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University of North Dakota Hockey: 2011-2012
- Thread starter brianvf
- Start date
JDUBBS1280
MN Hockey Enthusiast
Re: University of North Dakota Hockey: 2011-2012
Thought you guys would be interested in this...
SCHEDULE UPDATE
Lucia said he is happy North Dakota is playing the Gophers at Mariucci Arena. The Gophers have played nine of the last 11 games in the series at the Ralph. That's partly because Minnesota had to travel there for a three-game, first round WCHA playoff series at the end of the 2009-10 season.
Lucia said he hopes to play North Dakota when the Gophers join the Big Ten Conference in 2014-15 and the Fighting Sioux become members of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference. But how often will depend on how many conference games the NCHC will play. The new conference could play up to 28 league games, he said, leaving room to schedule only six nonconference games.
He said the Gophers and the Fighting Sioux would play at Mariucci one year and at the Ralph the other in any scheduling arrangement they make after they are in different conferences.
Boston College coach Jerry York e-mailed Lucia about a fourth-year scheduling agreement. One year, the Gophers would head East and play Boston College and Boston University the same weekend, Lucia said, the next year, Boston College would play at Mariucci, then the Gophers would play at BU and BC and, in the fourth year, BU would visit the Gophers.
Lucia said the Gophers and Notre Dame have discussed playing each other, too. The Irish and Gophers*play one game, the U.S. Hall of Fame Game, in early January this season.
<A HREF="http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/132972948.html">http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/132972948.html</A>
Thought you guys would be interested in this...
SCHEDULE UPDATE
Lucia said he is happy North Dakota is playing the Gophers at Mariucci Arena. The Gophers have played nine of the last 11 games in the series at the Ralph. That's partly because Minnesota had to travel there for a three-game, first round WCHA playoff series at the end of the 2009-10 season.
Lucia said he hopes to play North Dakota when the Gophers join the Big Ten Conference in 2014-15 and the Fighting Sioux become members of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference. But how often will depend on how many conference games the NCHC will play. The new conference could play up to 28 league games, he said, leaving room to schedule only six nonconference games.
He said the Gophers and the Fighting Sioux would play at Mariucci one year and at the Ralph the other in any scheduling arrangement they make after they are in different conferences.
Boston College coach Jerry York e-mailed Lucia about a fourth-year scheduling agreement. One year, the Gophers would head East and play Boston College and Boston University the same weekend, Lucia said, the next year, Boston College would play at Mariucci, then the Gophers would play at BU and BC and, in the fourth year, BU would visit the Gophers.
Lucia said the Gophers and Notre Dame have discussed playing each other, too. The Irish and Gophers*play one game, the U.S. Hall of Fame Game, in early January this season.
<A HREF="http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/132972948.html">http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/132972948.html</A>
Fighting Sioux 23
New member
Re: University of North Dakota Hockey: 2011-2012
Very interesting. I never thought Minnesota would be willing to schedule so many road games.
Now, I'm just curious what the National does for scheduling. Perhaps they will have clusters/pods of four teams that you play each team in your pod four times, and play each team in the other pod twice. That would give 20 conference games (4 games against the other 3 teams in your pod (12) + 2 games against the other 4 teams in the other pod (8)). That would allow for North Dakota to continue their rivalries with Wisconsin and Minnesota each season (sounds like both are willing to do 2 for 2s) as well as schedule BC/BU similar to how we've done it in the past (similar to how Minnesota plans on doing it in the quoted article). Of course, all this hinges on the National going to fewer than 28 conference games, which I'm not sure will happen.
Very interesting. I never thought Minnesota would be willing to schedule so many road games.
Now, I'm just curious what the National does for scheduling. Perhaps they will have clusters/pods of four teams that you play each team in your pod four times, and play each team in the other pod twice. That would give 20 conference games (4 games against the other 3 teams in your pod (12) + 2 games against the other 4 teams in the other pod (8)). That would allow for North Dakota to continue their rivalries with Wisconsin and Minnesota each season (sounds like both are willing to do 2 for 2s) as well as schedule BC/BU similar to how we've done it in the past (similar to how Minnesota plans on doing it in the quoted article). Of course, all this hinges on the National going to fewer than 28 conference games, which I'm not sure will happen.
willythekid
New member
Re: University of North Dakota Hockey: 2011-2012
The Sioux will sue
this will not change anything but the NC$$ can never have too much egg on it's face...
The Sioux will sue
this will not change anything but the NC$$ can never have too much egg on it's face...
MavHockey14
New member
The Sioux will sue
this will not change anything but the NC$$ can never have too much egg on it's face...
