National Semi-Final: Minnesota vs. North Dakota

[The Rube]

Re: National Semi-Final: Minnesota vs. North Dakota

FWIW, if I were to give them 1 game to watch...I don't know if it would be this one. I'd probably go with one that was higher scoring...like the '06 Final Five Semi between the Gophers and St. Cloud (8-7 in Ot IIRC). Most newbie fans don't appreciate two goalies playing out of their minds.

THAT GAME NEVER F*ING HAPPENED.

Seriously.

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: National Semi-Final: Minnesota vs. North Dakota

THAT GAME NEVER F*ING HAPPENED.

Seriously.

Well...we could always go with something like the 1991 National Championship too. 8-7 in Triple (?) Overtime. NMU comes back from an early 3 goal deficit to build their own three goal lead up 7-4. BU then storms back to tie the game at 7, sending it to OT, then another, then a third before Northern finally wins it. Crazy game...

 

[The Rube]

Re: National Semi-Final: Minnesota vs. North Dakota

Well...we could always go with something like the 1991 National Championship too. 8-7 in Triple (?) Overtime. NMU comes back from an early 3 goal deficit to build their own three goal lead up 7-4. BU then storms back to tie the game at 7, sending it to OT, then another, then a third before Northern finally wins it. Crazy game...

I might allow the BU-Miami championship. Tonight's game has the added "storied rival" bit, though. And a relatively clean game, given our histories...

 

[4four4]

Re: National Semi-Final: Minnesota vs. North Dakota

What a game! It felt like two heavyweights punching and counter punching. I just didn't want the final goal to be a fluke and send either team to the championship game.

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: National Semi-Final: Minnesota vs. North Dakota

I might allow the BU-Miami championship. Tonight's game has the added "storied rival" bit, though. And a relatively clean game, given our histories...

True. It was a very good game. As you mentioned it was pretty clean. I thought both teams played right up to the line, but didn't cross it. If I was trying to convince a newbie to be a hockey fan, I would still probably go with something that had a bit more offense. Again though, tonight's game would not be a bad choice either.

 

[HoosierPioneer]

Re: National Semi-Final: Minnesota vs. North Dakota

And that was probably one of the best days at the Frozen Four for the neutral in a looooooong time.

Yes. Yes it was. Two excellent yet very different games. And all four teams playing like they belonged.

Though to be fair, as much as I hate the Sioux, I'm not exactly neutral. Third party is perhaps most accurate.

 

[Slap Shot]

Re: National Semi-Final: Minnesota vs. North Dakota

Holly crap!!

Start by saying I feel bad for a lot of UND regulars here - despite the s**t talking that goes on, as a sports fan I would never wish pain on anyone outside of a moment of weakness. You guys love your program and I will always respect that.

As for the game, I said before that the Gophers needed to use their forecheck to their advantage and for some reason they rarely sent a 3rd man deep unlike two weeks ago and it really showed. Credit to UND for a very good game, but I though UM could have generated more chances if they forced the play a bit more.

I woke the dog after the first UM goal, he barely settled in when UND tied it so he wasn't as shaken, and I did a silent romp through the house when Holl scored. Happy to see a Tonka kid win it (there will be 3 of them playing on Saturday) but it was shocking and not what I expected once the game was tied that late.

Wow.

btw, I don't think anyone has said Union will be easy. In fact Union might give the Gophers a tougher game than BC and if the Gophers don't bring their A game they will not win.

Wow.

 

[HoosierPioneer]

Re: National Semi-Final: Minnesota vs. North Dakota

As you mentioned it was pretty clean. I thought both teams played right up to the line, but didn't cross it.

With the speed, stakes, and tension of the game, who had time to cross the line and goon it up??

 

[HarleyMC]

Re: National Semi-Final: Minnesota vs. North Dakota

It certainly ranks up there with the best of them. IMO, the 2004 Final Five Championship is still the best game played between the two. The 2007 Final Five and Regional Finals were great matchups as well. The talent on the ice for each of those three games was ridiculous. I have never seen the full 1979 Title game, and the 2005 Frozen Four and 2012 Regional Final were more one-sided than anything. The 1997 Final Five Championship was a pretty darn good game too, and the 2012 Final Five semifinal was pretty good as far as drama is concerned. At the end of the day, tonight's game adds another great 60 minutes to an already impressive resume between these two teams. It really is too bad that these teams won't meet regularly anymore. No good reason that these sides shouldn't play 2 games during the season....but that's a topic for another thread.

