College Hockey:
Minnesota: ‘It just got away from us’

By Chris Lerch • Atlantic Hockey Columnist • April 5, 2012

Minnesota captain Taylor Matson shows the frustration of the Gophers' loss to Boston College (photo: Jim Rosvold).

TAMPA, Fla. — At the end of the first period of its national semifinal against Boston College, Minnesota coach Don Lucia liked what he saw, despite being down 1-0.

“I thought we came out and played a really good first period,” said Lucia. “I think they scored on the only real chance they had.”

2012ff 250 white Minnesota: It just got away from us

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The Gophers outshot the Eagles 10-5 in the first, and were playing most of the start of the second period in the BC zone. But again, it was the Eagles who capitalized with an odd-man rush that made it 2-0.

“We had some great chances but couldn’t get things going on our side,” said senior Jake Hansen, who scored the lone Gophers goal. “We felt at times we were putting the pressure on and outhitting them, but it seemed like they took advantage of their opportunities.”

Minnesota kept the pressure on, but the tide turned for good when the Eagles scored twice within a 1:58 span in the final minutes of the second period.

“The game got away in a two-minute span when we tried to do a few too many things and it went from 2-0 to 4-0,” said Lucia.

“I thought we were in the game until that point when they scored those two goals and made it 4-0, and that makes it tough. But I thought we deserved better.

“When it went from two to four in a couple minutes, that was the game,” Lucia said.

Hansen got a goal just 1:26 into the final period, but any idea of a comeback was crushed just 22 seconds later when the Eagles made it 5-1, and then tacked on a power-play goal four minutes later.

Minnesota outshot Boston College 31-25 for the game.

“You’ve got to give [BC goalie Parker Milner] credit, he’s a good goalie,” said sophomore Zach Budish. “When you only give up one goal [so far] in the NCAA tournament, that’s saying something.”

“It just got away from us,” said Hansen. “To win the MacNaughton Cup and get to the Frozen Four against BC you couldn’t have asked for a better stage. We were playing so well and then to play so sloppy, it’s just embarrassing. More than anything it just hurts. So bad.”