Never say never!
Fighting Sioux Forever!
Fighting Sioux 23
New member
Re: University of North Dakota Hockey: 2011-2012
Well, that was a disappointing weekend. The Sioux were dominated in nearly every facet of the game, and if it were not for Dell, that could have been extremely embarrassing. We're 1-5-0 in WCHA play, including two sweeps on the road, and are 3-6-1 overall. Heading into a bye week, we're not fully healthy and our team confidence has to be quite low. It's the worst start in the Dave Hakstol era, and our worst 10 game start since the 1993-1994 season (although in '08-'09 we started 4-6-0). It's the worst WCHA start since 1975-1976, when the Sioux started off WCHA play 2-9-0 through 11 games (1-5-0 through 6). We have struggled defensively, we have virtually no scoring depth and up until this weekend our goaltending was shaky. So...why should we even watch the rest of the season?
1. Aaron Dell - The Junior goaltender showed why he was an All-American last season. This weekend he kept us in the games and nearly got a win for his efforts. If he continues this play, we will be in every game the rest of the way, and will just need to score a couple goals to start tallying W's.
2. Dave Hakstol - While every season is different, Hakstol has shown he knows how to develop a team, so that they are playing their best hockey come February and March. It may be difficult to think ahead right now, and we have to concentrate on not digging ourselves too big of a hole, but Hakstol has to be given the benefit of the doubt.
3. Ben Blood - Blood showed what he is capable of this past weekend, playing very well the entire series. This was done despite him playing an insane amount of minutes. If he can keep this up, and perhaps have his play rub off on some of our underclassmen, we could see the defense that we all thought we would have from Day 1.
4. Underclassmen - Speaking of underclassmen, we are loaded with them. While it sucks that they usually take awhile to get going, they usually do get going, especially under Hakstol. As players get more and more games under their belt, we should start to notice their play both offensively and defensively. If we do that, our scoring depth should improve.
5. Injuries - The loss of Rocco Grimaldi and Brandon O'Donnell, along with undisclosed injuries throughout the lineup, have really taken its toll on this team. With a by week coming up, hopefully the Sioux can get healthy and get back to full-strength.
6. Rocco Grimaldi - Speaking of Grimaldi, he was electric in his game on Saturday. If this is the kid that we are going to see the rest of the season, it is going to be a lot of fun watching him. He could have easily put up a hat-trick on Saturday, and made some electric moves. The biggest question becomes...what do we do about him Tebowing?
7. Schedule - Up to this point, we've played a fairly difficult schedule. Of our six losses, four have come @ Wisconsin and @ Minnesota, places that we have been swept at when we've won National Championships. The home loss to BC was difficult to watch, but it was also the first weekend of hockey, and of course...it was BC. The home loss to SCSU we dominated the game, but ran into a hot goalie. We also could have very easily won last night, and also either game @ Wisconsin. Our play hasn't been very good, but it's not like we're all that far away from winning games.
8. Powerplay - Finally, our powerplay finally started to improve, albeit slightly, by the end of the game last night. I think moving Kristo off the point improved our puck movement. The next step is to start generating solid chances.
There are a lot of reasons to still have hope and faith in this team. It's been a historic slow start for Hakstol and difficult to watch for a fan. However, I don't believe we're that far away from putting it all together. The bye week came at a perfect time IMO, and hopefully we can come out of it rejuvenated and ready to play some inspired hockey. Coming out of the bye week is a road series @ Bemdiji, a team we haven't lost to in over forty years. Two wins would bring a great deal of confidence to this team, and hopefully get us ready for a home series against CC. IMO, that should be the next bellwether series for this squad. If we can take 2+ points at home against CC, I think we'll be okay. If we fall against Bemidji then get swept at home against CC, it might be time to start thinking about next year. Anyway, I wanted to air out my feelings, so for those of you who took the time to read this, thanks, and please post your comments about what North Dakota needs to do to get back on track.
Well, that was a disappointing weekend. The Sioux were dominated in nearly every facet of the game, and if it were not for Dell, that could have been extremely embarrassing. We're 1-5-0 in WCHA play, including two sweeps on the road, and are 3-6-1 overall. Heading into a bye week, we're not fully healthy and our team confidence has to be quite low. It's the worst start in the Dave Hakstol era, and our worst 10 game start since the 1993-1994 season (although in '08-'09 we started 4-6-0). It's the worst WCHA start since 1975-1976, when the Sioux started off WCHA play 2-9-0 through 11 games (1-5-0 through 6). We have struggled defensively, we have virtually no scoring depth and up until this weekend our goaltending was shaky. So...why should we even watch the rest of the season?
