University of North Dakota Hockey: 2011-2012

[SJHovey]

Re: University of North Dakota Hockey: 2011-2012

In all seriousness, our defense was supposed to be a strong point early on in the season so our offense could get some experience but it was that defense that I was most disappointed in this last weekend. I do not believe the Sioux will have many problems at goal with Dell and Eids but of course that depends on getting the defense sorted out. The team is young and it will take a while to get things going offensively the way Hak wants them to but the first line of Knight, Kristo and Nelson could turn out to be one of the best in D1 hockey (more than likely this line will not stay intact though).

So... lets hear the goods on Maine.

Our defense and goaltending will likely turn out to be our strengths this year. But there is going to be a learning curve there as well. You have to remember that after Mac and Blood we're a little thin experience-wise on the blueline. Gleason, Simpson and Forbort have never been asked to be anything more than a 6th defenseman. Marto, LaPoint and Genoway chewed up a lot of minutes last year, and it's going to take these guys a little time to pull everything together. But I really like the talent back there. I think we have a good combination of size, speed and playmaking ability and they'll be fun to watch later in the season.

BC can, and will, make a lot of defenses look bad. DU has one of the better, more experienced defensive groups in the WCHA this year. I'm looking forward to how they perform against BC.

I'm not losing a lot of sleep over an early season blowout to a very good hockey team, with all the new faces Hak and the staff are integrating into their system.

 

[icelund]

Re: University of North Dakota Hockey: 2011-2012

Though most people up here weren't too impressed with Grimaldi (many being my ignorant Sioux fan friends), I saw the flashes of what Grimaldi can do and was amazed. Getting the puck into the offensive zone, most players kind of just seemed to dump and chase, Grimaldi seemingly had glue on his stick and brought it in and set up chances. Get him 100% and a little more playing time and I think it will be scary (in a good way).

Exactly.

For his first game at the college level, injured, against one of the best teams in the country I'd say that he performed well. The various reasons that this kid was projected to go in the first round were there, which in and of itself was impressive. I expect that he'll end up on the 2nd line by the end of the season.

 

[MavHockey14]

Exactly.

For his first game at the college level, injured, against one of the best teams in the country I'd say that he performed well. The various reasons that this kid was projected to go in the first round were there, which in and of itself was impressive. I expect that he'll end up on the 2nd line by the end of the season.

I should use that phrase.."I told you so.."..but I'll refrain from that for now..

 

[du78]

Re: University of North Dakota Hockey: 2011-2012

FYI, don't know if you guys know this but Friday 2/24/12 game at Denver will be on Versus.

 

[MissSioux85]

FYI, don't know if you guys know this but Friday 2/24/12 game at Denver will be on Versus.

Thanks for the info. I wonder when the full Versus college hockey schedule will be released. Hopefully the Sioux can get a few more games on there.

 

[Gusforhobey]

Re: University of North Dakota Hockey: 2011-2012

any UND fans know if it's worth purchasing tonight's game on your website? is the quality any good?

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: University of North Dakota Hockey: 2011-2012

any UND fans know if it's worth purchasing tonight's game on your website? is the quality any good?

Quality is usually pretty good. I would say that it is better than most webcasts, at least college hockey ones. If you have Fox College Sports, or DirecTV w/sports pack, it will be on there (channel 617 on DirecTV).

 

[willythekid]

Re: University of North Dakota Hockey: 2011-2012

lots of super sloppy passes tonight but the w is all that matters this early... Kristo and Knight look like they are in mid-season form and Blood's wrister was a thing of beauty. Go Sioux!

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: University of North Dakota Hockey: 2011-2012

lots of super sloppy passes tonight but the w is all that matters this early... Kristo and Knight look like they are in mid-season form and Blood's wrister was a thing of beauty. Go Sioux!

Yeah, the goalie was completely screened, but it was a nice shot. Hopefully the team continues to improve tonight. I'm sure Hakstol wasn't too thrilled with allowing 31 shots on goal. We already got at least one win, and hopefully they can get the sweep tonight.

 

[Pucknut]

Re: University of North Dakota Hockey: 2011-2012

Quality is usually pretty good. I would say that it is better than most webcasts, at least college hockey ones. If you have Fox College Sports, or DirecTV w/sports pack, it will be on there (channel 617 on DirecTV).

Tonight's game is on DIRECTV FCS but will viewed on Ch. 623.

