Dave Berger

I should add that this year's group of seniors (Dillon Simpson, Derek Rodwell, and Mitch MacMillan) has collected 35 of UND's 332 points so far this season, good for 10.5 percent. The cupboard is definitely full.

I'm going to point this out before the game tonight: After last season, North Dakota suffered huge losses with the graduation of Danny Kristo, Corban Knight, Carter Rowney, Joe Gleason, and Andrew MacWilliam, plus the early departure of Derek Forbort. The six UND stalwarts collected 176 of North Dakota’s 361 points, good for 48.8 percent of UND’s production last year. With that in mind, here are the results from the past two campaigns: 2012-13 season: 22-13-7 (NCAA West Regional Finalist), 14-7-7 WCHA (3rd) 2013-14 season: 24-13-3 (NCAA Midwest Regional Finalist), 15-9-0 NCHC (2nd) Coming in to the game today, Hakstol has done more this year with less to work with. However the playoffs end up, it's awfully impressive. Dave

This is a great question. As long as UND is alive in the tournament, I would personally rather have underdogs win so that, theoretically, North Dakota's road to a title is easier. But the problem is that so much of that is perception. I've got Denver over Boston College in my bracket because I think Brittain is as good as it gets and BC is rusty. If Denver wins, it's technically an upset, but it also means that the Pioneers are playing well and getting hot at the right time. It's always scary to run up against a Minnesota or Boston College with everything on the line and so much baggage and history in those rivalries. But it also makes the victories sweeter and adds another chapter to the stories. In the long run, very few will remember the road that a team had to take to win a national championship. Teams just need to beat whoever is in front of them. Dave

These two went hand in hand and made a huge difference. Stecher and Thompson were put in situations where they could be successful as freshman in their first NCAA tournament game. Dave

Same! But it's Minnesota, Notre Dame, UMass-Lowell, and Denver. Dave

Game Preview: UND vs. Ferris State Discuss. Dave

NCAA Midwest Regional Preview: UND vs. Wisconsin Discuss. Dave

This would be an interesting wager if one was prone to that sort of thing: Minnesota/Boston College/Wisconsin/Quinnipiac vs. the field. On one side: the #1 seeds from the West, Midwest, and Northeast, plus the #2 seed from the East On the other side: the other 12 teams in the tournament KRACH suggests that Minnesota, BC, UW, and Quinnipiac will win the tourney a combined 50.35 percent of the time. Which side would you take? I would think that wagers on both sides of this equation would be fairly even, considering some big names are still in the field: Union, UMass-Lowell, Denver, North Dakota, St. Cloud State, Notre Dame, Ferris State, etc. Discuss. Dave

I will cheer for Ohio State over Minnesota, Wisconsin over Penn State, and Wisconsin over Ohio State. That feels the least dirty to me. Dave

NCHC Frozen Faceoff Preview Discuss. Dave

Winner winner chicken dinner! Dave

We see a big chicken! Anyone know where we are? Dave

Well, I got 7 out of 10. I feel pretty good about that! Dave

I'll say it again: North Dakota fans always show up. Saying fans "travel well" speaks as much to the commitment, passion, energy, and loyalty of a fan base as it does to miles over the road. The point is that UND fans have historically circled dates on the calendar and made those road trips and hockey weekends a reality more than fans of other teams. For some, this involves flights, arranging for someone to take the kids or the pets for a few days, using vacation time, committing to tournaments long before the competing teams have been decided, and yes, sometimes driving all the way from Grand Forks (or farther). When I hear someone say that North Dakota travels well, I take it as a compliment, because it is. For me, it's the best of both worlds. A passionate, loyal alumni base in many other parts of the country (Denver, Minneapolis/St. Paul, etc.), and an energetic, committed group of fans from Grand Forks and other parts of the Midwest who are willing to travel wherever, whenever to see their team play. And that's why it's always a home game. Dave

I'll take Greg Carey and Adam Wilcox. Dave

Each day's ticket is good for the whole session, regardless of when you enter the gate. I know we aren't planning to head to the Pourhouse on Friday since we'd rather watch Western Michigan and Denver, but I'm sure many will arrive right before the puck drops for UND and Miami. Dave