1. Aaron Dell - The Junior goaltender showed why he was an All-American last season. This weekend he kept us in the games and nearly got a win for his efforts. If he continues this play, we will be in every game the rest of the way, and will just need to score a couple goals to start tallying W's.
2. Dave Hakstol - While every season is different, Hakstol has shown he knows how to develop a team, so that they are playing their best hockey come February and March. It may be difficult to think ahead right now, and we have to concentrate on not digging ourselves too big of a hole, but Hakstol has to be given the benefit of the doubt.
3. Ben Blood - Blood showed what he is capable of this past weekend, playing very well the entire series. This was done despite him playing an insane amount of minutes. If he can keep this up, and perhaps have his play rub off on some of our underclassmen, we could see the defense that we all thought we would have from Day 1.
4. Underclassmen - Speaking of underclassmen, we are loaded with them. While it sucks that they usually take awhile to get going, they usually do get going, especially under Hakstol. As players get more and more games under their belt, we should start to notice their play both offensively and defensively. If we do that, our scoring depth should improve.
5. Injuries - The loss of Rocco Grimaldi and Brandon O'Donnell, along with undisclosed injuries throughout the lineup, have really taken its toll on this team. With a by week coming up, hopefully the Sioux can get healthy and get back to full-strength.
6. Rocco Grimaldi - Speaking of Grimaldi, he was electric in his game on Saturday. If this is the kid that we are going to see the rest of the season, it is going to be a lot of fun watching him. He could have easily put up a hat-trick on Saturday, and made some electric moves. The biggest question becomes...what do we do about him Tebowing?
7. Schedule - Up to this point, we've played a fairly difficult schedule. Of our six losses, four have come @ Wisconsin and @ Minnesota, places that we have been swept at when we've won National Championships. The home loss to BC was difficult to watch, but it was also the first weekend of hockey, and of course...it was BC. The home loss to SCSU we dominated the game, but ran into a hot goalie. We also could have very easily won last night, and also either game @ Wisconsin. Our play hasn't been very good, but it's not like we're all that far away from winning games.
8. Powerplay - Finally, our powerplay finally started to improve, albeit slightly, by the end of the game last night. I think moving Kristo off the point improved our puck movement. The next step is to start generating solid chances.
There are a lot of reasons to still have hope and faith in this team. It's been a historic slow start for Hakstol and difficult to watch for a fan. However, I don't believe we're that far away from putting it all together. The bye week came at a perfect time IMO, and hopefully we can come out of it rejuvenated and ready to play some inspired hockey. Coming out of the bye week is a road series @ Bemdiji, a team we haven't lost to in over forty years. Two wins would bring a great deal of confidence to this team, and hopefully get us ready for a home series against CC. IMO, that should be the next bellwether series for this squad. If we can take 2+ points at home against CC, I think we'll be okay. If we fall against Bemidji then get swept at home against CC, it might be time to start thinking about next year. Anyway, I wanted to air out my feelings, so for those of you who took the time to read this, thanks, and please post your comments about what North Dakota needs to do to get back on track.
hockeyfollower
New member
Re: University of North Dakota Hockey: 2011-2012
I was wondering where grimaldi was all season...what are his chances of making the usa world junior without playing that many games this year so far?
I was wondering where grimaldi was all season...what are his chances of making the usa world junior without playing that many games this year so far?
willythekid
New member
PhatKroger10
and I like to Party
Re: University of North Dakota Hockey: 2011-2012
I think FS23 pretty much hit it on the head with everything he said. I think the biggest possible thing that comes from this is that Grimaldi is presumably back now. It's really tough to watch us and I think there needs to be some line changes here, but we kept up with one of the most dominant and hot teams in the country; that should count for something. Things that I'd like to see:
1. Aaron Dell keeping it up. If he can keep doing that, we most certainly will win.
2. Keep the 1-2 punches of Knight-Kristo and Grimaldi-Nelson. I think that Nelson and Grimaldi could be extremely dangerous feeding one another.
3. Score on the PP. Grimaldi-Knight-Nelson-Kristo-Mattson could be the most potent PP in the NCAA, when they hit the ice I felt immediate chemistry.
4. Mix and match the D pairings. I love Forbort, but he really struggled in the last 10 minutes of the game last night. The talent is there for the Blood-Forbort pairing, but they seem to have those "Oh crap..." moments.
5. Don't give up yet! It's still relatively early, and last year at the same time UND was 5-4-1, not terribly far off from a 3-6-1 start; and last year was one of the best teams in recent memory. They have played some pretty big rivals including a 9-1 Minnesota and 8-2 BC.
