tnt

Just wondering when you would consider it a rut for hockey like it was for football. Both seem to get to the playoffs but just can’t make the next level.

“Laughing out loud, although pointed a pointed question I think Dubay is right, the effort of the Sioux sucked in the first half. Goaltending D- Defense D Forwards C- PK D PP B Coaching D Intangables F The team hovered around 50+ on the PK nationally Not good, the Power Play was as high as 7th nationally but has sunk to about 17th nationally. That D is pretty accurate. “ I seem to recall more negative posts like this back when there wasn’t a presence in the press box. Guess who posted this? I get it, it is human nature to not be negative with people you know and might have relationships with, but realize that the objectivity can also take a bit of a hit.

Let's just say that being a top ten NHL Draft pick James Patrick the first half of his freshman season had people wondering about that lofty draft status. After that, not so much, as he adjusted quite well to the college game after a short learning curve. Frankly, that is what gives me quite a bit of hope about this team still is that they aren't heavily slanted to veteran portal players. With Zmolek out of the lineup we don't have one upperclassmen at defense. If all the young guys take a jump the second half, there may still be some very good things that could happen going forward. Starting to see a whole lot of confidence in Boisvert and Swanson. Even guys like Wiebe are still growing into new roles, as I am sure Zmolek would have been the go to guy in many situations.

I think your teachers were asking the same thing!

Like I said before, I think if you finish in the top 2 or 3 in the league, the pairwise will take care of itself.

Part of the problem with our programs the past several years is that they have a great performance and have peaked the interest of the fans, but they subsequently can't capitalize on that and sustain any momentum going forward. Hopefully this is different, but just look at many of the game threads from one game to the next, and you get optimism, then it turns to pessimism shortly thereafter.

Right, just like Minnesota might not be in the same position without Snuggerud. With Minnesota being so close the last 3 years, I am sure Snuggerud could envision Minnesota winning it all.

Another year of cheering for anyone other than North Dakota at the national tournament is another year the fans tune out. You can only watch and cheer for the lesser of the evils when it comes to Minnesota, Denver, Michigan, Boston College, Boston University, etc., so much before you become jaded. I have spent far too much time in the past 8-9 years cheering against teams, than cheering for my own. Don't think the recruits don't notice the teams that are consistently contending either. One has to question if Jackson Blake would be here another year if he thought we had a realistic chance to win it all.

No matter, they all were rejuvenated when the bloom was off the rose with their old coaches. Not saying it is time yet, but another year or two with stagnant results in the tourney, and it may be time for some new blood as well. We might have never had the run with Blais if Wanless didn't decide that it was time for a change. How many more years should he have waited, five, ten? We might have missed two national championships. At one time we had a case to make as the elite program in the country, with our high winning percentage in the national tournament and titles. We no longer have the highest winning percentage in the tournament, and overall wins we are being left behind as well.

Benak is mentioned as a possible first rounder as an undersized guy. Is there any buzz as to whether he will be playing college hockey and who might be in the running?

Team of the week. Chaves is no doubt looking at a five year extension as we speak.

How many have changed coaches since then? Apparently it wasn't good enough for those other schools either, so subsequently most of them are top teams now.

"Better fan experience" meaning we sold less tickets than we thought. I thought Nashville atmosphere was fine, until of course UND took the ice. The best fan experience would be if they bring their "A" game with some intensity.

Doesn’t the Ralph actually replay every shot to make sure their stats are accurate. Enga goes on about being professional, then whines about shots on goal stats and that the refs drop the puck wrong? Guess St. Cloud is looking to put up a shots on goal banner at their arena. I would be pissed at Berry if we had the same outcome as St. Cloud did and he complained about those two things. Questionable penalties in close games, perhaps, but shots on goal? UND fans should buy up all the tickets for the rematch in St. Cloud, and bring some imaginative signs.

Let's just say their sense of urgency doesn't always kick in when it should. It shouldn't take being behind late to start buzzing. I saw that urgency last weekend quite often, which gives me hope, but often times if we don't score first, we're not winning. They fought from behind Saturday so, maybe that gives them more confidence going forward if they don't score first. If they can find a way to sweep Arizona State after the New Year, I think they will do enough to make the tournament on Pairwise because they have a lot of teams that if they split with, they are still hovering, and they hopefully would have home ice to gain pairwise as well. Finish top 3 of the league and you should at least be in the running around playoff time.