Once again, tonight's game was a classic. I'm sure the Gopher faithful will have the 0.6 goal cued up whenever these two teams match up again...and they should. Hard fought win for the Gophers...painful loss for the Sioux, although the expectations for this team this season make it ever so slightly easier to handle. North Dakota will be better next season, and these two teams could easily meet again in the NCAA Tournament next year. Looking forward to it already.

True, the "pre-2005 CBA" assembly of talent on the ice for the 2004 Final Five was phenomenal and may never be replicated in college hockey again. I must say, Hakstol always seems breathe fire down the stretch and this season was no exception. But IIRC that's 6 FFs in 10 seasons for Hak without any hardware. That's a tough pill for any coach, team and fanbase to swallow...so close but yet so far away. Whoever markets Gopher jersey's with .6 on the back may find them flying off the shelves in Dinkytown.

I was very impressed by Grimaldi, Parks and Caggiula tonight...they were firing on all cylinders and had some good looks at the net. Overall, a very good season for UND and there's little doubt they'll be in the hunt for that elusive trophy again next year.

 

[Wreckincrew]

Re: National Semi-Final: Minnesota vs. North Dakota

can the one tree that's left support all that rope?

Typical.......

 

[D2D]

Re: National Semi-Final: Minnesota vs. North Dakota

btw, I don't think anyone has said Union will be easy. In fact Union might give the Gophers a tougher game than BC and if the Gophers don't bring their A game they will not win.

I totally agree about Union being a tougher matchup than BC. The Gophers could run and gun with BC, and as long as the Gophers could handle BC's first line I think they have more depth. But Union is very experienced and plays more of a close-checking, pro-style that thrives on forcing and capitalizing on turnovers - similar to UND but are better at finishing. Honestly I think the Gophers are the underdogs in this one.

 

[mnstate0fhockey]

I totally agree about Union being a tougher matchup than BC. The Gophers could run and gun with BC, and as long as the Gophers could handle BC's first line I think they have more depth. But Union is very experienced and plays more of a close-checking, pro-style that thrives on forcing and capitalizing on turnovers - similar to UND but are better at finishing. Honestly I think the Gophers are the underdogs in this one.

I do too.

 

[HarleyMC]

Re: National Semi-Final: Minnesota vs. North Dakota

I totally agree about Union being a tougher matchup than BC. The Gophers could run and gun with BC, and as long as the Gophers could handle BC's first line I think they have more depth. But Union is very experienced and plays more of a close-checking, pro-style that thrives on forcing and capitalizing on turnovers - similar to UND but are better at finishing. Honestly I think the Gophers are the underdogs in this one.

Union plays very sound, physical D and have big offensive 20 G scorers in Ciampini and Carr. They really do not have any weaknesses on either side of the puck. In a normal game I'd probably give the edge to the Gophers though based on speed, puck control and an equally solid D corp. But when you factor in that it's the 2013-14 NCAA Championship game, I've got them dead even with the Gophers and another night of goalie battles between Wilcox (.935) and Stevens (.930).

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: National Semi-Final: Minnesota vs. North Dakota

True, the "pre-2005 CBA" assembly of talent on the ice for the 2004 Final Five was phenomenal and may never be replicated in college hockey again. I must say, Hakstol always seems breathe fire down the stretch and this season was no exception. But IIRC that's 6 FFs in 10 seasons for Hak without any hardware. That's a tough pill for any coach, team and fanbase to swallow...so close but yet so far away. Whoever markets Gopher jersey's with .6 on the back may find them flying off the shelves in Dinkytown.

I was very impressed by Grimaldi, Parks and Caggiula tonight...they were firing on all cylinders and had some good looks at the net. Overall, a very good season for UND and there's little doubt they'll be in the hunt for that elusive trophy again next year.

