Virginia @ Duluth Denfeld 02/23/12

[rainier]

Should be a good matchup between a Virginia squad that has been better than expected and a Denfeld squad that has been worse than expected. Denfeld won the regular season meeting 4-1 back in Mid-December, but since then Virginia has appeared to be the better team. The winner of this game will be rewarded with an opportunity to upset a very good Duluth Marshall team in Hibbing on Saturday.

Predictions?

I'll go 5-4 Denfeld in OT.

[Throwback]

Didn't Virginia loose to Greenway...How can you say that they've gotten better?

Also Denfeld with a 1 to 1 tie against Thief River shows they have the ability to play good...just don't seem to do it all the time.

[The Insider]

I heard one of Virginia's top forwards was out with mono. Denfeld wins 6-1 handily.

[The Insider]

I heard one of Virginia's top forwards was out with mono. Denfeld wins 6-1 handily.

[rainier]

Didn't Virginia loose to Greenway...How can you say that they've gotten better?

Also Denfeld with a 1 to 1 tie against Thief River shows they have the ability to play good...just don't seem to do it all the time.

Yeah, it's very debatable if Virginia or Denfeld is better, I just got the feeling that Virginia was performing better than Denfeld down the stretch. As for the Greenway game, yes it is a bad loss, but Arnason saved 73 of 75 shots for Greenway, not much any team can do when a goalie has an historic game.

But it is not debatable the Denfeld has not lived up to expectations this season. Denfeld's best win of the season is against Superior, Virginia beat I-Falls and Hibbing, both top 20 A teams.

I will say that if both teams play to their potential, Denfeld wins easily. But, as you mentioned, they have not done this enough to believe they will do it now. Virginia seems to lack skilled playmakers, but they have a bunch of hard working good athletes, which, if you don't take them seriously, can beat you on any given night.

Nevertheless, if you read my original post, you will see I did pick Denfeld to win this.

[RangeHockeyFan1817]

I think it will be much closer than the last time they played.....after the hibbing game I think Virginia could possibly pull off the upset. Depends on who really shows up to play. I say 3-2 either way

Is this game on the radio in duluth?

[rainier]

I think it will be much closer than the last time they played.....after the hibbing game I think Virginia could possibly pull off the upset. Depends on who really shows up to play. I say 3-2 either way

Is this game on the radio in duluth?

I don't know about any radio (1490 in duluth is streaming the Marshall game), but this game is a spotlight game on the Hub.

[RangeHockeyFan1817]

2-0 Denfeld after one
shots are even at 11

[RangeHockeyFan1817]

3-1 Denfeld after 2

Shots: Devils 26
Denfeld 20

[RangeHockeyFan1817]

Game has really gotten away from the Devils now. 5-1 Denfeld. Talarico gets the hat trick. It's not over yet, but safe to say, good luck to the hunters on Saturday!

[RangeHockeyFan1817]

^^^^ That's the final folks!

[Throwback]

Got this weird feeling (don't read too much into that as I've been wrong before) that Denfeld may be able to give Marshall a scare.

I think they have the talent...but do they believe? (So much of this game at this level is confidence)...we'll see

[rainier]

Got this weird feeling (don't read too much into that as I've been wrong before) that Denfeld may be able to give Marshall a scare.

I think they have the talent...but do they believe? (So much of this game at this level is confidence)...we'll see

If Thompson is as solid in nets as he was vs Virginia, Denfeld will have a chance.