6. Don't go pro. Not to give up on this year already, but we've only had 4 total points contributed from our seniors all year. Whilst they're extremely hard working and playing pretty well, they're not really point producers. The chemistry scoring wise will increase if we can retain the talent we have.
I think FS23 pretty much hit it on the head with everything he said. I think the biggest possible thing that comes from this is that Grimaldi is presumably back now. It's really tough to watch us and I think there needs to be some line changes here, but we kept up with one of the most dominant and hot teams in the country; that should count for something. Things that I'd like to see:
1. Aaron Dell keeping it up. If he can keep doing that, we most certainly will win.
2. Keep the 1-2 punches of Knight-Kristo and Grimaldi-Nelson. I think that Nelson and Grimaldi could be extremely dangerous feeding one another.
3. Score on the PP. Grimaldi-Knight-Nelson-Kristo-Mattson could be the most potent PP in the NCAA, when they hit the ice I felt immediate chemistry.
4. Mix and match the D pairings. I love Forbort, but he really struggled in the last 10 minutes of the game last night. The talent is there for the Blood-Forbort pairing, but they seem to have those "Oh crap..." moments.
5. Don't give up yet! It's still relatively early, and last year at the same time UND was 5-4-1, not terribly far off from a 3-6-1 start; and last year was one of the best teams in recent memory. They have played some pretty big rivals including a 9-1 Minnesota and 8-2 BC.
6. Don't go pro. Not to give up on this year already, but we've only had 4 total points contributed from our seniors all year. Whilst they're extremely hard working and playing pretty well, they're not really point producers. The chemistry scoring wise will increase if we can retain the talent we have.
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Siouxfaninseattle
Fighting Sioux Fan Forever
Re: University of North Dakota Hockey: 2011-2012
We should keep watching because we are Sioux hockey fans, and I don't see any reason not to watch. The team is a few bounces away from being 5-4-1. The things we expected to be a challenge have been - namely scoring. It's a little surprising that defense and goaltending have struggled as much as they have - Forbert has looked lost at times. Blood has played as well as expected. Dell seems to have regained his form from last year. Kristo, Knight and Nelson are putting up some nice numbers. But it doesn't feel like this team has anywhere near the capability to go on the run that last year's team did. Last year when the 4th line was on the ice, I never worried about them not matching up and holding their own. This year not so much. So what does it take for the team to get on track? First, defense needs to get it together - split up the pairings maybe? Second, Dell needs to play like he did against MN. Third, the underclassmen need to learn to play together and score some goals!
I agree that the bye week is at a perfect time, and the next two series will be very important to what the team does the rest of the season. Three wins would put the team back on track.
We should keep watching because we are Sioux hockey fans, and I don't see any reason not to watch. The team is a few bounces away from being 5-4-1. The things we expected to be a challenge have been - namely scoring. It's a little surprising that defense and goaltending have struggled as much as they have - Forbert has looked lost at times. Blood has played as well as expected. Dell seems to have regained his form from last year. Kristo, Knight and Nelson are putting up some nice numbers. But it doesn't feel like this team has anywhere near the capability to go on the run that last year's team did. Last year when the 4th line was on the ice, I never worried about them not matching up and holding their own. This year not so much. So what does it take for the team to get on track? First, defense needs to get it together - split up the pairings maybe? Second, Dell needs to play like he did against MN. Third, the underclassmen need to learn to play together and score some goals!
I agree that the bye week is at a perfect time, and the next two series will be very important to what the team does the rest of the season. Three wins would put the team back on track.
Re: University of North Dakota Hockey: 2011-2012
I only got to see about 5 minutes of the games this past weekend. Fortunately, those five minutes included Grimaldi's goal.
I see the Bemidji series as being pretty big for the Sioux. It figures to be their best chance for a sweep on the road this year, if they are to do it at all.
I do think there is some potential in the team. We lost a lot of talent off last year's team, and with the Grimaldi and O'Donnell injuries, the Miller defection and the St. Clair clearinghouse problem, Hak hasn't had a ton of new talent yet to try to fill in some of the holes.
Grimaldi obviously has a ton of talent. Mattson has been a real nice surprise. We're getting some decent performances out of new guys like Parks and MacMillan. It's just going to take some time to put it all together.
They have to get to .500 in the conference. That should get them home ice for the playoffs. Even with a team that has thus far struggled, that is not an unrealistic goal.
Coupled with 3 more non-conference games which are winnable, I stand by my pre-season prediction that this will be a team at the end of the year that is battling for home ice in the playoffs and for a final spot in the NCAAs.
