tnt

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.

Your rant would best be directed toward the gopher fan base and even guys like Nate Miller and Pat Michelletti, who say that they don't follow it as closely because they have no idea when they are playing. I thought it odd that fans and guys that used to play for the gophers think it is a chore to keep up with their team. Although I wouldn't like the odd games as much, I am certain I would know when they were being played. Most of the fan base is so keen on finding out when and whether games are on TV, it wouldn't be too much of a chore to find out if they are having a game on a different night, or a different time like they are this Friday.

Whoever replaced him better have a decent name for sandwich naming purposes.

Of course things might change, but Berry has expressed that he is at a stage where he is completely happy where he is at because he has seen how unstable things are in the NHL. Who knows what he would do confronted with an offer like Hakstol got though.

I would guess that with the disaster for attendance at Joe Louis Arena last year, the Big Ten might be looking at playing at the X every year. If that is the case, the X would probably lean towards the Big Ten tournament, knowing that Minnesota in the current format will play in it every year, while the possibility of North Dakota not making it for the NCHC might sway them towards the Big Ten as well. Of course the businesses around Xcel might rather have the NCHC because of all the out of town traffic they would see.

With the way things are in college hockey now with Pairwise, you don't see as much splitting goaltending duties unless there is inconsistency. Remember Gino used to split goaltending duties many times during the first half, then chose to ride the hot goaltender after Christmas. Now you almost can't afford to throw a new guy in, unless bad play dictates it. Also don't know how any pro organization would look upon having a high draft pick ride the pine for a long time, although Tomek being so young, coupled with how long goaltenders usually take to develop helps the situation. Agree that Tomek will play a bit next year if he is as advertised and healthy.

Yeah, noticed he was in the top 4 or 5 in points per game in the BCHL, behind guys like Jost and Conway. Also love to see him described as "relentless".

You definitely would have to add a day to the tournament, and even then you would have to have games at odd hours. Would you be o.k. with a 10:00 a.m. game for UND on Thursday?

Just kind of mocking the tired rhetoric of gopher fans for why their attendance is poor.

Don't know why they would think it should go to Fargo permanently. Let's wait and see how it goes for Fargo when it isn't a novelty and they have had it there for a while. Besides, the reason it doesn't do as well in Grand Forks is because there is so much more to do here!

I just don't know if you gain a lot with the WCHA partnership as far as great attendance. I suppose that partnership would allow the Big Ten to ask for whatever they want in terms of percentage of gate and scheduling because I think the WCHA would capitulate to any demands to be associated with the Big Ten.

I do find it very interesting that the pompous Big Ten is now looking at options of combining conference tournaments, something I never thought they would do. Of course I'm sure they would have never thought about having to stoop to that option. Still wonder if they would insist on being the marquee game or if they would agree to alternate. Have to admit I wouldn't mind being able to cheer against Minnesota in a better atmosphere, but also not sure we should help them out of the disaster they've had to this point.

Likewise it won't do the same for the CC's and Western Michigan. Like I said, time will tell.