burd

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?

Eaves has to have better control than that. Has to.

Works for me. 3 on 3 is entertaining, but it's not the game they play.

In the end this is all about dykswinging, so they should just pull them out. Have each team designate their guy. They'd have to require that guy to log a minimal amount of ice time, of course--say 3 minutes, That would open up one roster spot on each team for a regular guy with ordinary hockey skills but a python in his breezers. Probably be a crowd favorite, and his three minutes on the ice would be entertaining.

The hits were bad. Even most Badger fans agreed, especially the Wittchow hit.

I played in the wooden stick era, and guys would add curve. The test I saw used on the ice (Canadian rinks, I think) was seeing if a dime could pass under a straight edge between the heel and the toe. That's not much curve, but those are olden days. Not much toe-dragging with straight blades.

Was he standing next to Karl?

Jake was giving Adam props last night, which seemed strange.

Thank you, Goon.

Poganski is really playing big. Surely you didn't think the team would never have off nights. The Circus had lost 6 games at this point in the schedule in 1987. The boys had a soft 1/2 schedule and have a long way to go, but they have been extremely consistent

Only dropped one in the pairwise. Lucky: you probably drop that much just by playing CC. Though it is pretty obvious they are not the same team we played last fall. SCSU can attest to that.