2026 Frozen Four from Las Vegas

[BearLover]

"The hotel told us, if we don't get back by 10:45, we don't get to eat, so we need to get the hell out of here."

Am I being... endeared by Carle?

He's clearly the best coach in the West. Runs complete teams, not just a collection of blue chippers and throwing them out there.

Absolutely. Gets crazy value out of his guys. Could stand to take a page out of his book.

Pohlkamp, for example, was a 5th rounder who is now a 1st round talent.

Denver poached Pohlkamp in the transfer portal after he was already one of the best defensemen in the country at Bemidji. It's true Denver isn't getting many first rounders, which is interesting given they get as many 2-4th rounders as anybody.

[arugula]

I know there are lots of mixed feelings here about Michigan, but I have so many friends and colleagues who're absolutely devoted to UM that I was rooting for them last night.  Plus, Cornell '25 daughter's bf is a Michigan man and good kid.  That said, I've grown to dislike Denver enormously going back to 86 for me.  That said, I have enormous respect for the way Carle works and conducts himself and how incredibly clutch the Pios seem to be.  Very impressive team and program.  The wee goalie is ridiculous.  And I thought Shane was tiny!  Reminds me of that tiny goalie Michigan had years ago-Hunwick iirc.  Tough call for the final.  No real heel in this one for my money.  Both deserved champions, as would have Michigan.

[BearLover]

Trying to be objective here - my thoughts watching the last three periods (third, OT, 2OT).

I was surprised Michigan didn't play Robertson on the PP, instead going with five forwards. They have the most talented forwards in the country so I suppose they wanted them all on the ice at once. They did use Robertson on 4x4.

I thought Robertson struggled  defensively, including failing to tie up the scorer of the late tying goal. He also had some trouble clearing the zone. Though there were few shifts where Denver had sustained o-zone time, several of those were with him on the ice.

Robertson also made a couple nice passes offensively.

Overall his night was quiet; the announcers barely said his name. Which is usually good for a defenseman but not an offensive defenseman like Robertson.

BearLover's verdict: he's a good college player but seems to have peaked. Skilled offensively, smaller and not physical enough defensively. I don't think he has much of a shot at an NHL career. Still, if he and Bancroft had returned this season, we would right now be one win away from our first national championship since 1970.

[arugula]

Trying to be objective here - my thoughts watching the last three periods (third, OT, 2OT).

I was surprised Michigan didn't play Robertson on the PP, instead going with five forwards. They have the most talented forwards in the country so I suppose they wanted them all on the ice at once. They did use Robertson on 4x4.

I thought Robertson struggled  defensively, including failing to tie up the scorer of the late tying goal. He also had some trouble clearing the zone. Though there were few shifts where Denver had sustained o-zone time, several of those were with him on the ice.

Looked like he struggled with the speed

Robertson also made a couple nice passes offensively.

Overall his night was quiet; the announcers barely said his name. Which is usually good for a defenseman but not an offensive defenseman like Robertson.

BearLover's verdict: he's a good college player but seems to have peaked. Skilled offensively, smaller and not physical enough defensively. I don't think he has much of a shot at an NHL career. Still, if he and Bancroft had returned this season, we would right now be one win away from our first national championship since 1970.

[scoop85]

"The hotel told us, if we don't get back by 10:45, we don't get to eat, so we need to get the hell out of here."

Am I being... endeared by Carle?

He's clearly the best coach in the West. Runs complete teams, not just a collection of blue chippers and throwing them out there.

Absolutely. Gets crazy value out of his guys. Could stand to take a page out of his book.

Pohlkamp, for example, was a 5th rounder who is now a 1st round talent.

Denver poached Pohlkamp in the transfer portal after he was already one of the best defensemen in the country at Bemidji. It's true Denver isn't getting many first rounders, which is interesting given they get as many 2-4th rounders as anybody.

True, he didn't start with Denver. The epitome of a late bloomer.

Regarding Carle, I see a lot of similarities with Connor Buczek. College stars who became HC's at their Alma Maters at a young age and quickly rose to be among the top college coaches in their sport. Both recruit at a high level (mid-round picks for Carle, 4* guys for Buczek), but don't always bring in the most elite talent (CJ Kirst being an exception for us). The guys they recruit though, typically exceed their pre-college projections. And both guys are excellent in-game coaches who seem to usually push the right buttons.

