jk

UND looks rusty. Maybe it's the big ice, but the pace of this game is hard to watch after the WJC.

Sanderson settled down and was back to his old self, moving the puck smartly.

This is why it was crucial to not lay an egg in the pod. Who knows how many games will be played?

The last thing I want to do is defend MN, but they are unbeaten, and they have three regular defensemen at the WJC. We have an idea what that feels like. I think Motzko has built an NCHC team there, as they've gotten older and their talent has improved. We're basically seeing now how a top NCHC team would fare in the Big Ten. Faber and Johnson have been terrific at times in Edmonton, and I think they are going to be a tough out. Normally NCHC teams would gain an edge by being battle-hardened as a result of going through the NCHC schedule, but without playing UMD and SCSU in the second half, I'm not sure that advantage will be there this year. I think the sensible folks who would prefer MN not do well may have to rely on the fact that Motzko has had great teams struggle in the post-season.

Obviously Pinto's health will be the main story. The team's best player by a mile.

Maybe Miami is just tired, but it would not be good to play them to get ready for the end of the year. Too much time and space. You play Duluth for 60 minutes and barely see a decent chance and Miami hands them out like candy at a parade.

Nice assist by Moore earlier and he's promising, but also a giveaway machine right now.

I gather we're not supposed to talk about it much, but missing three regular D changes so much. Not only are they not there, but JBD and Kierstad are not real effective because they're so gassed. Add that to the fact that UND is usually a not-yet-very good team in the first third of the year, and this what it looks like.

Besides the dumb penalty, Budy seems to be getting up to speed, by the eye test anyway. Also, Mismash with a couple nice setups for tap-ins. For the freshmen (and Budy isn't really one), hard to believe they're only 12 days into their college careers. Baptism by fire.

We have no idea how they're even picking the tournament field, so I'd prefer they win a lot of games between now and then. I'm not freaking out, but the cushion we're usually afforded by the conference's outperformance may not be there this year.

Given that Motzko knows how to coach, he's improved the talent, and they've gotten older, I'd guess they are legit. It sure was fun when Lucia stuck around far too long, but the next decade might not be as fun.

Going back to Blais, the UND PP has often been a disaster. This year it looks about as good as I've seen. Kierstad is a big part of that, but all the guys contribute by cleverly keeping the play alive under pressure.

Definitely would have fit right in with that 97-99 bunch.

During the financial crisis, equities didn't bottom until March 2009. There may be a few legs down for this thing.

Overall very reasonable, but "death is part of the deal" is not a convincing argument against mitigation.

I'm not advocating anything. I'm saying don't be surprised if it happens.

SXSW, a massive event with an estimated economic impact of over $300 million, cancelled. The odds of this happening to the various NCAA tournaments are growing. Edit: not cancelling the tournaments, but the spectators.

While some actions may eventually be viewed in hindsight as an overabundance of caution, there are serious people taking serious steps for good reason, not because they're influenced by media hysteria. Real money is chasing bonds like they're not going to issue any more, and that doesn't happen for mirages. I suspect it is more serious than your post suggests.

Without opining on whether this should happen, I think there's a decent chance all the tournament games are played without fans present. I base this on the various company announcements restricting domestic travel and conferences from many industries being cancelled. That would at least take attendance out of the committee's considerations.

It is an annual event to reconcile the pipeline with the openings, and it often seems an impossible task. But it only seems that way to us, because we don't know the plan. Personally, among the things I expect are that JBD will leave, both because he's a first rounder and because there are so many committed defensemen. I also expect Moore here, because he's not going to play two post-draft junior years.

These two teams are going to be tough outs at the end of the year. Both look outstanding.

For those old enough, recall the Ian Kidd redemption check after skeeter Moore slew-footed him. Now that was a cross-check.

I know it's not smart hockey, but how does someone not jump Perunovich for that?

While I get your point, I think Mankato will be fine in the pairwise. The bigger reason to dislike that conference schedule is that it probably breeds bad habits always playing teams worse than you are. By the end of the season, NCHC teams have been through a meat grinder, and almost anyone they play later won't be as good as a bunch of their recent opponents. It would be nice if Mankato could join and benefit from that.

Just have to throw my support to UNH. They were one of the big 4 in Hockey East for the better part of two decades surrounding the year 2000, along with Maine, BC and BU. Highly skilled teams that would have fit well in the current era.