burd

He dishes the puck with ungodly quickness sometimes, and his linemates are often not ready for it. We're hugely lucky to have the kid.

NUT CUTTIN' TIME!!

It was a great place--true Sioux experience. Frenchy's, the Peanut Bar at the Ho . . . good times.

I think you have to be careful how you evaluate teams when it comes to the one-and-done time of year, though. Wisconsin is not UMinn, but they do have some real high-end talent and are capable of running the table without getting a lot of luck to do it. It's a little like the decision Herb Brooks made to go with Jim Craig in goal. I don't think he was the winningest goalie in the country, but he had, Brooks felt, the highest upside. Wisconsin has a high upside, IMO. I know many disagree, but Miami's upside isn't too shabby either, now that they have their forwards healthy. But our boys will get by both of them--Miami first.

What media access are you guys using to watch this game?

They won 5 of 14 road games, which is not exceptional, certainly. But they handed the gophers two of their 5 losses and have a lot of talent, including arguably the most talented player in the country in Kerdiles, along with Zengerle, who is another elite level player. UW has not put together a long run of victories but that they have all the elements of a team that can go all the way. In fact, I'd say the main difference between UW and UND is our lack of elite level forwards who can change a game. But hey, UND is more than capable of putting together a run--they just have to get there.

What's the deal with Frattin? He had a fantastic opportunity with LA, now I don't see him in the lineup with Columbus. Injuries?

Whether or not Mariucci has been a troll in the past, he makes some fair statements here. The NCHC has disappointed nearly all of us, and the OC record has been embarrassing. Miami has been very disappointing, and who would think neither Colorado team would make any noise? I don't think Michigan is as good a hockey team as SCSU, but I do think Wisconsin and UMinn are better at this point. But one thing has not changed--you never know how things will go from here on out. Still possible to add number 8.

But everyone knows the drunken pukers are SCSU fans, so that concern is not a factor this year.

That's not an unfair assessment, but hopefully it won't turn out that way. Both teams are fighting for their tournament lives, so it will be interesting.

second this. Those guys played their hearts out.

Sioux need one to take the starch out of them.

Now please keep the foot on the gas--don't go slowdown.

York doesn't know how to get his boys up for the big ones.

I've commented on that before, and though it might be a tried and true strategy, it's frustrating. It allows opponents to be all over our wingers on the boards and closes passing lanes for our d, since the first pass is so predictable. That's why our d pass back and forth so much before bringing it up ice. It also gives all their players time to get back on D after a change in possession, so when our forwards to get the puck they have less time and space. I think that's why so many fans think our boys are not working hard--because they don't seem to play with speed on offense and end up having to react too much on defense. They are playing hard, imo, but they are playing within the scheme. When they were forced to open it up the last two nights, they did, and last night they dominated but couldn't bury the puck. These boys care a lot and are working hard, I believe. It's just too tempting for fans who are aware of the number of draft picks on this team to assume that they will win if they hustle, and that is not always the case. Hak done a fine job and has won a lot of hockey games--as many as any coach the last 10 years, I'd guess. But it's a different game come one-and-done time, and we will see if he can turn that corner.

I find myself OK with this one-and-done situation. Might as well start now if they think they have the stuff.

I don't think it's always lack of effort when this team loses, as everyone seems to think. Sometimes, sure, but remember Koberinski saying before the game that to start the game tonight, the d shouldn't be pinching in the ozone, they should be sticking to the perimeter and chipping pucks off the glass, etc? HIs idea was to take care of the puck and not make mistakes. I think Hak was thinking that too, and the problem with that is that the other team, if it's playing to survive, will be lying in wait and trying to jump everything. The boys hustled, they just didn't play an offense-minded game in the first. A tipped puck and soft goal cost them.

I disagree. the effort was there all night. If they had potted even half of the prime chances they had, they would have won by 3. They were working hard all night.

With all the higher seeds out, it will be difficult to improve pairwise if they get by tomorrow.

I think the puck goes in the net a little easier for the Sioux tomorrow.

Cue gfhockey

Great weekend of hockey.

Miami winning has definite implications for UND

boy they have had a lot of prime scoring opportunities but can't finish

This team struggles to create space when they gain possession