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Debonvine
WCHA…OVER RATED..IF THIS THE BEST THE WCHA HAS TO OFFER..HOPE YOU CAN DO BETTER INTHE FUTURE.
- John Lindvig
  Lets remember who BC lost to last year… Colorado College the 5th ranked team in the Conference last year…. BC is awesome this year and they deserve the title… but you cannot say the WCHA is overrated thats just ignorant.
  - EagleinExile
    I think the “overrated” cry comes from a lot of WCHA posters claiming that Hockey East was weak this year and the WCHA was much stronger. While that point can still be debated, the fact that BC took out 2 of the best from the WCHA is very telling for this year. I think it could be claimed that BC, going for its 3rd title in 5 years and in the title game 5 of the last 7, certainly is the most dominant program in college hockey.
    - North Dakota!
      Maybe in the past century as the most dominat program, but BC has only 4 national championships. The first in 1948 (or something like that) and the next in 2001 ( rematch of the 1999-2000 game, this time going to BC, not UND :( But to say that the Eagles are the most dominant program in college hockey is false. You can’t debate that the WCHA is the toughest conference in College hockey. This conference has produced the most championships out of all conferences in the NCAA. So the Wcha is the best conference. BC is not the most dominant program (in the past decade, winning championships yes). Minnesota has 5 championships (North Dakota has 7 haha) so the Chockers have more championships then BC, but I do believe that the Eagles will get their 5th this year (not to put down Ferris State, but BC is more talented and has more depth) But this is hockey, anything can happen. I believe it’s safe to say that both programs are very good, both confrences are dominant, and BC with very good goaling capitulized on some sloppy play by the goofs. It’s also safe to say that The Fighting Sioux of North Dakota have the most championships then both BC and UM haha GO SIOUX! Next year will be the Sioux’s year haha. I wish BC and Ferris the best of luck on Saturday. Hopefully it’ll be a good game!
      - EagleinExile
        I meant most dominant program right now based on recent history. Can anyone match BC’s success in the NCAA’s the last 7 years (not a short amount of time)? BC is 3-1 against the Sioux in the Tourney the last 10 years. If you want to go all time, then it’s Michigan and I hate giving them any credit, more than the Sioux. The point is received and no one doubts the strength of the WCHA, but this was not its year and some humble pie is on the plate of some strong voiced fans.
      - North Dakota!
        I got what you are saying. I hate when the Sioux play BC, especially in the tournament. They are definatly the most dominant program right now. I just didn’t like when people are bashing the WCHA, also vice versa, I don’t like it when people bash HE, and all confrences that is. I wish BC luck on Saturday, but don’t underestimate Ferris State…
      - EagleinExile
        I agree and I won’t. That loss to Mich St is still fresh in my mind. Watching your team lose back to back NCAA Final games might be more painful than losing in the first round.
        Due to recent history, you could say that I like it when BC plays the Sioux, but not because we have come away with more W’s, but because we have the opportunity to get a win against a powerhouse.
        People who bash conferences are generally misinformed. Take this year for example, the Selection committee and Pairwise guys look like mathematic geniuses with all 4 Major conference champs making the FF, to include the much maligned ECAC. It’s all about teams: coaches, players, fans and pride.
      - patrickolson
        I agree with everything you said with one twist. Each team has fans that should keep their mouth shut….in victory or defeat…looking at you Sioux and Eagles fans.
      - CommAve
        Championships are not all that define a programs dominance. Or Conference. Frozen Fours, head to head. To sit there and think that the WCHA is that far heads above is just ignorant (to use your word). Remember, Hockey East and ECAC split and there are championships from ECAC (Cornell, Harvard) if we’re just using this historical precedent. Not to mention, so many of those championships were won ions ago (if you’re going to hold the ’48 championship against BC even though their #2 all-time in Frozen Fours).
        Also, I’m pretty sure the state of Michigan would have something to say about this as well seeing as it has the most from any state (conference not included), with Massachusetts right behind.There are all sorts of ways to compare, but to come and still try to clearly say how almighty the WCHA is over other conferences is, well, ignorant.
    - patrickolson
      One really good BC team does not automatically make HE the better conference this year. You have to look at the conference as a whole. And don’t forget, the Gophers torched the OTHER best team in Hockey East in the regional. BC was awesome, and has been for the last decade.
      - JakeB
        Conference vs conference… How dull. Who Cares!
      - patrickolson
        Thats the best comment I have seen today! Thanks for that.
      - After Further Review
        Agreed 100% Jake and patrick!
      - EagleinExile
        You are correct and that was why I said that the point could still be debated. I think WCHA was stronger than HE this year based on comparing the top 4 teams of each conference (BC,BU,UML,ME vs. Minn,UMD,Den,UND). The only win HE takes in that matchup is whoever plays BC. I think WCHA wins the other 3.
      - patrickolson
        I like discussing with reasonable people. Thank you for that Eagle. There is no point in blasting other people. We all love college hockey, no matter what team we root for.
    - patrickolson
      I would agree with you on this one eagle.
  - SDEagle
    As mentioned earlier, Minny lost to two bottom feeders of Hockey East earlier this year. Granted, that is no more relevant than who BC lost to last year. The bottom line is that after all the crap we had to hear about how great Minny was and how BC couldn’t keep up with Minnesota, the game wasn’t event close. Ski U Later.
    - Scott Reed
      The game wasn’t close at the end… Did you watch the first period? I believe you were out shot and MN carried the play in your zone.
      - WsieveHA
        You’re trying to subjectively argue that Minnesota was the better team based on a first period where they, in your opinion, outplayed BC.
        Even if I say you’re right, there’s no way you argue against BC being better in the last two periods.
        Scoreboard doesn’t lie. It was not a close game. Come back next year when your defense isn’t full of benders and that Kreider goal, 3rd goal, would never have happened.
      - patrickolson
        DId you see the puck jump on the ice? Even Melrose talked about how crappy the ice was. It was a great goal..that happened because of a lucky bounce. On normal ice that puck won’t jump like that.
        
