farce poobah

I'm reviewing the All-NCHC picks, and setting them next to their nominees for top awards, named earlier: https://nchchockey.com/news/2026/3/4/mens-ice-hockey-nchc-reveals-finalists-for-2025-2026-individual-awards.aspx Several things stand out. Bennett Zmolek. He's named one of the conference's top 3 defensive defensemen. But not named to any of the All-Conference teams. Here's rooting for some well-deserved recognition in winning the Best Defensive Defenseman award next week. Dylan James. Finalist for Best Defensive Forward, but no room for him on the All-Conference teams. Would love for him to get that award next week. UND has six forwards with better plus minus than all of the first-team forwards. ================================================================================ Dating back at least to the Gasparini era, the best UND forwards play both offense AND defense. In the late 1970's and early 1980's, it gave the college kids a shot at the big show, despite the bias against college players at the time. Now it seems firmly rooted in our DNA. 11 UND forwards have gone on to finish top-25 in Selke voting (NHL's best defensive forward), and it reads like a whos-who: Dave Christian, Dave Tippett, Doug Smail, Greg Johnson, Jason Blake, Jonathan Toews, Ryan Johnson, TJ Oshie, Travis Zajac, Troy Murray, Zach Parise. And two UND alumni won the Selke (both of whom wore #19 for the Blackhawks) Murray and Toews. The Archetype of a UND forward. Based on the eye test of fan in the stands, it seems this years UND team is committed to team defense in our own zone, and working hard to retrieve pucks and send it forward to create chances. It's been a big improvement, and fast.

Robert Morris vs Air Force is one of the craziest box scores ever. https://www.collegehockeynews.com/box/final/20260308/afa/rmu/

For anyone needing a hockey fix, Mankato vs Ferris? Ferris? Ferris? https://tunein.com/radio/KTOE-1420-s35726/

The "get some rest" concerns I might have are greatly eased by the final weekend being just one game (Sat. March 21). I greatly prefer this playoff format as giving the NCHC better odds of NCAA success.

I remember his freshman year 80-81 like it was yesterday. He led the team in scoring by a wide margin, and if plus-minus was a published stat, I'm sure he would have led the team in that too. After the addition of some great talent for 81-82 (Patrick, Tippett, Sherven, Donnelly, Zombo, Archibald), he was a key cog on the NCAA title team of 1982. Another in a long line of "two-way" Sioux forwards (now known as "200 foot players"). UND's first Selke award winner, which came in a year he scored 99 points. Off ice, I remember him as intense but friendly. Later on, definitely enjoyed his insights as a Blackhawks broadcaster. Condolences to his family and friends. RIP.

https://fightinghawks.com/news/2026/3/7/mens-hockey-north-dakota-mourns-the-loss-of-hall-of-famer-troy-murray.aspx

"You said there would be girls here. WHERE are all the GIRLS?"

I've got Dalton Andrew with the first goal tonight.

We must be doing something right.

https://kstp.com/45tv/prep45/mshsl-tournaments/#streamingplayer

Based on a quick scan of historical schedules, it looks like sweeps in the playoffs are about as common as sweeps in the regular season. Data muddied by history. Regular season games: used to be allowed to tie; or now, OT is played differently than postseason. Some of those OT games were GREAT games.

Its easy to forget Steve Peters was on that 86-87 team since he didn't play any games that year (redshirt?). At least according to UND Media Guide (page 55 for team picture; stats farther back) https://fightinghawks.com/documents/2025/10/1/2025-26_UND_Hockey_Media_Guide.pdf

If you mean "take the job as U of Minnesota head coach", I'd say its possible. Given the clout wielded by hockey alumni and boosters ... I think it would be a cold day in Minneapolis if they did that. If hired, I bet his first two moves would be to hire a GM who knows US and Canada pipelines, and then an associate with NHL experience. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Fun side fact: For the last 50 years - none of the Minnesota head hockey coaches played in the NHL, or coached in the NHL before taking the MN HC job. Its so inbred I can hardly stand it love it. Side note: They haven't had an assistant coach who played in the NHL since Robb Stauber (2000-2003). Haven't won a NCAA title since then. Coincidence? or unrelated? I leave it to the reader to decide.

MSU Mavericks win the MacNaughton Cup! Ridiculous chaos on the final night.... OLE! Oleoleole Ole Ole

All-time excellent reference for history of UND hockey questions: https://fightinghawks.com/documents/2025/10/1/2025-26_UND_Hockey_Media_Guide.pdf