burd

They are still reviewing the review to determine whether it took too long.

Meh. Those big shot pretty boys are overrated. Put em on the checking line where they can learn to work for a living.

I agree with those who say it will not happen but that we would join if invited.

Boeser? No way lol. Good top speed, but he's gotta get quicker. He won't be able to create space in the NHL. I think the JRs really showed that. Poolman can get him there. I think Poganski has show real improvement in his skating this year. One of the most improved on the team, IMO. A lot of that is desire and hustle.

I have to say I really enjoy the amount of hockey knowledge so many in our fan base bring to this site. Like all fans, we tend to wear colored glasses, but there is sure a lot of knowledge here.

Speaking of firing hockey coaches, where has gfhockey been?

I saw visiting players (Bill Butters among them) get in fights with fans on their way off the ice at the old Barn. That place was a lot smaller and a lot colder, but it was intense. The cymbals player would crash the cymbals in the opponents face when they went up against the chicken wire at the students' end. Chicken wire.

I'd have to respectfully disagree. The Greg Johnson/Dixon Ward years were not long before that, and they got a lot of fans in the building and scored a ton of points. 1991-2 was not a great year, but it was not abyss material either. I don't recall which year it was, but one of those teams was rated No. 1 for a period of time

There's a difference between consistently high-end performance that just doesn't get the ring (Hak) and a ring with a sizable dose of bad performance. Lucia would be a closer call than Eaves. Eaves' banner was more recent, but there's been a lot of just plain bad there. I think Lucia might get a pass for the 3 or 4 years when the gophers sucked, as it does appear he had some serious medical issues that affected his ability to coach. Even with that though, rings or not, his teams have been full of talent and often disappointed during the regular season as well as the FF. I've poked fun at Blais and Sandy at times, but only to have some fun with the Fire Hak crowd. They are good guys who deserve their reputations as sought-after coaches.

Pretty soon Minnesota Morris and Concordia will refuse to travel to UMTC.

I don't follow that program too closely, though I've lived in Wisconsin for 25 years, but I think Eaves has actually done a good job of recruiting high end talent. What he's failed at, among other things (I think he's a little too controlling with his players and the morale suffers as a result--but I don't know that) is getting the balance of 2-year guys and 4-year guys. Something the Sioux program has excelled at. They have these real bad stretches as a result. I have to say, though, he seems to be a genuinely decent guy. I met him at a local hockey fundraiser on an extremely hot July day in Wisconsin Dells 5 or 6 years ago, and Eaves had played probably 9 holes then gave a talk afterward. Everybody looked a little drawn from the heat. I was headed for my car, and saw him and his wife by their car close by. I went up to him and introduced myself as a Sioux fan and thanked him for coming. He must have been eager to get out of there, but he could not have been more courteous. Introduced his wife and made some complimentary remarks about NoDak hockey, including an observation about the program up in Bottineau. So I didn't put the potato in his exhaust pipe.

Customary thanks for your customary good work

I agree. Alvarez has been nothing but derelict with the hockey program. I was just commenting that Eaves had big time creds when he was hired.

About injuries. The level of trust UND has in the NHL as a good steward of drafted players is a big recruiting tool and one that the school takes seriously. So when one of those players has an injury, the coaches and trainer act on the side of caution, possibly more than some schools. That may leave them with a short bench at times, but I'd guess it's worth the long term benefit.

That's correct, Parise did say that, after the World Juniors, I believe. Eaves was a big time talent and also coached the USNJT and brought those ties to UW.

I'd have to agree.

WM seems to have decent speed, good size and hustle, but they lack the skill to convert

You don't seem to enjoy this much, willy.

If the boys can win tonight, the timing of the injuries to Schmaltz and Caggiula was fortunate. Two bottom dwellers followed by a bye--4 weeks between games. Though it appears CC is not a team that should be considered a bottom dweller.

We all love Deano for the kind of guy he is and what he did for North Dakota (Minot included), but what has happened with him in Omaha over the years and with Sandy in Daloot show just how silly the "bring Dean back" or "get Sandy" cries were. Both good coaches their programs are fortunate to have, but not magic wands.

This team swept Blais' team, which doesn't mean much.

Game of Thrones

If I were a neutral observer, I'd say that WM is the better team so far. Not that our boys are dogging it--they aren't. But Michigan is really working and anticipating.

An awful slide like that will certainly help cause a coach to lose control, but I don't think lack of control caused it.

Best team poorly coached?