jk

I just couldn't disagree with you more. Was I hating life in third period Thursday night? Yes, without a doubt. Did I even once consider it bad coaching, or laziness, or a lack of caring? Not once. The fact is hockey is a momentum sport, and Denver got on a roll, and perhaps due to recent history, UND didn't handle it very well. Part of the reason Denver got on a roll is because they were really good, one of the top three teams in the country, along with St. Cloud. And I recognized that the other team has a say in what goes on during a game, and it doesn't mean the UND players don't care or are choking. I'll grant you this. Emotional comments posted in the heat of the moment are likely to be honest, and reflect your true feelings. So if it reveals, for all to see, a lack of respect for players or coaches, do you really want to post it? And it's safe to say that speez has never, ever posted comments disrespectful of any of the players or coaches, in haste or after lengthy consideration. Ever.

2011 especially, they just couldn't seem to let it all hang out against Michigan. To be fair in the comparison, though, the twenty minute stretch against Denver three days ago was worse than anything we've seen in the Frozen Four except the last debacle against BC (2008?). It was getting through that meltdown against Denver that seemed to have freed them to let loose the hounds against Q. They looked just like they did against Northeastern -- way too hot to handle.

I haven't re watched it since that night. My recollection is that Panzer was everywhere, setting up chances left and right. It'll be interesting to see if that holds up to a new viewing.

Let's say LJ is out. Not that you want to be making a ton of changes right now, but is it possible they consider sitting Olson after the third period gaffe? That would potentially mean two new faces, out of St. Clair, Wolanin and Wilkie. Each has their virtues. Wolanin might be the least effective of the three as a forward, but would give you insurance in the lineup in the event of an injury or DQ to a defenseman. I think St. Clair might be most likely to bring a big energy boost, which last night's team seemed to need. And Wilkie, as a shooter, brings the best chance of converting a Bobcat mistake into a goal.

I have to pretty much agree. After the Q/BC game, I liked whichever NCHC team advanced to win it all. But that was with the "regional" UND team in my head. With last night's team fresh in my mind, I have to think Pecknold is liking his chances. UND's just going to have to play a lot better tomorrow.

First, this thread is a reminder of how many total losers post here. second, players of the game for me Ladue and Poolman. Just amazing defensive performances.

UND is going to play really well and carry the play, but at some point Denver is going to push back. Keeping the puck out of the net when they do is going to be the key to this game.

The point isn't that they should talk about UND, it's that they should have talked about college hockey and especially how the regional teams did, with an emphasis on the MN teams. It's a two-hour show about hockey, and it usually covers high school, college and the NHL. The high school season is over. That's a lot of time, with a short list of topics. I'm just glad this came up here, because I was going to track down the podcast to hear what they had to say about the NCAA tournament. Now I don't have to bother. Thanks!

Because it was away from the pl ... Uh, because it wasn't on a scoring chan ... If that non-call had gone against UND, there would be a 200-post thread here on it.

Not a big fan of the revenge tour concept, or playing for the guys who've come through the program, or any other storylines. Just go out and play with and for your teammates. There has never been a better storyline than the 2005 final. It was set up perfectly. The crappy 2004 Pioneer team lucked into beating the Parise/Bucks group -- total domination, goalposts, tackling, and a lucky bounce. Then you had the Bina injury, and the Sioux physically dominating the Beanpot then the Gophers to reach the final. It would have avenged 2004 and seemed like small payback for the Bina injury. And they played well enough to win, but the bounces weren't meant to be. If ever there was a time for a storybook ending, that was it. So I really don't need to invoke the past. Win your next game.

I'm shortening the defensive rotation here. By 33%.

Two goals will not be enough. They somehow need to get it in the net. The point of lopsided possession and shot attempts is that sometimes not-dangerous plays turn into goals due to deflections and rebounds. In 2011, it never happened. Last night it did. Today, not yet. Michigan is dangerous because they won't see the offensive zone for three minutes, then get a rush that turns into a great chance. And they have the skill to finish.

