Michigan Wolverines 2011-2012 hockey thread

[streaker]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2011-2012 hockey thread

Let's hope. Maybe we can keep this thread in the first two pages. Are you up for it, Streaker?

Trying. Kinda like keeping people from throwing their teddy bears too early...

[alfablue]

Trying. Kinda like keeping people from throwing their teddy bears too early...

That announcer had no chance. Waaaaay to much to talk about.

[alfablue]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2011-2012 hockey thread

Watching Blue Ice right now, good history for sure. But I think they should have put the show together sequentially instead of jumping around in time like they did.

I'll still get a few copies.

[bluevox]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2011-2012 hockey thread

That announcer had no chance. Waaaaay to much to talk about.

Seems like a common compliant. It seems like he says more and more every game.

It is however, not to basketball levels.... yet.

[streaker]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2011-2012 hockey thread

Seems like a common compliant. It seems like he says more and more every game.

It is however, not to basketball levels.... yet.

I'm good with him. I miss hearing CAP-uh-ROOO-soooo, though. And now I'll expect to hear more Brrrrown -Wohhhlllberg or Guppptillll in the last six home games. What a line that has become.

Oh and for the record, I thought the Lynch call by Wilkins and McInchak w/ 5:00 to go was an unadulterated pig abortion. Thannnnnnk Youuu.

[alnike]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2011-2012 hockey thread

I'm good with him. I miss hearing CAP-uh-ROOO-soooo, though. And now I'll expect to hear more Brrrrown -Wohhhlllberg or Guppptillll in the last six home games. What a line that has become.

Oh and for the record, I thought the Lynch call by Wilkins and McInchak w/ 5:00 to go was an unadulterated pig abortion. Thannnnnnk Youuu.

Wait til you see Brown shove Krug in the back, so in hard in fact, it made him fall off his skates to nullify a pending PP.

[streaker]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2011-2012 hockey thread

Wait til you see Brown shove Krug in the back, so in hard in fact, it made him fall off his skates to nullify a pending PP.

He should have gotten his money's worth and knocked that silly azz grin off his ugly mug for that dive.

[UMICH]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2011-2012 hockey thread

So, can we play State more often?

Even if we lose that game, they sure played a whole lot better than I remember for a while.

That 10 min where State scored twice was pretty scary, though. Still have some problems moving the puck in our defensive zone.

But the offense did look really good most of the game. Pretty cool.

I agree, we are looking much better. Let's hope we kick butt after the new year like every other season before. We really need to as well as Michigan dug quite a hole. Thankfully we're still within realistic striking distance of a #3, or even a #2 seed in the NCAA's. Granted, we have to play like we want it. If Merril gets his head on straight and comes back I can possibly see it happening.

[bluevox]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2011-2012 hockey thread

It looks like Marty Turco has found a job to pay for some of those Christmas bills... a three day contract in Austria.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puc...rn=nhl-wp19565

[bluevox]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2011-2012 hockey thread

PDG should be back for the GLI as Team Canada has announced the roster for the World Junior Championships and Phil is not on it.

Good news(For Michigan)/Bad news(For Di Giuseppe)?

http://www.tsn.ca/chl/story/?id=382708

[streaker]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2011-2012 hockey thread

PDG should be back for the GLI as Team Canada has announced the roster for the World Junior Championships and Phil is not on it.

Good news(For Michigan)/Bad news(For Di Giuseppe)?

http://www.tsn.ca/chl/story/?id=382708

Definitely good news for Michigan, but PDG will get another crack next year. Considering that Canada cut the leading goal scorers from the two of their three CHL leagues, I think they figure that they have enough offense. Phil is really young, had a good camp, but needed to be Gretzky-like going into the camp.
Canadians are grinding their teeth already about the decisions which is funny. Brand new blue line corps and several names up front that are not high profile, "pure goalscorers". "Blue collar" is how the analysts describe them. The goaltender is returning and his backup is a Plymouth Whaler (Wedgewood.)
Jaden Schwartz is one of the forwards from CC- the only US college Canadian to make it.

[flowpanther]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2011-2012 hockey thread

Way to go PDG, maybe next year. I can't believe Hyman wasn't given the chance to tryout. He was the CJHL player of the year last year and tore up his league in points. Kyle Turris made team Canada at the world juniors after he won the player of the year award and he didn't have as high a PPG average as Hyman in junior. I even think Turris led the world junior tournament in points.

[streaker]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2011-2012 hockey thread

Way to go PDG, maybe next year. I can't believe Hyman wasn't given the chance to tryout. He was the CJHL player of the year last year and tore up his league in points. Kyle Turris made team Canada at the world juniors after he won the player of the year award and he didn't have as high a PPG average as Hyman in junior. I even think Turris led the world junior tournament in points.

Zach has had a nominal first half of the season with Michigan. One of two players that have a negative +/- (2-5-7, -4 worst on the team.) Played much better the last couple of weeks, but his whole game, not just his offense, has been underwhelming. There is way too much talent on Team Canada to consider that kind of performance. Besides, the roster already has the one token Canadian on the team that plays US college hockey. If there was another Wolverine that I'd give the nod to it would be Alex Guptill (9-6-15) who leads all freshmen in scoring and is T2nd on the team (w/ Wohlberg) behind Chris Brown's 18 points.

