tnt

Maybe Minnesota could get rid of Lucia and get a major rival again all by making that move. Maybe Lucia was so focused on getting Notre Dame in the Big Ten and fund raising for them that he didn't focus enough on getting his team to the Dance. Either that, or he mailed it in so he could watch his kid in the Big Dance for his Senior season.

I agree, it would have not been a goal, but with the standard of reviewing everything from sure goals to plays that were not even close to going in the net, it certainly should have at least been looked at. If that had been in the National Tournament, there certainly would have been more of stink raised by UND fans and coaches.

But Yote guy seems to think it's likely Lincoln will start up hockey. All these rumors smacks of the old Ferris Bueller bit.

Yeah, don't think it would ever have been overturned, but when everyone in our section was looking for a review, it certainly seems odd they didn't take a quick look. But as you say, this is the crew that had to look at the Duluth goal that everybody knew was in.

That would be absolutely baffling.

... and we see what happens to fan support across the country if you don't win. Just win!

Yeah, I just keep picturing Boeser trying to get off a one-timer or loading up his wrist shot with the puck bouncing all the time.

http://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/3986896-und-hockey-und-averages-more-sellout Attendance figures for this year. UND with almost 2000 more fans a game than Minnesota which was 2nd on the list. Of course if it was butts in the seats, that figure would probably be 4000-5000 more. Would imagine Omaha might even be 2nd on that list with their new arena.

Berry was just on 1440, the Fan, and he said another part of the reason to take the afternoon game, besides the rest, is that the ice surface should be at it's best. With the skill on this team, you can't argue that line of thinking. If the puck is bouncing and such, it really would hurt Nick Schmaltz's ability to use his best skill, and really the team as a whole.

Wonder if that is what happened in this circumstance.

Really?

Sure, haughty now for UND, but if they lost, you would be the first calling out the team for not living up to your expectations and backing up your smack talk.

Yeah, let's hope he doesn't lose it at the wrong time. I saw a few times where UND players went after guys after they felt they were wronged. Chyzyk and Boeser have looked for retribution a few times after missed calls the other way. Hopefully they take some for the team and the refs make up for missed calls going forward. Did anyone from UND address the video review of Poolman's hit? I can see them reviewing the play for a major if they called a penalty initially, but when they didn't call anything, how do you review that. That is opening a can of worms that can make games 2-1/2 to 3 hours long.

I'm really not sure who could win this year. The factors that could go against him, are that he is a freshman, playing on a high scoring, poor defensive team in the Big Ten. Yes, his plus/minus is just below the leader in Caggiula, but in a league that hasn't been that good defensively. I'm not sure he is the clear cut leader, but in absence of another one, he could still be the leader in the clubhouse.

Yeah, if a goal that takes that kind of timing and teamwork x5 isn't the play of the year, why bother. To have that many passes just inside the line is incredible. One pass is off slightly and the whole timing is screwed up.

To be fair, Tim Hennessey used to say that a lot about UND as well, and it really is hard to win consistently with that many freshmen in the lineup because they don't fully understand what it takes to win both nights of a series. This UND team has been the exception to the rule by being more consistent than past teams loaded with upperclassmen. That is all the more reason we should be in awe of what UND has done this year with so many freshmen and all of the injuries and such we have had to deal with. It is interesting that it was mentioned that UND was led by their Senior class and upperclassmen. Yeah, that is how it is supposed to work. Agree that if that isn't the case with Minnesota, it is an indictment on recruiting and development. How many people were all over Caggiula as an impact player coming in? In contrast, Cammaratta, Fasching and Guertler were touted as the second coming, and now 2 of the 3 remaining aren't providing the upperclass leadership required of helping along a young team?

No, they just aren't eligible for an at large bid is my understanding. The advantage of having the conference tourney champ getting the auto bid is to keep those teams that have had poor seasons interested and have that Cinderella type March madness atmosphere.

At some point, every team that wins a National Championship has a moment or many moments where you can say, "they got lucky". We got lucky in '97 when BU beat a loaded Michigan team. Providence got lucky last year when BU's goalie became afraid of his shadow, and so on ...

But they have the National Championship that year, not us. Shoulda, woulda, coulda! Weren't we supposed to spank Michigan too? That's why it amazes me how many times people underestimate teams, especially teams that have a record like Quinnipiac.

They are 4-1-7 in overtime which is a lot of overtime, but in 2011 when Duluth won it all, they were 7-2-6, so they seemed to find a way to win those games even better. I always thought it would catch up to Duluth that year, but it worked for them. When it gets down to this time of year, it's about finding a way to win, period.

It says in the paper today that Mitch Meindel is off the team for violation of Athletic Department policy. Is this something that just happened? Who will perform the punting duties this fall?

How good would Archibald have looked in a Sioux uniform?

Add to that a goaltender that they consider their MVP, and in a one and done he could steal one. Of course, the fact that he has to be their MVP reveals some underlying problems as well, but the point still stands.

Got an email trying to get me to buy tickets to the Big Ten Tourney and for the first 2 days they had a deal for 4 tickets in the lower level with hot dogs and sodas for just $99 each day. Apparently they want the lower level to look a little more respectable.

Since we have seen big upsets just about every year in the tournament, every team is scary to me. How many times have we heard that kind of refrain in the past where teams aren't scary, yet have ended up winning. With us it has been Michigan, Yale a couple times and so on.