Mid-West Regional North Dakota/Wisconsin & Ferris State/Colgate

[MagnessMan]

On paper the Sioux/Bucky first round game might be the marquee game of the tournament.

[willythekid]

Re: Mid-West Regional North Dakota/Wisconsin & Ferris State/Colgate

On paper the Sioux/Bucky first round game might be the marquee game of the tournament.

Meh, the becky fans will be too busy having sex with roadkill to care about this matchup.

[Dirty]

Re: Mid-West Regional North Dakota/Wisconsin & Ferris State/Colgate

Meh, the becky fans will be too busy having sex with roadkill to care about this matchup.

Plus they'll still be hungover from drinking a couple gallons of paint thinner after their pumpkin pushers get destroyed by Baylor the night before.

[MavHockey14]

Re: Mid-West Regional North Dakota/Wisconsin & Ferris State/Colgate

Go SIOUX

[darker98]

Re: Mid-West Regional North Dakota/Wisconsin & Ferris State/Colgate

Plus they'll still be hungover from drinking a couple gallons of paint thinner after their pumpkin pushers get destroyed by Baylor the night before.

That will ruin my bouncy ball bracket, but make my hockey bracket golden.

[Terry Switzer]

Re: Mid-West Regional North Dakota/Wisconsin & Ferris State/Colgate

Or the Sioux will lose in the first game just like 2009 and 2010

[darker98]

Re: Mid-West Regional North Dakota/Wisconsin & Ferris State/Colgate

Or the Sioux will lose in the first game just like 2009 and 2010

As written in Scripture. We will lose to B.C. in the Championship game.

[Terry Switzer]

Re: Mid-West Regional North Dakota/Wisconsin & Ferris State/Colgate

Well if you do, have a better showing than UW 5 - 0 defeat in 2010

[Slash01]

Re: Mid-West Regional North Dakota/Wisconsin & Ferris State/Colgate

On paper the Sioux/Bucky first round game might be the marquee game of the tournament.

On paper? No.

On ice.

[MagnessMan]

Re: Mid-West Regional North Dakota/Wisconsin & Ferris State/Colgate

On paper? No.

On ice.

Sometimes it doesn't always play out that way "on ice"--especially first round. My guess if it aint close the advantage will be Bucky's.

[SJHovey]

Re: Mid-West Regional North Dakota/Wisconsin & Ferris State/Colgate

On paper the Sioux/Bucky first round game might be the marquee game of the tournament.

It's more marquee by name or reputation than current performance, IMHO.

Notwithstanding a second half showing that enabled UND to sneak into the tournament, they are just 5-4 in their last 9 games, with 5 played at home and 2 on neutral ice with a big home crowd advantage. They have also shown a tendency, in recent weeks, to struggle putting the puck in the net in games where they could really take a step forward, put themselves in a position to win the conference, to win the conference tourney, or even secure a place in the NCAA's. From one fan's perspective they've played with a tight grip on their sticks in those games, death for a team that doesn't have a ton of high end talent up front.

If UND is going to win this game, I think these things will be key:

1. They have play with a lead. With this team, a one goal deficit can feel like a mountain. An early goal does amazing things for this team. It seems to loosen them up to play more aggressive, take a few more chances, in general just play better. As soon as they fall behind the defense starts backing off to protect against additional goals, and the forwards try to score every goal unassisted.

2. They have to win the special teams battle. Limit their penalties, which they've done a pretty decent job of lately. But I think they'll need at least one power play goal to win.

3. They'll have to have a little "puck luck". They aren't going to score a bunch of tic-tac-toe pretty goals. They need a deflection or two. Score a "greasy" goal, as Hak likes to say. Wisconsin shots from prime positions that hit someone's stick.

4. Zane will have to be on. He has done a terrific job of limiting the soft goals this year. There can't be any this weekend if UND is to advance. He's also going to have to steal one or two, maybe get the Badger forwards a little frustrated.

[MagnessMan]

Re: Mid-West Regional North Dakota/Wisconsin & Ferris State/Colgate

I agree with what you're saying about the Pioux SJ. I expect Bucky to come out of this regional.

[Siouxfaninseattle]

Re: Mid-West Regional North Dakota/Wisconsin & Ferris State/Colgate

It's more marquee by name or reputation than current performance, IMHO.

Notwithstanding a second half showing that enabled UND to sneak into the tournament, they are just 5-4 in their last 9 games, with 5 played at home and 2 on neutral ice with a big home crowd advantage. They have also shown a tendency, in recent weeks, to struggle putting the puck in the net in games where they could really take a step forward, put themselves in a position to win the conference, to win the conference tourney, or even secure a place in the NCAA's. From one fan's perspective they've played with a tight grip on their sticks in those games, death for a team that doesn't have a ton of high end talent up front.

If UND is going to win this game, I think these things will be key:

1. They have play with a lead. With this team, a one goal deficit can feel like a mountain. An early goal does amazing things for this team. It seems to loosen them up to play more aggressive, take a few more chances, in general just play better. As soon as they fall behind the defense starts backing off to protect against additional goals, and the forwards try to score every goal unassisted.

2. They have to win the special teams battle. Limit their penalties, which they've done a pretty decent job of lately. But I think they'll need at least one power play goal to win.

3. They'll have to have a little "puck luck". They aren't going to score a bunch of tic-tac-toe pretty goals. They need a deflection or two. Score a "greasy" goal, as Hak likes to say. Wisconsin shots from prime positions that hit someone's stick.

4. Zane will have to be on. He has done a terrific job of limiting the soft goals this year. There can't be any this weekend if UND is to advance. He's also going to have to steal one or two, maybe get the Badger forwards a little frustrated.

Definitely agree with 2 ,3 and 4, but they are 10-5 on the year when the other team scores first, so no panic needed. Having said that, like most teams, they have a losing record when they are behind after both the first and second periods. If they can get an edge 5 on 5, and do 2, 3 and 4, I like their chances.

[ExileOnDaytonStreet]

Re: Mid-West Regional North Dakota/Wisconsin & Ferris State/Colgate

I suppose everyone can say this about their team, but I think the Badgers are in the FF if they avoid the defensive breakdowns that plagued them against OSU.

[Dirty]

Re: Mid-West Regional North Dakota/Wisconsin & Ferris State/Colgate

I think UND is in the Frozen Four if they win two games this weekend.