 

[ecbrevik]

Re: University of North Dakota Hockey: 2011-2012

Nice to see the team with a W, and nice to see Brad do well between the pipes. We're going to need some good goaltending this year, especially early in the season, to rack up the wins.

 

[Siouxfaninseattle]

Re: University of North Dakota Hockey: 2011-2012

OK, so Eids lets in 1 goal in a 3-1 win. Dell lets in 3 in a 3-3 tie. Who starts next week?

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: University of North Dakota Hockey: 2011-2012

OK, so Eids lets in 1 goal in a 3-1 win. Dell lets in 3 in a 3-3 tie. Who starts next week?

I didn't see all of the game on Friday, but what I saw of Eidsness, he was very sharp. Dell played well, and made some key stops and crucial times. I'd go with the same rotation next week, assuming that all else is equal in practice this week.

 

[walrus]

Re: University of North Dakota Hockey: 2011-2012

Good luck to UND the rest of the way, I'll be in Tampa, hopefully Maine and UND will be there Actually I have no illusions Maine will be there but maybe UND

 

[Farce Poobah]

Re: University of North Dakota Hockey: 2011-2012

OK, so Eids lets in 1 goal in a 3-1 win. Dell lets in 3 in a 3-3 tie. Who starts next week?

Maine converted a couple chances Saturday that they didn't on Friday. Dell had no chance on at least two of the goals ... cross ice passes to a wide open one-timer.

Big question in my mind is how long will it take for us to improve our backchecking and own zone coverage ... Once we get that settled, we will be dang tough to play against. In the meantime its painful to watch.

 

[Siouxfaninseattle]

Re: University of North Dakota Hockey: 2011-2012

I didn't see all of the game on Friday, but what I saw of Eidsness, he was very sharp. Dell played well, and made some key stops and crucial times. I'd go with the same rotation next week, assuming that all else is equal in practice this week.

It is nice to have two very good goalies - it would be OK to see them both play.

Good luck to UND the rest of the way, I'll be in Tampa, hopefully Maine and UND will be there Actually I have no illusions Maine will be there but maybe UND

I will look forward to meeting you.

Maine converted a couple chances Saturday that they didn't on Friday. Dell had no chance on at least two of the goals ... cross ice passes to a wide open one-timer.

Big question in my mind is how long will it take for us to improve our backchecking and own zone coverage ... Once we get that settled, we will be dang tough to play against. In the meantime its painful to watch.

Hopefully the improvement comes in a hurry!

 

[ecbrevik]

Re: University of North Dakota Hockey: 2011-2012

I'll take a win and a tie, it sure beats last year's result! 2-1-1 to start the season, against some quality competition, isn't bad. Hopefully this team can build from here and improve over the course of the season. I really like that the guys were able to come from behind on both nights against Maine to get "points" (yeah, it was non-conference).

And what the heck happened with Michigan Tech/Wisconsin!?

 

[wylie]

Re: University of North Dakota Hockey: 2011-2012

I think the Sioux need to get back to their "winning ways" as well. This normally evolves over the course of a season as we have seen over the last few years. Perhaps a few trips here and their (just make sure it's not too obvious). Be careful not to be too abrupt with these cheap shots. Let the officials get used to the style of play so they will be less inclined to call a penalty. As the season progresses, add roughing and boarding to the mix. Most importantly, make sure that the opponents top player is taken out of the game early with an elbow to the head or even a checking from behind. P.S. (as in popsicle) Keep your shoes on!

 

[Goon]

Re: University of North Dakota Hockey: 2011-2012

After all the early season speculation about UND not being able to produce points I think last weekend was a nice step back from that ledge after tSioux put up 6 tallies against solid competition. I believe Saturday night's game would have produced more scoring if they had played a bit more composed in the defensive zone (not just the d-men but the Fs and Dell). Maine pounded UND last year but they were also whistled for penalties like checking, passing, and carrying the puck too quickly which I don't see happening this weekend. Also, with the exception of Mario and Nelson no one has quite grasped the "reckless abandon" style play our fanbase has become accustomed to watching.

Maine is a very tough team to play against and they have a lot of skilled players, this past weekend's game were character. Sioux (us) need to give Maine some credit, they could have won both games and a young team took 3 of 4 points this weekend. Not too bad...

 

[Goon]

Re: University of North Dakota Hockey: 2011-2012

I'll take a win and a tie, it sure beats last year's result! 2-1-1 to start the season, against some quality competition, isn't bad.

Good points and a good start to the season...