farce poobah

I would rather have a cooling off period too, but the natural bracket fits well this way. (Works for the other regions too.) Of course, I wouldn't complain if they sent us Minnesota. #freshmeat

Looks like West Regional will be #2 UMD vs #15 Ohio State #7 BU vs #10 UND

I want UMD to have to play in Fargo.

If the next game wasn't NCAA, yeah. But Hak kept his team cool after Paulovich broke Bina's neck... so I am gonna disagree.

BRad Berry very level headed in the CBS interview. Great character guy.

UND power play just needs to get Jost out of the box

Nice hustle and pressure drawing penalties from UMD. Small sign but a good early one.

That's next week.

Other than the ice, .... its pretty close.

The Big Ten Network is showing Women's Gymnastics as the lead-in to hockey. Is it evil if I hope the Gymnastics go into overtime?

I would love to be a #2 seed. Let's do it again tomorrow.

I have never seen a perfect hockey game. But tonight, UND came darn close. Great job boys.

Gophers take the lead 2-1. Even though it would help our chances if they beat Penn State, I still can't get myself to say "Go Goppp.....".

Thoughts on Boeser departing early: First I think he's still playing injured. No big secret. If he goes to The Show less than 100%, he risks his long term future. You get one chance to make a first impression. Better to do that at 100%. (even if the counter benefit is burning a year off a rookie contract) Second, this year's play seems a bit like Ryan Duncan after Oshie and Toews turned pro. Clearly, his upside is higher than Duncan, but Boeser has a lot of work to elevate his game, AND that learning process is harder in the AHL (where its all games and minimal practice) than in college (5 days of practice and 2 days of games each week). Something to prove still that he can dominate at this level.

Somehow, that attendance is claimed to be 3,387. http://www.collegehockeynews.com/box/final/20170316/mic/psu/ Methinks the teams each bought 550 and let them stay empty ... leaving the 87 people who actually showed.

Win or lose, I LOVE that we are going out and playing our game. None of the turtling that other underdogs so often do. Kudos to the coaches and guys for doing it up right.

re Herald coverage: The peeps that cover NDSU are just twiddling their thumbs, so there's more resources at Forum Communications that could have been tapped.

Certainly, the other 3 NCHC teams are in.... by the time of puck drop tomorrow at 730, our odds of making the NCAA's may have increased beyond the current 89%.

I don't see the Gophers bagging it, but my tinfoil hat thinks the 'powers that be' might 'remind' the officials of the 'value' of calling a 'couple extra' on the Gophers. [Judge Smails imitation: "here's $10 grand ... keep it fair keep it fair." /Caddyshack off]

UNFAIR!! Ohio State has an advantage in the B1G Tournament since they are used to playing in front of 14000 empty seats at all their home games.

This does not seem to be a forced departure. If there was animosity, UNO wouldn't let Dean be part of the process to hire his successor. Which still leaves the question of "what changed from two days ago" ... (maybe Karl Goehring declined an assistant job at UNO and Dean knows he needs better goaltending / goalie coaching to move up).

Of course, if Penn State and Ohio State can score early, that will take the crowd out of the game.

Plus the fact they have so many bubble teams this year.

Sure, and I wasn't clear in expressing myself. I agree there are scenarios that get BC in without them winning Hockey East. Those scenarios are also good for UND, because they involve all the favorites winning their league tournaments. What I couldn't find was a scenario with BC in as an at large bid and UND out.

Playing with Pairwise Predictor ... With a split in Minneapolis, I think we are in. If we lose two, we might still get in if there are not too many upsets elsewhere. Key risks to UND's at-large bid: * If BC wins Hockey East, they are in. Can't get them in without winning HE. * If Quinnipiac wins ECAC, they are in. Also can't get them in as an at large with a loss. * In the Big Ten, if both Penn State and Ohio State win playin games, then if Minnesota loses its semifinal, then an autobid goes to a team currently behind us (WI, PSU, tOSU).