        MN was the better team for 38 minutes….but this is hockey, and the team that scores the most goals wins, not the team that plays better. BC was better in the third, and they buried their chances in the 1st and 2nd. Game over for the Gophers, who didn’t.
        Now before you get your undies in a bunch, I’m not saying that the Gophers were the better team in general, just they were the better team for 2/3′s the game. Now refer to my previous point about better teams vs. more goals.
        For two periods, the game was much closer than the score would suggest. BC was lucky to be up after the first.
      - Fan Man
        Why cant that stellar coach of yours hold the team together for a full 60 minutes? All Ive heard all year is talent,speed, and well the KAN of GAS prodigy that couldnt keep his tank full! Good luck with that situation next year by the way
      - patrickolson
        Yup, Goaltender will be interesting. From what I understand, they have a couple options and both are quite good. Will be interesting for sure though.
      - Scott Reed
        My defense? lol I am a Sioux fan and do not cheer for the gophers… BC was the better team, no doubt. but recognize when good luck and being better come together on the same night. Your not going to beat that MN team 6-1 again if you played 10 more games.
      - After Further Review
        That may be true, but BC doesn’t have to pay that Gopher team 10 more times. They won the only time they had to.
- Joe C
  Who cheers for a conference? Seriously?
  I congratulate BC to this point, I will congratulate them if they win and I have nothing but respect for Jerry York and the program up in Newton. If you were starting a program today, you could just emulate what BC does and be off to a good start.
  I take no joy in a “Hockey East” title won by my school’s biggest rival. Respect it? Sure. But no true Terrier fan would hoist a pint and toast BC for winning one for Hockey East.
  I believe all the conferences have something to offer us fans. I believe in excellent programs and excellent teams, regardless of conference. The conferences just give us a regular season and post-season location for games to be played. It is the games played between teams that give us history.
SDEagle
Amen, Eagle in Exile. The Minny fans were a long way from gracious all week. All the WCHA B.S. got old quick. Last two games by BC against the mighty WCHA, 10-1 BC. Enough said.
Wolverineneshl
I was sitting in the Minnesota section and it was very quiet, especially after BC scored an answering goal after Minny got theirs. Milner was outstanding when the Gophers were swarming in the BC end.
SIOUXFAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
as a sioux fan i saw a dominant gopher team get frustrated and fall short. BC got lucky with a few goals….but executed on the chances they had none the less
- SDEagle
  Yeah, 6-1 is just luck.
  - nogofer
    The gofers gave up 6 goals in two of it’s last three games. The gofers just aren’t that good, and that team was not the best the WCHA had to offer…
    - patrickolson
      and the Sioux were?
      - nogofer
        Look at KRACH, RPI and PairWise…
      - patrickolson
        I just need to look at a 2-4 record.
      - nogofer
        And where did that 4 – 2 record get them? Like us, you can watch the big game from your couch. The gofers were humiliated, embarrassed and exposed on National TV. Those seniors will carry that stigma for the rest of their lives…
- lucky
  6-1 is not falling short. And talent creates luck. Are you suggesting BC won that game not because of pure skill and depth? Their 3rd line is as good as most teams’ 1st lines.
  - patrickolson
    The whole talent creates luck thing is total BS. Talent teaches you to be in the right spots at the right times, thats not luck.
    Every team scores lucky goals…including BC. To think otherwise is to be ignorant or to never have played upper level athletics.
    - After Further Review
      That’s BC hockey (and not from a BC fan)… they will get outplayed for periods of time, even a full 20 minutes or more, but don’t make a mistake because it will be in the back of your net before you know it.
      - nogofer
        Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work…
- MPLS Sioux
  As a Sioux fan I can say that BC kicked the crap out of the Gophers and I loved every second of it!!
TommyD
When is the hockey world going to wake up and give BC 110% credit for a ridiculous run the past 14 years. When BC lost to Mich. in ’98′, they virtually gave that title away (never mind hitting the post and crossbar in OT). When they lost to UND in 2000, they lost to a better team. Of course, BC avenged both losses by beating Mich and UND in the Frozen Four in 2001. They only time BC went to the Frozen Four and didn’t make the Final, was in 2004 vs. Maine. From 2006 until now, BC has been in every Final, except for 2009 (not making the NCAA’s in 2007, and of course last year’s blunder vs. CC). This is what is know as DOMINATION, people! Least you forget, BC put a complete spanking on WI in the 2010 final, and we obviously know that they’ve taken apart the WCHA again this year. UND who? GTFO…College Hockey is now known as Boston College Hockey. Until this trend stops, get down on one knee and show respect. Long live the King!
