farce poobah

I'll be fine once the numbness wears off ... which may take 2-3 days. I've seen North Dakota Hockey win some great games, and I've seen us lose some tough games. Fortunately, there's an awful lot more on the plus side of the ledger for the last 25 years. As a fan, this one is not nearly as disappointing as Madison '99. Because the effort was there tonight. We skated circles around DU, played near flawless hockey, and did everything well except get it past Berkhoel. We played hard, we played clean, and as a fan I can't ask anything else of my team. ============================================ In retrospect, the season had a lot of memorable moments. I got the joy of seeing dozens of spectacular plays this year, 30 victories (not all in person, I still need the day job), and a team that is prepared and puts terrific effort most every night. Tonight's bitter-tasting final night will over time be replaced by all the other memories of the season, starting with 3rd period rallies against UMD and BC in October, to home sweeps of the Gophers and Dogs, the great road weekend in Duluth, and even last weekend's WCHA Final Five title game vs. the Gophers. This season had a lot of what makes college hockey the greatest sport I know. The constants, through it all, are the poise of these young men, their dedication, and their leaders. As a fan, one other thing that I will long remember about this season are the efforts of some dedicated fans and posters on this board to increase the Fun Quotient in the Ralph with signs. You were terrific. I guess the bottom line for me is I'd rather be a fan of North Dakota Hockey than any other team, and I wouldn't trade my experiences for all the gold in China. Dear Dean and Dear Team - Thanks for a great season.

8 minutes in, we have great legs tonight so far. Bochenko hits the post on a powerplay Sioux going on a second PP

BOTH.

Brady Murray's play reminds me of Doug Smail's rookie year. Fast, good hands, hustle all the time, but not the strength just yet. Smail came back with 5-10 pounds of extra bulk after that first summer, and I expect Brady to get stronger.

I just love saying "ND 2, Minnesota 0" end of 1.

I just love saying "ND leads Minnesota"....

The '99 Madison regional was at the Dane County Coliseum. I couldn't believe it was the same place that totally rocked when the BADgers played.

Yup. Taking a guy who's possibly the highest-drafted NHL pick out of the lineup has gotta have an impact. Anybody else notice that Brady Murray took about 3 shifts in the 2nd and 3 in the 3rd? No PK duty that I could see.

Public transportation is quite good, and the Fleet is on top of North Station, so its worth considering hotels that are farther away but close to subway or rail lines.

I was thinking about that game, and the game also reminded me of the 1997 quarterfinal against Cornell ... 1-0 late in the second, and we just built the lead gradually and won handily.

It felt like watching a soccer game .. "... and UND have an insurmountable one to nil lead with only 59 minutes left ..."

Too much information ...

I've been watching closely, and haven't seen 14.

They got some gophers out there and the gophers licked it up.

I hope this doesn't turn into a total barforama.

The worst thing about "only" a 1-0 lead is that "The Cross" may start to think they can win. We need to step up in the second, get a lead, and THEN cruise.

Yes, and they are skating against the American Hockey Conference champions.

I'm rooting for the game to end in regulation. Secondarily, I'm rooting for long stretches with no whistles. Third period underway ...

Maine kills the harvard powerplay. Halfway thru 2nd period... still 3-1

3-1 Harvard leads Maine gets one off a faceoff. 15 min left in the second

OK, but this David boppin' Goliath stuff stops in 80 minutes.

Frozen Four Picks: UMD (if their roster is full; otherwise, they don't have the depth to match with the Gophers on Sunday) Wisconsin (their style of play is well suited for their draw) New Hampshire (BC injuries, rust, slump) UND After that, I have no idea.

Predictions: Sioux roll four lines all night long, resting the #1 line in the 3rd period once the game gets out of reach. Zach - Bo - Brady combine for 4 goals in the first 40 minutes. Ryan Hale notches a goal and an assist, playing with Fylling and McMahon again this weekend. Parise in goal, resting Brandt for Saturday. HC gets a late goal, on the PP, against UND's last unit of penalty killers. Final - UND 7, HC 1.

I can't believe it ... INCH said "the nation's two best players". [faint]