farce poobah

First time to the final for Maine in 12 years. ….

Everyone else is a Northeastern fan. Game on ESPN plus for those needing a hockey fix.

If Berry wins 75 percent of his games over 56 years, I’d be happy.

Great description. I too was at the very first, at the old St Paul Civic Center. If it was a reality show, it would have illustrated - in just about every way - how to do it the WRONG way. Starting with really poor sightlines for hockey (low slope to the bottom bowl and the top bowl). Ushers who couldn't tell us where the seats were. Lack of concession quality. A total lack of beer availability (as I recall, but in which my memory may be clouded IFYKWIM). The ice was horrifically bad and the UND vs Wisconsin game- eagerly awaited by me as the rivalry was then intense - I feared for player safety and the game was stopped multiple times to fill in deep DEEP ruts. And as noted above - No restaurants were open in downtown St Paul between games (we hightailed to a good Mexican in West St Paul). The lack of UND success for the first few years, which coincided with the end of Gino's tenure as coach, made buying tickets an exercise in hope. But the 1995 WCHA Tournament gave us hope for the future. Going on the road and getting a sweep in St Cloud was uplifting, and by that point in the season new head coach Dean Blais had his guys buying into the system (or they weren't playing). Even after losing the semifinal to Minnesota 3-2, I had goosebumps after watching the performance, and all I could think was "we are SO back!" Another thrill was watching the rising tide of Green and White Sioux fans, year by year becoming greater in number and louder in voice. Coinciding that thrill was seeing Wisconsin lose - year after year, until they finally won one (at the X, in the Big ten) that got UND into the NCAA's. The 1997 championship game was a fabulous memory. No Sioux team ever needed last change more than that team (who earned it by getting 1 more total goal vs MN in the 4 league games that season, including 3 "meaningless" late in a 10-6 loss in October). But they showed a lot of heart, and the couple thousand or so Sioux fans, joined by a lot of Badger red and most everyone else not Gopher fans, raised the roof when the overtime winner from Peter Armbrust went in. March 2000, at Target Center, during the Friday night game, I recall being the only one cheering wildly at the news Michigan had lost - mostly because I hated Michigan but also because it meant we could get a first-round NCAA regional bye by winning the WCHA (based on PWR higher than Michigan). It was a while before I realized I was the only one cheering. We had had troubles with the Badgers that year (they won the regular season title), and 30 seconds in, Ryan Bayda delivered a big hit to a Badger D-man right behind their own net, which set the tone for the whole game. Yeah, Dany Heatly got a goal or two, but we raised another post-season title at the Target Center (and our only Target Center title, I think). March 2001, at the brand spanking new X in St Paul. Couldn't believe how nice the arena, and couldn't believe how green the stands were getting. My 10 year old pouted the whole weekend because St Cloud interfered with our goalie on the OT GWG. (I didn't try to talk her out of it.) For me, not every great moment was winning the whole thing. Sometimes it was pride at seeing the team come out and play as fiercely for 3rd place as for the title. Pride in wearing the jersey, pride in answering the call when it comes. A lot of people I know live in jobs like that ( you answer the call and do your best, even when you aren't all that motivated, and the odds are against you), and its inspiring to see these young guys embody that too. March 2007. Freshman Chris VandeVelde scored 2 goals vs St Cloud on Friday (bringing his total to 3 for the season). So for Saturday, my kids made a "VandeVelde for Hobey!!" sign. and held up to glass during warmups. Toews, Oshie, and that year's eventual winner Ryan Duncan got a kick out of that and were ribbing him. March 2012. We all remember the timeout game, and we all remember that team played without a full bench of players. So winning Thursday-Friday-Saturday was icing on an inspiring cake. A pinnacle of guts and glory that's hard to top.

At the point it was 2-5 , my daughter age 8 looked at the scoreboard, saw we were behind with 6 minutes left and said, “We have Panzer. I think we will win.” ❤️

Bremer runs into Strindens elbow. Not a penalty.

Gino got the first one with Gino's recruits. But I agree with the rest of your post.

I'd add "several recruiting mistakes" on the top of my list. With roster sizes and scholarship limits as they are, you just can't miss. And we missed on several recruits. (I won't name names but we can all see it.) This has the feel of a coaching staff that's just playing out the string. (playing favorites, failing to make changes or respond to opponent in-game changes, failing to deter mistakes) The only good thing of an early season end is that we get an early start on coaching staff changes. It's past time for fresh approaches and fresh thinking.

THAT was a great night! Clinched the WCHA title for the first time in a decade. Tonight was solid too. Except for one mistake that none of our d-corps will ever do again. Boisvert playing like a first rounder; could have had a hat trick. Livanavage also playing like a first-rounder.

Gold star for the best pun of the week!

Last night's pre-game, game and post-game had the look and feel of a coaching staff that's going through the motions. It's time for a change.

My source must be old: https://nchchockey.com/news/2023/8/22/mens-ice-hockey-nchc-announces-2025-postseason-format.aspx Edit: it is. https://nchchockey.com/sports/2022/6/22/format.aspx Fascinating. Thanks.

Meanwhile, Miami and St Cloud are rooting for Arizona State. Since the play-in game is held at the home of the top seed. Kalamazoo vs Phoenix in March ....

This is gripping, high-skill hockey. Just wow.

Harris is more than just a prick. He is a effing cactus.

THAT was championship quality goaltending tonight. Good job TJ. Any other game, Dylan James would be #1 star.

TANK! TANK! TANK! Oh... wait ....

The asteroid.

Notre Dame 1-0 Lindenwood late 1st period. I enjoyed Lindenwoods win over Notre Dame, a little too much. But I started wondering, if they had joined the NCHC a decade plus ago, where would their program be now?

Probably won't happen, but I would love to hear Jason Herter's thoughts on how working for Ferschweiler compares to Sandelin. Another weekend where stopping the opponents special teams is critical.

upset alert: Merrimack 4-2 BC iwith 14 minutes left in 3rd

On the other hand, if DU wears the McDonald's uniforms, it leads to some great trash talk.

I read the first part of the thread title "top team in the country"... and Colorado College came to mind. Then I read the rest of the thread title. (Nice to have unbeaten CC back in those conversations.)

I was wondering this week if UMD is still a rival. Then the announcer says “Pionk” and my blood pressure rose about 20 points. Yeah, still rivals.

Backup sieve …. Backup sieve ….