tnt

With Warren playing so many minutes for BC, I am very curious why they didn't bring him back with such a great group of freshmen coming in. Does anyone have any info as to why he isn't going back there?

True. But to me it would have been nice if the players actually did contemplate the year ending loss last year to Notre Dame rather than just using it as a promotional video for the Ralph before games. At some point something needs to motivate these players, and waiting until they are too far down in the pairwise and having to win out as the only scenario doesn't inspire confidence. There seems to have been a level of satisfaction after last year, rather than a contemplation on how to take it a step further, as witnessed by very poor starts by a number of players, veterans included. I am hoping this offseason is focused like the one previous, but the expectation level for this program needs to be more consistent. It seems like the talk is there, but the actions don't always seem to follow.

For me the biggest puzzle is Bast. He was injured almost until Thanksgiving, and still saw a bunch of games after that despite being behind on conditioning and game speed.

You were way off!

Looks like Berg is better than 50% in the circle, and is actually bigger than I thought he was, so no worries about getting too small up front.

With his numbers, he would have been 4th in scoring on UND. It would be nice though if they could get a big two-way center with faceoff ability that they can count on in the clutch.

But in the same token, how often have the coaches said that they have to do their due diligence and make sure the guys they get in the portal fit? Apparently they didn't follow their plan. I also don't think it is fair to insinuate that Calder and Budy weren't good teammates without knowing what is going on in the locker room. We did win a championship with them, so maybe it is this year where there were personality conflicts.

Agree, I am sure UND would have tweeted something similar. Frankly, I don't know what will motivate them anymore. Right when I think they should come out of the gate on fire, they lay an egg. I see so many teams that are "doing the little things" and "putting it all on the line" way more often than I see it on our side of the ledger. I am starting to question if we lack the competitive edge we had under Hakstol. Don't see us outcompeting teams very often, or haven't heard the phrase "they are hard to play against" regarding UND much anymore.

If Berry didn't force his players to watch the selection show, and subsequent takeover of Scheels Arena by rivals, maybe he needs to show them that those rivals are now mocking us.

I saw Panzer had a goal and two assists today and was plus 3, but it was curious he didn’t get a star of the game, but Maddox Fleming was third star with no points and -2. Maybe the stats were wrong, but it seems odd.

Can’t wait for the gopher version of the Vikings “Love Boat” episode. After what happened to Motzko’s son, I would hope that any functions at this place would have some supervision.

So you are good with 1 season ending in a win, and most ending well before the Frozen Four.

Agree, UND needs to be way more aggressive when they get up, but you can still be aggressive and not play wide open giving up a ton of odd man rushes. They need to keep forechecking, not go conservative. I would say that is going to be really necessary next year, because they will need to be staying out of our end as much as possible, like Caulfield suggested.

…and if Quinnipiac wins it all, do we adapt or die by going even further into the portal with 5th year seniors. I guess we aren’t saying why can’t we be more like Duluth anymore. Why can’t we be more like that high flying team Denver that didn’t score in the last two games? Yes, yesterday was eye opening, but so was the drop off of Denver.

Exactly, which is why they need Moore to revert back to his sophomore season. Find two reliable portals and have one play with Strathmann, one with Livanavage, and pair Moore with Wiebe. Who knows how things work out, I know most of us weren’t expecting Frisch to play a lot his freshman year, but he played so well he forced Tychonick out the door. Hopefully we get a few pleasant surprises. Maybe a guy like Benoit becomes a steady guy for us.

Let's not forget the defensemen on this gopher team took some pretty big lumps against us when they were freshmen. They will lose a lot after this year as well. Yes, they have some great players waiting in the wings, but dominance as freshmen isn't always a given.

I think it’s because Carle doesn’t let them play!

Plus 23 blocked shots. The rope a dope isn’t a recipe against Minnesota.

We totally outplayed them a few games down the stretch, as did Minnesota State. They spend that much time in their end against the gophers, they are toast. Goaltending is better, but not much else.

You watch, the huskies luck will run out when I least want it to against the gophers. St. Cloud has been consistently outplayed down the stretch of the season, but have found a way to win.

But Minnesota State is buzzing and hustling like they always seem to. That used to be the calling card of UND hockey. Don’t see that extra effort much anymore. Minnesota State is indeed tough to play against, and play disciplined hockey.

I like how the Denver player turns to the ref expecting a penalty call. The ref probably told him, this isn’t an NCHC, Don Adam officiating crew!

All I know is that as a season ticket holder I am considering myself a free agent and trying to negotiate with the Ralph for a parking pass. You shouldn't have to park a mile away at a World Class facility. Heck, even St Thomas is putting a parking ramp adjacent to their new proposed arena.

Wasn't Yakesh supposed to be offensive as well?

Yeah, wouldn't give up on him yet. If you look at Madison, none of the defensemen have great +/- numbers, but Ausmus is among the best with those playing a lot of games. Minnesota recruited Yakesh on last year, and Ausmus is on par or better than he is and is younger as well.