Ohio State vs Minnesota 2/8 - 2/9

[osualum86]

Well, here we are. Three weekends left in the regular season. Ohio State split at Bemidji and now faces an uphill battle to finish in the top four and get home ice in the first round of the WCHA playoffs. This weekend they face undefeated and top-ranked Minnesota, who does not appear to have a weakness. It will be a big challenge to be competitive with the Gophers this weekend, but our coaching staff and kids will give it their all. I thought Minnesota had a great team last year and they actually appear to be even better this season. It will be a tough draw the next two weekends as the Buckeyes have to travel to North Dakota after this series to take on a surging North Dakota team before closing the season at home vs Minnesota State. Good luck to both teams and let's hope for injury-free games.

[ARM]

Re: Ohio State vs Minnesota 2/8 - 2/9

Good luck to both teams and let's hope for injury-free games.

Amen to that. The Gophers are as banged up as they've been at any time this season, and this isn't a good time of year to run out of bodies.

Especially because then Eeyore will say, "Told you so."

[Eeyore]

Re: Ohio State vs Minnesota 2/8 - 2/9

Amen to that. The Gophers are as banged up as they've been at any time this season, and this isn't a good time of year to run out of bodies.

Especially because then Eeyore will say, "Told you so."

What makes you think I'm going to wait that long?

Looking forward to seeing the games this weekend.

[Blackbeard]

Re: Ohio State vs Minnesota 2/8 - 2/9

Amen to that. The Gophers are as banged up as they've been at any time this season, and this isn't a good time of year to run out of bodies.

Funny that you should mention that. Not that I want to see this happen, I was thinking last week how UM's fortunes might start to change if they were to sustain 3 or 4 injuries to key players in the next week or so. Things can change in a hurry. Not that they have the same talent level, but UMD's horrendous start and worse than usual results at this point in the season is directly attributable to lots of injuries just prior to the season starting and the continuation of same for several weeks into the season.

[pgb-ohio]

Re: Ohio State vs Minnesota 2/8 - 2/9

And for that matter, the Buckeyes' strong start this season can at least be partially attributed to having the Schmitt Twins both healthy and together on the ice from the beginning -- in contrast to last year.

[WCHFan]

Re: Ohio State vs Minnesota 2/8 - 2/9

Amen to that. The Gophers are as banged up as they've been at any time this season, and this isn't a good time of year to run out of bodies.

Especially because then Eeyore will say, "Told you so."

Gophers banged up? Is Raty, Kessel, Brandt, Bozek, Bona, Ramsey, Terry, Brausen, lorence, Jalusuo, Stecklien, Kortum Etc. etc playing? Didn't they just beat UMD 6-2 5-0. Just means more ice time for Kessel and Brandt. Ouch!

[Eeyore]

Re: Ohio State vs Minnesota 2/8 - 2/9

Gophers banged up? Is Raty, Kessel, Brandt, Bozek, Bona, Ramsey, Terry, Brausen, lorence, Jalusuo, Stecklien, Kortum Etc. etc playing? Didn't they just beat UMD 6-2 5-0. Just means more ice time for Kessel and Brandt. Ouch!

Kessel is the most obviously banged up player on the roster. She was just starting to really look right before she took a hit in Mankato. She's been off ever since, believe it or not.

[ARM]

Re: Ohio State vs Minnesota 2/8 - 2/9

Kessel is the most obviously banged up player on the roster.

Davie is pretty obviously banged up.

[CrazyDave]

Re: Ohio State vs Minnesota 2/8 - 2/9

Kessel is the most obviously banged up player on the roster. She was just starting to really look right before she took a hit in Mankato. She's been off ever since, believe it or not.

If seven points against UMD are "off", I'm not sure if OSUAlum and PGB are going to want to see "on".

[pgb-ohio]

Re: Ohio State vs Minnesota 2/8 - 2/9

Only in the sense that when an opposing player is scary-good, it can be, well, scary at times. But for all intents and purposes, this weekend is an everything to gain, nothing to lose situation for the Buckeyes. It's a chance to measure themselves against Amanda K. and the other Gopher stars.

If Gopher fans want to brace themselves for possible upsets by chatting up injuries, that's fine. I'm willing to call that appropriately humble.

[D2D]

Re: Ohio State vs Minnesota 2/8 - 2/9

If Gopher fans want to brace themselves for possible upsets by chatting up injuries, that's fine. I'm willing to call that appropriately humble.

And that's appropriately gracious of you, pgb-ohio!

[osualum86]

Re: Ohio State vs Minnesota 2/8 - 2/9

If seven points against UMD are "off", I'm not sure if OSUAlum and PGB are going to want to see "on".

This! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[mnpokecheck]

Re: Ohio State vs Minnesota 2/8 - 2/9

If OSU can score like the best MN has faced (UND 2.25 goals/game avg vs MN) and defend like the best (UW 4.25 goals/game avg vs MN) they still loose by 2 .... .

[D2D]

Re: Ohio State vs Minnesota 2/8 - 2/9

If OSU can score like the best MN has faced (UND 2.25 goals/game avg vs MN) and defend like the best (UW 4.25 goals/game avg vs MN) they still loose by 2 .... .

In other words you're saying that OSU doesn't have a shot?

Hockey can be so unpredictable! Just about anything can happen in a single game, or even in a two game series for that matter.

Which team do folks think will be feeling the most pressure? And which team will be the more motivated?

Will OSU be lacking confidence? Will the Gophers be taking the Buckeyes for granted?

[mnpokecheck]

Re: Ohio State vs Minnesota 2/8 - 2/9

In other words you're saying that OSU doesn't have a shot?

Hockey can be so unpredictable! Just about anything can happen in a single game, or even in a two game series for that matter.

Which team do folks think will be feeling the most pressure? And which team will be the more motivated?

Will OSU be lacking confidence? Will the Gophers be taking the Buckeyes for granted?

I am amazed to see the depth of Minnesota's wins - no OT's, no 1 goal wins (vs WI empty net goal is closest). It's not easy to play well and play consistently in one end of the rink.....let alone both ends. In a single game anything can happen of course. But, no matter the end result, this is a very special team that future teams will be measured against and compared.