[scoop85]

Trying to be objective here - my thoughts watching the last three periods BearLover's verdict: he's a good college player but seems to have peaked. Skilled offensively, smaller and not physical enough defensively. I don't think he has much of a shot at an NHL career. Still, if he and Bancroft had returned this season, we would right now be one win away from our first national championship since 1970.

I think you're overstating the case. While we surely we would've had a better shot, given how thoroughly outplayed we were by Denver I have a hard time envisioning those two guys making enough of a difference against any of the elite teams we might have faced.

[BearLover]

Trying to be objective here - my thoughts watching the last three periods BearLover's verdict: he's a good college player but seems to have peaked. Skilled offensively, smaller and not physical enough defensively. I don't think he has much of a shot at an NHL career. Still, if he and Bancroft had returned this season, we would right now be one win away from our first national championship since 1970.

I think you're overstating the case. While we surely we would've had a better shot, given how thoroughly outplayed we were by Denver I have a hard time envisioning those two guys making enough of a difference against any of the elite teams we might have faced.

That last part was tongue-in-cheek BL. I mostly agree with you. In fact, it's hard to imagine us stacking up against any of Michigan, NoDak, Denver. But Wisconsin, who seems quite a bit worse, is in the title game, so you never know.

[Trotsky]

I know there are lots of mixed feelings here about Michigan, but I have so many friends and colleagues who're absolutely devoted to UM that I was rooting for them last night.  Plus, Cornell '25 daughter's bf is a Michigan man and good kid.  That said, I've grown to dislike Denver enormously going back to 86 for me.  That said, I have enormous respect for the way Carle works and conducts himself and how incredibly clutch the Pios seem to be.  Very impressive team and program.

I have always liked Denver.

+ OG tradition
+ Longtime Cornell dance partner
+ Tiny school slaying gargantuan factory vampires
+ Great sweaters
+ Liberal arts oasis in the engineering death desert
+ Beautiful city

St. Lawrence if they won.  Harvard if they weren't cunts.  What's not to love?

[Jeff Hopkins '82]

When Michigan was ahead last night I found myself thinking "but at least they suck at lacrosse."

Fortunately, I don't have to deal with two Michigan championships, never mind three.

And to add, Wisconsin's fans were pretty classy after our match in Green Bay.  That's not always the case for fans in the Big 10.

[stereax]

Trying to be objective here - my thoughts watching the last three periods BearLover's verdict: he's a good college player but seems to have peaked. Skilled offensively, smaller and not physical enough defensively. I don't think he has much of a shot at an NHL career. Still, if he and Bancroft had returned this season, we would right now be one win away from our first national championship since 1970.

I think you're overstating the case. While we surely we would've had a better shot, given how thoroughly outplayed we were by Denver I have a hard time envisioning those two guys making enough of a difference against any of the elite teams we might have faced.

That last part was tongue-in-cheek BL. I mostly agree with you. In fact, it's hard to imagine us stacking up against any of Michigan, NoDak, Denver. But Wisconsin, who seems quite a bit worse, is in the title game, so you never know.

Wisconsin is like the 24-25 Big Red in March. Got REALLY hot at the right time. Helps that they got the first-round bye against Dartmouth (only half-joking), but both the MSU and NoDak games show that they're not frauds, either.

[arugula]

Mostly agree, except its not a tiny school-12,000 students-smaller than Michigan or Wisconsin sure.  I just don't like anyone who's beaten us in multiple big games.  Beautiful city.  Respect for sure. 

[arugula]

When Michigan was ahead last night I found myself thinking "but at least they suck at lacrosse."

Fortunately, I don't have to deal with two Michigan championships, never mind three.

And to add, Wisconsin's fans were pretty classy after our match in Green Bay.  That's not always the case for fans in the Big 10.

I was at the Giants-Green Bay Ice Bowl game in 2008.  Green Bay fans were so great

[RichH]

Plus, Wisconsin has a lot in common culturally with central NY.

And don't get me wrong, Michigan is probably my favorite B10 school (nudging out Bucky). Academically good, they care about hockey enough to steal our chants & culture, enemy of Ohio. I just think their futility in the FF despite their perceived superiority is reaching comedic levels and get lots of pleasure from it for no reason.

[jtwcornell91]

Coverage still has not kicked in on streaming.

My mistake.  It's on The Deuce, I have ESPN+, so I'm locked out.  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Mets it is.

When I was downgrading my Disney+ bundle, I noticed there were packages that included full ESPN access for an extra $20/month.  So at least one doesn't need to get fake cable, but still, fuck that.

[stereax]

Plus, Wisconsin has a lot in common culturally with central NY.

Drinking?