If you consistently beat NoDak and the Cheddars and make strides in the NCAA there wont be many complaints. Gopher hockey is like Jayhawk hoops. We expect to be a Top 5 program each year. Its not that there isnt financial backing (unlike baseball).
I think it was a big vs little argument as well. The Gophers and Badgers routinely put 10k people in the seats, while its only 2200 at Mankato...and thats when the Gophers are in town. Just like the NFL with Dallas and Cinci.
I agree its financially probably better for those B10 teams. But the CCHA and WCHA will really suffer. Every other school in the WCHA had a full arena when Minnesota came to town, I'm sure it was the same with the others. Do the folks in Mankato or Duluth get exited about Michigan Tech...
I agree. Its good to have a few 'stars' who can handle the puck. But what happened to the big defensemen the Don was getting when he was at CC. The Gophers should (and still can) get high level 'grinders', we need more of that. I cringed whenever we played the Sioux and the puck went to Ness...
4 years in the bottom half of WCHA is not acceptable. They need to get rid of him this year or give an extension. Since recruits won't play for a guy with one year left...especially if its a traditional powerhouse playing .500 hockey.
I think his contract expires next year. But 5th place doesn't cut it for what WAS arguably THE premier sport at the school.
If we have a suitable replacement...but who I dont think Blais wants it he maybe too old to change jobs again.
Thats why I hate games at Tech. Never a TV feed. I pay for the FOX package on DirectV to get gopher puck. Combined with no football, a crappy wknd to be a fan.
We need to get back to the days when teams would come to Williams/Marriucci and would consider success not getting swept. I think the Don has lost that.