farce poobah

Unusual statistic tonight: After 1 period in Washington, NYI 15 blocked shots. WAS 0 blocks.

Brock Nelson! With the first goal of this years Stanley Cup playoffs.

Kinda makes me wonder how much Robbie Bina practiced that 180 foot 2-bounce shot on the PK.

Expectations for 2015-2016: 1. I expect UND to struggle a bit before New Years. Seven seniors - especially of the quality they carried - simply cannot be replaced without some time to build chemistry on and off the ice. 2. I expect UND players to stay out of the headlines for off ice activities. 3. I expect UND players to stay in class and get respectable grades. (I have no idea how any of these athletes do it ... I would have surely failed.) 4. I expect the rookies - especially up front - to add some immediate impact. 5. I expect the defensive corps - provided the offseason departures aren't too wicked - to be the heart of the team's competitive advantage. 6. If Zane stays, I expect us to hold opponents regularly to 1 or 2 goals. 7. I expect us to sweep Wisconsin. And to build a solid non-conference record which gives a leg up in NCAA Pairwise. 8. I expect the NCHC to be a dogfight every night, with no clearcut favorite yet ... a lot of splits. Maybe 10 losses wins it. 9. I expect UND to make the NCAA tournament as a 1 or 2 seed with Zane (and a 3 or 4 seed without). 10. I expect us to win our regional. (80% winning percentage in the Hakstol era ...) Most likely by beating Mankato in St Paul. 11. After that, I have no idea. I quit making forecasts, and definitely don't wager on the Frozen Four. 12. I would like - but don't expect - a series with Arizona State soon. An exhibition? (I'm happy to hear the rumors of Omaha and St Cloud on their schedule.) 13. I expect UND to lead the nation in attendance again. Home and road. I expect average gameday chat to attract more viewers than the average team draws fans. 14. I expect the NCHC tournament to increase attendance again, and outdraw the Big Mistake in St Paul and the WCHA. 15. I expect rumors of Notre Dame departing Hockey East to heat up, and I expect Bowling Green to continue stirring the pot on realignment until they join their MAC brethren in a conference somehow. I expect one more big announcement in PAC 12 land, most likely U of Arizona. 16. I expect to see TJ Oshie bring the Stanley Cup to Warroad and Grand Forks.

With the importance of special teams, I think he can have a fine career as a top-four penalty killer in just about any team's rotation. His quickness and ability to read plays are top notch. Those attributes also put him onto a checking line. I don't see him cracking the top two lines regularly, however. Not quite the scoring touch. Comparable UND alumni career: Dave Tippett.

Against Minnesota at Mariucci. He gave us a shot to win. Also a good trivia question - even for Sioux hockey fans - who was the goaltender for the last game UND season didn't end in the NCAA tournament.... http://www.uscho.com/box/mens-hockey/2002/03/09/north-dakota-vs-minnesota/

Boston must be pretty damn good to have all that hate art created in their honor.

I'd like to see Pattyn stay on as a coach.

I think this is an underdiscussed topic ... that relatively lower-profile move 3 years ago (2 recruiting classes ago). Here I'm going to have to disagree. Let's start with the fact that I admire Cary Eades. From the moment he walked onto campus in the fall of 1978, his drive and passion lifted others around him ... to two NCAA titles as a player (one during the era where two NCAA wins got us a title) and more as a coach. The guy wins wherever he goes ... high school, college, USHL, Canadian Juniors, anyplace he competes he's gotten it done. If not for a career ending injury, he might still be playing pro. (Well .... maybe not.) But it was clear that we needed in our coaching staff someone who's played the defenseman position at all levels, who could raise the play of our defensive corps from really good to outstanding. This starts with getting the best recruits, which has happened these last couple recruiting classes. Its safe to say that the d-corps has elevated their game under Berry. (So much so that I worry he gets summoned away by the big bucks of the NHL.) If I'm a high profile recruit looking to go the NCAA route and play under someone who really develops defenseman for the next level, UND has to be at or near the very top of that list. With a limit on coaching staff size, someone had to go. I'm sad it was Eades. Nobody bleeds greener blood than he. But the hiring of Berry to coach the D has worked. As a layperson, I'd say its working spectacularly well. I'd welcome thoughts of those who know the game better than i.

Your play on the ice and your character off the ice represents the school and state as well as any senior class I can remember. It's clear you left it on the ice, with a full honest effort. To the future, I can say confidently that whatever organization you join, they will be better off with you as part of it. Keep your heads high. You've earned it. Thank You.

Another commonality of these Frozen Four frustrations has been the enormous, massive turnout of Fighting Sioux fans. Well done.

This one is a lot like 2006 ... great team, great goalie who had an off night. (West regional champions ...)

Rodriguez should be suspended for the final.

I just want us to play the full third period. Full intensity. Show the nation our character. Whatever the score.

I would say 9

If anyone can Manufacture 2 goals out of nothing it would be UNO.

IF we're going to do Fargo Dome, let's do a Frozen Four.

Zach Attack!!! Two more goals tonight as the Wild fight for a playoff berth. Sounds like great atmosphere at the X tonight.

Fighting Zoo. Whatever animal is YOUR mascot, WE have one that can kick its a$$.

Excellent. UND can raise some money by renting nickname rights to the AHL team ... revenues going to help fund football and basketball.

But hey, the arena is already decorated in Fighting Sioux gear so we know what the team nickname would be ...

It's an oxymoron, but without the oxy.

As if we needed more proof that everyone has bought in.... Between the 2 games, 18 different UND skaters blocked at least one shot. And the 51 blocked shots exceeds by 1 the 50 shots on goal from QU and SCSU. Fabulous. Just fabulous.

Red seems to get more cranky all the time. I wonder how much of a competitive disadvantage / recruiting disadvantage that's becoming. Coaches are put in an enormous position of trust, and as an athlete I'd like a balanced view from my coach. Maybe there's reasons other than Mel Pearson's departure that Michigan hasn't made the NCAA's in a long time...

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