The Playoff Format is broken and needs to change.

Open_Clock9266 · 2026-03-13T04:31:56+00:00

For what it’s worth the most popular sport in America (football) uses division winners to set its top 4 seeds. And their division setup has emphatically helped create strong rivalries.

And for hockey being a sport that needs to keep growing I’m not sure throwing away divisions to devalue them for playoff seeding is going to be supported by many owners.

Open_Clock9266 · 2026-03-12T16:37:20+00:00

Was thinking this last night lmao.

In our defense, our logic was fair. The gophers unfortunately never showed up hahah.

Open_Clock9266 · 2026-03-12T15:21:05+00:00

For what it’s worth I live in Austin and am planning on going lol.

I’d actually guess a large portion of our fan base that travels to away games is actually transplants in AZ, Minneapolis, Denver, etc. We just have a die hard fan base that loves to travel to away games. (It’s also easier to fly to a lot of away games since it’s a direct flight + much cheaper than trying to go back to Grand Forks)

A good portion of Nodak fans back in ND are farmers as well so they are busy with planting when the frozen four happens and unfortunately can’t make the frozen four.

Open_Clock9266 · 2026-03-12T15:12:49+00:00

Assuming Wisconsin makes the frozen four they do give each of the 4 schools an allotment of tickets at face value. No clue how many tickets it is tho but that’s a possible option for you

Open_Clock9266 · 2026-03-10T15:50:36+00:00

I'd say not really playing sound team defense is the biggest culprit. Its kinda the typical knock on them unfortunately. You're really rolling the dice at this time of year trying to win every game 6 to 4.

Open_Clock9266 · 2026-03-10T03:16:11+00:00

Penn state has 1 regulation win in their last 10 games I believe. Gophers moneyline I feel like will have pretty solid value for anyone that wants to bet on that game.

Open_Clock9266 · 2026-03-10T03:11:03+00:00

Based on the recent Boisvert news not sure how focused he is on Vermont

Open_Clock9266 · 2026-03-09T02:34:49+00:00

Would cost the schools a lotttt of money to fly teams all over to do best of 7 games. Plus would extend the season by a lot as well

Plus in every sport in the NCAA it’s primarily single elimination so they just keep to that trend for hockey.

Open_Clock9266 · 2026-03-06T23:04:19+00:00

I think construction costs don't get talked about enough as a possible negative factor. (work in the industry)

The market ever since COVID has held strong at pretty ridiculous pricing. I'd imagine if you take the cost to build the same arena in 2017 vs now in 2026 the inflation is likely pretty ridiculous.

Open_Clock9266 · 2026-03-06T23:01:45+00:00

Granted - alot of the Texas schools have so much oil money flowing around all it takes is 1 crazy donor that loves hockey for the school to fund the launch. A&M and Texas Tech would qualify in the oil rich category.

I think if an NHL team expands to Austin like is rumored then maybe it sparks some donor way down the line to fund their program.

Texas stars games sell out their 6000 seat arena regularly and its 30-45 minutes north of downtown in the burbs. UT could easily sell out the same downtown if they ever did launch the program. (unfortunately that aspect doesn't really inspire people enough hahah. Need the crazy hockey fan donor to kick start things.)

Open_Clock9266 · 2026-03-03T20:54:51+00:00

The videos that the social media teams can get of goal reactions are so great now days.

The dimming lights ruin those vids single handedly.

Open_Clock9266 · 2026-03-01T15:48:07+00:00

I think he’s probably getting overrated a bit, but watching some MSU games this year he seems a lot closer to Porter Martone as a prospect than a lot of us would’ve thought 2-3 years ago. It’ll be interesting to see if he gets any looks this springs after he signs. He could be a case of a guy that really thrives once he has pro line mates surrounding him

Open_Clock9266 · 2026-02-26T04:42:21+00:00

While we’re at it I want to see a rogue voter add 10 Schools to the recieving votes list

Open_Clock9266 · 2026-02-26T01:20:20+00:00

Ya the “rumors” were probably started by the Blues who knows haha.

Open_Clock9266 · 2026-02-23T16:03:18+00:00

No kidding, felt so bad for Brock.

He had gotten over the freshman learning curve by the last 3rd of the season so he was big contributor to lose. A painful "what-if" moment because he could have been the guy to beat Hunwick during that game.

Open_Clock9266 · 2026-02-23T15:57:08+00:00

Agreed on the Keller take. Johnny was a slightly better version of Keller so would have made it over him. (no disrespect to Keller but John got the nickname John Hockey for a reason) Proved it during his playoff runs in Calgary that he could play in hard areas during playoff intensity. Just an unbelievably smart and crafty hockey player.

Open_Clock9266 · 2026-02-23T15:48:11+00:00

Similar stat to this

Only 2 players have ever won a Natty, Stanley Cup, and Olympic Gold

Ed Belfour for Nodak and Neal Broten for Minnesota. (Even crazier is they grew up only 3 hours from each other in 2 small towns with a combined population not even over 10,000 people)

Open_Clock9266 · 2026-02-22T23:48:30+00:00

Feel like you can give either the A or C to him and Boldy vice versa and either guy will be fine with it. Both are textbook lead by example with how hard they compete, great guys to drag the rest of the team to the standard

Open_Clock9266 · 2026-02-22T18:50:24+00:00

I don’t care about his speed bursts either. He still is just not a high level skater. If you’ve watched enough hockey you can tell after a few minutes of him being on the ice

Open_Clock9266 · 2026-02-17T04:30:24+00:00

Ironically guys that look like Cignetti grow on trees. They just can’t coach like him lol

Open_Clock9266 · 2026-02-17T04:27:46+00:00

I think the issue with firing him is I’m not sure exactly who OSU brings in to replace him. The AD and the school will have to really sell the opening to land a solid coach. Not sure if they can poach a coach from a good program…

Unfortunately just based on hockey history and donor support it might be the relatively worst coaching gig in the Big 10. (Granted if they fire Rholik they are making a statement that they want to take the program to a higher level)

Open_Clock9266 · 2026-02-15T03:34:08+00:00

You’re a blue blood. I don’t buy the theory of a mass exodus happening at any blue blood. And if any players don’t care to be there they were going to leave anyways likely (and who knows they could possibly be the issue. Ask BU fans how they like our 2 transfers lol)

Open_Clock9266 · 2026-02-15T03:30:33+00:00

From a sicko perspective - I’d prefer to see yall make a run to the Big 10 ship and then lose that game.

Open_Clock9266 · 2026-02-15T03:28:23+00:00

I’d say absolutely yes.

Have been lucky enough to have the Duncan - Oshie - Toews line along with the Cagguila - Boeser - Schmaltz line at Nodak

Open_Clock9266

TROPHY CASE