jk

Here is why single elimination is so tough in hockey. Although this particular game isn't single elimination, it can happen at any time. MTU and UAH are scoreless late in the fifth period, with MTU outshooting UAH 64-21. That's a lotta shots with nothing to show for it.

Mankato up 6-2 in the second against LSSU. Shots 42-10.

Pattyn is actually a fairly clever offensive player. Witness some of his assists to Rocco last year and (was it just last week) to Johnson.

I don't know if they can win four in a row getting outshot like that, but they are hard to beat, that's for sure. Hopefully they'll find line combos they can roll with. It's no surprise the one non-fluke goal on the night was by the intact line.

I disagree about Hennessy. He credits good plays by the opposition and notes poor plays by the Sioux as much as anyone. He also very professionally gives the score and time, which is a lost fundamental in the business.

Looks like two even teams. The Sioux got a break. The forward lines, perhaps understandably, seem out of sync.

Do we know which players made the trip to Miami?

stoney, Like you, I'm pretty sure the reports are true and Mac's season is over, but I also generally hesitate to take message board posts as gospel. I also appreciate when people post their information, and understand they can't divulge sources. It's up to me to believe what I want.

Just from reading the tea leaves, it seems almost certain that Zane and J. Schmaltz are moving on next year. A high profile guy like Tomek is not coming in to sit on the bench. Likewise, all those committed defensemen are committed because they will need numbers, with two seniors graduating, Schmaltz leaving, and LaDue (big risk) and Stecher (medium risk) maybe leaving.

Having seen UND's play and results against the other top NCHC teams, it's easy to imagine UND losing to any of them. The teams took turns looking impressive, and Zane was the difference more than once. This is a very good UND team, in a league with other very good teams. Zane and the unusually mobile and skilled defense could set UND apart when it counts. In MacMillan's absence, though, someone is going to have to win faceoffs, especially on late-game PKs in the defensive zone. You just cannot repeatedly hand them possession.

The downside of throwing someone new in is a ton of rust. For the freshmen, that's compounded by a lack of on-the-job development for the last two months. The upside is fresh legs and a body that's not beat to heck, along with a strong desire to prove worthy of the task. This also provides at least two weeks (maybe three) to get up to speed before elimination games.

The 2005 team lost guy after guy down the stretch (including Murray and Bina), was even more shorthanded than the Mario team that won the Final Five, and still romped to the title game. It's about the collective belief Pattyn talked about being present at that Final Five game. If Mac is in fact out, that is terrible for him, but the team can overcome it. There are no excuses at this point.

The coaches may go with the player they feel most comfortable with, in terms of effort, keeping it simple, getting the puck deep ... Panzarella.

I can't be upset with him about last night's penalty because he didn't actually make a brain-dead move. They could have called that against anyone. If they're scoring at a 43% clip when he's in the box, he must be the key to the PK.

Maybe you just have to be older to realize the glorious outcomes are their dreams, the lofty goals are ones they have set in their own lives. Seriously, they want to win more than the fans want them to. I've been as disappointed (crushed sometimes) as the next guy at seasons' ends, but I try then to remember they're living their lives, and I should live mine. If I want to experience greatness and success, I should try to accomplish it myself. I think I now feel worse for the players and coaches than I do for myself when they fall short of their goals. Maybe that's why the witch-hunting rubs me the wrong way. One other thing: The seniors at pretty much all the other schools are basically cut from the same cloth. As with all groups of people, there are good guys and not-so-good guys, but they all had to commit and sacrifice to make it this far. They're all high achievers. Except the Gophers. (kidding).

That's ginger beer.

Sorry I wasn't clear. Combined second and third period shots were 43-10. My poor wording.

I find it hard to cheer for Denver.

At the end of regulation, WMU is outshooting CC 50-24, including 43-10 after the first period. Wow.

St. Cloud is good. If they make it in the tournament, they could do some damage. Faceoffs were the big problem in this game. So many clean wins led to possession and chances. Two chances late right in front were the ones you have to have. Mac to Parks (right before the penalty) and the OD chance in his skates.

It sounds like you're talking about the Parise and Frattin teams. 2004, a great team. It felt like they were a little tight, although they were still miles better than Denver that day. 2011, another great team, and another game where it looked like the pressure got to them. They still out-possessed and out-chanced Michigan, but it didn't feel like we saw their best. On the other hand, 2005, shorthanded and beaten up, they appeared to welcome adversity and played brilliantly in the Frozen Four, with an unfortunate result. 2014 was another underdog year where they played a very nice last game, and didn't quite get the result they deserved. Unfortunately, this looks like a year where they have again played a great season, with high expectations to follow, which raises the risk of tightening up. I guess we will see how it goes.

After another last night, he's a genuine Cy Young candidate with his 26-10 record. Burying the puck when there's an opening should be easy, but a lot of guys miss. I think UND has only had two guys in the last ten years reach 30 goals, Duncan and Frattin, so I'll welcome goal scorers. As an aside, those two guys also acted like they'd done it before when they scored ... no wild celebrations.

While his numbers suffer in comparison to most on the list, he's in pretty good company if those are the comparables.

This is a "split" league this year. Unless one of the teams is CC or WMU (sometimes), you can usually count on each team leaving with three points. As sick as I am of losing to SC, I have to expect another split.

Age-wise, Keaton Thompson, but I get that he wasn't in high school.