SiouxTupa

My friend and I got kicked off in alternating fashion while trying to watch the same game in different places. The AppleTV even forces you to log back in if you access your account on another device between uses.

Thanks for checking, but no. Sorry, all were claimed.

I was ok with them until the "off air" commentary about how dirty UND always is. "It's like they have a choice - go to UND or the WWF"

Non-conf record still decent, but bad against bad teams isn't helping. They need to improve conference record, and from here on out that's all we get. Maybe Wilkie can give the whole team a pep-talk about having a scoring monkey on your back.

Nobody's sugar coating it at this point. Read Brad's weekend review. The team desperately needs some finishers. But a lot of their game as a whole is coming around. The crappy thing is that you can still win games by outscoring opponents in racehorse games, can't expect to win much by averaging just a goal or two a game.

Adams

It'll be great when he's traded after a couple years as a "bust" in their eyes, then wins the Vezina.

I don't think UND is the only team dealing with an increase of misconducts. It seems like the refs are calling more majors and misconducts this year. Duluth has had several, as has Western that I remember off hand. Wonder if it'll be like years past when that aspect of the rules is abandoned after Christmas.

Denver definitely had more energy that period. But they didn't have a lot of open looks. Grade A chances were close even if possession wasn't. UND has to pick up the pace in the 3rd and maybe get one early.

Great first period, score could be worse. Alex is easily the best pxp guy they've had in awhile. Color has never been all that great, but I appreciate Jake's knowledge, especially once he got comfortable.

Yeah, for me it's not puck movement, it's player movement. Guys without the puck should be moving to get themselves a shooting or screening lane. It's easy to defend a power play that has several players standing still. So UND gets the bang bang plays, but usually very quick once possession is established, before they actually setup. Once UND sets up the pp, they tend to camp out.

Reading this and the game thread reminded me of a stretch in, I believe, 2009 or 2010 when UND was swept at home by Michigan Tech and finished the first half at or below .500. Hak was pretty famous for lackluster first half teams. Yet there were people asking when the last time was that UND was blown out or swept during Hak's tenure. They did tend to figure things out in the second half though. Hopefully this UND team can rally around Saturday night and finish the half strong.

The exact formula Duluth used to win the Natty last year. Get a lead and hold on for dear life. They aren't all pretty.

This has happened before at AmsOil. Keep on it boys!

Hain

I'd argue that the goal going in off Ausmus in that same game was more bad puck luck than anything that affected the 2011 team.

In beer league we go running time with a 5-goal cushion...

One dude who throws his weight around is Bast. He was compared to Stecher coming in, and in one of his first games he levels a guy. I don't know if Stech ever earned the nickname "The Fridge."

Smith has been a lot better after the first few games this year because he's staying out of penalty trouble. I don't remember if it was last year or two years ago, but he made an ass out of himself at AmsOil in at least one game causing UND to have to kill a major. Play to the line but not over. His whole line with Hain/Bowen and Senden have been solid for the last month.

Agree about Jones, the team has not been the same without him over the last few weeks. Adams has been good this year as well, and can actually shoot well. Going to need someone to step up and finish the few chances they'll get this weekend. I think a split, just because the odds are so against them, they'll somehow find a way.

Reading is hard...it's in the Ice Time page like a few other weeks' posts. He picks a close Duluth sweep.

At this point they shouldn't rush Hart, as he's been pretty bad in the AHL. They really needed to get a true number one G or at least a serviceable backup. No clue why they extended Neuvirth with such terrible stats, or thought Elliott would be able to will his body through 50+ games. Poor planning there.

Speculation is that if ownership thought Hak should go, he would be gone too. Assistant(s) will probably shuffle, but it seems likely that Hak will have some more time yet. But this shows they want to win now, and are done playing the slow game. If they get him some better pieces, and they still don't win a series, Hak will presumably be next.

Tychonic