I'm Really Proud

[domeanddomer]

This hockey game tonight really made me proud. Fanatic was there and I'm sure he'll be able to provide some great first hand feedback, but we were down 2-0 in the first period against our nemesis only to come back in force and, in hockey terms, beat the crap out of them. A 3 goal win in hockey is like winning a football game by 50 points. For this team to come back with that kind of poise makes me very proud to be a ND hockey supporter. That being said, a conference championship is great, but the real hockey starts in the NCAA tourney. Let's hope we can carry this momentum. If you haven't had the opportunity to watch...please do. It is unbelievably exciting to watch. If you live in the area...go see a home game. It's a blast.

Couple observations:

Jordan Pearce (ND goal tender) is a freaking beast.

If you're new to hockey...most teams stop shaving until they lose in the playoffs. If you've ever seen the Stanley Cup playoffs, you'll notice a bunch of really scruffy dudes. Why do I bring this up? ND has adopted this and, for quite a few players it's a riot because they couldn't grow a beard if you put a million dollars on the table. Big goal tonight by Billy Mayday (what a great name BTW) and when they interview him...he looks like my 14 year old nephew with 7 hairs glued to his chin! Half the team looks like Cliff Clavin on the classic show Cheers when they had the beard growing contest and Cliffy had big patches of hair all over his face. I guess I'm getting old.

[Sligo]

They have been on a hot streak. It has been a blast following them and whether or not they go all the way, they have done us proud. -- Cliffy Claven ... too funny, Dome.:D

[domeanddomer]

NCAA Hockey brackets were released this morning. ND goes against a team I cannot accurately spell in the first round. The games are held this the 27th and 28th in Grand Rapids, MI. Here's the link to the bracket.

http://insidecollegehockey.com/6History/ncaa_09.htm

[jfschellcrna]

NCAA Hockey brackets were released this morning. ND goes against a team I cannot accurately spell in the first round. The games are held this the 27th and 28th in Grand Rapids, MI. Here's the link to the bracket.

http://insidecollegehockey.com/6History/ncaa_09.htm

hahaha. bemidji state is a small liberal arts school in northern minnesota. about 5000 students. cold as all get out in january !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ND FANATIC]

Myself and a few of my buddies went up to the game last night, and I was a little over-served after the celebration at The Ole Shillelagh in Greektown in downtown Detroit to try type last night, but this is what I remember....

Firt of all, I would guess that for every ND fan there was what seemed like at least 100 UM fans - not good odds if someone decided to throw-down. We were 8 rows off the ice directly behind the UM penalty box, surrounded by UM fans.

The first thing I noticed after they dropped the puck is that ND was better than UM, plain and simple. ND was faster, skated better, forechecked better, and stick handled better. Like I texted dome during the, I wasn't sure how the game would end, but ND was the better team. Maday's goal, on the 4-on-4 at the end of the 2nd period was huge, going in only one down made all the difference in the world. Ridderwall's and Ryan's goal at the start of the third period took all the life out of UM and their fans.
After those two goals, they put together a little spurt in the middle of the third but Pearce was a wall in goal and they couldn't get anything by him. At that point I think they knew they were in trouble with the way that Pearce was playing and they started pressing, taking chances they shouldnt have and gave up some goals. It was at that point that we bought our last $8.75 beer :shock: and let the celebration begin.

[irish24]

totally agree with everything said here. nice draw for the tourny although bemidji could be a little sneaky. If they win that game, Northeastern could be a tough game. They were playing real well in the middle of the season and have since tailed off a little, but make no mistake every game now is tough.

[ND FANATIC]

This is the time of the year that you will go as far as your goalie will take you, and with the way Pearce is playing, I would be shocked if we didn't make it to DC. I think our two toughest games, if everything goes right, will be Minnesota-Duluth and BU. Of coarse in a single elimination format, anything can happen......