jk

I mean, they were seven years apart. It's not like the players experienced it and then forgot. Only fans got to relive it.

Well, sometimes I think I was watching a different game. First, MI is really good. It's easy to see that their guys have that polish that points to an NHL future, just so fast and slick. But I thought through two periods UND had played a terrific defensive game. Not perfect, because the other team is good too and will have its moments, but how often did you see a developing chance for MI get thwarted by a backcheck or a seam pass get deflected? And how many times was Ludwig asked to make an exceptional save? I'm thinking it was never. This was night and day different from the last game against Omaha, where Hobey faced so many great chances. This'll be the more controversial part, but even when they got caved in to start the third, they actually still covered guys in the defensive zone and limited great chances. MI was going to push at some point, and they did, but the point is to survive those stretches until you can work out of it. MI's fourth goal was pretty, but their first three were hockey bounces, which UND got none of. I thought UND played solid playoff hockey tonight and deserved a better fate. The whole "have to play sixty minutes" thing is a joke. What is that, you have to dominate the other team for sixty minutes? Momentum changes in hockey, sometimes you have it, sometimes the other guys do. They got caved in by Denver in the semis in 2016 for the first 14 minutes of the third period, but they kept playing and came out the other side and eventually won. This team also turned the tide in the last third of the third, and had some terrific one-timer chances (that were better chances than almost anything MI had all game), but could not get them to go. The difference is that Denver didn't get a bunch of hockey bounces like MI did in this game. So, to summarize, I disagree with many here and thought they showed up and played hard and well against a very good team. I was down on their recent performances, but felt like they really turned it around tonight. Despite that, it wasn't meant to be.

That goal had some similarities to Qs last OT goal in the NCAAs.

Those two NCHC teams were on the road in the first round of the conference playoffs.

I was pulling for BU in case Omaha failed. And while I was indifferent to Cornell or Maine, Im hopeful Cornell can succeed where UMass didn't. Hopeful but expecting to be disappointed.

Or Denver as the team who would hot goalie someone to win.

I can't quite get past that Omaha lost because their guy just fell down. The first two were bad turnovers, but the third one? Wow, he must feel bad.

Unreal. He fell down.

Yeah Omaha really wishes they cashed in a couple of those chances.

Cornell has allowed 63 goals all year. Didn't UND give up that many just to CC and Omaha?

So that's two goals for Denver in its last 7.5 periods of tourney play.

Well, crap.

Was planning on watching a lot of hockey, but didn't think it would be just one game.

Having to swap out goalies worked for Duluth.

UMass's offensive creativity is practically non-existent. Just meat and potatoes. Which can work.

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.