brianvf

Agreed that DeRidder should've started the 3rd. If they could have ended the 2nd still at 5-3, then keep KJ in there. But once WMU closed it to 5-4...that's asking a lot of a young goalie thrust into a big stage with a win on the line. Cue the implosion in the 3rd. Can't believe that Grainger kid got 6 points? Team slid down 8 spots in the PWR in one weekend. Brutal. At this point...pray we can somehow win our first round road series, then manage to squeak by a couple wins to snag the NCHC Tourney. Seems like such an impossible ask of this team at the current point. What does next weekend bring? A showdown at the Ralph between two formerly strong teams. This right here is the battle for 6th place in the league, I'm afraid. I'd love to see a couple wins for UND, but you know they won't make it that easy to get back above .500. Spicer will probably get a hattrick both nights.

Hey thanks, appreciate that. It was still a fun time hanging out with him...Friday we were last row upper level (where I used to stand during my student days) and Saturday we were first row right on the glass...despite the crappy game results we're still making the most of the trip. Getting some outdoor hockey in (haven't done that for decade+ either) and, naturally, visiting all the food hotspots that I miss from my 25 years in GF.

The crappy thing about Johnson (Brent) not playing is that with all the dmen leaving next season, he'll get plenty of ice time. But will he stick around for another year after sitting for most of this year or will he elect to enter the portal? Would hate to lose him because I think he has good potential to be an excellent upperclassman for us.

I think he's hoping that it gives the team a bit of a spark. Might as well give it a try...unfortunately a goalie hasn't stepped up now so might as well try the other remaining option. If he can have a save % above .900, he's already winning.

Costantini, BJohnson, and James sitting.

I never got your text.

Oh man. KJohnson with the start in net tonight. Time to roll.

Well at least the xG was good, right? If the PWR calculation factored in xG, we'd be top 5 in the nation.

Broncs sweep would be my guess. UND is snake bit on offense.

That sounds like a good way to lose every single recruit we have in the system. Not to mention have half the existing team enter the transfer portal.

Yes. Right after UND clanked one off the post with the extra attacker.

All that work moving up 5-6 spots in the PWR to #16...one loss and we instantly drop 5 spots. Not gonna lie...it's looking like the only way this team makes the NCAA tourney is by winning the NCHC tourney...and that might prove difficult after watching DU and SCSU dismantle us earlier this season.

https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2023/01/11_NCAA-Approves-Addition-of.php Time to get Ulmer on the payroll.

https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/und-hopeful-ethan-frisch-can-play-against-western-michigan?fbclid=IwAR0_lF1hx_N28tjEYaks8d8SoKE2_nYkEkSg2MS3uHyswhuFPuXn5PG0Uns Great news if Frisch can suit up this weekend.

I'm good with a few more Blake's on the team, for sure.

Yeah seems he's slipped a little bit recently compared to his hot start. 2 points in his last 5 games...7 points in his last 10 games.

Back to the days of 1st round bye's, like when it was a 12-team tourney field.

There was a recent article (don't recall where I read it) that said something along the lines of that the NCAA wanted to get to closer to 50% of teams participating in the NCAA tourney (not just for hockey...for all sports).

https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/und-still-searching-for-a-goaltender-to-take-the-reins Kleven and Strinden take home weekly honors:

It feels like that's gonna be most of my trip...just eating at all the places that I miss from growing up in GF.

Ha! He'll be too full of Red Pepper to go looking at the grain elevators.

Thanks! Definitely looking forward to seeing some games again. Feels weird...I pretty much went to every single home game for about 8 years of my life...and now none for so long.

Guessing WMU will be looking for a bit of revenge after we took 5 of 6 from them in their barn. UND needs to play this series the same way they played that series and really try to limit their top line. They managed to shut them down in the previous series, and they'll need a similar effort if they want to take some points for the NCHC standings. I'm particularly looking forward to this series, as it'll be my first series that I'm able to attend at REA in over a decade! I'm bringing my son with (who's never even been to ND before)...it'll be a fun time for us!

https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/list-of-und-hockey-future-nonconference-opponents-ncaa-hockey-regional-sites-and-frozen-fours Not that has been announced yet at least.