Shawsy's Thoughts: "The Shaw Skate Reflection"
Senior defenseman Hayden Shaw will give us an inside look at the University of North Dakota hockey team as it aims to make a second-half push. Shaw will be blogging from the road with the Fighting Hawks making trips to Omaha, Denver, Kalamazoo, Colorado Springs and then on to the playoffs with Denver, St. Paul, Fargo and hopefully another crack in Buffalo down the line. Follow the team's progress here.

WEDNESDAY
Oooooooooh baby , a playoff blog ? Are you kidding me ? Let me crack my thesaurus and let's get this puppy going. On this Wednesday travel blog we will also be following freshman Jackson Keane on a little day in the life. 
 
9:30 am 
Boys are at the rink for breakfast before an 11 o'clock practice before we go wheels up at 4:00. Jackson seen here enjoying his morning coffee while looking for a television program. Jackson is a fan of HGTV and decides to enjoy some home renovations on this crisp Wednesday morning. We have had two great practices so far this week and we're looking to continue that trend and take it into this weekend. Time to tape some twig we'll talk after.
 
12:30 pm:  
After a great practice we head back into the room to prepare and bus to the airport. We get onto the plane to find out we have a slight destination change on where we are landing ...
 
3:00 pm:
We have touched down in Albuquerque, New Mexico! That's right, New Mexico. Home of Cartel Chemist Walter White.  

Hey spring break in Mexico, kind of. We pack up an extremely full bus with bags in the aisles. This team can handle a little adversity, morale is as high as ever. Let's get these wheels in motion. 
 
11:30 pm: 
After watching six episodes of Game of Thrones, we have arrived at our hotel for the night in Raton, New Mexico. Time for me to get some sleep, I'll pick up tomorrow morning from gorgeous Raton, I hear it's beautiful this time of year. Thursday we're off to Colorado Springs, Colo., for some practice at Air Force (still couldn't get in to Denver due to road closures) and then we'll finally make our way north to the Mile High City. Stay tuned!

THURSDAY
8:00 am:
Viva La New Mexico! After an exciting day of travel yesterday, I think we're all excited to see what's in store for today. Breakfast at the hotel and back onto the bus as we head towards Colorado to practice at Air Force's rink because the road to Denver is still closed. Where else could we end up today? Time will tell.
 
1:00 pm:
Arrived in Colorado Springs for lunch and we're off to practice at Air Force. We have a quick warmup to stretch out the bus legs and on the ice we go. This Thursday's shootout was won by Dixon Bowen, congrats bud, first timer!

3:30 pm:
Back on the bus and it looks like we're actually going to make it to Denver. What a journey it has been, but nothing like a little team bonding with the fellas. Bus time is spent watching movies, playing cards, and this trip, Cards Against Humanity, thanks to Andrew Peski. Thankfully, Rhett Gardner and I are lucky enough to have our own seats and really spread out in a row on the bus. Everyone else is sharing a row in a pretty jammed bus, Senior perks? I'd say so.
 
8:00 pm:
Dinner at Eddie Merlot's and almost time to roll back out to the bus. Felt like we would never get to Denver, but what an adventure that was. I'm going to nestle into a movie and hit the hay, see you tomorrow for game day.

FRIDAY
Game day game day game day. Playoffs are upon on! After the trip we just had to get here, nothing can stop us now. 
 
8:00 am: 
Early wake up to get the fuel in us then off to the rink to stretch the ole muscles and go for a skate. Playing for our lives this will be an extremely exciting series and I cannot wait to be a part of it. 
 
11:45 am:
Back at the hotel waiting for power play meeting and meal. Anticipation is killing me, are the noodles going to be cooked right ? How's the sauce too chunky, just right ? These are the questions we need answers before we sit down to eat as I'm licking my chops waiting for it. 
 
2:00 pm:
Meal was excellent , noodles were dead on but the sauce was a tiny bit runny, overall I would give the Embassy Suits a 7.2/10 on overall meal. Great score. Time to shutsy I'll pick this back up after my nap!
 
4:00 pm: 
Great nap for Gabe and I, game time baby! Let's get these playoffs going. Can't wait to see all the green in the stands tonight. 
 
10:30 pm
Hard fought effort, but we fell to an opportunistic team. Short memory is the name of the game, luckily we have a quick turnaround and are able to right the ship tomorrow night. Incredible support from our fans all the way out here in Denver , making it feel like a home game for us. Time to fuel up and attack tomorrow. Hungrier than ever.