NCHC Battle for 1st - DU @ UND

[brianvf]

8 minutes ago, tnt said:

I think many questioned if hiring Jackson was the right move because he was an assistant and wondered how much difference there would be.  I think we can see the passion and fire Jackson has compared to Berry.

If you haven’t watched Through these Doors this week, I urge you to do so, as it shows that passion.  When we were trailing after one period on Saturday he went off on the team, basically saying that just wearing the Black Business suits wasn’t doing anything, although he had a more colorful vocabulary.  I’ve been wanting to hear that for years, that the business suits only represented how hard you were going to work because it was time to keep the focus and make sure there were no regrets or anything held back after the game.

Keeping the pedal to the metal tonight was another sign in the mentality change, and as Jackson told the team in the clip, that the CC coach told him, North Dakota has their mentality back.

That was a great TTD episode. 
Three moments stood out to me watching it. 
One was Jax ripping them after the poor Sat 1st period...loved that fire.  Two was his mention of how Mayotte told him how UND hockey mentality was back.  And third was how the team reacted when Rickwood presented the goal puck to Zmolek after his first UND goal.  Lot of fire and passion, love to see the team coming together and so excited/happy for their Captain.

World of difference this season compared to last season.  Last season all we heard about was how the team was divided, issues with the captain, etc...and it showed on the ice unfortunately.

[Oxbow6]

Swanson was exceptional tonight 

[Big A HG]

9 minutes ago, brianvf said:

That was a great TTD episode. 
Three moments stood out to me watching it. 
One was Jax ripping them after the poor Sat 1st period...loved that fire.  Two was his mention of how Mayotte told him how UND hockey mentality was back.  And third was how the team reacted when Rickwood presented the goal puck to Zmolek after his first UND goal.  Lot of fire and passion, love to see the team coming together and so excited/happy for their Captain.

World of difference this season compared to last season.  Last season all we heard about was how the team was divided, issues with the captain, etc...and it showed on the ice unfortunately.

 

But Berry was a nice guy and all the old women on Facebook loved him.  If anyone truly cared about UND hockey and actually watched any of it with their own two eyes, it was pretty obvious the program was going backwards in warp speed.

[siouxfaninseattle]

3 minutes ago, Oxbow6 said:

Swanson was exceptional tonight 

Not much flash but seems to be in the right place and making a good play every game.

[hawksfan12]

good thing the NCHC tournament is gone. Couldn't imagine how this team would continue the tradition of flaming out at the X.

[tnt]

7 minutes ago, Oxbow6 said:

Swanson was exceptional tonight 

Would like to see him shoot more just to keep the other team honest.  He did have a couple shots tonight where the goalie had a horseshoe in his pocket.  

[tnt]

46 minutes ago, Blackheart said:

My unsung heros of the game were Laurila; great assist on the second? goal.  Guy makes the most of his opportunities; can see him getting more playing time going forward.  Jack Kernan is just beast mode out there; loved his confidence on the goal he scored tonight.  And Menghini lights the lamp twice; way to stick with it!  Our D holds them to 18 shots and the Spoonman with another shutout.  Not much not to like about this team...I'm greedy but I'd love to see what this team looks like with a healthy Zakreski and Cody Croal as well.

Good problem to have, but who comes out?   Menghini and Young have been playing great lately, and while Klee hasn’t been putting up the points quite as much, he is playing well with those two.  

[brianvf]

https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/und-makes-statement-with-5-0-win-over-rival-denver

Quote

"We have no passengers," Menghini said. "Everyone is buying in and doing everything the right way. We prepare for it all week. We just come in and execute. Everyone wants to be here. Everyone wants to win. There's no pity. Everyone is just buying in. It's a great feeling, especially when everyone is contributing."

Quote

It was a rare blowout against one of college hockey's perennial contenders. Only one other time in the impressive 294-game coaching career of Denver's David Carle has he lost by five goals. That happened in 2023-24 against Western Michigan.

UND hadn't beaten Denver by five goals since Feb. 23, 2013, when it won 6-1 in Magness Arena. The final goal that night was scored by Dillon Simpson, who is now an assistant coach. UND hadn't done it at home since Jan. 23, 2009, when it beat the Pioneers 8-3.

Quote

Jackson said the coaching staff told the players it's time for them to take hold of the team.

"Hey, this is your guys' team now," Jackson said. "We're in the second half. It's not us setting the standard anymore. It's you guys. We tried to talk about them saying, 'Hey, they're going to be much better tomorrow night. It's going to be a hard game and we have to be ready for the start.'"

 

[Blackheart]

1 hour ago, tnt said:

Good problem to have, but who comes out?   Menghini and Young have been playing great lately, and while Klee hasn’t been putting up the points quite as much, he is playing well with those two.  

I'm thinking it's a good problem to have.

[Goon]

UND Shutouts DU, 5-0 (Photos)

 

Link: https://insidehockey.com/und-shutouts-du-5-0-photos/

 

[scpa0305]

6 hours ago, Oxbow6 said:

Swanson was exceptional tonight 

Agreed. So was Laurila, best game so far.

[burd]

Boys put in a fantastic effort last night.   With the final score, it's easy to forget how many open chances DU failed to capitalize on.   We did too, of course, but things might look a different had the Pios scored a couple in the first 20 minutes.   Not saying that outcome was an accident--the best team won going away.   But things can change quickly when there is a lot of talent on the ice.   And Carl is good at what he does.   

Stay out of the box against these guys.  

[burd]

7 hours ago, brianvf said:

That was a great TTD episode. 
Three moments stood out to me watching it. 
One was Jax ripping them after the poor Sat 1st period...loved that fire.  Two was his mention of how Mayotte told him how UND hockey mentality was back.  And third was how the team reacted when Rickwood presented the goal puck to Zmolek after his first UND goal.  Lot of fire and passion, love to see the team coming together and so excited/happy for their Captain.

