burd

This makes a lot of sense to me.

No way of knowing, but Hak did have some teams that got me excited in a similar way. All I care about is that it is a privilege to watch this team, and I intend to enjoy it while it lasts, banner or no banner.

I think they still dump and chase, and they still keep the puck to the perimeter in the D zone and first pass out. But they seem to be forechecking in a different way, though I obviously don't have an informed explanation of how. Interested in hearing what those on here with substantial coaching experience have to say.

In what way, exactly, AZ?

We shoulda been Hawks earlier.

Be nice if we could play Providence or BC in a holiday tournament or nc game just where we are at. Damn good, but how damn good.

Somebody posted before the game that Denver would probably be coming at Boeser harder in this game. Look for teams to start hitting CBS as much as possible.

good call.

While we are pouring praise on this team, another thing I like about them is their ability to keep cool heads. LJ sometimes takes bad penalties, but we don't have guys you know are going to get the gate once or twice a game by being boneheads. I know guys like Prpich were big crowd favorites, but I really like the culture of this team.

When is the last time UND has had a class with four defensemen like Ausmus, Stecher, LaDue, and Thompson?

Exactly. Elite talent on display in the O zone, but much much more. Great back checking by all forwards, shutdown D, and goose egg in goal. Chicago takes defensive responsibility very seriously, and you can tell Schmaltz is focusing on that.

sideways, no less. Smart

We've been talking about the CBS line, but Poganski has had a fantastic series so far. Mostly from hustle.

Hawks have three penalties to none and outshoot DU 19-3.

Great play by LJ

Agreed, Fetch. And not wanting to go down that road, but I'd like to add that we should be watching this special talent play whenever we can not because they might win a banner in April but because of what they show us night in and night out. Because it is the hockey we love and the way it can be played.

I'd say we got some calls last night.

I recall that very clearly. It's gotten to the point where opponents are giving all three of those guys space on the PP (and even 5 on 5), knowing each one of them can get out just about any one-man pressure and dish the puck. There's three guys who can maintain possession on the ice at one time (and two top notch Dmen behind them). Oshie and Toews could maintain possession, and Duncan could snipe, but those guys as a threesome could not maintain like these three. I'd say Toews could use his reach and skills to maintain better than any of them, but as a threesome I'll take CBS. Schmaltz is getting to look more like P Kane every game. There's a world of difference between D1 hockey and the NHL, I know, but he's certainly getting there. Of the three, Boeser might have the most to learn on defense, but they excel on D as well. As was the case with DOT, you better enjoy what you are seeing while you can, because this doesn't come around that often.

Got it. My bad.

I'd agree. And I'd also say that with the D we have, this is as talented a team as they have had in a long time. Goal is still under review.

I get what you feel, Barn, but I think you are missing Abe's point. He was basically channeling Shakespeare, whose Juliet said "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." It doesn't matter whether you call them Sioux or Hawks, they are the same hockey team--our team.

agree completely. Nice player for UND but definitely not NHL

is Gardner the new Gaarder?

That's a decent question, but if you want to make change, get votes on whatever board makes these decisions. I have no idea how that happens or whether it is even possible, but pairwise rankings are a rapidly changing dynamic and should have nothing to do with this political issue. It is true that schools like UND and Denver would put pressure on fan-bases like Wisconsin and, to a lesser degree, Minnesota, if UND boycotted those schools but I'm just not ready to boycott UW yet. And you can be very sure that the quality of plat in Big Ten schools will improve pretty quickly, even if there are no changes. When I was an undergrad, St. Cloud and Mankato didn't even have programs, and now they (SCSU at least) can compete at the highest level.