Yeah...unfortunately for Hakstol, the comparisons with Woog continue to mount. Woog made his 6th Frozen Four in his 10th season as well. Both won only 1 of their semifinal games (although Woog won a couple of 3rd place games back in the day). Both made the Frozen Four their first four seasons. Both made the NCAA Tournament in each of their first 10 seasons. They both have won several pieces of conference hardware, and they both were very good in Regionals.

Woog would go on to two more NCAA Tournament appearances in seasons 11 and 12 before the **** hit the fan and he was eventually shown the door. We'll see what Hakstol does next season and beyond, but it is impossible to ignore the similarities between those two coaches, especially through their first ten seasons. Most Sioux fans didn't expect much from this team, but we do expect plenty out of the next two seasons. Hopefully Hakstol can get that monkey off his back...he's a very good coach.

I've been watching college hockey since 1986. I've seen some great teams, and some great games, but the 2004 Final Five Championship against Minnesota and 2004 Regional Final against DU are easily the two best games I've ever watched.

There are a lot of "6's" coming up right now for the Gophers. Hakstol is 0-6. Holl scores his first goal of the year with .6 left. Minnesota has how many losses? 6. I'm sure Gopher fans could come up with some others as well...Might just be your guys' year. Great season thus far, and once again, good luck against Union.

 

[Tiggsy]

Re: National Semi-Final: Minnesota vs. North Dakota

Can we hand Wilcox next year's Hobey already? Cripes, he deserves it. The game isn't even close without him.

 

[Slap Shot]

Re: National Semi-Final: Minnesota vs. North Dakota

There are a lot of "6's" coming up right now for the Gophers. Hakstol is 0-6. Holl scores his first goal of the year with .6 left. Minnesota has how many losses? 6. I'm sure Gopher fans could come up with some others as well...

There is one obvious 6 left to attain.

I think I'm already more nervous for Saturday than I was before last night.

 

[D2D]

Re: National Semi-Final: Minnesota vs. North Dakota

There are a lot of "6's" coming up right now for the Gophers. Hakstol is 0-6. Holl scores his first goal of the year with .6 left. Minnesota has how many losses? 6. I'm sure Gopher fans could come up with some others as well...

OMG, it just hit me! Just like Justin Holl scoring his first goal of the season tonight, the winner against UND with .6 left, I have this strange feeling that Jake Parenteau will score his first goal of the season, which will prove to be the game winner against Union on Saturday. Oh, and coincidentally, Jake wears No. 6.

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: National Semi-Final: Minnesota vs. North Dakota

Can we hand Wilcox next year's Hobey already? Cripes, he deserves it. The game isn't even close without him.

The game could have been 8-7 as easily as it was 2-1. Both goalies played lights out. That being said, my guess is that there will be several other players (Gothberg for one) who will likely be in the running for the Hobey next season. Moreover, goalies just don't win the award unless they put up Ryan Miller numbers. It's an uphill battle for netminders.

Of course, I'm sure Wilcox would be just fine with a national championship as a consolation prize.

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: National Semi-Final: Minnesota vs. North Dakota

OMG, it just hit me! Just like Justin Holl scoring his first goal of the season tonight, the winner against UND with .6 left, I have this strange feeling that Jake Parenteau will score his first goal of the season, which will prove to be the game winner against Union on Saturday. Oh, and coincidentally, Jake wears No. 6.

Union also has 6 losses. Either this is a sign of the Gophers winning the national championship, or Satan is about to rise up...I'll reluctantly hope it's the first option

 

[D2D]

Re: National Semi-Final: Minnesota vs. North Dakota

The game could have been 8-7 as easily as it was 2-1. Both goalies played lights out.

I don't agree with 8-7, but I would go with anywhere from 3-2 to maybe 5-4. There were several excellent opportunities that could have/should have been cashed in at both ends, but with the kind of goaltending you expect at the D1 level I don't think there were enough of them to make it a 8-7 game. Average goaltending up to 5-4, very good goaltending 4-3 or 3-2. But in this game we had excellent goaltending at both ends and it ended 2-1.