The Frozen Four-Viva Las Vegas!

[Godsmack]

5 minutes ago, cberkas said:

Unger was better than his record showed and played better than Mbereko. Unger should have played both games against Denver in 1st round

Unger gives me hope. I was bummed to see Musser leave but didn’t blame him one iota. 

[Godsmack]

I wonder if UND can somehow replicate whatever it is that David Carle’s been doing, or if it’s like Walmart where competitors try and fail miserably copying them. What strikes me is that they play clutch, relatively mistake free hockey when it matters the most. Must be not only preparation but a mindset. 

[cberkas]

3 minutes ago, Godsmack said:

Unger gives me hope. I was bummed to see Musser leave but didn’t blame him one iota. 

It was obvious why he left 

[cberkas]

Just now, Godsmack said:

I wonder if UND can somehow replicate whatever it is that David Carle’s been doing, or if it’s like Walmart where competitors try and fail miserably copying them. What strikes me is that they play clutch, relatively mistake free hockey when it matters the most. Must be not only preparation but a mindset. 

It's the little things they do and UND doesn't do enough. 

Against Wisconsin Denver would move the puck out of the zone up the boards with support. UND would try and chip it out and to the middle. Getting in front of the net and taking the goalies eyes away vs keeping it to the outside and missing the net.

[Godsmack]

4 minutes ago, cberkas said:

It's the little things they do and UND doesn't do enough. 

Against Wisconsin Denver would move the puck out of the zone up the boards with support. UND would try and chip it out and to the middle. Getting in front of the net and taking the goalies eyes away vs keeping it to the outside and missing the net.

You’d think coaches around the country would/will study DU and attempt to replicate their style of play. 

[TwamleyShuffle]

Gotta think DU fans like the Bruins. Didn’t their coach leave for the Bruins and Carle took over?

[SIOUXELEVENS]

But how to you replicate getting outplayed and make one or two plays and get fantastic goaltending 

[Godsmack]

11 minutes ago, SIOUXELEVENS said:

But how to you replicate getting outplayed and make one or two plays and get fantastic goaltending 

DU’s goaltending has consistently been so clutch year in and year out. If you’re a Denver fan you gotta feel good knowing your coach is going to put out a championship contender every season, even if you don’t end up winning it all every single year. I want that at UND and I believe we will get that from our coaching staff here going forward. 

[Dustin]

55 minutes ago, nascar99 said:

1970s: Minnesota

Could also argue Boston University (also 3 nattys, 1971, 1972, 1978)

[nascar99]

9 minutes ago, TwamleyShuffle said:

Gotta think DU fans like the Bruins. Didn’t their coach leave for the Bruins and Carle took over?

Montgomery left for the Dallas Stars in 2018, last just 1.5 years there before the alcoholism got him fired. Took some time to recover, got an assistant job with the St Louis Blues for 2 years, then got the Boston Bruins job in 2022.

Carle 2018-present: 5 Frozen Fours, 3 National Championships in 8 seasons (only 7 full seasons since no 2020 NCAA Tournament due to COVID)

[nascar99]

1 minute ago, Dustin said:

Could also argue Boston University (also 3 nattys, 1971, 1972, 1978)

Yes, but Minnesota wins the tiebreaker with 5 National Championship Game appearances & 3 National Championships, Boston University just has 3 National Championships in 3 National Championship Game appearances.

[Dustin]

2 minutes ago, nascar99 said:

Yes, but Minnesota wins the tiebreaker with 5 National Championship Game appearances & 3 National Championships, Boston University just has 3 National Championships in 3 National Championship Game appearances.

Sure.  I didn’t consider the runner ups.

[Godsmack]

46 minutes ago, cberkas said:

It was obvious why he left 

Oh for sure. When Mbereko announced he was returning for his senior year, the writing was on the wall for Musser. 

[Username Taken]

1 hour ago, SIOUXELEVENS said:

But how to you replicate getting outplayed and make one or two plays and get fantastic goaltending 

Seriously. “Heres the game plan guys…we’re gonna head to the frozen four and try to get doubled up in shots and get severely outplayed. It won’t matter because our goalie will post a 97 save percentage just like in 2024 and we will win by a goal in each game. Got it? Alright fellas let’s go!”

[siouxfaninseattle]

2 minutes ago, Username Taken said:

Seriously. “Heres the game plan guys…we’re gonna head to the frozen four and try to get doubled up in shots and get severely outplayed. It won’t matter because our goalie will post a 97 save percentage just like in 2024 and we will win by a goal in each game. Got it? Alright fellas let’s go!”

That's pretty much it

[cberkas]

5 minutes ago, Username Taken said:

Seriously. “Heres the game plan guys…we’re gonna head to the frozen four and try to get doubled up in shots and get severely outplayed. It won’t matter because our goalie will post a 97 save percentage just like in 2024 and we will win by a goal in each game. Got it? Alright fellas let’s go!”

 

So crazy it worked twice 

[Sioux90]

9 minutes ago, cberkas said:

 

So crazy it worked twice 

What are these little guys?

[nascar99]

1 hour ago, Username Taken said:

Seriously. “Heres the game plan guys…we’re gonna head to the frozen four and try to get doubled up in shots and get severely outplayed. It won’t matter because our goalie will post a 97 save percentage just like in 2024 and we will win by a goal in each game. Got it? Alright fellas let’s go!”

