fightingsioux4life

Some of those slow starts involved teams that shouldn't have started slow. But people like you would not tolerate any criticism of Hakstol and denigrated anyone who dared question anything he did. But if you want to defend our current approach, then by all means do so.

Which will only happen if he gets actual playing time. And not just during the Manitoba and/or U.S. Under 18 games.

So did the WCHA (and now CCHA). The 1986-87 season (we all remember that season fondly ) was the last year of on-campus sites for the league playoffs (the two-game total goal series). In 1988, the WCHA launched the neutral site post-season tournament with first round games remaining on-campus (First called the Final Four, then Final Five). It took years to get built up into what it became. Unfortunately, the current alignment of teams does not allow a similar metamorphosis with regard to the NCHC Frozen Faceoff. So going Back To The Future (sorry, couldn't resist ) isn't as crazy as it sounds. It could work.

I would much rather watch a young team learn as the season goes on than a bunch of fifth year portal guys who were cast-offs from their former teams. And no, I would not be the first person on here complaining about the early season struggles. Those struggles would be worth it if it led to the development of a confident and talented team come March.

The portal should be used to plug holes that come up every once in a while, not as a substitute for recruiting and developing your own players. Despite all the upheaval in collegiate athletics the past couple of seasons, that remains the heart and soul of every successful program. If Berry and company cannot do that, it will be time to move on. Next season is huge for this coaching staff and the program as a whole. The early 1990's were ugly and I have no wish to relive them.

"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.". - Wayne Gretzky.

Very sad what has happened to conference playoff tournaments. Realignment has been good for some programs (MSU-Mankato), but it has absolutely ruined the conference post-season tournaments.

So if next year is more of the same, will you still be saying the same things?

I would rather live with the ups and downs of a young team than watch a bunch of pedestrian fifth year portal guys with no pop and no game-changing ability.

I think he was being sarcastic.

Kleven is ready to move on. Gaber will probably get buried in the minors if he leaves now.

I for one have already turned the page to October.

Trust me, if next season is a carbon copy of this season, I will start the "Buy Out Berry" thread myself.

Attendance tomorrow night? I will guess 5,000.

I don't think anyone even implied that.

And that's a wrap.

Bold prediction.

Penalty in OT.

It has been a pretty even match-up overall.

That would be grounds for tearing up the contract. But I don't think that is going to happen.

The OT intermission is full length.

This OT is going to be excruciating to watch. Two teams with the gas tank closer to empty than full.

Actually, I think both teams look a little slow.