Dave Berger

NCAA West Regional Preview: North Dakota vs. Boston University Discuss. Dave

Thank you, Simone.

Agreed. On Saturday night, that blocker side was all weak. Dave

NCHC Frozen Faceoff Preview: North Dakota vs. Denver Discuss. Dave

Yes, I think he would have two goals this season. Dave

I'm assuming you're referring to this, from my weekend preview: The newly-minted Fighting Hawks from the University of North Dakota fared much better in the postseason, defeating Northeastern (the nation’s hottest team), Michigan (featuring the nation’s best line), Denver (a bitter conference rival), and Quinnipiac (the nation’s best team) to hoist the program’s eighth national title. In the four games of the NCAA tournament, UND downed their opponents by a combined score of 18-7. I agree with you that Caggiula, Boeser, and Schmaltz were better than Kyle Connor, JT Compher, and Tyler Motte, especially when it mattered most. But the numbers are eye-popping, even when you consider that coming into their playoff matchup, Michigan's strength of schedule was in the middle of the pack (30th of 60 teams according to KRACH; by comparison, UND had played the 11th most difficult slate of games) and the worst of any tournament team not named Ferris State or RIT. Coming in to the NCAA tourney, Red Berenson’s squad had played only three games against the field, splitting a pair with Boston University (2-3 L, 4-2 W) in November and defeating Ferris State University 5-2 in February. Despite all of that, one can't argue that the national media was focused on the CCM line. Here's what I wrote in that game preview: The Fighting Hawks and Wolverines also boast the top two lines and the top two rookies in all of college hockey. Michigan’s Kyle Connor (35-35-70) is the nation’s Rookie of the Year and the prohibitive favorite to win the Hobey Baker Memorial Award. UND’s Brock Boeser (26-28-54) is second in the country in scoring among freshmen. Red Berenson’s ‘CCM’ line of Connor, JT Compher (14-47-61), and Tyler Motte (32-25-57) has scored more goals than nine other college hockey teams this season. North Dakota’s ‘CBS’ line has Boeser paired with Drake Caggiula (20-25-45) and Nick Schmaltz (10-34-44). But I have to give you credit: you typed seven characters and got me to write an additional 300 words on a Friday afternoon (on top of the 2700 that I've already cranked out today). Cheers! Dave

My apologies, but I calls 'em as I sees 'em. Cheers and safe travels! Dave

NCHC Playoff Preview: North Dakota vs. St. Cloud State Discuss. Dave

NCHC Playoff Preview: North Dakota vs. St. Cloud State Discuss. Dave

Yes, that's correct. And this weekend's games are not included in the student season tickets for that reason, opening up five (or six?) extra sections of seats. Dave

The First-Round Playoff Series: Why Is It So Difficult To Sweep? Discuss. Dave

I will do my best. I've got 3-2 UND tomorrow night as well. Dave

I am a huge Cam Johnson fan. I was trying to point out that there are three key differences between the teams Cam has had in front of him over the past two seasons: 1) The margin for error is much smaller this season. North Dakota's fancy stats have been good, but they're just not finishing. 2) Even though UND is giving up an almost identical number of shots as last year (c. 25/game), there have been so many more defensive zone turnovers this year. For reference, check out how many unassisted goals Cam has allowed this year. Last year's squad did not show that tendency, no matter which six defensemen were in the lineup (or put another way, which defensemen do you trust in our own end this season?). 3) The relentless backchecking that became the identity for last year's squad has been largely absent this season. Odd-man rushes and second-chance opportunities have been the norm. This is not all on Cam, but by the same token he can't take all of the credit for last year's numbers. Dave

According to Jim Dahl's College Hockey Ranked, a UND sweep would almost certainly move North Dakota to 12th in the Pairwise. Dave

Weekend Preview: North Dakota at Miami Discuss. Dave

Weekend Preview: North Dakota at Miami Discuss. Dave

The All-American Cam Johnson comes in a kit with Paul LaDue, Troy Stecher, & Keaton Thompson and a team that scores 3.68 goals per game. Dave

According to KRACH, the likelihood of a sweep is actually just over 38 percent if the games were played on neutral ice (North Dakota has a 62.3 percent chance of winning each game). Dave

I would like to see a rule change whereby a player on the receiving end of a major penalty (checking from behind, contact to the head, kneeing, etc.) is required to sit out the duration of the five-minute man advantage. Should be the minimum amount of time required to test for concussion and other serious injuries. Dave

Weekend Preview: North Dakota vs. Omaha Discuss. Dave

Weekend Preview: North Dakota vs. Omaha Discuss. Dave

Illness is making its way through our house and my workplace, so I've only got time/energy for a prediction this week (no weekend preview). Here goes: The Prediction With Jost and Boeser back, North Dakota's scoring lines are more balanced. Cam Johnson always plays well in his home state, and even though the Broncos have a more talented group than any other in recent memory, this feels like a weekend where everything clicks into place for the Hawks. UND 4-2, 3-2. Discuss. Dave

More importantly, Cam Johnson only gave up one goal in his three victories over St. Cloud (stopping 82 of 83 shots). Dave

I'm going to take the opposite side. We went to New York City for five nights, and knew that we weren't going to plan anything on our travel day there (just in case there were delays). That left us four nights for dinners, Broadway, etc. We were actually glad that it was just a single game, because we went to two different musicals and had some extra time for shopping and sightseeing. I think the same is true of Las Vegas. We always take in shows while we're there, so one game is just fine. There's also the finality of a winner and loser rather than a two game series that can end in a split. I like it. Dave

We're sticking with the event. Have been traveling to the league postseason tournament every year beginning in 1998 (except for 2000 and 2004, when my wife was expecting), so I guess this year is #18. Why stop now? Dave