fightingsioux4life

That Under-18 team has gotten really good over the years. That bodes well for USA Hockey across the board for the future!

Off the rails? No, I don't think people are doing that. I think having only one NCAA tournament win since 2016 (over AIC in Fargo) has our fan base hungry for national level success again. But you are right, the sky isn't really falling. Lots of hockey to be played by a lot of teams before anything is decided.

Good points. I think getting healed up and over that illness during the holiday break will be beneficial.

Alaska is not Canisius, I will grant you that. I just don't want the team to squander a great first half by losing to teams we should beat (especially at home). This team has talent up and down the lineup. I would hate to see it underutilized.

We have lost three consecutive OT games (Saturday does not count). We are playing our final non-conference opponent, which will have PWR implications. -A sweep this weekend would help set a positive tone for the new year and build momentum as we get closer to playoff time. -A split would be tolerable, but not ideal. -Getting swept would be detrimental to our PWR and continue the losing streak into 2024. It would also harm our team's self-confidence big time. A good weekend will pay dividends well beyond January.

Don Cherry must be melting down big time!

This weekend will be season defining, one way or the other.

Season defining series. Anything less than a sweep is unacceptable.

It's called loyalty....... something to be proud of. But loyalty doesn't mean withholding criticism when it is warranted. And criticism is more than warranted here.

When you run the athletic department like a high school, this is the result.

This group of high schoolers has beaten some good college teams this year. They aren't Minot State.

If we tank this season with the Frozen Four being in St. Paul and with the talent we have on the roster, it will be so discouraging. And it will make me start to question whether the current regime can take us back to the top of the mountain.

If a rebound happens and nobody was there to cash in on it, did the rebound actually happen? #deepthoughts

That (and illness) would explain the losing streak before Christmas. I really hope this team isn't derailed by injuries.

Expecting some of these people to understand subtle sarcasm is like expecting the Twins to contend for a third World Series championship.

Isn't that the same "Aw, shucks" crap we get from Bubba?

That was probably a better game than this one, no?

Better hope Louisiana-Monroe doesn't come calling.

There was an illness running through the locker room and we had some guys banged up. I think they'll be rested and ready to roll next weekend.

He has hung around in the big league for quite a few years, albeit as a journeyman. But you are right, he could have used at least one more year in the college game.

Top end guys who aren't great in the classroom and/or aren't cut out for four-year colleges should think about going Major Junior. It just doesn't work out for either the athlete or the school.

Drop athletics altogether? Since every other NAIA conference is a freaking "church league", I don't know what options they have left.

I won't "bag" on him. But this is an example of the grass not always being greener somewhere else. I also think he has gotten some bad advice from people. Best wishes to him, whatever he decides to do.

I believe that; there have been some big busts in the Top 5 of the first round over the years.