.357

Here we go, puck dropped

Pecknold doesn't qualify as a d-bag just because he doesn't talk with him. He doesn't owe him anything.

My confidence in UND today will be based on their first 5 minutes of play.

Your son stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night; he's got potential.

Good on Sandelin so far. He gets the most out of his talent & I wouldn't mind them going all the way if something happens to UND.

Not the right thread, but Duluth rolling the Gophers so far...3-0 late in 1st..

Anybody have any impressions on UND's practice today -- energetic, nonchalant, focused, verbal.....?

I hear you, but don't you try to put one of the few guys with a heartbeat (based on last weekend anyway) into the line-up in the hopes that his enthusiasm will be contagious?............But I agree that the move is risky, esp. considering how Simo could play a crucial key in faceoffs as others have noted here.......

LOL, zing...different kinda love, I guess.

At least the kid will excel in coming up with witty, timeless gifs that will enthrall the next generation of Sioux faithful. Apple doesn't fall far from the tree, you know. LOL. ((just kidding, man))

When your team last played about as inspired as Archie Bunker's marriage to Edith, I suppose you have to go with the guy who at least showed that he cared. If this team flames out again, I don't want it to be for lack of effort. I think I'm more concerned about LJ & his antics than anyone else...

I thought it would be appropriate at this time of the year to bring up Scotty Bowman, the winningest coach in NHL history, hockey's version of Mr. October, with some of his quotes; with the first two being completely irrelevant, but funny: “I love Barry Manilow.” “When I was in a record store with Sean Avery helping him look for CDs, I pulled out 'Tapestry.' He was like, 'Who is Carole King?' Can you imagine?” “Hockey is its own game. It's completely different than all other games, although it's getting way too close to soccer.” And my favorite: “I found out that if you are going to win games, you had better be ready to adapt.”

I was mostly referencing post season, but I catch your drift & I had no idea Jackson has been so successful. Thanks for the researching the percentages.

At the NHL level, probably Scotty Bowman. He inherited a lot of talented teams, but he also knew how to get the most out of his squads. The guy flat-out was a brilliant coach & delivered year-in & year-out during the playoffs. He knew how to win, whereas other coaches tried their best to win. Some coaches have "it" & other coaches strive for "it", but I feel it's an inherent talent that can't really be taught. Just like players, a few got it & most don't. At the college level, not so sure. Gasparini, York & Jackson during his LSS years come to mind as great coaches when they have talented teams. But nowhere near as dominating as Bowman was.

Great post. People are inclined to hogpile you here if you make note that the Emperor has no clothes. It's as if one is insulting his personal integrity, when all is being mentioned is that he has yet to bring home a NC. That's all, relax people, he's part of the team and is fair game as much as the fourth line center is. Even more so. After all, players come & go over the years; whereas the coaching staff has been the one constant the past 11 years. I'm staying on the sidelines re:: this issue until the season concludes. Coach Hakstol deserves that much, I feel. This year seems favorable for us what with having basically home ice before Boston.

For sports & other trivial matters, yes. Regarding truly important & other sensitive matters, not really.

I got a tingly, warm feeling when I thought of that possibility. IF that happened & no one left early after this season, UND would be a juggernaut next year. Having superstar players doesn't always translate to success on the ice, but we would sure be stacked talent-wise similar to the 1986-87 season..

Nice, objective look at the team. But I don't know about the first half being just satisfactory, UND did have quite a few injuries to deal with & it's a nice record to have considering that.

True, which should dispel any concern among UND fans that there are refs out there who intentionally single out UND players. Bad officiating is endemic to college hockey & the reasons are clear these knuckleheads aren't officiating at the NHL level..

Unless shoulder-to-shoulder checks at center ice are illegal nowadays. The Omaha guy had his melon down & Brodzinski made him pay for it, as he should have..

Is he writing for Lifetime or is he reporting a hockey game? "...runaway victory...", "...the two new bruisers from Grand Forks"....

I'll be looking for how the team adjusts to the higher level of play compared to last weekend. From the slow Lakers on home ice, to a much more skilled team on away ice in a high altitude city which will test their endurance. Basically from a strong D3 team to a high quality D1 team in a matter of six days. When we went from the Badgers to Miami, it appeared the team needed a game to adjust to the higher tempo. Considering it's the last series before the break, I would think the players will adjust rather quickly this time or will be ready from the drop of the puck.

This team has a lot of interchangeable parts. One part that cannot be interchanged is at goalie. As Zane goes this year, so goes UND.

UND wins 3-1, but it's a pyrrhic victory w/ Stecher's injury.

That sounds like a logical conclusion to me.