jk

Not a great third period for Denver. I think they've gotta feel fortunate to get to OT.

Haven't seen much of Morrow before, but he's surprised me today by being ineffective offensively. Had a few chances that looked like they might turn into something, but nothing came of them.

UMass playing very hard, but not sure that'll be enough against a better Denver team that's also playing well. They'll need a fortunate bounce or two.

I don't actually think Kunz is a grinder, he's just a big skill player. Of course James is much faster, but I'm not sure he's any more skilled, in terms of hands and vision. I also don't think it's a demotion so much as trying to assemble a checking line that can take on an opponent's best players. I don't think Kunz could keep up in that assignment, but James can. That's also the role where I think James can carve out an NHL career.

That late third period goal was also Denver's first shot on goal in the period.

Secondhand story from back in the day. A member of the training staff was working on a player between periods in the mid 1980s. He was in the locker room but on the floor out of sight when Gino came in and absolutely shredded the team. He was terrified and did not get up to leave until Gino had gone. It's easy to imagine it was true.

I'm also excited about the venue. That the small size keeps some folks home is a problem, but not nearly as big a problem as 2500 people and 13000 empty seats. My first choice would be higher seeds hosting, but all the games played before packed crowds of 3000 would be second for me, with cavernous, last of us, largely deserted arenas a distant third. Just my opinion.

I have admittedly been a bit down on the squad lately, and it's not so much score related as it is the eye test. In their five recent losses, when things have gone sideways, the team has just fallen apart late. It has made for some memorable times for the CC and Omaha players and fans, all that rejoicing and celebrating, but it's been less fun here. I think back to the all-time heavy line, Canady-Massen-Fabian, who turned momentum around time after time down the stretch. Someone on this team needs to be able to do something to tilt the ice back. I've had enough of Tigers and Mavericks flying around laughing in the closing minutes. In the first few weeks this year you could tell this team could contend for everything. That they could be that good. We know they can play great. Let's see it again please.

Sorry, I've also seen important back checks, interrupting a shot on a good chance by a trailer.

The nice thing is that since UND's game is the late game Friday, they're guaranteed to be one of the final nine teams left standing. Seriously, though, I'll get to at least care about the first seven games, as I'm usually pouting too much after an exit to care about the rest of the tournament.

This'll be an interesting experiment. Can you go from playing like hell to playing championship level hockey, competing all over the ice, in one week? Can you flip a switch and become great again? History and logic say no, but it's hockey so never say never.

Integrity, I don't even know what that means. If earnestness means aggressive and attacking, then sign me up.

If you can set aside the looking like hell part, I do prefer only playing one game this weekend, to maybe be just a touch fresher next weekend. But they have to use the energy for it to matter.

The "soft" thing is interesting to consider. UND is built quite a bit differently than it used to be. They take fewer penalties than almost everyone, and have the skill to win by winning the special teams battle. But the skill guys are pretty soft, Blake's wipeout of Rizzo notwithstanding. Do we need more grinders? Or skill guys with more of an edge? I don't know. Maybe they go on a run and this discussion is unnecessary.

I mean, Q lost 3-0 to #45 today. If UND plays this methodical game next week, they'll have a hard time against anyone. In the NCAA every opponent can beat you. Even UND could beat someone next week, hard as it is to imagine at the moment.

I had it in my head that they would come out having rediscovered their dominant game from January. I was wrong. Just not a lot of attack in their game right now, with or without the puck. Honestly I think their only hope is for Ludwig to steal a game and get them going.

I think UND breaks out as well. Omaha has led a charmed life lately and sometimes that bubble bursts suddenly.

When I think of destabilizing speed, names that come to mind are Brent Bobyck and Jeff Panzer.

Omaha is 100% in the tournament. They actually have the least to play for. My question is that if DU is the higher seed, and Omaha and perhaps another area team (MN?) is there, do they not need UND's money and can they put Denver, who earned it, there.

If UND slips behind Denver, both 1 seeds, does Denver get the Sioux Falls slot?

UND will likely end up in the 3-5 range, so a 1 or 2 seed. Omaha will likely be 11-14, so a 3 or 4 seed. It's very possible UND is a 1 and Omaha a 4, so UND would be elsewhere. Also very possible UND is a 2 and Omaha a 3, which also moves UND far away. The easiest solution is Omaha losing tonight, maybe slipping to 14, and then having an ECAC surprise winner move the cut line to 13.

In the grain of salt category, CHN still has OSU with a 7% chance of getting the Big Ten autobid. Interesting since the title game will be played by two other teams.

If you believe CHN's probabilities, the field is almost set. They have WMU, Omaha and CC at 99%, 93% and 84% to get in. There are three possible big bubble events left: SC winning the NCHC, UMass winning HE, and any school not starting with the letter Q winning the ECAC. If all three happen, you'd have to be in the top 11. The ECAC with Cornell is perhaps the most likely of those. There are only 23 teams left, and 41 done.

When Hastings left Mankato he left the conference autobid door open, and Bemidji will host MTU for the right to walk through it.

This weekend didn't do UND any favors, or Denver either for that matter. Whichever teams survive the other two series will arrive in St Paul battle tested and in playoff mode. UND will have to re-learn, in a hurry, what it's like to play a team that's just about as good as they are. I guess the couple good things they got were some confidence with the puck and added belief in their backup goalie.