My predictions for the ten Hobey Baker finalists Discuss. Dave

I posted this in another thread, but it fits here too... In 2002 and 2003, Minnesota won national titles. Two and three years after UND's last championship (2000). So Minnesota has no championships in the last ten years with as much talent as anybody? I'm not sure you can play the "haven't won the big one lately" card much longer since all of the titles in question are from a decade ago. Dave

Speaking of ending seasons, here's how the last few of those have gone: 2011-12: Minnesota ends North Dakota's season with a 5-2 victory in the NCAA West Regional Final. 2009-10: North Dakota ends Minnesota's season with a 6-0, 2-4, 4-1 victory in the first round of the WCHA playoffs. 2006-07: North Dakota ends Minnesota's season with a 3-2 (OT) victory in the NCAA West Regional Final. 2004-05: North Dakota ends Minnesota's season with a 4-2 victory in the NCAA Frozen Four Semifinals. 2001-02: Minnesota ends North Dakota's season with a 7-2, 4-3 (OT) victory in the first round of the WCHA playoffs. In 2002 and 2003, Minnesota won national titles. Two and three years after UND's last championship (2000). So Minnesota has no championships in the last ten years with as much talent as anybody? I'm not sure you can play the "haven't won the big one lately" card much longer since all of the titles in question are from a decade ago. I'd say the two are closer than you'd like to believe. (full disclosure: If Minnesota and North Dakota play this year, I think Minnesota wins 7 out of 10 times - but I'd still love to see it!) Dave

Speaking of non sequiturs, which we weren't. I'm sorry, but the "tired old arguments that have nothing to do with the conversation" thread has been moved. What you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul. Dave

There are many factors at work here... Number one: there are not as many students at the games as there used to be. Perhaps it is because this year, we didn't play Minnesota, Wisconsin, or Denver at home. Those rivalry games matter. Anecdotally, the student entrance has plenty of security/law enforcement personnel looking for any evidence of pre-game drinking. There is a risk of a minor in consumption charge, even for those students who aren't trying to bring alcohol in to the Ralph. I know we can say "they shouldn't be drinking anyway", but many do, and with this recent crackdown, they're smart enough to go where they won't get caught. I know there is talk of reducing the number of student seats for upcoming seasons, and I'd be shocked if it doesn't happen. It's the law of unintended consequences: the Ralph wanted students to sit down, and be respectful, and practice Prohibition, and now we won't have as many of them at the games, and that's not a good thing. Number two: with all of the home games on Midco Sports Network, some fans with tickets are choosing to stay home and watch the games on tv if the weather is lousy. Yes, most of those are trying to find other people to use their tickets, but in the wintertime (and on short notice), that's a tough task. Number three: it's more difficult to cheer for a team without a nickname. Let's face it - the reason it's more difficult to get a "Let's Go, Sioux" chant started or to get a response to a "Sioux Yeah Yeah" is that some people feel uncomfortable not knowing what they're supposed to say. Should it matter? Maybe not. Does it matter to some? Absolutely. And on that last note, as much as I love a good "Let's Go, Sioux" (and started a few myself on Sunday night), maybe we can try to get a couple of "U-N-D-*clap*" cheers started at Target Center this weekend? Dave

Crazy to think that in this (very unlikely) scenario, Western Michigan would be the only team from the NCHC to make the NCAA tournament. Dave

This is great. Like I said above, however you slice it, "North Dakota hockey fans show up". Dave

Maybe a more appropriate phrase would be "North Dakota fans always show up." The practice of saying that one fan base or another "travels well" is one that the media employs to illustrate passion and commitment of a team's fans. And fans of UND hockey seem to have passion and commitment in spades. And I don't think anyone was saying that all of the North Dakota fans at Target Center this weekend will be driving from Grand Forks. That's just silly. But all of them are connected to the program in some way, and that's pretty special. Dave

Jayson, I have to tell you that I really appreciate the time you take to listen to fans' comments and suggestions. We are truly lucky to have you and the rest of the staff at UND, and you all do an outstanding job! Dave