tnt

Top five, no, but I think any team top 3 in the NCHC should be a top ten contender. Don't remember where they had us last year with 14 new guys, but it was probably top ten. I think Western might surprise a bit, as I think they are well coached and still have a nice talent base.

So where do you pick them to finish in the league?

Why wouldn't they be? Perennial power that is 2-2 with losses to a top tier team. Are you arguing for higher or lower?

All the space on Mariucci's ice surface isn't exactly a cure for bad defensive coverage. Now they have to worry about proper gapping with all the extra room. Thankfully they have the Olympic ice surface at the Ralph to at least have some time to prepare.

Did Kunz's roughing penalty when we were going to be on the power play against Quinnipiac earn him a weekend sitting at home? Does Ness get put back in the lineup this weekend?

Like NDSU hasn't just lived off of ramming the ball down the throats of the opposition for years. SDSU has beaten them the last 3 Dakota Markers games and seem to be the only team that can handle that. I hope UND has an answer for Luepke this time around, but in the FargoDome it may be pretty tough. We'll see if this lights a fire under NDSU and they start to roll again, because if they would have just kept down the path they were going last game instead of trying to be multi-dimensional, it might have been a blowout.

Denver.

No, when he went for the back of the legs of their QB.

Personally, I think that play showed the arrogance of the NDSU coaching staff. You were moving the ball at will against them with Miller throwing and the running game, but tried to show they could do it with anyone and the interception kept them alive. Let someone hang around long enough…

Guess the demise of Minnesota State due to an exhibition loss to Omaha were overstated.

You mean like Tomek? Plenty of times the stud goalies don’t work out. Plenty of goalies are late bloomers. Would rather recruit guys who have success at the junior level and come here at 19 or 20 year olds.

Let’s hope they don’t!

Don’t think Jesus has any eligibility left.

So then we aren’t going undefeated?

Isn’t the young goalie that played tonight one we are trying to develop?

That’s what it seemed like to me. It looked like after they took the lead, they looked disinterested, although the Q had something to do with it. The concerning part is that it was the veterans that played poorly in the defensive zone. The guy people say should be at the pro level, Kleven, hardly looked the part in the series. Gaber continues to get his shot blocked when he has a wide open teammate. Since we all have seen these guys play the right way, we should be fine, but you don’t get these non conference games back, and I don’t think the NCHC will be as dominating as years past against other leagues. One other thing, bring back Hain, Jamernik, and Senden.

Play Kunz tonight, and then assess whether he should play on the big ice surface at Mariucci next week, or put in Albrecht. They are set up better speed wise for the bigger ice surface, but gapping is always an issue when you play on it so rarely. Huge advantage for Minnesota in that regard. But let’s finish off this series well and have confidence heading there next week.

That was a cheap shot by Waege.

So, Portz and Albrecht out for Ness and Strinden. This all looks good to me.

I’m not so sure Blake is faster than either James or McGlaughlin, but it would be interesting to see.

I’m sure they thought he crossed the blue line with possession which would be automatic offsides in that circumstance. If he chipped it, and was tracking it down, then Jamernik would have time to tag up. It was close either way.

For NCHC conference record against other leagues and for gfhockey’s well being, hopefully they turn it around, although he may not awaken from his stupor to witness it until after the weekend.

Blake, James, and McGlaughlin could all use the training facilities for a few years to make the transition to the next level. Being slight of frame and an 82 game schedule don’t go hand in hand. Tyson Jost could probably tell them that two or three years could benefit them, especially when James and Blake are true freshmen to begin with. If their NHL teams are smart, they won’t rush them, like Colorado did with Jost. We know Philadelphia already tried to rush McGlaughlin by trying to sign him last summer. Would love to see all of them around when Jaden Perron and Panzer get here. That could be return to the “Speed Kills” days!

Such is part of our fan base, they love to be miserable. Probably makes them feel good about their shortcomings, by expecting perfection from others. Most great teams build throughout the year and go through ups and downs and adversity here and there. I think it is exciting that our freshmen are performing great already, and how that might translate after Christmas. Having that comeback against a very good team is another positive to put in their recall when the next adversity hits, and remember we have depth in case injury adversity crops up. Glass very much half full in my eyes.

Everyone complained about Driscoll last year until he became great down the stretch. Don’t overreact from one game. Magnus Chrona won a championship but he gave up goals on the first three shots last night. It happens, and many times it isn’t all on the goalie. Remember when everyone ripped Hakstol for starting Cam Johnson against Lake Superior? He turned out winning a Championship too.