burd

Nothing wrong with criticism. Anyone who accepts a head coaching job of a top program and all the money and prestige that comes with it must expect to be criticized. But what exactly about his on-ice or off-ice coaching to you think has been below par? We can all count to one (banner), but understanding the game well enough to identify what will work better is more difficult. I'm sure there are a lot of people who know the game well who don't like Hak's coaching, but all I ever hear on here is the banner shortfall. That might be the result of inferior coaching, but it is not the cause of it.

I agree. You have to adjust if you want to succeed.

Bucks. Shoot from anywhere, anytime, anyhow.

I gotta hear what a "PC-oriented player" is.

That first goal should be a lesson to kids why they dig their azz to the net when the Dman is about to shoot the puck. JT dishes to the D, then immediately fights to get to the goal before the puck is even shot. He hustles just a little less and there's no goal.

You have to remember, though, that these guys have been playing the step-up game since they were in pee wees. They've had to leave teams and schoolmates many times to further their dream to play for money--sometimes against the odds--and their moves have all been successful up to this point. I'm sure they all love their life at the Ralph playing the game and hanging out with teammates, but for some of them the school side of it is probably something they would rather do without. And we can't expect them to be as old and wise as we all are. But boy, what a great bunch of young men this team has. Win, lose, or draw, it's been such a pleasure this year.

You snort a line with Deano you are in for some fun times, let me tell you.

Longest post I've ever seen gfhockey get out of anyone.

gfhockey is taking night classes at UND to improve his writing

If you don't want a nattie for UND, that's on you.

Pretty hard for college programs to complain about the pros preying on college age kids when colleges are recruiting kids who are still teething. That said, I agree a lot of kids are making a mistake by leaving early.

I just wish Minnesota had wanted him.

If they do meet, I hope Hak and the team aren't as weak-kneed about Blais as you are.

This team strikes me as very mature, exemplified by Pattyn. They are all talented at that level but our team does have a bunch of guys who need to understand their roles and work very hard in order to succeed. That' partly why it's been interesting to see how N & J S jell with the team. They sometimes seem a little aloof, but they just appear to be quiet kids. I'm sure you guys closer to home know about the team dynamics.

I enjoy hearing folks give Rau sh!t, but you know, I'd have liked to have that guy on my college team.

It's true; we were struggling to win faceoffs, especially on the pk. They've obviously been working on it.

There you go.

I know we all want to win the final game for once, but 7 FFs in 11 years? Amazing. This year is no different in that it will take some breaks to win out. But this team has one quality that increases the chances, IMO--they are a hard team to beat. There's a stubbornness about them. They haven't been mowing the opposition down this year, but they are just hard to put away. A dam fine quality in any line of work.

Spend your time thinking how to hit Eichel or any fast, skilled player and you will probably find yourself sitting in the box watching him score. The Sioux have shown good restraint this year, mostly, and I hope they keep that up. This time of year a dumb penalty could cost a banner. Though I agree with 357 that Eichel and his sisters need to understand the boards and corners will not be a comfortable place to hang out.

A lot of fans quit on this team last week, but they showed again that they never quit on themselves. What a bunch. Whether they will be able to contain BU is a question to be answered, but they have really proved their character once again.

Never count this group out. Something a LOT of posters did all week and every other chance they had after a loss.

That's good to hear. Amazing what good meds can do if you have the guts to begin with.

Depends on how much flu is on the ice for the Sioux

Maybe you just can't hear it over your own buzz.

Flu in the locker room is not good, but if I had to pick a Sioux team to gut it through sickness and injury, it's this bunch.