- Trcudmore
  i am a life long eagle fan(i watched york play when i was a kid)…..i understand your excitement ….but please tone it down just a little……GO EAGLES!!!!
  - CommAve
    Agreed – needs to simmah down a bit, as much as I love his source material. But still, we do have to listen to all these WCHA (read; Sioux) fans who incessantly banter about this, so I guess blowing a little steam off is to be expected.
- patrickolson
  LOTS of people have, including myself. Go read some of the other articles throughout the week and you will see lots of credit to BC…including lots of posts by GOPHER fans giving BC credit.
Ben
Minnesota what a class act. NOT Just watch their captain in the 3rd period. I was waiting for the classic gopher move of “accidentally ” running into the goalie. Glad to see them out of the WCHA. Lets see them get home ice advantage every year now for the playoffs. Lets watch the Brodmore Trophy game again and see what composure is and what choking is all about
- nogofer
  The gofers are a bunch of goons. If you hit them, they cry. If they hit you, it was a good hit. If they get called on the hit, they cry. When they fly home today, they’ll cry. When Bujs goes pro, they’ll cry…
  MN: Land of 10,0000 tears…
  - Fan Man
    Well said!
  - patrickolson
    lol right. He’s not ready, but even if he does go, we are used to it. How many players have the Gophers had that left early? Its no wonder the team has had a number of down years. Hard to keep a team going when your best players leave after their first year….or even into their second year (Okposo).
    - Fan Man
      They leave because NHL GM’s do not trust in Lucia to develop quality characters/players!
      - patrickolson
        You are partially correct. Lucia lost control of the program for a number of years. He went after too many prima donna, blue chip, egos (Kessel, Johnson, Okposo, etc.). They didn’t like Lucia because he preached a different message than what they wanted to hear. You can’t just go get the best players in the State, you have to get players that will buy into what you are doing and how you do it. This new crop of youngsters has a totally different attitude than the previous ones.
  - Ghsfha
    Go home nonamessssssss!
    - nogofer
      Read much? THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA FIGHTING SIOUX.
      - Trcudmore
        what is the latest news on und nickname….i hope you guys don’t have to change it…could you go with THE SIOUX and drop the fighting part?
      - nogofer
        There is too much news to put out on this board, a quick search will give you plenty to read. In a nutshell; ND voters will decide whether to require the University to retain the Fighting Sioux name. A group from Spirit Lake is suing the NCAA. The ‘sanctions’ only apply to NCAA posrt-season and have had little impact on UND thus far. If the gofers or badgers want to forfeit scheduled games to us I’ll learn to live with it…
- Guest
  Go watch the West regional final too ya clown.
- Nwo4life58203
  then why dont we watch the Michigan game last year when u had all the hype and LOST to them and got out coached how many times has chockstol got to the ncaas and lost 0 titles
  - nogofer
    mn hasn’t won it all in a decade. It hasn’t even been in a position to do so in years. This year’s seniors have 1 (one) NCAA finals appearance in their 4 years and they blew it. They didn’t just lose, they lost it! On NATIONAL TV! Lucy was out-coached, the team was out-played, and the gofer-faithful were let down AGAIN. Will the gofers have another 23 year title drought?
RvrHwk 97
It got away from them? Minnesota was outmatched in every sense of the word! Did someone say Gophs? Or was it all that talk about how weak HEA schedules are?
What fun it was watching BC show em how it gets done up here!
- patrickolson
  How were the Gophers outmatched? Put in a goalie who isn’t standing on his head and the score is much different. The Gophers carried play for the first 38 minutes. That’s hardly outmatched. Outscored? Absolutely. Outclassed? Pains me to say it, but yes. Outmatched? Hardly. Even the best teams will lose bad games once in awhile. Props to BC and good luck in the final.
  All this BS trash talking has no place on these boards. And no, I don’t trash talk when the Gophers win either.
  - RvrHwk 97
    Maybe not you, but there was a lot of talk about conference supremacy up until yesterday.
