Godsmack

I don’t know about 2nd, Western Michigan is looking pretty darn good right now. But I hope you’re right that we will finish in the top half.

What frustrated me listening to Berry’s post game comments last night was his acknowledgment of the penalty trouble the team got into. Broken record, tired of hearing about that week in and week out without any sense of improvement in that regard. As an example, the penalty we took in the third didn’t burn us in the sense of giving up another goal but it took another precious 2 minutes off the clock for the team to try to generate some chances, gain some momentum. However, it felt like a period where DU really locked things down and UND had trouble as it was with zone entries and gaining O zone time. Quit talking about what we need to do differently and start doing it.

CC was out played the entire game by Western. CC went into a defensive shell in the third and paid the price for it. Mbereko can’t bail them out like this every time they play a good team. Western was the first big test for CC.

Does Carle and his staff out recruit and out develop his players more than us?

Mbereko is just that solid and they’re also missing Laba due to injury.

“Paging Dr. Jellyfinger, line one.”

Good point. Montgomery is proving that you don’t need to be a big, bruising defender to be effective. Play smart, be responsible with the puck in your end, and help make plays in transition. I’m so proud of him and the success he’s having. Sadly, many kids like him would’ve already transferred by now in search of more playing time. He has paid his dues and stuck with it and is now being rewarded because of his sound play.

The Tigers are 7-0 for the first time since the 1998-1999 season (Don Lucia’s final year). CC went 29-12-1 that season, reaching the regional finals. IMG_3063.mov

He reiterated that the effort was there. His words not mine.

Berry stating that the effort was there. Execution obviously to the observer, not so much.

Only thing that’ll make this even more painful is if Cornell loses at home next weekend to Yale and Brown.

It’ll be interesting to hear what Hennessy’s reasons for UND’s loss tonight will be. Bad ice? Hot goalie?

Defensive break downs led to what, 3 of their goals on us tonight? Our D zone play reminds me of two seasons ago.

You know it’s bad when even Hennessy is commenting how UND needs to get these good looks on net.

Boarding penalty on James.

I see Emery out on the ice.

Dumb penalty by us.

Turnover in our own zone that led to the goal? If so, the glass is your friend. Not sexy but effective.

Laba got hurt in the first period but came back but not so sure how much ice time he had the rest of the way. Looked like some sort of ankle injury.

AF had no business there in the 3x3 overtime and they knew it. They played extremely cautious and ultimately got scored on.

CC and AF going to overtime. AF really came back with a much better effort in the third despite giving up the tying goal early.

So BSU will be no gimmie later here when UND plays them?

CC absolutely suffocating Air Force the entire second period but a defensive lapse had the Tigers down two before getting one back on the power play. AF goalie standing tall and bailing out his very tired teammates in front of him.

There’s an interesting video on YouTube, an interview with Coach Schafer with Pierre McGuire that aired about 22 hours ago. I’d recommend listening to it. Much respect for Coach Schafer. Had the pleasure of listening to him speak at Sioux boosters roughly a decade or more ago. My takeaway from his speech was how much he respected programs like North Dakota because they’re willing to travel to his barn, not just expecting his team to travel to ours. He didn’t name names but there were some big school programs that popped in my head as to who he might be referring to. He said he would gladly travel to places like UND because he knows we’re always willing and able to return the favor.