farce poobah

I can think of two possible reasons: 1) That's probably where their tickets are. or 2) They would rather not see the game so well.

Yawn - another weekend another backup goalie.

About 5 minutes, still 4-3

I'm thinking what ... 6, 8, maybe 10 Game DQ's ....

Speaking of what if, Minnesota can still win the Macnaughton if they run the table AND a lot of other plausible things happen (UND splits at UW, etc etc). Or, they could finish 8th. Personally, I'd be happy going into Madison in a scenario where the Badgers were eliminated. Getting a split in that building with the title on the line could be really difficult.

Most years, the conference champions in the big conferences are getting at-large bids and are "in" regardless of how they do at the conference tournaments. THIS year, the WCHA final five may get a lot more intense - especially if there's upsets - with a "win or season over" mentality. Given the likelihood that CCHA, Hockey East, and ECAC also may have upset winners, I think you have to be inside #10 to really be comfortable.

I've never seen you and your roommate so I don't know how well you control the puck. UM vs CC looks short on playmaking, I'd agree.

Bachman gives UM some life by taking a nap during a Lucia wrister from the blueline.

I was thinking of a UND game back in the Panzer days where they trailed UMD 2-1 with 30 seconds left, scored once, scored again with 2 seconds left and got the win in regulation. One of the great comeback wins. DU's tonight is one they'll be talking about for a long time too.

2005: Denver got the one bounce, we didn't. 2006: JPar had a bad night. We had the better team. 2007: Pretty even teams. flip a coin. 2008: They were a better team ... My $.02 anyway ...

Probably get flooded with UND fans and crash ...

Math. Why? I am not a hockey coach - but would appreciate the wisdom of those who do. To my layperson's eye, it looks like UND plays very complex, intricate systems in all 3 zones. When perfected, become very difficult to play against, and we see UND dismantle some dang good teams. These combine fast skating, hard hitting, short passes, and an interconnected response among the guys on the ice. But until perfected, until everyone gets on the page, become vulnerable to mistakes. Even Michigan, who also features big fast strong guys with a mean streak, cheered when they didn't have to play "effing North Dakota again" last year. This year, more than most, the four-line depth, with really no drop off from #1 to #4, also makes the team difficult to play against. Combine that with 8 seniors seeking one last legacy to add to the tradition, and a goaltender for whom the game is slowing down, make the likelihood of a good March a good bet.

Since the Gophers aren't going to make it, the 10000 UND fans at the West Regional can fit just fine in the John.

I'll raise you to first star, Jonathan Toews: G and 2A, +3 tonight: http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/boxscore?gameId=290214004 And, first star, Jason Blake, 2G: http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/boxscore?gameId=290214021

I thought we did a terrific job of adjusting to how the game was called. Mankato didn't. I mean really - we almost totally stopped hitting. About 100 times a Sioux player would normally make the hit, bumpt the guy, they skated by OR just hit the wall next to the Mav player. We backed off, knowing the implications. The few hits we did make were obviously conservative and even there, Sioux guys were holding back. Very impressive restraint and character.

Everybody say a prayer for Derrick tonight and tomorrow. I have a feeling it will have to be a long way back for him. He's really improved, and has been a big part of why opponents haven't been able to get pressure on us. Good positioning, good first pass, good hands. Get well soon. A lot of people are wishing you well.

Hakstol post-game: It was a war for 2 points. We just couldn't put the game away in the second period, with several chances. We did everything except score. In the first, we were distracted after the injury to Lapoint. I drops the intensity level until you get refocused. We regained our focus well, then. Some of our guys really sucked it up in the third. Chay Genoway a display of sheer will on the GWG, and he had tired legs and locomotived through it. Saw the opportunity and made Zacharias leave the rebound for Gregoire. With just 5 guys on D, we looked tired but got it done. Blood stepped up, Finley and Genoway were outstanding. Miller made the one mistake but shook it off and didn't let it affect him. A win means an increase to our RPI. The word on Derrick "not good", and I can't comment on it more than that. He's been our most reliable defensive defenseman the last two months.

I've never been prouder to be a UND hockey fan than tonight. Down 3 frontline players (Jones, Hextall, Lapoint), and on a night with emotions running high, the guys stayed focused on winning the game. Revenge can come later, but the important thing was to win, and they SOMEHOW did that. Even after getting tested with a slash at the final whistle, they kept composure. Superb character. Thanks guys.

Why is it that I feel fortunate that we're up 2-1 after 2 periods?

Harvard up 3-1 on Cornell, 3rd period. Would give us a shot at closing the gap on Cornell, currently #8.

I hope the coaches keep the guys focused on the game. This will be difficult.

I just love this updated bracket prediction from USCHO - puts us in Minneapolis with Michigan (!), UMD and Northeastern. http://www.uscho.com/blogs/bracketology/ja...orning-214.html West Regional (Minneapolis) 13 North Dakota vs. 3 Michigan (What, again?) 11 Minnesota-Duluth vs. 5 Northeastern ... the last time I remember Mariucci Arena taken over by UND and UMD fans was back in 1984 - the old barn - for a 2-game total goal playoff series. Time for revenge, sayeth I.

Drew Stafford with his 100th career point last night. The ESPN writeup notes the game was played in the shadow of Thursday's tragic plane crash: http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=290213002

Other scores of teams in our cluster: Providence ties UNH 4-4, a nice little boost for us. Lowell 6 BC 0. (really!?) Yale wins 4-2. (oh well)

CC 1, DU 0 very early