jk

No doubt about it. They have just missed at that position, seemingly, in the last few years. I'm far from an expert, but they seem to value decent size and skating, and figure they can teach them to play defense. But some of the guys are struggling with the latter part of the equation. Thank goodness the portal has been there, because 2, 3 and 7 have all been pretty solid. For next year, there are some good players lined up, but "young on D" is tough. I'm guessing the portal will be part of the solution again.

I thought 27-19-10 had a very good Saturday night. A lot of zone time that translated into some good chances.

I felt they played hard and dominated for most of the weekend. Not all of it, but some of that might come down to there being another team on the ice, one that also, you know, wants to win. Tonight may have gone differently if UND had punched a few in in the first ten minutes or so when they were flying. Unfortunately they didn't. In the end, they avoided a Canisius repeat. They did it the hard way, but the result was all that really matters.

Boy they can't make it easy. Just pouring it on, and cannot get the puck to go in. KG talked at the last intermission about moving to get defenders moving, and that's exactly what they did that period. Until they got back on the PP, then it was back to structure (which, to be fair, has worked a lot this year), which slowed the momentum.

Agreed. I thought last night's final score was going to be an even bigger win. They were flying. Lindenwood is playing much better tonight. It's going to be a lot tougher. Bizarre how they can have so many great chances early and not score.

Actually thought UND had the puck for most of the first period. Doesn't feel like they failed to show up. Guessing DeRidder would like the last two back. The third was a good chance, but at that angle you'd like the save.

Kinda hate it.

Right, they take one in a real game and serve it in an exhibition, and we do the reverse. You can't make it up.

There once was a player who started at Denver and wasn't cutting it, so he left and went back to the USHL. He tore it up, and UND won a recruiting battle for him. That was Brendan Budy. So I guess I'm leery about a player who couldn't cut it at Northeastern. With the usual caveat that I've never seen him play.

Interesting, thanks.

Well, Rinzel was a first round pick last year. Things are so good for Motzko that he can send a first rounder to play his D+1 year in the USHL without losing him.

In the type of period we've suffered through, shots in the third were 16-2 Mankato, goals 0-2.

Looking to the second half, there are two ways the team can play well and make the NCAA tournament. First, they can win enough to move up to the right side of the PWR bubble. When I look at the schedule, it looks tough to get there. Every league opponent is challenging. I can see them playing over 0.500, but that not being enough. On the other hand, they inexplicably surged last year, so they can do it. The other way is to get to fourth in the NCHC, win a best of three at home against an equally desperate team, and then win against two very good teams (probably Denver and SC) in St. Paul. I can see them getting home ice. If they can play like they just did, and improve on it, they can easily move up the standings. Winning two in a row in the Final Five? It's not an impossible task, but not easy. Check with the hockey gods and DeRidder. If they're not playing well enough to get home ice, it's more into miracle territory.

Regarding lines, I also like Ness, Albrecht and Portz, as I felt like they were a big part of last year's surge. On the other hand, embracing Saturday's lines means relegating Strinden, Costantini and Kunz to the fifth line, which doesn't seem right either. Injuries will probably disrupt things anyway.

There's been some concern here about the future, but if Perron and Swanson come as advertised and join Blake, this could be one fancy-ass team in a couple years. Blake is absolutely slick enough to be a pro, but he needs to get a lot stronger, so hopefully he's still here.

That was a solid road effort. They were doing a lot right in the third until that failed clear ended up in the back of the net. Just think back to the last five minutes of the second, when they were pouring it on. Not scoring there may have cost them the win.

These extra points might be the difference between 4 and 5, and home ice.

Seemed like Blake almost scored with 20 seconds left. Would love some replays.

Uh oh, final minute incoming.

What I meant to say is that Blake is probably the most skilled guy since N. Schmaltz.

Blake is the cleverest character in GF since Brianna Berry.

Who had this game 1-1 halfway through?

Stepped away after the icing and missed it. Up until then I thought it was a solid period. Given how fragile they have been, this doesn't bode well for the rest of the night.

So guys at the bottom of the lineup are in sometimes and out others, and this is supposed to be shocking to anyone? Also, what about merit determining play? I guess if they just played guys based on draft status and they weren't doing well, then it would at least give forum denizens a new and different thing to complain about. As for particular players, Costantini was mia for a lot of the season, and deserved a seat. If we get the post-suit version the rest of the way, who was impressive, I'll be happy to see him in the lineup. People sometimes think UND looks slow. Last year I thought if Kunz could get quicker, he could really be something. It doesn't look to me that he has yet, so I'm not surprised to see him out. Because the team is slower when he's in. The point of depth is injury insurance and competition for playing time driving improvement. But someone has to sit.

It's well established that rest is one of the most significant determinants of results. You're welcome to ignore it, just as I'm able to acknowledge it, over and over if it's relevant. Sorry I missed on the PWR, thanks for noting it.