Tommyd
well, year after year, we have to hear from the big mouths from the WCHA. It’s time they be put in their place (off the ice…they’ve already been put in their place on the ice). BC now has 5 goal wins over UND, WI, and MN in the recent run (over the past 5 years). Nuff said!
- Scott Reed
  Tommy… would it be too personal to ask what mental handicap you suffer from? WI and MN have barley been revelant for the last 5 years. I’m sure your C- in stats showed you how to skew them in your favor. Great job, now fix your drool cup on your helmet.
  - John
    Scott…have you consider anger management classes ? Go catch a walleye , turn a field , play some golf , get out of the house and get over yourself.
    - Scott Reed
      hey look Tommy’s adult daycare provider is sticking up for him, cute…
- Datsyuk
  Ever been back-to-back?
  BU, MN, DU – yes
  BC – nope
  - nogofer
    Is there a special trophy for that? I’m waiting… I’m still waiting… Well? btw: Good luck in your BIG JOKE conference. The only team from the JOKE in the post-season will be the league tournament winner…
guest
Awesome game ! BC is a class act from Mr. York on down. Oh and by the way I am a Michigan fan since 1974 . I tip my hat to the great program BC has and the sportmanship shown throughout the game. The problem with the WCHA , is a fan base that is over bearing , and fails to acknowlege that there is great hockey east of St. Paul. I love seeing Union and Ferris in the frozen four , this is a good thing for college hockey. This site is domainated by UND and Minn. and has been for months, the trash talk is pointless the best teams play Saturday !
- Philipvanschepen
  As a Gopher die hard I must agree. York and his teams are the class of college hockey. After 40 years at BC I don’t see any chance of him bolting for the NHL. DAMN!
  As for Union and Ferris, its good to see new faces in the neighborhood, and it means college hockey is growing.
- JakeB
  Agreed. Right back at you… Michigan likewise a class act, from Berenson on down (I think 14 tournaments in past 15 years?), and the best unis in college hockey. And I’m a HEA fan excited that ND is coming on board. The WCHA snobs, which will turn into NCHC snobs in two years, bring it on to themselves and they deserve being put in their place. They great teams with highly knowledgeable fans that unfortunately are ignorant when it comes to sportsmanship.
  - Fan Man
    For your information, the WCHA did not put it’s best team on the ice for the Frozen. That being said, I still dont think anybody (conference wise) has a chance at stopping BC this year
ForeverFightingSioux
Nice game BC and nice run over the past decade. There is no disputing that every year in the past decade BC has been the team to beat. There is also no disputing the fact that the WCHA also has many teams to beat every year in the tournament. That is the reason college hockey and the frozen four tournament are so fun to watch. At any given moment any team has the chance to play and beat a so called team to beat. That is also why watching tournaments like the WCHA Final Five and the Western Regional tournaments are so fun to be at. The rodents were the team to beat this year in the final five and they fell apart as they did last night. It was fun to watch and be at the game. It is also fun to watch all the rodent fans walking up the stairs with 5 minutes left in the game after they blew a 3-0 lead. They are the greatest fans until they start losing and then they cant leave fast enough. It is also funny that the rodent fans are alway the ones spewing how other teams are so cheap and dirty but I bet even today they forget one of their players was given a 5 minute major in the game yesterday for slashing to the head at the same time one of their players cross checked to the head after swinging for a home run at the legs of a BC player. That was ugly so who is cheap now. Finally, the game last night was disappointing for all WCHA fans. I know the Sioux would have at least given BC a challenge and would have put 5,000 plus fans in the stands like the 10,000 fans the Fighting Sioux had at both the WCHA and Western Regionals. The Fighting Sioux Fans are the best fans in college hockey and always will be.
- nogofer
  My highschool team would have been better than the gofers were. Those are 3 hours of my life I’m never getting back…
  - Fan Man
    Ya you should have went to the real game last nite… Wild/Blackhawks at the X was incredible! Nice Gushi goal in the shootout to win and Harding played like a champ 3 hours ill give to myself anyday over watching those goof troops..
  - Nwo4life58203
    hell be a UND fan and u missed the hole year
    - nogofer
      Do you want to try that in English?
  - joe
    You must go to a special school and ride the short bus to get there because your spelling is terrible.
    - nogofer