But if they go 1-3 in the next 4, or something like that, then the rest of the season will just be teaching moments for the new guys.
I only got to see about 5 minutes of the games this past weekend. Fortunately, those five minutes included Grimaldi's goal.
I see the Bemidji series as being pretty big for the Sioux. It figures to be their best chance for a sweep on the road this year, if they are to do it at all.
I do think there is some potential in the team. We lost a lot of talent off last year's team, and with the Grimaldi and O'Donnell injuries, the Miller defection and the St. Clair clearinghouse problem, Hak hasn't had a ton of new talent yet to try to fill in some of the holes.
Grimaldi obviously has a ton of talent. Mattson has been a real nice surprise. We're getting some decent performances out of new guys like Parks and MacMillan. It's just going to take some time to put it all together.
They have to get to .500 in the conference. That should get them home ice for the playoffs. Even with a team that has thus far struggled, that is not an unrealistic goal.
Coupled with 3 more non-conference games which are winnable, I stand by my pre-season prediction that this will be a team at the end of the year that is battling for home ice in the playoffs and for a final spot in the NCAAs.
But if they go 1-3 in the next 4, or something like that, then the rest of the season will just be teaching moments for the new guys.
Fighting Sioux 23
New member
Re: University of North Dakota Hockey: 2011-2012
I'm not sure why they have been allowed to wear them just yet. Usually they are reserved for a little bit later in the season (with some exceptions). I believe we had only lost once in them up until this year. We are 0-2-0 so far this season in the blacks...still the best jersey in college hockey.
So how are the black jerseys treating you guys this year
I'm not sure why they have been allowed to wear them just yet. Usually they are reserved for a little bit later in the season (with some exceptions). I believe we had only lost once in them up until this year. We are 0-2-0 so far this season in the blacks...still the best jersey in college hockey.
Biddco
Follow me on Twitter: @Biddco
The reebok version is the best to date. The green really pops. The other ones are fine. My favorite college jersey is Maine's away jersey
Fighting Sioux 23
New member
Re: University of North Dakota Hockey: 2011-2012
That's definitely a classic as well, but North Dakota's is still the best. I am obviously biased though.
That's definitely a classic as well, but North Dakota's is still the best. I am obviously biased though
.
ecbrevik
Old Time North Dakota Hockey!
Re: University of North Dakota Hockey: 2011-2012
Go Sioux!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FS23 gave some good reasons to keep watching, but Sfis gave the best one!
Go Sioux!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PhatKroger10
and I like to Party
Re: University of North Dakota Hockey: 2011-2012
Thank God the Badgers beat the Goofs last night, better beat them again tonight. At times it looked like Minnesota was getting complacent with all the praise they were receiving from being #1. I'm going to take a sweep of the Badgers over the Gophers in hockey, the Badgers over the Gophers in football and the Packers over the Vikings in the NFL. Whilst the Timberwolves and the Bucks remain not playing! It could be (almost) the perfect weekend!
Thank God the Badgers beat the Goofs last night, better beat them again tonight. At times it looked like Minnesota was getting complacent with all the praise they were receiving from being #1. I'm going to take a sweep of the Badgers over the Gophers in hockey, the Badgers over the Gophers in football and the Packers over the Vikings in the NFL. Whilst the Timberwolves and the Bucks remain not playing! It could be (almost) the perfect weekend!
Fighting Sioux 23
New member
Re: University of North Dakota Hockey: 2011-2012
I could really care less if Wisconsin won tonight, but you make a strong argument for all those Gopher fans who claim that we have an obsession with their program. It doesn't help out North Dakota one bit who wins between Minnesota and Wisconsin. They are both ahead of us in the standings, and it would probably actually make more sense for us to cheer for Minnesota tonight as we are far more likely to be in a standings race with Wisconsin than the Gophers.
As for the other sports...I'm quite pleased Clemson came back to win today, hoping that Minnesota can at least stay in the game on Monday, and I agree about the NBA...who cares about basketball...at least professional basketball.
I could really care less if Wisconsin won tonight, but you make a strong argument for all those Gopher fans who claim that we have an obsession with their program. It doesn't help out North Dakota one bit who wins between Minnesota and Wisconsin. They are both ahead of us in the standings, and it would probably actually make more sense for us to cheer for Minnesota tonight as we are far more likely to be in a standings race with Wisconsin than the Gophers.
As for the other sports...I'm quite pleased Clemson came back to win today, hoping that Minnesota can at least stay in the game on Monday, and I agree about the NBA...who cares about basketball...at least professional basketball.