tnt

http://aroundtown.areavoices.com/2014/02/06/heres-what-the-future-hugos-development-might-look-like/ Wishing that Granite City does become a part of this development.

People were complaining the same when Eades was here because we hadn't won a national championship. There were things that precipitated the change in the coaching staff.

His answer usually is that he isn't saying Hakstol should be fired. I would submit that if after every loss Hakstol's systems or coaching seems to be his problem -- why isn't he asking for Hakstol's head?

I absolutely hate the shootout. Would rather have other teams blow out other teams with the league race this close. When both teams we are in the running against get points, it just makes it all that more difficult to put distance between ourselves and other teams. Points aren't awarded for just getting to overtime are they? I just keep hoping one team or the other would win outright.

Yeah, and Mariucci was the one toeing the party line arguing so vehemently why Minnesota needed to be playing those teams on a yearly basis, even at the demise of the rivalry with UND. Talk about having it both ways. I would argue that the Big Ten is one of the easiest leagues to win now. You have 2 or 3 contenders, and the rest are no better than the Mankato's or Bemidji's of the world, except name recognition.

Don't expect logic from him. Yeah, it was real competitive back then when UND beat up on Michigan Tech 12-2, and Bob Joyce and Tony Hrkac are putting up 15 or so points in a weekend against them. When you have a league as competitive as the WCHA had been the last 5 years or so, when you can go from 7th to 2nd in a weekend, that is hardly watered down. The Big Ten league is so exciting that he has to spend all his time here to tame his excitement level.

Whatever happened to him not showing up on this site when the nickname was gone? Guess his word is about as worthwhile as the other drivel he spews.

Announcers said attendance was only 8900.

A lot of empty seats tonight at the Kohl Center for a rivalry game with Minnesota. Big Ten hockey, gotta love it.

Yeah, I think Billy was one of those "blood and guts" type players that filled a nice role for them. I was shocked to hear years back about his accident where he lost his leg when he worked on an airport tarmack. Sounds like a good family to have on board.

So now you want the duckies and bunnies? Maybe he is just trying to head off unrealistic expectations that fans create. There are already people that think these recruits are automatically going to turn things around in a hurry. Sure a culture change will help immensely, but chances are it is going to take multiple recruiting classes that are successes to get us where we want to be. Call it cold water, but some fans need to tone down their expectations.

Not saying they are unbeatable, but having lost only two games to this point is a pretty good accomplishment. I think even gopher fans have stated they are concerned about the way they are getting it done, and I am sure some of them wouldn't mind them getting a wake up call before the tournament to refocus how they are playing. I, of course, wouldn't mind them sleep walking into the NCAA tournament, but I want them to lose enough games to have a first round matchup that can truly give them fits, and even oust them if they aren't ready. True, Michigan State is a mediocre team, but their goaltender isn't, and he has and will keep them in a lot of games.

In a way, the fact that they are getting consistently great goaltending should be a little scary. Goaltending is a major key in the NCAA tournament. Should Wilcox have an unfortunate moped accident though, that is another story. Then all of a sudden putting your eggs all in that basket could be an issue.

I'm optimistic for the future, but let's face it, we haven't seen anything on the field, much less if any of these recruits are going to put UND over the top. To be honest, people were sky high on some of Mussman's recruiting classes, and would never have anticipated that we would be under a new regime. NDSU should have some drop off next year, simply because they were so untouchable, but that was going to happen under the old regime as well. I suspect we won't know for a couple years or so if NDSU becomes very mortal, and UND starts to rise in the ranks of the Big Sky.

Best wait to see how this lawsuit plays out about player compensation before making a move to FBS. Don't know if you want to be part of a division that has some of its members offering players substantial amounts of money, when the budgets would be tight to begin with.

I think Duluth is right on the bubble of the NCAA tournament right now with a 10-9 record, and with each team playing each other down the stretch, I would say focus on finishing top 2 in the conference and hope that is good enough to be in position come playoff time. Any team in this league is going to have to perform in the playoffs, and most will be facing stiff competition in first round matchups. I have been worried about that 8-4 record that Jim said we needed, but if they can finish top two and win at least 3 in the playoffs, you would think that would be good enough.

You're making my argument for me, saying that gopher hockey isn't as popular as basketball, etc. You cannot say that about UND, period. Hockey is #1, and even Denver's ticket policy bears that out. Don't know of any other college team that has had a ticket policy directed exclusively at them.

But you are talking about a major metropolitan area. You are talking about 20+ times the population to draw from, and basketball doesn't seem to be a sport that plays well in this area, probably because of the passion for hockey.

So you are saying that Minnesota has many more fans in its population base, but still can't draw as well at home as UND? Granted, their arena isn't as big, but then again, why is that? With that population base, not filling a 10,000+ seat stadium every time doesn't scream out passionate to me. Sure, many of the ones that are there are passionate, but I am talking as a whole.

In the same token, do you think Minnesota would have had near the number of fans that UND did in Omaha last year. Bottom line is that since the new Ralph was built, UND has had more fans per game than Minnesota. Does that mean they have more fans? No, but it does show they are a more passionate fan base. The fact that from this small population base, UND consistently draws more than a huge metro area like Minneapolis, speaks for itself.

Yeah, said it tongue in cheek. Probably should have added a wink.

Ban gfhockey??

Maybe somebody should show him the forementioned posts on Bisonville.com.

I think he knows that the NCHC has members that are hockey first schools, unlike the Big Ten, thus this is where he can gain knowledge!

So why are you hanging out on this board all the time. I would think you would be hanging out on all the Big Ten message boards.