farce poobah

I wouldn't mind playing the team that Northeastern eliminated from the Hockey East playoffs. A day after today's outcome, that would be a major hill for the golden domers to climb.

And 10 years ago today (the 25th), a 17-year-old forward from UND was named the most outstanding player of the west regional.

Its always nice to see some new dogs at the top of Hockey East. Good luck next year.

The 1982 frozen four game against Northeastern ended 6-2. I would be fine with a duplicate.

Looks to me like Northeastern shortened their bench, roll of the dice to score one soon.

LOL this thread is the wrong place to be for spoiler alerts.

My favorite stat so far ... 11 different UND skaters on the scoresheet through 28 minutes.

Dave Starman has really grown into an exceptionally insightful analyst. It's nice they have someone who knows so many teams.

You can scout Stecher but it's another challenge to stop him in person.

I'll see your video with the professionally-called audio from Clay Matvick, and raise you with audio supplied by Holy Cross's student broadcasters.

As much as I loved the old WCHA, its clear with hindsight that creating the NCHC - with like-minded schools - was a large step forward. It seems clear that adding too many teams from the current WCHA would be a step backward. Look at the differences between the NCHC and WCHA that have emerged in recent years, and you get a clearer sense of why the league needed to break up: * NCHC adopted a 24 game schedule. WCHA stayed with a 28 game schedule (same as the old WCHA). The NCHC has more nonconference games, and by winning a majority of those, build an RPI advantage for the whole league that puts prestige and more teams in the NCAA. In turn that leads to more money. There were clearly arguments in the old WCHA about this, and it was a major cause of the fracture. * An NHL mentality pervades the NCHC. WCHA hugs the past. NCHC is adapting and changing - 3x3 overtime, shootouts - in ways that make the league more attractive to better recruits. "We're preparing you for the next level" is more than just marketing hype. This is another area where I am sure the arguments raged in the old WCHA, and the events since make it clear who wanted to modernize. * Refereeing. I watched several WCHA games this year, and was astounded at how much old style interference and stickwork were tolerated. Not that the NCHC goes as far as I would like toward NHL standards, but the WCHA is once again stuck in the past. While I miss a few of the old rivalries, its clear that UND Athletics chose (created) a path that would offer greater success than staying affiliated with small minded schools that were stuck in the past. /End Rant =========================== As it relates to Arizona State, if they joined the NCHC I'd be thrilled. But the odds now heavily favor a move to the Big Integer. An ongoing source of discontent is having Bowling Green, Western Michigan and Miami in different leagues. They are conference pals in the MAC. If BGSU is committed to hockey (perhaps still a question) then they would be a good add to the NCHC. Otherwise, until NCHC adds BGSU, WMU and Miami are flight risks. It's this flight risk that forced/motivated the NCHC to add St Cloud, preserving the NCHC autobid if Miami and WMU left. Sorry for rambling.

Notre Dame's nutritionist recommended more cupcakes in their diet.

Star Tribune poll today, asking whether Don Lucia should stay as coach of the Gophers. Currently 41% yes, 59% no. http://www.startribune.com/poll-should-don-lucia-remain-as-gophers-men-s-hockey-coach/372841061/ Of course, I voted "yes".

"What we have here is a target rich environment." If I wasn't way too old, it makes me want to sign up for ROTC.

Providence was last year's last at-large - who went on to win it all. They open against UMD, this year's last at-large.

Hey NC$$, if you want to make money send UND to St. Paul.

Well ... now he gets to watch his son's Notre Dame game. just sayin'.

I have no problem cheering for Minnesota to lose. Just don't ask me to cheer for Michigan.

LOL. Unless they are playing Holy Cross.

If there's any good news, its that a tie means we can still get #1 overall seed if St Cloud AND Quinnipiac both lose tonight.

The extra 3 hours rest is paying off for our boys this afternoon. I'm hoping we play the last 10 minutes without injury.

I'm happy if we steal a couple more first round draft choices from Wisconsin.

Excellent PK. Our puck pursuit was excellent. Then pressure by CBS line creates PP.

Mankato off to a quick 2-0 start over Bowling Green. Game is on Fox Sports North.

I think the participating schools propped up the ticket sales numbers, by selling them to themselves. Perhaps to meet a minimum guarantee to the Xcel, or just to avoid the negative rep they'd get by announcing the real attendance of the 500 or so that were butts in the seats. Same thing last year ... when they claimed Thursday attendance of 3400. (And championship game attendance of 6300.) http://www.collegehockeynews.com/box/final/20150319/osu/psu/