Oxbow6

That's at a minimum.

Agree...a 3 point weekend would leave us just tied with SCSU. Sweep and we are up 2 points on them in the race for a top 2 spot.

I coach 7-8 year old girl's soccer and I know as much about soccer as I do hockey...not very much at all, but I did sleep at a Holiday Inn Express a couple years back so I guess I'll keep throwing my 2 cents out there!

I totally agree with this. Our 3 best centers are Knight, Mark Mac and Rocco, but you only need two of those to center the top two lines. Rowney is a 3rd line center on this squad. As someone mention earlier somewhere, this line combo jumbling is all an affect of not having a solidified top line. IMO Rocco needs to be there and if not him then Parks. If Hak can settle on either one of those 2 then I think things fall into place. If it's Rocco, then your 2nd line is Mark, Parks and either Mitch or Drake, 3rd line is then Rowney, St. Clair and Mitch or Drake. If it's Parks on the top line, then I think it's straight forward with Mark, Rocco and Drake, then Rowney Mitch and St. Clair. I really like Drake and Rocco together if Rocco isn't on top line. Mitch isn't a top line guy and IMO Drake is a better offensive talent at this stage. Bottom line Mitch isn't the answer going forward on the top line. He needs to be in the lineup somewhere though. I'm a big fan of St. Clair and Drake. But at some point Rocco needs to be with players that can skate with him and make plays based off his creativity. Rowney isn't one of those guys and Pattyn definately isn't. Will be intersting to see what Hak does this coming weekend. If he feels the RPM line needs to stay intact then Rocco should on top line. From what I've seen offensively, defensively and goaltending wise, I feel this teams biggest upside and are where they can really seperate themselves is offensively. I think defensively, we are who we are and in net the same thing. IF the forward lines can be ironed out and we don't have any major injuries to shake them up this team has the forward skill to put a alot of puck in the net as they move forward.

Regardless of 3 righties, all I know is what I've seen and those 3 have easily been of most dynamic offensive combo in the limited time they have played together. No team has had an answer for them when they have been on the ice together. Bottom line, until Hak is steadfast in a linemate for Kristo and Knight all other combos are in limbo. Rocco IMO needs to center or play wing on a line with Mark Mac if he isn't going to be on the top line.

To your 2 questions...Rocco and St Clair. Kristo Knight Rocco RPM Mitch Colton Drake. Kristo can play off wing...he did during the failed Rowney at wing experiment earlier this year. IMO solidifying line spots for Rocco and Mark Mac is the key to get this team humming offensively. Or the above post is an option too

Been wondering the same thing. Bryn looked decent when he saw the ice early on. Heard a rumor here in Fargo from some Force " in the know" fans. His not playing isn't hockey related I heard but rumor why sounded little strange.

Flip flop Parks and Mitch then...so many options.

If Hak breaks up the RPM line my guess the Mac brothers skate w Drake. Leaves Rowney Parks St Clair. Drake is getting better week by week.

UND would still have the RPM line and probably a 3rd line of Mitch Drake on wings w Colton at center. Those are 2 really good top lines and an above average 3rd line.

I get Bjugstad is a man child but Forbort's inability to even attempt to put a body on him directly resulted in his goal.

In games with equal skill on borh sides it was obvious Mitch isn't a top line winger. Also obvious is Pattyn has no business centering a line with Rocco on it.

As to question #1...improved where? As to question #2...agree. Zane earned a Friday start vs SCSU

Spot on here...UND looks and plays like most Gopher teams of the past. Tough to watch. This is why it's surprising Panz doesn't get more ice.

Drake Colton and Mitch could work as 3rd line if RPM stays and Rooco goes top line. Rodwell is a perfect 4th liner.

Regardless of this who plays where the SCSU series comes on the last weekend of January and barring injury Hak has to establish some line combos and roll with them for the sake of chemistry and continuity. I agree with post on ODonnell...the ship has sailed. I think St Clair and Rodwell cemented their lineup spots yesterday...that leaves Jim, Joe or Connor for the last spot on 4th line. Bryn is in a tough spot. Thought he played ok early when given a chance

Yes...Rocco and Kristo. One in OT is...oh well. 2 is...are you kidding me?

We will agree to disagree. 2 posts in OT is a bit unlucky. I thought the better team won Friday...not Saturday.

To me offensively Hak has to go one of 2 ways w Rocco...top line or on a wing w Drake and Mark Mac centering. Mark is much more of a playmaker at center. St. Clair needs to play...period. Put him w Rowney and Parks. Hak seem to likes Mitch on top line. Then you have Pattyn Rodwell and Jim or Gaarder on 4th line. Where Rocco and Mark can find a line home to me will be a big part in where this team is come March.

Goal #2 and #4

The better team was alittle unlucky and settled for a tie last night.

I thought coming into this season your last comment was being touted as this group's strengths! Oops... And the lack of physicality in our D zone is killing this team.

Simpson was our only reliable Dman all weekend. Thought Joe played decent as the big ice suits his speed. The other 4...uhhhhgggggg! Just surprised in a huge series like this how poorly Mac played.

Last night's game IMO just reinforces the need for Rocco to play along side Kristo. It makes Kristo better and it enables Rocco to find his gear that no one else on the ice has. I'm far from even an average hockey mind but this combo with Knight seems to be a no brainer moving forward.

This series will determine if UND has a legitimate chance to win the McNaughton Cup. A split vs. SCSU at this point isn't going to get it done. IF UND plays 2 games like last night, I have little doubt it will be a sweep.