      gofers were pounded on NATIONAL TV. gofer gofer gofer… Have a great summer, GOFER!
  - Jsdfhlh
    I guess your high school team would have beat the Suiesssss by 10!
    - nogofer
      The Fighting Sioux three-peat? By a score of 6 – 3 in your backyard? With 6 unanswered goals? Then on National TV the gofers get embarrassed by BC? Do you want me to go on?
      - BCHOCKEYLOVER
        nogofer As a BC fan let me ASSURE you the Gophers did NOT get embarrassed at all. they played a VERY good game that simply got away from them, the puck just wouldn’t bounce for them. It’s happened to us MANY times. Both Minn and UND are great teams, and we would have had our hands full either way.
      - nogofer
        As a lifelong Sioux fan I can say BC is the best team I have seen all year. As a Sioux fan stuck in mn I take abuse whenever I park my van at a local pond. It has been vandalized beyond recognition. Whenever I can ride a rodent I will… I saw the BC-UND OT title game in NY in person. I am impressed by BC. BC has a great program. Not so much the rodents…
- JakeB
  Blind leading the blind.
- patrickolson
  Kind of like the effort they gave the Gophers in the regional final? The Gophers beat the Sioux 4 out of 6 games this year. Yep, maybe they would have played better on that particular night. Don’t be a fool to think that the Sioux were a better team than the Gophers this year, you are just making yourself look bad. Both Sioux and Gopher fans are rabid for college hockey and equally classy, classless and loudmouthed.
- Classless
  Do you mean ForeverNoNames? Also I want to make this clear to your dumb ***. If the sioux lost against BC, I wouldn’t be making a comment about how crappy their fans are. Sorry but that is just classless. Sure I never have nice things to say to the Sioux but I wouldn’t be commenting on a game that my team isn’t even in and talking about how great their fans are. You are so classless. Yeah as a gopher fan and at the game I was shocked and embarrassed at the WCHA final 5 game against North Dakota. But who cares? We beat you in the regional so just get over it. Focus on your own team and not on your rival going farther in the tournament than you. The no names had a good season but the gophers had a better one.
- Sueh8ter
  all of you sue fans are losers!! your season was over weeks ago. go away!!!!!!!!
  - nogofer
    I hope you had a nice flight home from Florida empty handed. The Sioux have a post season trophy this year. The gofers? Not so much..
    - Gsdfgkafgl
      Did you forget who won the league this year? How was your trip to Florida, that’s right your team was not good enough to make it! I should be asking how is your team golf game – BTW if the suies would have played BC – score BC10 Suies 1.
      - nogofer
        That regular season trophy was not a post-season trophy. Please pay attention. Did the whuppin’ BC put on you bring you back to reality? Spanked on National TV! Ooooh, embarrassing…
      - SiouxFan
        Yikes…this all sounds so familiar. Same comments from the same Sioux and Gopher fans after any big game or loss. Not sure why fans can’t admit that both teams are power houses and obviously neither one is going to be the better team every year. Gophers were the better team this year, unfortunately. It was good to see their talent come together and make a well-deserved run in the postseason after several down years. As a Sioux fan, it was tough to decide who to route for in this game, no love lost for either team. Even with that, I hate to see a really strong Gopher team get crushed in a game they were the better team in for most of the first half. Rough way to end a season, but BC seems to make a habit of doing this almost every year in the posteasons. Hopefully UND and other teams figure out the magic formula that makes for ALL teams having good parity, not all teams EXCEPT BC. Hate to say it, but they’re really just THAT good at finding ways to win. Hope that ends next year!
        The real question is, why haven’t we heard of Bjugstad and others early signings yet? I definitely can’t say that I relish the thought of no early departures in Gopher-land with the losses so many other WCHA teams are facing.
      - nogofer
        It is part of the game…
  - BCHOCKEYLOVER
    SUE fans? SUE? seriously? whoever you are a fan of my friend, you should have stayed in school!! SUE? lololololololol
    - nogofer
      Sue has been a hater for a while. My conversations with him/her indicate a junior highschool student whose parents are gofers. The destruction of the language at his/her hands indicates youth, or ignorance…
- Joe C
  Last night was disappointing but not surprising to Hockey East fans that are not fans of Boston College. We have seen them do this since the end of February, jumping on every little mistake. So far, the closest “important” games BC has not completely dominated have been the road games at Alfond, the Beanpot final, the Hockey East final and the NCAA game against Air Force.
