or dragons to slay. his is Jerry York & mine is my wife.

I used to be at the front of the line in criticizing him; but I've come to realize that his personal success is dependent on how well some college kids execute, so I've mellowed out quite a bit in this regard. But I also acknowledge that he does have an obligation in his field as a coach to succeed at the highest level. I've just filed down my fangs a bit & tried to find a happy medium between "the sky is always blue" apologists & those who think he needs to win a natty every year.. But that won't stop me from spewing venom at the tv on 04/09 if it warrants it ... : )

That's how I see it. It stands to reason that anyone in any field tends to do better once they get over their major obstacles. I'm not implying he's been a HOF coach to this point, but I see this program going even higher after #8 is earned .... What's this Fast Eddy allegory?

Why do you think LaDue will be gone? Are the scouts wanting to sign him already? We've had defensemen in the past who were more talented all-around than him & they stayed 3 or 4 years. Stecher is quite dynamic, has the potential for big-game plays & he's always moving his feet.. But he's on the small side & I've seen forwards go right around or through him him a few times this year. I would have thought he'd be here at least 3 years.

Agreed. I think once he gets #8, #s 9 & 10 could very well be right around the corner, what with the confidence & sense of accomplishment it will give him. Not to mention that ugly 800 lg gorilla being taken off his shoulders. I really feel that UND can have similar success to the 80s in that timespan after he wins his first title bc it'll avalanche after that ....

I think it shows just how much this team wants it all & how far they're willing to go to get it. If they can get in the shooting lanes & block 25 shouts against BU, that's 25 less potential saves that Zane needs to make. Eichel has a great shot, but I think he's more dangerous going wide on defenders with his speed to get in alone with the goalie.

Old Time Hockey: If ss ever has a contest for best sig, you'll win in a landslide. Too funny.

You and I can talk about a Hakstol-Blais match-up until we're blue in the face, and it will have zero impact on how UND does in the BU game. Unless we're both simpletons and believe that our personal conversations can somehow affect the players' team result. Or if we step on a crack in the sidewalk we'll break our mama's back. Fed up with people who have the emotional maturity of a 5 yo.

It seems like a Hakstol-Blais match-up is supposed to happen. I mean, what are the odds of the two winding up in separate brackets at the FF? One could call it a coincidence, but are there coincidences of this nature between two people who go back so far together? It would make a great storyline if it happens & one I would want to see; I want to see the student grab the pebble from the master's hand. I want UND to earn this title with no shortcuts, face all their demons, slay them & hang #8 ....

Haha ... right on. Hak & Blais in opposite brackets of the FF...Couldn't have scripted this any better...

Zombo sure plays like his dad, kid likes to hit at every chance

Dave Starman? Why's that?

A hundred hockey aficionados could look at that same play, with 50 absolutely positive it was a major & 50 absolutely positive it was 2:00....And they could argue about it aaaaaaaalll summer if it cost their team in the tournament....

The Midwest Regional: otherwise known as The Twilight Zone Bracket. First RIT knocks off #1 Mankato, then they handle Omaha's PP like it was being run by a j.v. girl's squad. Planes may slip into another dimension if they fly directly over that arena.

I should clarify. I don't think UND will try to intentionally hurt Eichel, it's not Hakstol's style. Besides, he's part of the royal class and he's just too shifty & it's too hard to line him up with a crushing hit & run check in open ice. But I think it would be smart to try & grind him down. He should be on a first name basis with the plexiglass & know how it feels to have some East Grand Forks kid leaning all 220 lbs into him whenever he goes to the boards....

I think as NCHC fans we knew that this was not going to go in Duluth's favor as the officials were reviewing the play. The team they were playing & the ramifications of that other team not making the FF didn't bode well for Duluth. Which is unfortunate because Sandelin coaches a good program the right way & is part of the Sioux hockey family. Not having any Boston school & no Eichel in the Frozen Four in Boston of all places just wasn't going to happen.(( A comparison would be UND getting left out of the FF at REA due to some other team having a controversial call go their way at the X)). Talk about an embarrassment to Hockey East to have 3 or 4 NCHC schools in the FF right in their backyard. I'm not implying that tournament officials colluded with the referees before the game, but for whatever reason, it's particularly weird to me how things all went against Duluth in the final 5 minutes against a team whose city would be hosting the FF in a couple weeks.

Exaaaaaaaaactly. One or two flashy players does not a championship team make. They'll have to beat the entire UND team, and oh yeah, plus Zane. BU had nowhere near as competitive, grinding a schedule that UND had. Teams actually hit each other & play a physical style west of the Mississippi. Mr. Eichel, say hello to Mr. Poolman's shoulder at 20 mph.

Every team usually has a couple good players, sometimes really good players like BU. But it'll be UND's 4 lines & Zane vs. BU's 4 lines & their goalie.... Plus I think playing 4 games against Miami this year really prepared us for high-octane offenses.

I think UND was the underdog also in 1997 when they faced BU in the title game. I think BU had a lot more firepower that year, UND just had a hot goalie in Schweitzer, a better team game & destiny. No single player on BU is going to beat UND this year; it's going to take a lot more than just Eichel to beat this year's UND team. UND also gets last-change throughout the Frozen Four so we can dictate the match-ups. If Poganski or Poolman can get their crosshairs on the shifty Eichel, we'll be able to wear the kid down a little. I'm confident....

Alright, lol, just some of Zane's groupies, I guess...Everyone wants to touch or be seen with Zane's fathead....

I agree, I never felt panicky with this team with Zane in net; he's a great calming influence. What a beastly forecheck, backcheck, blocking shots & great pace for the last 50 minutes of the game by UND. You could tell that they wanted it more than SCSU. And LJ & Poolman played possessed for a second night in a row...kudos to the entire team & the coaching staff for the great game plan....they earned this victory & didn't take any shortcuts....

With that pic that MM posted, I assume that was Zane's mom & gf on the left. Who are the other 3 girls, his sisters?

I think Thompson was sick...things happen for a reason, I guess....Enter Panzarella & his momentum-shifting goal...

St. Clair!!!