[Red Robin]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2011-2012 hockey thread

Zach has had a nominal first half of the season with Michigan. One of two players that have a negative +/- (2-5-7, -4 worst on the team.) Played much better the last couple of weeks, but his whole game, not just his offense, has been underwhelming. There is way too much talent on Team Canada to consider that kind of performance. Besides, the roster already has the one token Canadian on the team that plays US college hockey. If there was another Wolverine that I'd give the nod to it would be Alex Guptill (9-6-15) who leads all freshmen in scoring and is T2nd on the team (w/ Wohlberg) behind Chris Brown's 18 points.

I dunno i really like the way he plays best face off man we have and only a freshman. Also did a ton of good things that don't show up on the boxscore. Works hard evry shift so expect lots more good stuff to come.

Really good class overall. Future looks bright.

[streaker]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2011-2012 hockey thread

I dunno i really like the way he plays best face off man we have and only a freshman. Also did a ton of good things that don't show up on the boxscore. Works hard evry shift so expect lots more good stuff to come.

Really good class overall. Future looks bright.

Let me break down your comments:

1. I dunno I like the way he plays.... I agree, if he can clean up some defensive zone issues and find the net more, he'll be the player he was thought to be.

2.Best faceoff man we have and only a freshman....based on statistics, you are correct where he averages 59% (140/236) of his draws compared to the team average of just over 51%. (Also compared to others with like number of faceoff chances- Treais 48%, Wohlberg 51%, Travis Lynch, 53%.) Do we not miss Matt Rust or what?

3. Also did a ton of things that don't show up on the boxscore... such as? blocking shots? only six this season. PPG's? None. He has one GT goal. I have noticed that he gets outmuscled off of pucks too easily until recently when he has been more assertive with his body positioning. He also got burned after losing faceoffs by losing his check too frequently. Much the reason his +/- is negative. He has been really conscience (recently) of his defensive role on both ends of the ice, so he is putting out effort. His games against Ohio (friday) N'eastern and Union were brutal, though. He has been nonexistent on special teams, too, particularly the PP. He has only had three "positive" games- Niagara, @NMU and Ohio (sat), where he was +2, +1, +1. Michigan was 1-1-1 in those games. His best moment was the game tying goal against Miami- a bit of a fluke but we needed it. He worked hard that shift to earn it. He has gotten his points in six games this season and hasn't had a point in the last six-that is unacceptable for a kid that is suppose to have filled some of our offensive void this season.

4. Works hard every shift so expect lots more good stuff to come.... That is an expectation, not a wish- especially with the credentials he came in with. (Of course we said that about Fallon and Moffatt, too.) He's only a freshman, so the criticism has to be tempered some, but he has to produce more, period. If he can't do that, then he has to change his game and be a specialist of some sort- PK, faceoff, whatever. But his first half was poor considering the potential he has. If not, he'll see his ice time decreased as he progresses through his career. At a minimum he can't be a liability out there.

I am sure there is a ton of pressure on Zach. Maybe he needs to just play a simpler game, be mindful of his defensive responsibilities and take the offense where he can get it. I'm sure he'll mature into the potential he's capable of.

As for your last comment... I agree. The future is good as long as they stay intacted. DiGiuseppe could be a flight risk after next season. Travis Lynch has been a pleasant surprise offensively. Guptill was always expected to be a physical force with offensive upside and will get bigger and stronger. Sinelli is a nice kid, a good role player. Chiasson is going to be a real steady defensive d-man. Serville has had some rough patches, and with other highly skilled defensemen coming in next season, he may have to really battle for ice time. Szuma is a good team guy and is considered a "preferred walk-on", so his ice time will depend on injuries etc.

Hard to say how our next class will compare to the departing class. (Pateryn, Wohlberg, Glendening, Hunwick.)

If Merrill stays, we'll have him with Trouba, Carrick, Clare, Chiasson, Bennett, Moffie, Serville and Szuma on the blue line. No seniors. Pateryn is a physical workhorse and contributes periodically on offense- so he will be missed-but if this lineup remains, we'll be in good shape.

Wohlberg is the biggest offensive loss up front, with Glendening more of a defensive forward and a clubhouse leader- Nieves is an offensive minded center, Milne is a two way forward and Selman sounds similar but can play center, wing and on special teams. They all have decent size, too. Sounds like we are covered unless we lose a forward off of the roster. Nieves would probably be expected to fill in some of Wohlberg's offensive production.

Hunwick is the biggest loss in terms of position. Rutledge is considered consistent and has "elite" potential, maybe not as highly rated as Gibson or Campbell, but he should move into the starting role comfortably. Our history has been pretty decent with freshmen goaltenders, but he will make youthful mistakes. Our biggest need is a back-up for him unless current sophomore back-up Adam Janecyk steps up his game and can split some time with Rutledge.