  I say disappointing mostly because I am a BU fan and had hoped Minnesota would play much smarter than they did. Ferris State certainly has enough information to know what happen if you make a mistake against this Eagles team.
  Take nothing away from Jerry York and Boston College. A class act and great program. Hopefully, Ferris State can delay the inevitable and BU can remain ahead of BC in titles. Go Bulldogs!!!
  - BCHOCKEYLOVER
    to JOE C I am a lifelong BC fan, and I am assuming you read the comments above from Minnesota fans and North Dakota fans, I could not help thinking ” wow they think THEY hate each other? they should try going to a BU vs BC game LOL that makes Minnesota vs North Dakota look like a day at the beach! As a collrge hockey fan I don’t hate anyone EXCEPT “BU” or as we refer to them ” that OTHER school up the street on comm ave” LOl I have been a BC fan 41 years and we love to win titles, but as long as we are still playing after BU’s season ends, it’s a successful season!
    - nogofer
      With our oil money we are considering buying the state of mn, getting it out of debt, and renaming it East Dakota.
- Nwo4life58203
  do i need to remind you we won 4 games to 2 in this years seriesyou would of not done any better against BC thay are just that good and did u forget about blood headbutting Rau in the handshake line
  - nogofer
    You lost. Face it. And you lost HUGE on National TV.
  - ForeverFightingSioux
    It is funny you brought that up. Prior to the rodent and Fighting Sioux game 2 weeks ago they discussed this. The funny thing about the whole incident was that Blood was actually reacting to Rau slashing him in the hand shake line. Both coached admitted to what actually happened but the rodent fans like you just keep making it up as you go. Try again.
- Datsyuk
  Classic post from a UND fan. UND does nothing for hockey. They have not improved the pathetic youth programs in their state (we travel there to destroy their PeeWee teams once a year). They recruit the majority of their talent from MN or Canada, and they leach off the big programs in the WCHA for TV revenues. At the same time UND feels it is bigger and more powerful than the NCAA when it comes to naming rights. Well now the rats are jumping ship. Nelson is gone. Blood is gone. Krisko? We’ll see. One thing is for sure. Top talent in the future will prefer the exposure of the Big 10 and the UND program will be in decline.
  - nogofer
    Are you serious? Do you know ANYTHNG about hockey and tv? Do you really think a kid will prefer to play for a mediocre team that has it’s games tape-delayed behind a bball game? The Big Joke Network will relegate Ice Hockey to early morning delayed broadcast times behind bball, football, curling, chess… UND Fighting Sioux Hockey is available across the country, LIVE. I feel badly for the Big Joke teams as they had no say in this move, which will pile them in obscurity on cable tv with the ab roller and weight loss scams….
  - ForeverFightingSioux
    You obviously have never attended the WCHA final five or the West Regionals. If it was not for North Dakota and Fighting Sioux fans they would be looking for a new place to have both tournaments. Green filled the X as well as every bar on 7th street. We’ll see how successful the rodents move to the big ten is. You might be eating your words about UND fighting the NCAA in a few years when the rodents start losing revenue due to no tv coverage and no attendance after bowing down to the NCAA and moving to the big 10. You may wish you had fought a little harder to stay in the WCHA. The Fighting Sioux will continue to play where their fan base is and have contracts to be on national television unlike the rodents. Also, unlike the rodents, the Fighting Sioux fans travel and will have a noticable presence no matter where they play. I will miss the rivalry between the two schools though.
    - nogofer
      Is Datsyuk a mn native? I thought it was all mn all the time?
  - ForeverFightingSioux
    Blood is a senior but if that means he’s jumping ship then I guess he is. How about Eidsness? He’s a senior as well, is he jumping ship?
- BCHOCKEYLOVER
