burd

I just think these guys have been game coached very well against teams with more talent on the ice.

Duluth has more skill on the ice, but our D is really good.

Even simpler: 8-0

Still no reliable info on Scheel, I take it.

Staging a lawn mower throwing contest takes a little crazy cockiness. They could definitely use a little more of that.

Fair point. But he has had significant stretches of unsatisfactory hockey and an overall mediocre record making the tourney.

No, Stoney, I'm not saying fire Berry. It's too soon. Right now, people are disappointed, but we don't have broad enough experience to identify problems with any confidence. We know he can game coach a banner. Whether he can establish and maintain a consistent winning culture, we do not know. We also do not know that he can't. I tend to have confidence in him. They have been very close both these last two years.

Those are good observations. Culture means a great deal, and the culture under Blais and Hak was superb. It's a little difficult to tell whether Berry cannot establish that culture after a banner and two followup years, though. If there are identifiable reasons whey the boys are not winning, then you have to look at a change. With Hak, the criticism was results more than reasons. And a single result factor at that.

Scott Sandelin has won two banners at UMD, and he's been in the championship game two of the last three years. He stands a good chance of going deep again this year. Duluth is experiencing good times. Look at his record. Beginning the fifth year of his career at UMD, he won 15, 11, 13, 13, and 13 games during the next 5 years. He won 14 and 16 from '12 to '13. UND has won 14 so far this year. Sandelin has missed the playoffs half of his 18 years there. Do you think the admin and fans are glad he's coaching there now? (I think these numbers are correct)

This. 1980-84 was pre-internet and I lived where there was little access to college hockey information, but I would loved to have been around to witness those years when the Sioux and Badgers fought over banners. 2000 season was special too, including that rivalry.

We'd all prefer they didn't struggle at either end of the ice, but if I had to choose, I'd prefer to struggle at O and have top notch D and G. Possible to win a lot of games with superior D and so-so O. Boring hockey to watch, though. and from a purely selfish fan standpoint, that is a factor, I guess. These past two years are why I was always supportive of Hak. As a fan, it's dam nice to be treated to top notch hockey weekend after weekend, year after year, even if there are no banners at the end. Banners are bragging rights, and we all know it often (usually?) doesn't signify the best team in college hockey. You like to see the kids get it, but as a fan, I like watching really good hockey week in and week out. And I think UND will return to that. I don't know, shyt, though--there's that.

I know this doesn't help and is probably not even relevant, it is so dated, but I've been watching Sioux Hockey since 1970, and I've seen a lot worse.

There you go.

I haven't read all these threads for information about Scheel, but are all just assuming severity based on how it appeared last night, or is there reliable information out there? Other than our pizza delivery guy, gfhockey.

All that is assuming Wilbur doesn't slip into a phone booth and put on the old pads. What will your mask look like?