burd

Their breakout scheme at this point seems predictable and easy to forecheck. That keep-it-on-the-perimeter mentality has our D constantly passing to a stationary (and covered) target along the boards. Maybe those aren't turnovers--call 'em turnbacks, because that's what happens most of the time.

It's a chip-it-along-the-wall-then-dump transition. Most often, it's a chip-it-along-the-wall-to-covered-winger-and-play-defense transition.

All these conclusions based on "someone suggested?"

I didn't see it that way. He just mishandled the puck on the first breakaway. He is by far the quickest on the Sioux team but I don't know how he stands regarding down-the-ice speed.

Aside from NC, Hak has gotten excellent results, but I agree that his system seems too conservative and regimented for some lineups to excel. The keep-it-on-the perimeter concept on the breakout and dump and chase in the O zone might be wasting some potential on this faster, smaller team. But I'm not a coach, and Hak has had great results, so I guess we wait and see if it comes together. Also, this St. Cloud team can skate; we should not forget that.

Bobby Orr still following you around?

That's a laugh, saying York teaches his players to play with their balls.

Agreed. SCSU has the better team at this point. Give these Freshmen some time, though. With this squad, I think Hak will have to loosen up a little and turn them loose a little more often.

Nothing like a sense of urgency to win some races to the puck

Cue Don Merideth.

UND watching Just hope they don't respond with something that gets them in the box

St. Cloud can skate. Great hockey to watch. Our young D learning the game pretty fast.

That little spin move by the net under pressure wasn't a freshman move, was it?

The refrain of every Dubber downward spiral.

It never was a true rivalry. More like a green cat playing with a half dead mouse. Or a green dog pushing a turd around with his snout before deciding that's the only kind of turd even he won't eat. We'll miss that for sure.

I'm not a gopher fan

God. After I said he was improved.

Hopefully, it's not a disc problem. Even a cervical sprain/strain could be a longer term issue. Finders crossed.

Team USA can play. I have to say Hammer has improved. And someone must have whispered to him what a one-timer is.

Surprised nobody lined up in front of the net for an extra point after the first goal.

The state has an extensive great hockey tradition to build on.

Nope--Tufts

From the very first time Greg Johnson hit the ice in his first game, he was doing sick things with the puck. Younger fans since the 80s don't quite realize what a talent he was. And smart.

I'm not one of those people who pines for Deano, particularly since you could easily argue that his work has been a disappointment in Omaha. But one difference between his teams and Hak's teams, I think, is the level of caution the Dmen show in their first pass up ice. They tend to hold on to the puck quite a while before making the breakout pass--it seems like their number one rule is not to turn the puck over, so they chip it up the boards to a covered winger or pass it to someone away from the boards who is now covered. Spaces close pretty fast in that league. I understand that all teams tend to do this and that it is early, so the players do not have midseason rhythm. But it does seem that Hak's teams are trained to hold the puck a little longer before passing as a matter of defensive caution. As I said, this is a seems kind of thing, and I'd be happy to have someone say I'm full of shat.

Agreed. Most of us saw a very bright upside with that class early their freshman year. Now we will see if they have leadership qualities.