2022: Frozen Four Semifinal: Luke Hughes doesn't score on a partial breakaway in OT, later on, Jimmy Lambert overskates the puck coming out of the zone, Denver keeps it in, Carter Savoie scores on the rebound, Denver goes to the Championship Game & wins it.

2024: First Round: Matt Davis cramps up with UMass on the powerplay, Minutemen show zero urgency to win it with Davis not 100%, Denver kills it, then Tristan Broz OT winner

2024: Frozen Four Semifinal: Jack Harvey rings one off the right post late in regulation for Boston University, then another Tristan Broz OT winner, Denver goes to the Championship Game & wins it (Matt Davis steal)

2026: Frozen Four Semifinal: Michigan has one bad shift up 3-2 with 2:50 left, Clarke Caswell deflection ties it, Garrett Schifsky can't elevate a puck in OT that Johnny Hicks makes an incredible save on, Kent Anderson 2OT winner after the Pioneers were significantly outplayed

2026: National Championship Game: Severely outplayed for 45-50 minutes by Wisconsin, no problem, Rieger Lorenz ties it up, then Johnny Hicks monster save on Luke Osburn, Kyle Chyzowski deflection goal a few minutes later, Denver wins another National Championship.

Small margins between being Dave Hakstol and David Carle. Hell, Jerry York at Boston College was Dave Hakstol before he turned into his generation's David Carle.

 

[cberkas]

5 minutes ago, Sioux90 said:

What are these little guys?

That’s Lumalee from the two Mario movies. Hilarious nihilist character in the first movie and is just as funny in the mid-credits scene in Mario Galaxy. There are other Lumas in Mario Galaxy. 

[Username Taken]

13 minutes ago, nascar99 said:

2022: Frozen Four Semifinal: Luke Hughes doesn't score on a partial breakaway in OT, later on, Hughes overskates the puck coming out of the zone, Denver keeps it in, Carter Savoie scores on the rebound, Denver goes to the Championship Game & wins it.

2024: First Round: Matt Davis cramps up with UMass on the powerplay, Minutemen show zero urgency to win it with Davis not 100%, Denver kills it, then Tristan Broz OT winner

2024: Frozen Four Semifinal: Jack Harvey rings one off the right post late in regulation for Boston University, then another Tristan Broz OT winner, Denver goes to the Championship Game & wins it (Matt Davis steal)

2026: Frozen Four Semifinal: Michigan has one bad shift up 3-2 with 2:50 left, Clarke Caswell deflection ties it, Garrett Schifsky can't elevate a puck in OT that Johnny Hicks makes an incredible save on, Kent Anderson OT winner after the Pioneers were significantly outplayed

2026: National Championship Game: Severely outplayed for 45-50 minutes by Wisconsin, no problem, Rieger Lorenz ties it up, then Johnny Hicks monster save on Luke Osburn, Kyle Chyzowski deflection goal a few minutes later, Denver wins another National Championship.

Small margins between being Dave Hakstol and David Carle. Hell, Jerry York at Boston College was Dave Hakstol before he turned into his generation's David Carle.

 

Matt Davis is currently in the ECHL. Johnny Hicks was committed to Tennessee State and will likely end up in the same league. Insane what they can get these guys to do when it matters most. 

[nascar99]

Just now, Username Taken said:

Matt Davis is currently in the ECHL. Johnny Hicks was committed to Tennessee State and will likely end up in the same league. Insane what they can get these guys to do when it matters most. 

Goalie before them Magnus Chrona is a mediocre AHL goalie.

Chrona graduates in 2023, everyone thinks, "well, Denver is probably f**ked next year". Nope, Matt Davis leads them to a National Championship.

Davis graduates in 2025, everyone thinks "well, Denver is probably f**ked next year". Nope, Johnny Hicks leads them to a National Championship

Denver is literally the "He can't keep getting away with this" Breaking Bad meme in real life. FFS

[brianvf]

4 minutes ago, Username Taken said:

Matt Davis is currently in the ECHL. Johnny Hicks was committed to Tennessee State and will likely end up in the same league. Insane what they can get these guys to do when it matters most. 

It’s like Cam Johnson as well. 
Crushed it in that 2016 playoff run and is now in the ECHL too. 

[Sioux90]

2 minutes ago, Username Taken said:

Matt Davis is currently in the ECHL. Johnny Hicks was committed to Tennessee State and will likely end up in the same league. Insane what they can get these guys to do when it matters most. 

Shooting in college hockey is slower, and less accurate. Not by much, but smaller, athletic goalies can do well. Hicks was peppered high all night. Just couldn’t hit the net. Wisconsins only missing piece, is an elite shooter. 

[nascar99]

Just now, Sioux90 said:

Shooting in college hockey is slower, and less accurate. Not by much, but smaller, athletic goalies can do well. Hicks was peppered high all night. Just couldn’t hit the net. Wisconsins only missing piece, is an elite shooter. 

To be fair, Quinn Finley is a borderline elite shooter, but he's not an elite player who can get his shot off at any time. He also had a meh Frozen Four for his standards.

[Sioux90]

1 minute ago, nascar99 said:

To be fair, Quinn Finley is a borderline elite shooter, but he's not an elite player who can get his shot off at any time. He also had a meh Frozen Four for his standards.

Maybe having another guy that could hit the net, but yes.