Smoggy

No excuse at all about playing MSUM. While I think they are playing well, they have a two week layoff that will hurt them and I don't see them hanging with us for three games. I'm more concerned about who we could face at the X. Denver is playing well right now. We are the Gophers only loss in 18 games, so they are hot but we did beat them, and with UW who knows? We do struggle against great goaltending. Personally I really want revenge on SCSU and all I care about is making the tourney.

Good point to dagies on the last shift change of play in game for Final Five. Let's say this happens: We finish fourth and beat MSUM to go to the Final Five and knock them from TUC status (I think more than likely that would happen with a sweep). One of the top three (can't imagine, but UW???) loses and we don't play SCSU or CC in the play in. We then face like DU or UW and lose. Therefore, possibly don't make the NCAA's due to TUC record. I do think that scenario is unlikely. I think with the way the CCHA tourney has gone and will finish, we'll get in. But it could happen. I really do want us to win all our games and will be doing so tonight, but this could be one of those situations where a team is better off not winning. Like DU a few years ago. For us it may just be tonight so that we face SCSU in the first round. I just think we may need another TUC win or two.

At least you'll never have to worry about UND ever hosting again due to the NCAA's political correctness run amok.

The thing with Dean was that he already was in the best conference with a top program. McDermott has to decide about trying his hand at a "big" school, or spending the rest of his time at UNI. It's up to him, but I think you gotta try the Big Ten. These opportunities only come around so often.

The problem is that we need to win that first round series. If we win against MSUM, they aren't a TUC and our PWR will drop. That would mean that we would still need to probably win a game or two at the Final Five to get our spot. Also, MSUM gives us trouble when we play them. We have motivation against SCSU because of them sweeping us at home. That's the other reason I wanted to face SCSU. Then again, who knows what else will happen in other leagues. EDIT: Just checked, and we can tie Tech and still take the N. Mich. comparison.

Facing SCSU would be much better than MSUM. Oddly enough I was hoping for a 5th seed so that would happen. But I think we still need to win vs. Tech instead of tieing so that we get the Northern Mich. comparison. So it looks like I'm cheering for us to get a win and finish in 4th. And before people jump all over me, I always want a win. For our PWR sake I was hoping for CC to take 4th by beating DU.

CC had another player go head first into the boards during the 2nd period of the Saturday night game. He was actually the checker, but ended up between the boards and the DU player. Bounced off and went head first in.

That line is on fire! All three goals. Toews with three points and Duncan with two.

Did anyone catch the assists on the goal?

I like these fast period starts! I still think that Tech will get some garbage goal. Keep racking them up!!!!

CC just went up 1-0. Maine tied UMass.

Kaip can't buy a goal.

C'mon wooden blade!

Killed it off. We have gotten a couple of chances.

So would I. Let's go with the CC losing again. Both us and SCSU sweep and we're playing CC at home first round.

Don't let down this weekend boys. Tech has to be feeling confident about not getting swept.

That's kind of what worryies me. It was easy against them last time, so they would like revenge. And now Mankato is scoring a lot of goals. Hopefully, if we meet them, the two week break will have affected them.

There might have been a mythical time when the Gophers bball team wa sort of good. They (didn't according to records) make it to the NCAA Final Four because Jan was writing papers for most of their players.

Would the Sioux get to play the late game? Or is it based on seeding? I don't think I can make it back in time for the 5:30 game.

I really like the idea of playing a GLIAC team. Getting a win would really help come playoff time. I'm not a great dII playoff #'s mind, but it should help the NCC as whole having a win over the GLIAC.

Don't they shut those down at like 1 a.m.? I remember not taking it to downtown one time, because I wouldn't have been able to get back from the bars.

I'm exhausted after reading this thread today. It had a little of everything. Action, drama, comedy, and even a little adventure.

I never thought a series against Tech could be so important. What would happen if UND faced MSU in the first round and swept them? At that point MSU wouldn't be a TUC, but doesn't the rule say our PWR couldn't drop? Or is it our RPI?

I think the one stat that voters need to look at is Kessel's goals 5x5. I thought it was now at 3, but Walsh said it was one. I think a lot of us missed Walsh's comment on what Woog said, which was that many of Kessels assists haven't come from passing, but from rebounds off of goalies. Now where Lee looks for that type of pass/shot, I don't see Kessel doing that in the games I've seen. What's more important/better? More goals or points on PP or more on even strength? I like the even strength, but I think teams defend Kessel more than Oshie so maybe that isn't a fair stat either. Then again, I don't think Oshie spends near the time on the PP that Kessel does. So maybe eveything just cancels itself out and you vote for who you think is better. Here's why I would vote for Oshie. The guy checks people to the ice. WHEN CARRYING THE PUCK! Also, the Sioux NEED a guy like Kessel on the PP. Who votes for the award? Media? Coaches?

Tough to say what the NCAA will do. I think MN will be a team they move to whichever region has #8 vs. #9. Remember folks, that overall seeds also come into play. So if Sioux end up 8 or 9, MN is in GF. If UW ends up there, then they go to Green Bay. The last thing the NCAA wants is to have the Gophers with a tough draw. Remember that the Frozen Four is in Milwaukee. Big UW draw, so cancel the UW vs. MN showdown. The NCAA needs one of those schools to make it. Say what you want about tickets being sold, but having FULL stadiums on national television looks very nice. I love the idiot that emailed PA and Dubay this morning saying the Sioux didn't deserve to play in their own regional. Did Michigan deserve all those home games when they weren't #1? How about MN getting all those regionals and Frozen Fours? Was it fair for UND to have to go to Massachusetts and play both Boston and BC last year? Didn't the Gophers have arguably the easiest regional last year? I see it as only being fair that for once the Gophers get a bad draw in the NCAA tourney. Plus, they think they own our arena, so let them play there against us. As far as tickets to the West Region, it shouldn't be a concern to the NCAA. I think it was Chris Semarou (?) that was an intermission guest one game. He said that the GF region had sold the most tickets so far and sold them faster than any region before. I'm probably rememberring this all wrong though.