  Foreverfightingsioux As a life long BC fan and a life long college hockey fan since I was 9 (41 years) I appreciate the comments. You are a typical College hockey fan. We LOVE our game and don’t care if the majority of the nation doesn’t care about it, We know it’s the most exciting sport and college hockey is the most exciting level! REAL college hockey fans are gracious and always give their opponents credit. This tournament is the best kept secret in sports! when was the last time a 16 seed beat a 1 seed in basketball? answer NEVER! yet in this tournament it’s no surprise when it happens. Just last year we were top seed and got HAMMERED by the 16 seed Colorado Coll. 8-4 there are no gimmies in this tournament! I have the utmost respect for North Dakota and indeed ALL the WCHA. Our motto is fear none but respect ALL! As for thursday nights game, I think Minnesota deserved better. they outplayed us for the better part of 2 periods and did not deserve to be down 4-0. But we have been on that end of it as well. In 2007 in fact Michigan St STOLE a national championship from us in a similar game, but that’s college hockey, that’s why we love it. you just never know. Good luck to the sioux in the future, and DON’T let the NCAA bully you!! you keep that knickname!! it’s great!
  - Trcudmore
    i got about 10 years of loving bc hockey on you. but as life long fans it sure is nice to see all the success. my first memories are tommy april in goal.bill daley red martin….then billy hogan…..jack cunnif….JERRY YORK! and so on. it’s nice to remember.
    GO EAGLES
    - nogofer
      I am an Eagles Fan, for the 2nd night… Next year is a new season…
Philipvanschepen
BC was just awesome. They took advantage of their chances. They are so fast, it was amazing. Milner proved it’s not just a great defense in front of you that gets you a freakish GAA. Minnesota had chances and everything was an inch or two out of reach. I don’t see a chance for Ferris if BC keeps this up. 2-0,4-0,6-1, do we see 8 goals on Saturday?
gophs got spanked
‘It just got away from us’More like it was taken away from you
Scpa0305
“It got away from us” ….ain’t that the truth!!! I don’t like the gophers whatsoever, however, they played terrible last night. I cannot believe they go all the way down there and get fisted. Anyway, nice win BC….I wish my Sioux would have been in that game.
- the kid
  They aren’t the Sioux anymore….Ha Ha Ha.
  - Fan Man
    You are a juvenile delinquent that should not be on mommy’s computer
    - nogofer
      Typical hs gofer lover: They can’t or don’t read. Our name is The Fighting Sioux. Soon it shall be law, and permanent. If we must wear our ND sweaters for 4 games yearly, so be it. If the gofers or badgers want to forfeit games to us, so be it.
- Sueh8ter
  go screw yourself!!!!!!!!!!!
  - nogofer
    Sore LOSER!
toddumn
The Gophs played better for the first half of the game, but obviously that doesn’t cut it. They didn’t bury at least three chances that they should have and made some bad mistakes. Patterson has been off for months, and the goalie battle was the catalyst to the complete derailing.
Kevin
Massachusetts is the state of hockey.. then probably michigan.. Minnesota is a distant 3rd Ny is up there too.
asdfghjkl
You all are idiots!!!!
- nogofer
  And, yet, here you are…
HockeyFan1958
Gopher fans have to get over themselves . I live in Minnesota and I got sick and tired of hearing all week how the Gophers were a way better team than BC !!! You are NOT the ( State of Hockey ) .. There is better hockey being played elsewhere in this country .. Please get over yourselves !
Mshnd06
Gopher fan here. Well played to BC. Deeper, more balanced and more focused. Clearly the best program over the past decade. The WCHA was down this year but I think there is little disputing the depth of the conference and its success in this century. 6 titles, four different teams and a complete frozen four in the last ten years. So while it may not be the case this year, the WCHA has been the best conference in hockey in recent memory.
Trcudmore
something about this team drives me crazy….they are so talented….but alot of the times it seems like they almost play a form of rope a dope hockey…..play well but not constantly up to their potential…then all of sudden they strike. tonight i hope they can skate and play full tilt…..notch up the energy level….and really go for it. GO EAGLES!!!
patrickolson
You are now Trying to argue a different point my friend. All biases aside. The Gophers got the furthest in the tourney AND beat the Sioux on the way. You can argue about which team was better till your face is blue, but you can’t change that.
Let’s just enjoy the game tonight.
- nogofer
  Have a good summer and I’ll talk to you this fall.
  - patrickolson
    Same to you. Oh, if you were the one about getting off the freeway to see North Dakota, I am genuinely interested in places that I should see if you are ok with naming some. That was a great suggestion.
    - nogofer
      Theodore Roosevelt National Park and any part of the Badlands come to mind. The hunting and fishing, when and where permitted, are top-notch. But if you go be certain to pack a lunch, ND is 350 miles wide!
      - patrickolson
        Thanks for the suggestions. I did see the Badlands when I was a kid, but don’t remember much, so another trip would be worthwhile. Take care.

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