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Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

SwedishJustice22 said:
So since we have a little downtime before our Irish takes the ice again, I have this question to pose to you guys. My dad brought this up the other night and figured it was a good enough to pose here. Does us making the Frozen Four, no matter the outcome that will come in a couple of weeks, validate this season in your eyes?
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Although there is stability among most of the programs in the top third or so of D1 college hockey, making the NCAAs is hardly a given for anyone (unless you're UM it seems). I think just putting together a 5 month run that was basically good enough for an at-large means the season was a good one. And hell, winning in NH in the fashion they did makes this season an unqualified great one.

So there have been quite a few points along the course of the season where I feel it became validated. A number of them are a bit snarky, so I'll leave them to myself, but by making the FF my answer is an unequivocal yes. I'm inclined to think regardless of the final record, these guys validated themselves because they remained a unit throughout the season, and grew together. Granted, had this season fallen off the tracks and we were 13-17-8 again, maybe my response (and the team's attitude, although with this group I doubt it) would have been different. I'd be surprised if any of us felt this team needed to win any more games for validation. Of course that's no reason NOT to go out and win, oh I'd say 2 more is a nice round figure.;):D
 
Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

Sec2 said:
Anybody know if there is going to be a pep rally, send off for the team, or has the sports marketing dept. dropped the ball again?
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There will be a FF send-off Tuesday at 5:30 outside gate 4 after practice.

Also, fans going should check NDNation's Jackson's Rink site for the Alumni Club festivities in the Twin Cities.

Any fans needing some serious entertainment can come watch my posse and me play with the Regan clan, Mark Van Guilder, Sr. and others in our own mini-FF.
 
Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

Jeff_Jackson_for_Pres. said:
There will be a FF send-off Tuesday at 5:30 outside gate 4 after practice.

Also, fans going should check NDNation's Jackson's Rink site for the Alumni Club festivities in the Twin Cities.

Any fans needing some serious entertainment can come watch my posse and me play with the Regan clan, Mark Van Guilder, Sr. and others in our own mini-FF.
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I will be anxiously awaiting this. I watched the CCHA tournament version of this a couple years ago (while I am part of JJfP's posse, I am the musical part, not the skating part) and let me tell you, I was QUITE impressed with the total willingness of Pa Regan to lay out his mid 20s son with a perfectly executed hip check. In a no check game.
 
Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

Looking way ahead...got my season ticket location request form today. I want the seat closest to the next banner. ;)
 
Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

IrishHockeyFan said:
Although there is stability among most of the programs in the top third or so of D1 college hockey, making the NCAAs is hardly a given for anyone (unless you're UM it seems). I think just putting together a 5 month run that was basically good enough for an at-large means the season was a good one. And hell, winning in NH in the fashion they did makes this season an unqualified great one.

So there have been quite a few points along the course of the season where I feel it became validated. A number of them are a bit snarky, so I'll leave them to myself, but by making the FF my answer is an unequivocal yes. I'm inclined to think regardless of the final record, these guys validated themselves because they remained a unit throughout the season, and grew together. Granted, had this season fallen off the tracks and we were 13-17-8 again, maybe my response (and the team's attitude, although with this group I doubt it) would have been different. I'd be surprised if any of us felt this team needed to win any more games for validation. Of course that's no reason NOT to go out and win, oh I'd say 2 more is a nice round figure.;):D
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Not that you guys probably care about my opinion, but the NCAA's have gotten to be such a crapshoot recently (#1 seeds 11-9 in the 1st round over the last 5 tourneys, Bemidji State and RIT making Frozen Fours) and the nature of hockey to have more upsets (NHL vs. NBA) that getting into the tournament is all anyone can really ask.
 
Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

bronconick said:
Not that you guys probably care about my opinion, but the NCAA's have gotten to be such a crapshoot recently (#1 seeds 11-9 in the 1st round over the last 5 tourneys, Bemidji State and RIT making Frozen Fours) and the nature of hockey to have more upsets (NHL vs. NBA) that getting into the tournament is all anyone can really ask.
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You're always welcome here. I agree with the crapshoot aspects of the NCAAs anymore. I think the 11-9 record #1 seeds have in the last five years is quite telling. It corresponds to NDs recent run of success. We had to go to multiple OTs against a 4 seed in 2007 so that record of #1s was almost just .500. And we were the team that BSU beat as a 4 seed. Anyone can win in this thing and I think that's what makes our tourney even better than the men's basketball one, especially on a game by game basis.

