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Denver's playing with as much urgency & pace as any team I've seen this year.

It's behavior like that which needs to be nipped in the bud before it spreads to other players. Safe to say that the last thing UND needs at this point in the season is a player who's not giving his all cuz "coach won't play me when I want". Seems the Schmaltz bros have all the physical talent, but need some emotional maturity to make them more complete players. Good observation & something to watch for tonight.

From that Gopher fan quoted above: "Now that its over, my focus will be on wishing UND a slow, painful death, hopefully before the Frozen 4. The only good thing about tonight, for me anyway, is that we didn't lose to UND." I do not wish to visit the recesses of this guy's psyche. Or his basement. Ever. There's life. Then there's the distraction in life called hockey. Too often that line gets erased or blurred.

I thought UND's physical play helped get their heads in the game more. LJ played smart, with composure & was like a human wrecking ball at times. Maybe he needs to play this brand of hockey to be effective. I admire Murphy for his resiliency. I think he appreciates the coach's trust in him & is trying to show his thanks with his hard play. He may be playing for a spot on the roster next year. The guy is due. Poolman may have had a tough time keeping up with the pace of high-skilled teams like Miami earlier in the year, but he's found another level & can be a great forechecker with his improved speed. He's on defenders pretty quickly it seems when he forechecks. And what a cannon, if one of his shots ever connects with a player's melon that player may not wake up for a month. If they get penalized as much tomorrow night, it could be a long night dealing with SCSU's PP.

One guy saying something didn't cause the universe to curse Zane with a goal-against. Maybe it was LaDue taking a major that led to that goal? It's 2015, not the Middle Ages.

My 3 stars: 3rd star: Drake Cagguila 2nd star: Zane McIntyre 1st star: Tucker Poolman with honorable mention to Wade Murphy

Jewels with da shorty!!!!!

Yes!!! The Chyzzter!!!!

YES!!!! Poolman

I know, good check by Jewels...Refs may have thought it was too close to the boards...but wow..

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.