MafiaMan

With all due respect, I don't think JT Brown envisioned a 5-game stint in the NHL after he left college...further proof why these sophomores and juniors should stay put.

This was started off-topic in the annual "Fire Hakstol" thread so I thought I would start a new thread for it. I think most, if not all college hockey fans would agree, the current regional format, for lack of a better choice of words, TOTALLY SUCKS. North Carolina vs Duke, Syracuse vs UConn, or Michigan State vs Ohio State for the right to GET TO the Final Four is something that rarely, if ever, happens in college basketball. Contrast that with men's ice hockey, where NCAA tries to arrange Denver vs UND, Minnesota vs UND, UNH vs BC, or other rivalries on almost a yearly basis. Not to mention the fact that supposed #1 overall seeds like '98 North Dakota wind up playing an away game in Yost Arena vs Michigan or '05 Minnesota winds up with a potential match-up with North Dakota in Grand Forks (until the now infamous upset at the hands of Sacred Heart Holy Cross happened and wiped out that game). This just simply should NOT happen in college hockey and the current format is unacceptable. The days of the two games and total goal differential would almost be preferable to lifeless regionals being held in places like Toledo, Green Bay, or Grand Rapids. I've already suggested going back to the teams being seeded 1-16 and the first round (if not first two rounds) being held in the higher seed's building. This may present logistical issues such as the one Wilbur pointed out in the afore-mentioned thread in paragraph one, where a conflict with another event could force a venue change, but I think those issues can and could be dealt with as they occur. What are some other thoughts on the current format vs changing the format? Do you like the format as it currently stands? Or should it be blown up completely?

Once upon a time, I had a video clip of the incident...

Are the Pirates home next weekend? I definitely recommend catching a game if they are!

Hark! The herald angel sings...a logical solution. Now don't let the NCAA see this!

Not posting mad at all...I'm noticing lots of font changes though!

Setting up the regions long in advance has done nothing to alleviate attendance issues. If only 1900 fans make the trip to Grand Rapids, how much worse would attendance have been had Boston College replaced North Dakota or Quinnipiac replaced Minnesota? It would have made minimal diffference. I simply don't believe it's good practice to have a small school (let's say Lake Superior State) have a good year and be a #1 seed only to wind up at a regional 1000 miles away from home in front of a good crowd of UNH fans. 1998 is a PERFECT example of what shouldn't happen...but it KEEPS happening. And the constant juggling to help out 'attendance' is getting old.

I don't think Wisconsin has the money to buy out Eaves' contract...and I think he may have saved himself with a Final Five title. MSU will give it one more year...but Anastos is definitely on a short leash.

I've said this time and again over the years...if a small school is the #1 overall seed in the tournament or even a higher seed overall, why is the 'reward' usually going to play someone else in their own backyard? This system is a joke and not only punishes the team, it punishes the fans. The first round MUST go back to a best of three series in the top seed's barn. If Northern Michigan is the #8 seed and the #9 seed is Minnesota, so be it. It's 'hello Marquette' for the Gophers. If #1 is Quinnipiac, no problem. Enjoy the long trip #16 Denver. It's not rocket science.

I would bet he's coaching somewhere next year. I know someone earlier mentioned Enrico Blasi possibly leaving Miami...coaching swap? I like Blasi...but he has had more stunned looks on his face come post-season time than anyone. I wonder if he's thinking it might be time for a change?

Cratter seems to have a lot of up-side and will be missed...but Wilbur? He was AWFUL in that game against Sacred Heart!

Still no official confirmation on Wilbur and Cratter leaving yet...my sources are legit though...

How about an MLB wild-card round while we're at it?

Gwoz HATED the cracking-egg eagle logo and had it removed from the arena and uniforms several years ago. While not openly wanting the Daniel Boone logo back, he did his best to make sure the interlocking DU logo was the primary hockey logo.

Just saw it...

UND Media Guide lists a 10/20/90 5-5 OT tie against NMU and a 1-11-92 6-6 OT tie against NMU in the all-time records against section. I am pretty certain the game was my sophomore year, which would be the 10/20/90 game. Problem is...the media guide lists this as an away series...it also shows the Sioux getting swept at home two months later that season...I think they're backwards and the team was at home for the October series and on the road in December.

I will have to look it up myself...one of my top three Sioux games of all-time. NMU punched in a goal with about 12 minutes left to make the score 5-0 or 6-0. About 1/2 of the fans immediately got up and left. The student section stood up and started chanting "let's go Sioux" loudly. 12 minutes later, the scoreboard read 0:00...but it also showed a tie score. Each team had a breakaway in OT that was stopped and the game ended a tie. NMU skated off like they had just lost the NCAA title game...North Dakota celebrated like it was the 1980 USA/Soviet game and they were wearing red, white, and blue. The team skated over to the student section and gave us a salute. One of the greatest memories I have of Sioux hockey...and the reason why I NEVER leave a game early.

How's that Hoggsbreath t-shirt? Quid pro quo, Agent Starling...

Thanks, bigskyvikes! I was hoping someone would pick up on what I was doing there!

If this keeps up, Penn State might just be the B10 conference FAVORITE next season!

I can only HOPE Rau leaves...total flopper. I would relish not seeing him splattering all over my B10 screen next year.

I admittedly don't even ready your posts anymore...I just stare at your avatar.

Paging AZSIOUX...

ESPN...classic.

Hey, Snake, do you happen to remember the 5-5 or 6-6 tie with Northern Michigan in either 1990, 1991, or 1992?