farce poobah

Feasting on cupcakes. He's scored 11 points in 10 games against the top 25 of NPI. Against the bottom teams, he's scored 31 points in 16 games. (Sorry I don't have Hrkac stats ...)

Went to that Frozen Four. Perfect weekend. UND wins Thursday (easy win over Harvard); Gophers lose Friday; UND wins Saturday. The most lopsided 5-3 win ever. Had a great conversation with Mickey Krampotich that weekend. He talked about the high expectations that come with wearing #8, reciting some excellent players that wore the number. Was my second trip to Detroit for a FF (1979 was the first), and a much better outcome.

GMs in the Svenska Hockeyligen also ...

Getting to late February with a full roster, or even somewhat close (1) is a near-miracle given the intensity of NCHC competition. Can't remember the last time we hit this time of year with a team this healthy. (1) close as in my lag putts

Excellent insult. Sadly the smooth-brained Duluth fans won't know they're being insulted.

Hard to imagine a scenario where we get a #1 seed and not get sent to Sioux Falls. Playing BADgers there would be just fine by me.

T J Oshie to cover the Olympic hockey for NBC. Two thumbs up. https://www.nhl.com/news/color-of-hockey-anson-carter-tj-oshie-saroya-tinker-to-work-olympics-for-nbc

The Pick.

ASU would (probably) like to have a Big 12 rival to play against. (Can say the same, even more, if U Az moves up.)

Potential play of the week on ASU GWG ... Schimek with the nifty drag and pass.

Yup. We play ASU 4 times in regular season vs just 2 for CC.

They're gonna need a LOT of uniform patches.

Well ... Pandolfo has gotten them there the last 3 years. Before that it was just 2 of 25 years.

I'm enjoying the Gopher's losses as much as the next person. Re recruiting: UND and Denver, among other NCAA teams, have been recruiting Canadian players for 75 years. Even if Minnesota wants to, would any of the top talent agree to play Minnesota?

Name me a club team with a first-round draft choice, and 5 guys total drafted. I'll hang up and listen.

A little surprised CC didn't use a challenge on either DU goal: goalie interference on the GTG, and offside for the OT GWG.

Tonight: Verhoeff +3, McKenna -4

Money talks. Of all the big money hockey schools, Notre Dame would be near the top.

Note for the kids - UND 5 goals on 5 one timers.

Spunar is so quiet in net. Impressive!

Is that 3 in a row scored high glove?

WMU has Tony The Tiger drop the first puck. High marks for this.

I think Omaha is going to be better than the preseason polls. (7th) They have excellent goaltending, and what they lack in drafted talent (just 3) they cover for that in age (full year older roster than UND). Think MSU Mavericks under Hastings...

I've rarely seen such a large change in playing style from one night to the next. Tonight: - pass the puck forward, never backward and rarely side to side. - don't overextend on offense - sticks on sticks in our own zone. Ultimate of classic KISS hockey.

Boisvert -3. OMac -3.