Dustin

Right now I draw the line at more than 4 natties and less than 4 natties (presently there is no school with exactly 4). I put UMD in the second tier with schools that have won multiple titles (so not a one and done) but not in the upper echelon of programs that have at least a ring for every finger on one hand. Other schools in this tier include Michigan St., LSSU, Maine, Cornell, Michigan Tech, Colorado College, and RPI. Now, UMD is on the best upward trajectory of any of those schools, and would be at least one, probably two, titles away from being added to the list of elite, depending on when it happens and how many more the other schools have accumulated.

If I were to rate the elite college hockey programs, it would go as follows: 1. North Dakota (based on all the info presented earlier, plus numerous regular season and post-season conference championships) 2. Minnesota (bests #3 Wisconsin based on their conference resume, something that Wisconsin lacks, and more title game appearances) 3. Wisconsin (not nearly as streaky as #2 Minnesota with the natties, but trails in conference hardware and title game appearances) 4. Denver (very streaky with the natties with a long gap, but is tied for the most natties, and has decent conference hardware) 5. Boston University (very comparable to #6 BC, but has never gone through a super long drought) 6. Boston College (very comparable to #5 BU, but with a very super long title drought) 7. Michigan (really only one era of dominance, and that was when only a few teams even made the NCAA tournament. Very long title droughts, longest is 32 years, current is 25 years. The only reason they're even in the elite club is their (now tied) record number of championships) I'd be curious to know how your list differs, if it does...

Updated: Denver - 12 championship games (9 titles), avg=5.9 years between championship game appearances, 31 year title game gap, 35 year title gap Michigan - 12 championship games (9 titles), avg=6.2 years between championship game appearances, 19 year title game gap, 32 year title gap North Dakota - 13 championship games (8 titles), avg=5.6 years between championship game appearances, 11 year title game gap, 17 year title gap Wisconsin - 9 championship games (6 titles), avg=6.3 years between championship game appearances, 14 year title game gap, 17 year title gap (current streak) Minnesota - 12 championship games (5 titles), avg=6.2 years between championship game appearances, 13 year title game gap, 23 year title gap Boston College - 10 championship games (5 titles), avg=7.4 years between championship game appearances, 23 year title game gap, 52 year title gap UMD - Doesn't count in my opinion, as they are not one of the elite programs throughout the history of the NCAA tournament, but a program not mentioned above... Boston University - 11 championship games (5 titles), avg=6.7 years between championship game appearances, 17 year title game gap, 17 year title gap I guess where I'm going with all this, North Dakota has been the most consistent college hockey program throughout the history of the NCAA tournament. Most championship games played (13 appearances). Shortest average time between title game appearances (5.6 years). Shortest gap between title game appearances (11 years). Tied for shortest title gap (17 years). Not a decade has gone by without UND playing in a championship game. Only one decade resulted in no championships (1970s). No other program can boast that level of consistency.

I see you are correct. I will update accordingly.

I went even more in depth and took into account the times that teams played in the championship game, but ultimately lost (NCAA runner-up): Denver - 12 championship games (9 titles), avg=5.9 years between championship game appearances, 31 year title game gap, 35 year title gap Michigan - 12 championship games (9 titles), avg=6.2 years between championship game appearances, 19 year title game gap, 32 year title gap North Dakota - 13 championship games (8 titles), avg=5.6 years between championship game appearances, 11 year title game gap, 17 year title gap Wisconsin - 9 championship games (6 titles), avg=6.3 years between championship game appearances, 14 year title game gap, 17 year title gap (current streak) Minnesota - 13 championship games (5 titles), avg=6.2 years between championship game appearances, 13 year title game gap, 23 year title gap Boston College - 10 championship games (5 titles), avg=7.4 years between championship game appearances, 23 year title game gap, 52 year title gap UMD - Doesn't count in my opinion, as they are not one of the elite programs throughout the history of the NCAA tournament, but a program not mentioned above... Boston University - 11 championship games (5 titles), avg=6.7 years between championship game appearances, 17 year title game gap, 17 year title gap I guess where I'm going with all this, North Dakota has been the most consistent college hockey program throughout the history of the NCAA tournament. Tied for most championship games played (13 appearances). Shortest average time between title game appearances (5.6 years). Shortest gap in title game appearances (11 years). Tied for shortest title gap (17 years). Not a decade has gone by without UND playing in a championship game. Only one decade resulted in no championships (1970s). No other program can boast that level of consistency.

It did relieve a lot of pressure on the fanbase, and probably held us over for a few years, but since UMD and Denver each have TWO since we won in '16, we need to get back there in a hurry. We shouldn't need to wait until 2032 to hang #9. I'm looking at you, 2023...

Going into the game, this is the biggest question I had. It appeared to not be a big deal for a long time....then it became a HUGE deal.

With the news over the last couple days, I can't help but think the 22-23 team has the potential to be special.

Thanks. So 20-21 was 4G-5A for 9 points, and a +10. Certainly not eye-popping stats, but a contributor, and significantly better than 21-22 (1 G and -4; yikes!). I still feel he was a valuable member of the 20-21 squad, but really regressed in 21-22.

How many of those points came in 20-21?

I agree that he doesn't even really look like himself, and certainly not as amped up as previous events. Bucci looking super old, too, HA!

Yes, Minnesota wins them in groups.

And Michigan’s is now 25 after tonight. Wisconsin’s is 17, tying UND’s longest gap.

And we thought our Natty drought was long - the Gophs just reached 20 years.

Wasn’t Budy a pretty dynamic player last year (20-21)? I seem to remember that. If so, what happened?

https://knoxradio.com/2022/03/06/business-news-gf-tax-breaks-green-mill-whiskey/ "The Grand Forks Planning and Zoning Commission has approved a blade sign for the Crooked Pint Ale House on South Columbia Road. The signage will say “Green Mill on the Go.” According to a staff report the Crooked Pint Ale House business will stay but they plan on offering Green Mill pizza. Current code does not allow a sign attached to a building to project more than two (2) feet."

What is the basis of this question?

I am thinking about checking out their home scrimmages. Not sure how they did against SDSU. I didn't see it posted anywhere.

2018 and especially 2019 were sort of clunkers.

These are the reasons why I love college hockey. After UND has been eliminated, I (almost) always cheer for the team that's never one it, or has been in a long drought. It's especially nice when a nationally known school gets some hockey recognition, too.

So true. NCAA hockey is better when schools like Minnesota and Wisconsin are in the mix.

I just realized that if we want to see that match-up, we’ll have to wait all the way to the national championship game.

The pickins were slim this year for a #4 to knock off a #1, IMO. Before play started, I'd say Harvard would have had the best chance, although UMass-Lowell and Northeastern were both solid.

Haha. I hardly even consider the Gophers a rival anymore. They need a spark in that program. They've been hit the hardest by the B1G hockey conference. Almost feel a little sorry for them.

BS icing call late stages of the 2nd period.