SwedishJustice22 said:
Are these being sent out to all season ticket holders or did you specially request yours?
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I do think it is for "multiple year season ticket holders," going off what was discussed in last year's season ticket renewal forms, IIRC.

And finally, there's this Q and A with Anders Lee in yesterday's edition of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.
 
Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

IrishHockeyFan said:
I do think it is for "multiple year season ticket holders," going off what was discussed in last year's season ticket renewal forms, IIRC.
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Well then yay cause I'm pretty sure 3 years is considered as multiple in most people eyes. I can't wait to get back to South Bend tonight to see if mine is waiting for me in my mailbox
 
Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

I am so ridiculously geeked for this weekend. I have faith that I will be watching some magical games in St. Paul.

There are many seniors who will be skating their last games for their respective schools this weekend. Michigan has the most who will don the maize and blue for the last time. Carl Hagelin has 48 points this season and 151 in his career thus far. Louie Caporusso has 30 points (143 career points), Matt Rust has 25 (110 career), Scooter Vaughan, who is having a career year, has 23 (38 career), Chad Langlais has 17 (81), and Ben Winnett has 10 (46), while goalies Shawn Hunwick (.922 save %, 2.26 GA this season with a career save % of .921 and a GA of 2.15) and Bryan Hogan (.924 and 2.08 this season, .909 and 2.18 career) will also finish up their college careers.

North Dakota has quite a few 4th year players also. Matt Frattin has 60 points this season (119 career). Evan Trupp has 41 (108), Brad Malone is having his career year with 40 (85), Chay Genoway has 37 (127), Jake Marto has 19 (62), Derrick LaPoint has 10 (44) and Brent Davidson has 8 (10).

Notre Dame has the fewest seniors. Ryan Guentzel, our player having a career year, has 37 points (58 in his career). Calle Ridderwall has 24 (90), Ben Ryan also has 24 (96) and Joe Lavin has 17 (26 in his very short career in an Irish sweater).

Minnesota Duluth has 5 seniors who've seen ice time this season. Justin Fontaine has 55 points (161 in his career to lead all seniors heading to St. Paul). Kyle Schmidt has 20 (44), Mike Montgomery has 10 (38), Trent Palm has 2 (20) and Chad Huttel has 1 (9).

Two of the teams will play their final game of the season, while the other two will be privileged enough to play their final 2 contests. Two of the teams going to St. Paul were not surprises to make it thus far. The other two were not as expected. Because there is so much parity in college hockey and post-season is considered the "second season," year-long stats are almost meaningless. In the past 5 years, we've seen top seeds knocked out, previously "unknown" programs make great runs and phenomenal comebacks that tell us to never take any score for granted.

As these 24 seniors dress for the last time this weekend, how many of them will look back on their careers playing college hockey as the greatest time of their lives? Some of them will be able to add the ultimate memory this weekend to that bank of existing memories as not one of them has won the very last game of a college season.

I can't believe it's been 4 years since Ryan Guentzel, Calle Ridderwall and Ben Ryan first put on their skates for my team. I always knew Guentzel was a great player. For several years I waited for him to have that breakout season that I felt he was capable of. I'm so glad he was able to do so in his final year, with a letter on his sweater. It's been so much fun to watch, as Mike Lockert was so fond of saying, the "Swedish Meatball" grow into the "Wolverine Killer." He may have waited til the end of his first year here to flip that switch, but man, did the electricity flow after that! And when was the last time Notre Dame had such a clutch scorer as Ben Ryan? He will not only be remembered for his "glorious playoff beards," but also for some of the timeliest goals in an Irish jersey. While Joe Lavin has only played for the Irish for a season and a half, he has made such an impact by being named captain. As one of the newest members of the team (only the 12 freshmen are more green), he has brought an appreciative attitude to the team chemistry. I can't believe there is a player on this team who is more cognizant and grateful of the opportunity that awaits him in Minnesota.

As Easter and the end of college hockey season nears, I can't help but think of the line from that rousing Irish standby, The Boys of the Old Brigade, "...where are the lads who stood with me when history was made? a ghrá mo chroí I long to see the Boys of the Old Brigade!"

Let's go Irish!
 
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Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

Has anyone else received their seat location request form? Checked the main everyday like I was waiting for a decoder ring and nada. Don't want to call the hockey office about it because they have more important things to worry about obviously, but at the same time I don't want to get it too late and miss a deadline. Any suggestions?
 
Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

SwedishJustice22 said:
Has anyone else received their seat location request form? Checked the main everyday like I was waiting for a decoder ring and nada. Don't want to call the hockey office about it because they have more important things to worry about obviously, but at the same time I don't want to get it too late and miss a deadline. Any suggestions?
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Call the ticket office and ask. They DON'T have anything better to do but wait on the paying customer. It's their JOB!!
 
Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

It arrived today, so I can stop freaking out. It is disappointing that my seats on the glass basically tripled from $7 (for a student and senior ticket that we were paying) to $20! I guess I will have to find a new spot to watch the game from in the arena. I'm also not too pleased that the students take up the entire goal end that Notre Dame shoots at twice, but I can see their point with that I guess... Any suggestions for people that sit elsewhere as to what might be a good seat to look at?
 
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Take a look at section 20, which is the equivalent of our current seats. Looks like they are $14 and then for old folks like your dad and me, around $7. Those aren't carved in stone prices but I suspect they are close!
 
Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

Thanks for an amazing, fantastic, and totally unpredicted season to our Irish Icers. It was a fun ride. Lets do it again next year in the new building
 
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Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

SwedishJustice22 said:
Thanks for an amazing, fantastic, and totally unpredicted season to our Irish Icers. It was a fun ride. Lets do it again next year in the new building
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I agree, we are a young team and once we get a Power Play, we will be unstoppable. Great Year Guys!!
 
Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

Okay, I've slept on it. I still woke up in disbelief though. To outplay a great team 5 X 5 and not be victorious is frustrating. I thoroughly agree with Calle Ridderwall that the officiating was questionable. Several ND posters made the comment after the game that the matchup desired to fill the building was halfway to complete. No offense towards Stephen Johns, but you have to wonder about the officiating, not only because they were ECAC refs, but when Johns doesn't take a penalty and some of our very best players take multiple penalties... T.J. Tynan was whistled for 16 penalties in the previous 43 games (one penalty every 2 2/3 games). He had 2 last night. Coming into last night, Riley Sheahan had 11 in 39 games (one every 3 and a half games). He sat in the box 3 times last night. Three. Hell, David Gerths had only 11 in 42 games (approximately one every 4 games) then took the first 2 last night. What are the odds?

That said, the atmosphere was fantastic. I thought the team played very well. Sheahan, Tynan, Ridderwall, Anders Lee, Shayne Taker, Billy Maday, Bryan Rust, Ryan Guentzel, Jeff Costello and Sean Lorenz all had great games. They played fairly loose, given the number of "inexperienced" young guys on the roster. They never gave up and played just about the best 3rd period I've seen in quite some time. They had tons of great scoring opportunities, but UMD's D and goalie scrambled a little faster.

Even the Michigan-NoDak game was outstanding, especially the NoDak crowd. (I also think there were questionable calls against Michigan in this contest, but alas, their PK was up to the task...). I like to think NoDak was jinxed when several NoDak fans came up to us after we lost and asked if they could buy our Saturday tickets. "No, we're staying." was the verbalized answer, but inside we were thinking, "Shouldn't you wait til your team actually wins first?"

Saw several blasts from the (recent) past. Ryan Thang's mom, Coach Schafer, the Regans, Van Guilder, Sr. (both of whom I'm playing with tonight, so expected to see), Justin White, Aaron Gill and Chris Trick. Oh, and Dr. Craig P.

I never expected this season way back in October. To come within 3 goals of winning the regular season, to win the NE regional, getting to the FF and coming within 2 goals of the final game were the yummy icing on a rather tasty cake to begin with. I'm glad that Calle, Ben Ryan and Guentzel got to make a return to the late, late, late post-season. I'm also particularly glad that Joe Lavin got to lead a great team, guiding lots of young newbies, further than he likely expected when he first skated onto collegiate ice. These 4 leaders are leaving huge skates to fill, not only with their leadership abilities, but also with their experience and skill. They each had many moments of greatness, many of which will stand out in fan memories for a long time. It won't be long before we fans start speculating on who will be the next leaders, who will blossom, who will create long-lasting memories? But first, we'll savor the 4 years of this class (and last year of the captain) for a while. They definitely earned that. I really like being a Notre Dame hockey fan.
 
Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

Congrats on a great season. As the saying goes, you have to lose to learn how to win.

With a dozen freshman on this year's team, next year's squad will be that much stronger.
 
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