Disappointing result last night, but the fact of the matter is, the team still has an opportunity to make the NCAAs. While I would love for UND to be a dominant team this season, it just doesn't look like that is going to happen. If you make the NCAAs, you have a chance.
If you look at recent history, barely making the NCAAs sometimes leads to great post-season play.
2009: Miami, barely made the NCAA Tournament, and wound up within a minute of winning the National Title
2008: Notre Dame, one of the last teams in, and made a run to the National Title. Also, Wisconsin barely made the tournament and nearly knocked UND off to go to the Frozen Four
2007: Michigan State, barely made the tournament, and wound up winning it all.
2005: North Dakota was on a skid in January/February (went 4-6-2) and then pulled it all together to get to the National Title Game
2004: Denver, didn't make it to Final Five, barely skated into the NCAAs, and got on a streak and won it all.
Saying that, if North Dakota doesn't get things together quickly, they will be watching the NCAA tournament on TV. A win tonight would be huge.