SiouxTupa

Largest need for improvement, from my seat, is blocking shots. A ton of goals being scored against UND lately are coming from point shots. Zane or Clarke can't see them. If they ramp up the shot blocking they'll be in good shape. It'll help the Gs as well.

St. Clair Pattyn Sanderson Panzerella Rodwell Chyzyk Gaarder I'd put those forwards on the list of strictly blue-collar types right now. Add Ausmus on D. Maybe Chyzyk will develop into a playmaker/scorer, but he's not yet. They're drafted based on potential, and I'm looking at them in their current state. Meanwhile, where is our scoring coming from now? The blue line, Rocco, and Drake. Next two classes, should they remain intact, will have more of a high-skill aspect, which we really need. The guys I listed can complete the mix by maturing into players who are good on the boards and in front of the net.

We've got PLENTY of those at UND. Most people here would agree we need a lot more skill on our team. But it's a combination of skill, maturity, and grit that creates championship teams.

Likely wasn't playing time, since he's played in most, if not all, games so far. But his time on the "top-2" lines was limited. Not the news we like hearing at the start of the 2nd half.

Fri: Mark Mac Sat: Schmaltz

I'm pretty surprised but thankful they released such an in-depth look at the process. It makes it a bit harder to question their selections when you know how the team was put together. Oshie makes it mainly because the coaches really want him there...not a bad quality for a player. I still think Bishop or Schneider would've been a better call than Howard, but ideally that guy won't play much anyway. Edit: and by "they released" I mean "they were dumb enough to say whatever they were thinking with reporters in the room."

Canada ties it... 3-3 under 6 to go.

I can think of a few other games in just the last 15 years when UND overcame three goal deficits to win. One of my favorites was at home against DU. The Sioux trailed 3-0 and 4-1 before winning 5-4. Kozek, I believe, had a hat trick in that game. Bochenski was the hero in the early 2000s when UND turned the tables on BC at home trailing, I think 3-0, and winning 6-4.

As long as we're looking at next year, add in the prospect of a backyard regional at Scheels.

NMU was prevent defending to the max. They had a couple decent offensive stints, but were really mucking things up. Super clutch play on the tying goal from LaDue's pinch to Parks' feed and Gage's money shot. Good finish and sweep! Best weekend for Tambo and Murphy, though they both tailed off in this game.

Glut of defensemen this year. We knew that going in, and they're all healthy. Thompson's +/- is only the best of the group over the last four games. But he has looked quite good. Curious that OD is back in and St Clair is back out. I bet neither are fully healthy. Take the sweep with the same energy as last night. Leave no doubt.

One positive thing I observed was that NMU had very few, if any, second chances. UND was much quicker to loose pucks and rebounds. I'll mostly attribute that to how bad NMU is, but its encouraging for a Sioux team that had been coasting too much.

What I think is a load of crap is that schools are submitting home site bids in the first place. That's what happens when you give "preference" but there's no hard rule.

I like Hak's stance on this (given the limited info.) If it really was a $4 cab ride that he skipped out on, it's really strange that he's taking it to court. I really hope the suspension isn't until Feb, unless further details emerge. Get it resolved sooner, and don't be stupid.

From Twitter: UND forward lines: Pattyn-Gaarder-Rodwell || Caggiula-Grimaldi-Johnson || O'Donnell-Ma. MacMillan-Parks || Chyzyk-Tambellini-Panzarella Defensive pairings: Simpson-Schmaltz || Mattson-Stecher || Ausmus-Thompson || Goalies: Gothberg-Saunders

It's really refreshing to hear a player speak so candidly. Admittedly a Red Wings fan, I have no problem with what Babcock did. I'm always of the belief that you play the players that give you the best chance to win. In the instances where Commie wasn't playing, most of the time it sounded like him coming back from injury or situational - like in Tampa where Guy said he'd play depending on whether they were in playoff position. It's unfortunate things worked out the way they did for him in the NHL. Very strange to hear about his relationship with the Blue Jackets coach. This part specifically sounds like sour grapes "I feel I was treated piss poor; I was thrown off the team in Columbus because I was single and I was making a lot of money. The coach was jealous because he played a lot of years, he had a wife and kids and he felt he didn't earn a lot of money so he booted me off the team."

http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2013/12/06_north_dakota,_western_michigan.php A good read by Starman, but he's probably giving too much reputation credit when he talks about UND's "hellacious forecheck." Still, it paints a nice picture of the two teams, and I'm getting excited for tonight's game; an early one here in Mountain Time.

This I'll agree with. I think an experienced hockey fan should be able to tell the difference between a hot goalie or a lack of offensive execution. From what I've read and/or discussed, Schloss is pretty fair in that regard.

I'm guessing he meant to this point (mid-way through Junior year), plus factoring in the missed time due to injury. I don't have either of their numbers, but I think of Kristo's 68 goals more than half were scored mid-Junior year and beyond. However, I definitely don't see them as equally potent scorers. Parks hasn't shown he can take over a game like Kristo. Edit: Kristo - 45 goals Junior and Senior years

I think just that one incident would be enough. If alcohol was involved, he endangered the lives of the student athletes in the vehicle with him. Definitely waiting for additional details.

He did win the iron man competition, but that doesn't always translate to playing time. Gotta earn it. He was not in the lineup a ton last year either.

St Clair did block that shot at the end of the exhibition, and looked sore at the time. Maybe he's still feeling it.

I'll go 3-1 UND Drake, Parks, Simpson

I guess the nc record doesn't surprise me... But the teams that are losing these games do. Denver is seriously struggling. And what happened to Miami this wknd? (Gillies, I'm guessing) Omaha? Obviously any team can win here and there, but fans on this board would be out with pitchforks with those results.

Wow, awesome news about Cags! Looked like there could've been a couple issues after that fall. Hoping for a full and speedy recovery. Don't rush him back. Good practice game otherwise. Shuddered seeing St Clair block that shot late. More progress for that Mark/OD/Parks line, which is good to see.