Just an incredibly entertaining third period between SCSU and FSU. After SC tied it, FSU woke up and it was chance city for both teams.

Not only that, but they killed most of those bad teams. That says a lot. There's hardly a close game in there. Looking at it in that detail, I'm a bit more concerned than I was.

To be fair, the East has won seven of the last eight titles. Really, until a Western team goes out and actually wins, it's not unreasonable to conclude Eastern hockey is best right now. Given recent results, perhaps the ECAC has the best argument against Hockey East.

This Sioux team is just not good enough to win by playing like everyone else plays. They have to find that special pace that is nearly unique to this program. Way on their toes, all over the opposing puck-carrier, hard to play against. If they can find it (and we've seen it at times this year), they can do it. If not, it will be the end of an awesome ride, against really anyone in the tournament, even Ferris or RIT. (I realize we're not likely to see them. The point is that everyone is good.)

Denver was the best team I saw today, the one I'd least like to face next week. I thought Lindgren dodged a bunch of bullets in the third period. Rebounds that hopped Denver sticks, etc.

UND got shelled at Duluth this year and came away with two shutout wins. Outshot 40-22 and 38-20. Those are the type of games that go against UND occasionally, and I guarantee people post then: "why doesn't a UND goalie ever do that?" Well, he did. Just stole the six points.

This UND team is very good and could win it all. There are three other teams in the NCHC, two in Hockey East and one in the ECAC about which the same could be said. Any matchup among those seven teams could go either way, even if both teams were playing at their peak. And that's not even counting a bunch of other teams that could step up and beat the frontrunners with a bounce or a hot goalie. Sioux fans rightfully feel this might be the year. But think about St. Cloud fans ... they really feel that way. And Quinnipiac fans. And BC fans have seen this movie before, and they know it usually ends with York adding to his legacy. Tonight was just a taste of what it'll be like for (hopefully) the next two weekends of play.

choyt3, you have fought the good fight on the board tonight. It's mostly thankless, but thanks.

Spring break is just ending in Mankato, so crowds have been light. Also, the pep band is on a bus heading back from a road basketball game, so they're not at the hockey game tonight. (I have a contact on the bus.)

About the list, again with the caveat that I just copied it over, it's not meant to include every team, just every team that falls into one of those categories. Duluth is not "in," not eliminated, and doesn't necessarily need the AQ to get in. They can win one next weekend and potentially get in without winning the autobid. So they're not listed in any of those categories. I suppose a "bubble" category would include those few teams in their situation. As for teams being listed twice (almost all of tonight's participants are), they qualify for those multiple categories. They (teams in Mankato's situation) each need the AQ to get in (one list), and they each are eliminated with a loss tonight (another list).

I've stolen this from a post by ticapnews on USCHO. Please afford he/she full credit for the work. I appreciate this perspective on the current status of the season. About half the NCAA division 1 hockey players are looking for their golf clubs. In the tournament:Boston CollegeBoston UniversityDenverMassachusetts-LowellMichiganNorth DakotaProvidenceQuinnipiacSt CloudEliminated:Alabama-HuntsvilleAlaskaAlaska-AnchorageAmerican InternationalArizona StateBrownCanisiusClarksonColgateColorado CollegeConnecticutHoly CrossMaineMassachusettsMercyhurstMerrimackMiamiNebraska-OmahaNew HampshireNiagaraNorthern MichiganPrincetonRensselaerSacred HeartUnionWestern MichiganNeed AQ:Air ForceArmyBemidji StateBentleyBowling GreenDartmouthFerris StateLake SuperiorMichigan StateMinnesotaMinnesota StateOhio StateRITRobert MorrisSt. LawrenceVermontWisconsinEliminated with loss:Bemidji StateBentleyBowling GreenCornellLake SuperiorMinnesota StateRobert MorrisVermont

It looks to me like the 1998-99 team went 32-6-2.

Get this. Northeastern started the year 1-11-2. In its last 19 games, it's 17-1-1. THAT is the type of team you don't want to see as a four seed in the NCAA tournament. (They're currently PWR #14.)