yzerman19

I don't think UND was unlucky, I think Minnesota forced turnovers in our end and capitalized on them. No differently than we exploited their aggresssive forecheck with a breakaway goal and a 2-1 goal. Saturday we saw two excellent teams play great hockey. Neither team better. Friday we saw Minnesota beat a kinda flat UND team in what was really a 3-1 game. Have to believe you will lose to the Gophers on the road when you don't bring your best game. Minnesota was better.

I believe that Mac was taken off his game by the chirping with Rao and he is playing in fear of penalties. Mac is very, very good when he plays aggressive physical hockey and hammers people. He knew, and I'm sure Hak reminded him that he HAD to stay out of the box. If Mac is playing scared of penalties, he will be less than average. If he is playing with a mean streak, he is very good.

I like St. Clair, and as you can see, I put him out there too. I just don't think he can center the second line... I don't dislike having Mark Mac on the first line, but I want to try Rocco up there now. We're not misaligned in thinking, just a couple switches

What about this lineup: Knight with Kristo and Grimaldi Mark Mac with Caggiula and Parks Rowney with St Clair and Gaarder Pattyn with Rodwell and Mitch Mac Mac and Simpson Panzo and Gleason Forbert and Mattson I think we have to play Rocco on that top line now. I was against it earlier, but now it is clear he needs to play with Kristo. Rowney hasn't done much for us of late. I move him to the third line and see if playing him with St Clair and Gaarder sparks something. They should run a decent forecheck and bring some energy. Mark Mac needs to play center. I'd like to see parks and Mac get that old spark back. Fourth line would be straight energy and forecheck. On D, I think we need to change it up a little. I think Schmaltz and Mattson both need a night off. Perhaps Schmaltz off Friday, Mattson off Saturday. You should win games when you score 4 goals...tough, tough tie

Agreeing with all the agreeing. The D issue isn't a "new" issue. We've had these problems for a few years now. Teams really hurt us with aggressive forechecks. Our d panic, forget how to skate, look like they don't want to get hit, then make stupid passes or decisions or just chip it out. They have to be able to skate and stickhandle their way out of pressure in order to make that good outlet pass.

Someone called out going upstairs on Wilcox. Both Rocco and Knighter went high glove side to score. Kristo and Drake's goals were greasier. Good callout to whomever it was that noticed that there was room to go up high. Every defenseman we have on the ice is drafted, including two number ones. How can we have such poor play out of them???

One other thing that really hurt us was face-offs. Usually we are great on the draw. Not the case this weekend. DId we really only get one powerplay tonight?

Wingers are responsible for the opposing d and being prepared to transition. If a winger is below the dot, he better be wearing a pinching d.

Tough to lose this one. Really thought the forwards played well. Dzone play has got to get better. I thought Simpson played well and Gleason wasn't bad tonight. The rest of them, well... A split would've really helped. One take away from this weekend is that Minnesota is for real and is excellent; and we can go toe to toe with them. We won 3 periods this weekend. They won 3 periods this weekend.

The officials will not do UND any favors. So far, our best players have been the best players on the ice...they need to finish this one. One period.

LMAO

FSN has now adjusted their stats. If you look at the stats they are showing, you would think UND is lucky to be in the game. The game I've been watching has been very even. Establishing a forecheck is more important than getting off a shot from the point. I would guess that time on attack is dead even.

We can't afford to lose Mac back there. He is our only physical defenseman. I'd say turn Steph Pattyn loose on Rau.

Good tempo to this game. UND came out strong. Shots are very misleading...Fox Sports North actually put a stat up that said MN has had 10 quality scoring chances- they must've meant shots. This has been a very good period for both teams.

Reason doesn't belong on a web forum

You too.

Danny played it the way you're coached. You let a puck carrier go 1-1 against a dman and the goalie, you prevent a pass.

Need to play fast, establish a strong forecheck, play the body, good crisp passes.

This thing with Rocco is RIDICULOUS. He is a top 6.

Danny is reading the trailer and looking to clear out a rebound to turn it back up ice. Possibly creating a 3-2 the other way. Joe didn't check him effectively, but still pushed Condon pretty wide. Let's not blame Joe or Clarke or Danny and call it like it is...that was just a beautiful snipe of the far-side upper from a tough angle.

Really? Wow. That would be surprising to me. You'd think that Hak would bring everyone down for this series.

It really is hatred. It is almost as if hockey is the allegory for something much larger... City vs Country Red State vs Blue State Big School vs Small School Entitlement, contempt, etc. Compound it with the fact that both teams are perennial powers...then make the geographic proximity such that you have to witness the one another's successes...it boils over

I'd throw O'Donnell back out there to see if a couple games off have helped him- Knight with Grimaldi and Kristo Rowney with Parks and Cagguilla Mac with Mac and O'Donnell Pattyn with Gleason and St Clair

100% true. Grant will tell you the same. Grant did not fit the mold of Blaiser's teams. Blais built teams around skating and speed. Grant Potulny has a lot of talents for hockey, but skating and speed are not at the top of the list. His intangibles, especially leadership, really were difference makers for every team he played on.

Parise was playing for Shattuck in 2001-2002. Oh, and Potulny is not Parise.