stoneySIOUX

On your last paragraph, I'd absolutely not pin it all on bad luck. It's also not poor coaching, from what I've seen. We've been in the position to win all of the tourney games we've lost. I'd put it in the category of "that's hockey". What else could it be, honestly? Who should be blamed? That feels like the white rabbit we've been chasing in this conversation for several years now. I'd put that goal into bad bounce, yes. Bad decision, but it hit off his teammates skate. Call it bad luck. Of course it's not all bad luck, but there are some on here that think it virtually means nothing. Loss in first round of tourney against BU... outplayed them and bad luck on the offside call that legit led to a rule change. Loss to Duluth in 5OT, carried all OTs, IMO, had several unfortunate bounces not go in, pipes, shots bouncing off goalie onto the top of the net, etc. The first three goals for Michigan, none of them bounced our way. Absolutely doesn't tell the entire story, but some tout that 1 win since 2016 thing like UND is getting destroyed in the tournament since 2016. Each loss has been in OT or what happened against Michigan, a one goal game with three awful bounces/bad luck. I'd argue we played better in all of those games and didn't get enough bounces. I'm saying that we've had a crap ton of unfortunate stuff happen over the past several years in the tournament. It's not a controversial take, IMO

Some also refuse to believe Michigan's first three goals in the tournament were also insane bounces.

Good clarification, @scpa0305. I said it as gospel that Carle got Pohlkamp because he coached him in the WJC. That made it seem like I think that's the only reason. Absolutely not the case. Carle is definitely in a groove right now in all things. Certainly didn't hurt to have the comfortability, though.

Replacing Schmaltz, fair. But he was bottom 6. So, I still don't think he would have been happy with bottom 6, which is likely why he left. I'm not arguing we couldn't have used him, by the way. I just don't think he would have accepted his role.

I remember him getting A LOT of shots as a sophomore and he didn't deliver. Hindsight 20/20, of course. He had a good year. Where would he have slotted into this year? My guess is the team saw him bottom six and he didn't want it.

I'd say MacDonald is a talented player with upside, but I do see your point.

Add McDonald, subtract Benoit. Like I said in the other thread, I don't wish Benoit anything but good things, but I think UND got better today.

Add MacDonald, subtract Benoit. Nothing against Benoit, I wish him the best, but I think we got better today. Both Sophomores.

Oh man, I hear the "Canadian argument" from Minny fans still today, all the time. It's the dumbest thing ever to argue why one team is better than the other. Your logic is undeniable. Consider Wood a new add

As productive as that sounds, I think I'll pass

I know ALL of the smoke has been on Wood to Minny, but I think the kid must be really considering his options because he's still unsigned. Would be lovely, but I know we're strongly in contention for Wilkie.

Yeah, would love to be planning for that, too. I guess I just prefer to move on when stuff sucks.

Zmolek and MacDonald would be formidable. Big, big boys. Lock down D.

Good call. That is weird.

Yep, definitely were always going to be in on a portal D.

Them having Rizzo from 4 years ago does nothing to your premise that they are killing us in recruiting. They just aren't. They beat us to Pohlkamp likely because of Carle. Bubs is Canadian. He was never going to coach Pohlkamp.

Aren't we talking portal and recruiting? Are you referring to Rizzo?

They are absolutely not killing us in recruiting. They also got one guy this week.

There ya go.

There's a significant difference between acknowledging problems and saying things like "nothing good happens here anymore"

Not a rule, but a high preference. If UND bid the Ralph and no one else bid, they could certainly get it.

Nah, I'm good. Don't feel like I need to get into a pissing match about how depressed I am about the program.

Logic says there's something between the two that would be a little more rational. Just saying.

I thought Will Smith could get picked over Gauthier, but Cutter showed out in the regional. I think they got the Top 3 right, for sure. I expect Gauthier to win it, but Blaker could be the benefit of a splitting vote scenario between Celebrini and Gauthier.

Exactly. I don't understand why bringing in a portal goalie is a bad thing.