jk

There's a world of difference between the two teams as well. First, there were four legitimate NHL forwards on that team, plus a Hobey winner. Second, and more important, the overall defensive group this year is much, much better. That list of recruits you posted included three true freshmen on defense, plus another who accelerated. MacWilliam (this year) is miles ahead of any of them (that year) in defensive play. Their inexperience was the difference at the end, sadly.

I know you said "very," but it's still a gross understatement. It's an absolute whiff. We trot out terms like "joke" too often, because it should be reserved for situations like this. This isn't: he turned just before he got hit. There's not even anything to debate, except what hallucinogens the ref was on.

Sioux defensemen have full physicality rights against all the US forwards except Kristo, who gets a free pass. They can give what they reserve from Kristo to Schroeder.

I'm planning on it anyway. The hockey gods owe us a couple and I think they're coming back that weekend.

I agree with a lot of this but I'm planning on UND sweeping Denver.

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He's obviously hurt, since he was questionable going into the weekend and he looked far from 100% on the ice. The coaches decided an impaired VV was better than their other options, so he played. If he hadn't, given all the faceoffs he won Friday, it's likely this would have been a 0-point weekend. Thanks to Chris for playing hurt.

Ton of PPs for the Sioux. Missing Genoway quite a bit there. Look for the marbles to go the other way in the third.

Hextall's hit on Smith was pretty close to CFB. Ok I guess the called it too.

Wheels came off at the end there. Bucky also not letting the Sioux anywhere near the net. 2-0 on PPs and 0-2 on the scoreboard not a recipe for success.

In Vandy's defense, that's been a money move for him in his career. Just a good backcheck this time.

Pretty even so far, difference is Smith put his chance in and Malone's went through the crease.

Vandy looks quite a bit under 100%. Not winning races to the puck, to put it mildly.

I agree. In addition, this (along with the Notre Dame tourney) could be the difference between a little NCAA tourney breathing room in the second half and sweating out every game with no margin for error, the position we're so familiar with. Just for my own peace of mind , I'd appreciate it if they'd solidify their position.

I was answering this question, which doesn't refer to illegal hits, when I mentioned Trotter. I agree it was a fluky injury.

To be fair to the question, Brock Trotter had his season ended in the REA when Smaby crushed him legally into the boards, but his Achilles was cut in the aftermath. As for Genoway, I'm sure all Sioux fans were pleased to see SCSU beat UAA Saturday on the strength of two Aaron Marvin goals.

The Sioux are also winless in games when they've been outscored. Facts don't lie, man. On the bright side, they're undefeated when they score more than the opponent.

Agree. They have had UND's number lately and I think it will be a very tough weekend.

You and many here seem to think there's only one good team on the ice, and anything bad that happens to UND is obviously due to a Sioux screwup. News flash: sometimes the other guys are pretty good and the breaks make a difference in the outcome of the game. In this case, how the hell are you supposed to "create" a break like the puck going out of play but the refs not seeing it, with 30 seconds left, just before you score? Let Hak know, so he can pull that one out when he needs it next game. Also, going back a few weeks, how do you "create" a break like the refs calling a penalty on the opponent and inadvertently putting the Sioux down a man? Because it happened, and the league admitted it privately. When two good teams like Denver and UND, or Duluth and UND, go at it, sometimes those breaks will make a difference, and some of them you can't create. Not to worry, though, when the Sioux are doing well in the Spring, you'll be there as though you had been the whole way -- In Hak We Trust -- and in fact the Sioux will be better because everyone here bitched about them after they got jobbed.

It sucks but I'm sure the team cares about it a lot more than the whiners here. They played hard and it didn't work out. Vandy was felt in all the lost faceoffs, which take a toll over the course of the game. You end up chasing the other team all night long. Add the puck in the netting to a list of odd things that have happened to the Sioux so far this year. Hopefully some of those breaks come back the other way later this season.

Sioux need Canady, Massen and Fabian to get it deep and work the boards for 70 seconds, just to change the momentum.

Sounds like the Sioux have plenty of jump and are moving the puck well also. Near miss for Zajac.

Couldn't see it, but it sounded like Eidsness played a heck of a game. And the team in front of him as well.

I believe he was the captain of the Moose for part of his time there as well. He was doing the captain's job, anyway ... especially in the second, when the guy slashed his goalie. That kind of straight-up payment is what's missing from the college game. Guys would not take liberties if they knew punches were coming in return. Thanks to the Strib for posting the links. When I saw the tease, I was worried the clips would be embarrassing.

Hopefully they make the right decision for me.