Monday, March 26, 2007

North Dakota Beats Minnesota

The rematch of the Final Five final was just as entertaining as the first game, but this time, the outcome was different. It was North Dakota that won 3-2 in overtime.

The Sioux head to the Frozen Four as one of the hottest teams in the country, where they face another red hot team in Boston College.

It's another disappointing end to a very good season for Minnesota. It is the second straight year that they finished the season as the best team in the country, but failed to make the Frozen Four. Brendan Morrison once infamously said that the best team doesn't always win, and my quibble with that is that usually the best team doesn't win in the NCAA tournament.

What was the difference for the Gophers? Who knows. It could have been anything and everything from the team peaking too early, to the team missing Tyler Hirsch, to the officials picking an unfortunate time to start calling interference in the offensive end.

So it's back to the drawing board for the Gopher coaching staff. In addition to losing a valuable senior class, they'll also be probably hit hard by defections this summer. I have a feeling that the Gophers will land on there feet though, and be back in the hunt again next season.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

The officials actually picked a bad time to call a phantom trip...

Anonymous said...

what kind of ice time should Patrick White see next season?

Anonymous said...

The Gophs were lucky to get past Air Force - they should be proud that they were even able to take UND to OT. (Yeah, I know they beat them at the Final Five... home ice anyone?)

Anonymous said...

maybe it was the altitude. maybe it was Goli's busted hand. maybe Okposo was sick. maybe they didn't get the right kind of cream cheese on their toasted bagels for breakfast...maybe the "difference" for the Gophers was that they played a better team?

Anonymous said...

I Okposo going to be back next year?

Anonymous said...

Glen Sonmour said today on KFAN the team who will be losing defections to the pros is UND.

Anonymous said...

The Gophs will be back to burning down Dinkytown in no time...

Anonymous said...

Will be interesting to see if Okposo stays.

He started strong but his production tailed off at seasons end

He was clearly agitated at the end of many of his shifts against UND. The big screen camera loved focusing on his face as he went to the bench.

Anonymous said...

444-

The only thing that is being lost is Sonmor's brain cells. DUH! UND will be losing players to the NHL. Minnesota will lose one player to the NHL and one or 2 to the AHL.

So Sonbore was absolutely right. Freaking homer. He said UND was a better team but he did it through a "forced smile" kind of thing. Like saying you enjoy kissing your sister. It's like saying I respect Glen Sonmor's opinion. I'm saying it but I really think he puts a capitol H and D in "Homer D-bag"

So yeah. Keep on keepin on.

Anonymous said...

Give a rest UND. We will see you next year. Long live the Gophers.

Anonymous said...

Has Don Lucia resigned yet? Based on the way he coached the team to mediocrity over the last half of the season, he should reimburse the taxpayers of Minnesota who pay his salary at least 50 percent of his pay. I have never seem a team start so strong, yet hit a wall and crumble the way the Gophers did this year. Prediction......Johnson and Okposo will be gone next year. Who cares about Goligoski. He is a very good offensive player, but his defensive skills are subpar and will thwart his chance to play regular minutes in the NHL.

Anonymous said...

No more popping the jersey for Minnesota guys this season. That showed no class at all. Go look at the ling for ND on this site about "popping the jersey" its pretty funny.

Anonymous said...

good grief! I can't believe how bent out of shape people get over "popping the jersey", as I guess it's being called. the kids are happy. why take it so personally?

get over it.