World of difference this season compared to last season.  Last season all we heard about was how the team was divided, issues with the captain, etc...and it showed on the ice unfortunately.

This kind of winning culture ought to go a long way with recruiting top quality kids, NIL or no NIL.  Think of what our young players are telling their buddies in major junior and the USHL about what is like to play for this program in front of our fans.  

[cberkas]

7 hours ago, tnt said:

Good problem to have, but who comes out?   Menghini and Young have been playing great lately, and while Klee hasn’t been putting up the points quite as much, he is playing well with those two.  

Dress an extra forward instead of a defenseman from time to time.

[tnt]

38 minutes ago, cberkas said:

Dress an extra forward instead of a defenseman from time to time.

Really think both Laurila and Strathmann have been very good, plus losing one defenseman to a blocked shot puts us short, especially if another one gets a penalty that is used a lot killing penalties.  
True there are forwards that need and deserve ice time as well, so if everyone becomes healthy I can see that on occasion.

[atxsioux]

10 hours ago, Blackheart said:

My unsung heros of the game were Laurila; great assist on the second? goal.  Guy makes the most of his opportunities; can see him getting more playing time going forward.  Jack Kernan is just beast mode out there; loved his confidence on the goal he scored tonight.  And Menghini lights the lamp twice; way to stick with it!  Our D holds them to 18 shots and the Spoonman with another shutout.  Not much not to like about this team...I'm greedy but I'd love to see what this team looks like with a healthy Zakreski and Cody Croal as well.

Want to call out Zellers as well for consistently being a puck hound out there last night. Awesome stick lift strip to turn it over and get it down to Swanson so he could set up that 1st goal to Rickwood. 

[Tbone]

2 hours ago, scpa0305 said:

Agreed. So was Laurila, best game so far.

Best game that I have seen from Emery. Great on the back check. Played smart and was difficult to play against. Used his reach very effectively.

[atxsioux]

9 hours ago, brianvf said:

https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/und-makes-statement-with-5-0-win-over-rival-denver

 

Meanwhile in BU. Pandolfo didn’t have enough time to list out how many passengers his team had in his post game presser lol

[sioux rube]

3 hours ago, burd said:

This kind of winning culture ought to go a long way with recruiting top quality kids, NIL or no NIL.  Think of what our young players are telling their buddies in major junior and the USHL about what is like to play for this program in front of our fans.  

And to me that’s the best recruiting tool they have. Current players letting others know how awesome it is to play in front of a packed Ralph and how the program is elite 

[neoflex]

10 hours ago, brianvf said:

That was a great TTD episode. 
Three moments stood out to me watching it. 
One was Jax ripping them after the poor Sat 1st period...loved that fire.  Two was his mention of how Mayotte told him how UND hockey mentality was back.  And third was how the team reacted when Rickwood presented the goal puck to Zmolek after his first UND goal.  Lot of fire and passion, love to see the team coming together and so excited/happy for their Captain.

World of difference this season compared to last season.  Last season all we heard about was how the team was divided, issues with the captain, etc...and it showed on the ice unfortunately.

Agreed. I waited to post anything for a while as I reserved my opinion to "wait and see" what happens the year. I'm one of many who had their doubts on Dane, but he has my vote for the NCHC coach of the year. A complete turn around from the former regime. As you stated, this team has come together and were no longer hearing about guys partying it up on the weekends, being a locker room cancer, and looking lost on the ice. Definitely a different team and one that is fun to watch (and I haven't said that in a LONG time). Thanks Dane (now go kick their a$$ again tonight)

[scpa0305]

3 hours ago, cberkas said:

Dress an extra forward instead of a defenseman from time to time.

Problem is our D core is so good. Laurila can’t sit, especially when he plays like he did last night. Basically played like a top 4 dman. i like the 12 and 7 approach honestly. Unfortunately, some tough decisions will have to be made up from. 

[scpa0305]

1 hour ago, Tbone said:

Best game that I have seen from Emery. Great on the back check. Played smart and was difficult to play against. Used his reach very effectively.

Agreed 100%

[Goon]

There was a buzz in the arena last night. The place was hopping, and people seemed legitimately excited about this hockey team. I think this team could end up in Vegas. On a side note, I was shooting photos and got hit by a Keaton Verhoeff puck that was deflected into the stands. My first game puck.  

[tnt]

44 minutes ago, neoflex said:

Agreed. I waited to post anything for a while as I reserved my opinion to "wait and see" what happens the year. I'm one of many who had their doubts on Dane, but he has my vote for the NCHC coach of the year. A complete turn around from the former regime. As you stated, this team has come together and were no longer hearing about guys partying it up on the weekends, being a locker room cancer, and looking lost on the ice. Definitely a different team and one that is fun to watch (and I haven't said that in a LONG time). Thanks Dane (now go kick their a$$ again tonight)

While I think Dane is getting players to play the right way, I’m not so sure any coach is going to prevent college students from being college students.  He can’t make guys like each other with opposite personalities.  Thankfully, these guys all seem to like each other, which is great for team chemistry, but I do think if there were conflicts that Dane would make it known, you don’t have to like each other off the ice, but you will not be bringing that dislike into the locker room and that being a professional is to set that aside for the betterment of the team, much as in any organization.

[Oxbow6]

15 minutes ago, Goon said:

There was a buzz in the arena last night. The place was hopping, and people seemed legitimately excited about this hockey team. I think this team could end up in Vegas. On a side note, I was shooting photos and got hit by a Keaton Verhoeff puck that was deflected into the stands. My first game puck.  

You forgot to post this selfie after getting hit by the puck...