Oxbow6

Goaltending will be key if UND expects to leave South Bend with any points. UND gave up roughly 40 SOG per game last weekend vs. UMD and if that trend continues, Clark and/or Zane might have to steal a game.

But we are "close" and there is always next year!?

Simple question...did you watch in their entirety both games this weekend? Defensivley we were pretty awful for most of the weeknd...doesn't mean season is over, but to sugggest anything else is having your head up Berry's... No doubt defensively UND will turn the corner, but so far this season the defensive play has been less than stellar.

1st 4 games next yr are at the Al w 3 of em vs. Jacks, Griz and Cats. Lose those 3 to start 1-3 and Al will be empty rest of season.

I was at both game this past weekend...no duckies and bunnies here. Very lucky to come away with 3 points.

46 SOG by UMD Friday was ridiculous, but what was even more disturbing was UND played pretty well defensively to hold the Dogs to 14 SOH thru 2 periods Saturday but then got out shot 17-7 in the 3rd/OT. Corrections defensively seemed to be made Saturday, but then the 3rd period started and our D play reverted back to Friday's poor D. If we play defensively anywhere near what we did vs. UMD at the other ND, it's going to be a long weekend.

Berry was hired specifically for improving our D-man and overall defensive play. I agree with you that our defense in our own zone has been just slightly north of hapless. I'm just really, really surprised Berry hasn't made a more positive impact in that regard to date.

Holding the puck below the red line way too long might have something to do with it!

Where is Barton in this mix? He will be Jr. and at 6'6" and 302 that's really good size. Was a HS basketball standout so he has decent feet as well.

As to your 2 points...Miller had hit his last 7 FGs. Again regardless of what little wind there was, he needed an opportunity to win it. Our line play has to improve dramatically...just look to the south. If you can run the ball at will and stop it consistantly, you'll be in the hunt...even with mediocore QB play.

That fact Muss had the entire time out to mull it over and still decided not to kick is even more disturbing.

No surprise there...typical Muss. Did he also say "I flat out blew an opportunity for my players to win the game with my inept decision making"!!!

Finally a voice of reason. It was a no brainer! And the decision not to kick it falls squarely on Muss. For those of you who think Muss is "building" a program or has it going in the "right direction" are so far off it is astounding. 5 years...5 years he has been at the helm. He was co-champs of a 5 team league in 2011...wow!!?? Look deep into his tenure and it's one big mess. As I stated before the last 2 plays of Saturdays game are just a microcosm of Muss. He cannot coach at this level.

'SU has a good shot at back to back Natty's even with Jensen's suspect play over the last half of the season. They can pound the rock and stuff it on D.

My expectations are as yours but it won't happen with Muss. Not next year. Not in 3 years. Not in 10 years. He has been at the helm for 5 years and has built what??? He can't coach...5 years macro or last 2 plays yesterday micro. You pick. This fan base is being told mediocrity and inept coaching is now the new normal if he is retained. I'm a hockey guy 1st but have had season tickets to FB as well for many years. Would be giddy to see the FB program compete on a national level like it did in the early 2000's...but Muss can't/won't get us there.

Brock Nelson

At the time of the potential GW FG it was 57 degrees w a 7-8 mph wind from the east. Even if Zeb was kicking directly into that "wind" Muss needed to get him a shot IMO.

Kick it!!! That was the call at that point in the game...period. Regargless of what little wind there was Zeb had the leg to win it. For Muss to say he didn't think a 51 yarder was in range for Zeb just once again cements his incompetence as a HC.

The conversation has turned to a light wind that might have affected a potential kick?!?! Seriously...not that it was a given Zeb nails it but 59 yards was good in pregame. 54 yard GW FG on same field last year. Kick the frickin' ball!!! I would bet Muss has zero credibility w his team after this season...none!!!

What hasn't been discussed is Faison's role in this mess. If Muss is retained and nothing changes on the coaching staff and/or next year is more of the same from a results standpoint, Faison needs to beheld accountable as well.

A year after Miller beat NC on a 54 yard FG at NC, Muss opts not to kick the potential 51 yard game winner..."Quite fankly, I thought we were out of our kicking range." Radio sideline reporter stated prior to NOT kicking a potential game winning FG, Zeb was nailing it from 59 yards out in pre-game. Don't know how else to say it...Muss is so absolutely clueless it is embarrassing!

Good luck in this area in 2013! Casual fans aren't going to show up unless UND starts out winning a couple of big games early. Students are students...they'll show up for a winner. And serious fans/ticket holders are not happy with the status quo under the Muss tenure.

Kristo was the difference in the last 20 minutes of ice time. His ability to create space with the puck and draw the full attention of the Dogs and their goalie opened up Easy Mac on 2 brillant passes. Things that weren't so good: Once again, as is the 3rd period theme, UND totally gets out played...badly...on home ice. I believe the Dogs basically doubled up their SOH in the 3rd and OT last night. Our PP is horrific! Not sure how with the offensive skill that we put out there it can be so inept! The 5x3 PP was a bad as it gets...minus the pipe hit by Rocco. Our break outs aren't any better than horrific. IMO our Dman constantly hold the puck way too long below the red line. And our play thru the neutral zone, both ways but especially offensively, is as bad as I can remember seeing a UND team play. Positives: Kudos to Zane. Hung in there when the dam could of broke wide open. Says a ton about him. Thought Panz played a solid game. Joe might be sitting awhile. Rocco's line will be dynamite in the 2nd half of the season if they stay together. Rowney is a center...period. He was much more productive last night and Gaarder and ODonnell are a good fit with him.

Simply stated...It was a season of missed opportunities squandered away by inept coaching and leadership. The athletes deserved better and so did the fans.

Simple yet accurate. Look at your school...it's a combo for success even with a marginally average QB. But to your 3 points...the first 2 will require a change in coahing staff and philosophy. I believe UND has some talent on the roster to run the ball and stop the run. The play calling sucks and the D schemes suck. But also the blocking needs to improve as does the tackling. To your last point, attendance will suffer as long as this program is mediocore and doesn't consistantly win games...IMO that won't change until the coaching staff changes.