2015 Mariucci Classic: Minnesota Merrimack Lowell RIT

[HarleyMC]

Re: 2015 Mariucci Classic: Minnesota Merrimack Lowell RIT

Interesting matchup for the evening tilt of 2015 Mariucci Classic with the Merrimack Warriors the #9 ranked defense in GA (1.88) vs. the Golden Gophers #6 ranked offense in the nation in GF (3.43). Both teams and goalies matchup very well averaging about 30 SOG/G, with the SV% for goalies Wilcox (.926) and Tirronen (.929) nearly dead even.

When opportunity knocks, special teams will play a key role for the Golden Gophers with the nations #1 PP clicking at a phenomenal 34%, and PPG/PP over the last three games at a staggering 7/12 (58%), allowing opponents only 1/11 (9%). Merrimack does not fill up the box too often, but if and when they do, the Gopher PP has been a strike force lately and will put a ton of offensive pressure on Tirronen. Capturing the early lead is another key for the Gophers tonight who are 8-0-0 when leading after 1, while the Warriors have lost 4/6 when trailing after 1 period.

I think the Gophers will come out of the gate fired up for the second half, renovated and ready to play their fast break/puck control style game. Merrimack is a fairly young team with 10 FR, and will need to make adjustments on Olympic ice to match the speed and skill of the more veteran Gopher team. I wouldn't be surprised to see a lot of scoring out of the Gophers for the W. Go Gophers!

[komey1]

Re: 2015 Mariucci Classic: Minnesota Merrimack Lowell RIT

RIT's MGM line will have to come up big for the Tigers to have any chance of getting a win out of the tournament. The Tiger penalty kill has been stellar this season as well and will need to continue.

The Tigers have defeated at least 1 ranked (at the time) team every season they have been in DI except for last year. They will get 2 chances to start a new streak, and these may be their last chances unless they get to the NCAAs.

[RENCEB]

Re: 2015 Mariucci Classic: Minnesota Merrimack Lowell RIT

We are MC fans who will be at Mariucci this weekend! Looking forward to a good weekend! Not sure how many other MC families will be traveling. One family had to cancel their trip. There are also some Minnesota families of the team - guessing they will be there.

And for those wondering about the arena. It is nice. No coffee will be freezing.

It will be nice to have so many teams ranked in this tourney. Let's go Warriors!!

Good luck to the Warriors this weekend!

Very good defensive team; goalie Ras Tirronen has been excellent this year (was out late in the 1st half with an injury, but should be fully recovered). Team has good mix of size and skill. One of the "oldest" teams in the country. Up front, watch for freshman Brett Seney (their youngest player). Very quick.

[Driftryder]

Re: 2015 Mariucci Classic: Minnesota Merrimack Lowell RIT

Game Day!

News and notes from Gophersports

http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m...123114aaa.html

No. 8 Gopher Hockey hosts the 24th annual Mariucci Classic this weekend with No. 7/9 UMass-Lowell, No. 18 Merrimack and Rochester Institute of Technology all making their second-ever appearances at the traditional holiday tournament. Minnesota takes on Merrimack to open the event at 7 p.m. CT on Friday, Jan. 2 (TV: FOX Sports North PLUS; Stream: BTN2Go; Radio: 1500 ESPN/Gopher Radio Network) while UMass-Lowell and RIT play on Friday at 4 p.m. (Free stream on GopherSports.com).

Minnesota will play either UMass-Lowell or RIT on Saturday, Jan. 3 at 7 p.m. (Stream: BTN Plus; Radio: 1500 ESPN/Gopher Radio Network) while Merrimack will play the other opponent at 4 p.m. (Stream: Free on GopherSports.com).

About the Mariucci Classic
Named for the legendary John Mariucci, who was an All-American player and coach for the Gophers, the Mariucci Classic is now in its 24th year. Minnesota has won 13 of the previous 23 tournaments -- last doing so in 2012-13. RIT returns to the Mariucci Classic as the only team in the field to beat Minnesota at the event, finishing second in 2007-08 while UMass-Lowell finished second behind the Gophers in its only Mariucci Classic appearance in 2005-06 and Merrimack finished third at the event in 2004-05.

The University of Minnesota is 32-12-2 all-time at the Mariucci Classic (Minnesota’s two ties have been decided by shootouts with a win in 2007-08 and a loss last year vs. Colgate).

[Patman]

Can any Gopher fans confirm if this stream for the first game is actually going to stream the game?

http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m...mariucci1.html

I know (nearly?) all your games are televised, so you probably do not usually see an online stream on your site... thoughts?

edit: just found in your game notes the non-televised games for the tournament will be streamed!

Sounds good to me

[UML Puck Hawk]

Re: 2015 Mariucci Classic: Minnesota Merrimack Lowell RIT

Can any Gopher fans confirm if this stream for the first game is actually going to stream the game?

http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m...mariucci1.html

I know (nearly?) all your games are televised, so you probably do not usually see an online stream on your site... thoughts?

edit: just found in your game notes the non-televised games for the tournament will be streamed!

[goldy_331]

Re: 2015 Mariucci Classic: Minnesota Merrimack Lowell RIT

Since Goldy Jr is coaching a squirt game l'm bringing a backup. Father of a former Gopher goalie will be joining me Friday.

[Greyeagle]

Re: 2015 Mariucci Classic: Minnesota Merrimack Lowell RIT

Mariucci is very comfortable, no worries about getting cold.
At least while in the arena.
Welcome to MSP and have fun.

[Murphy]

Re: 2015 Mariucci Classic: Minnesota Merrimack Lowell RIT

We are MC fans who will be at Mariucci this weekend! Looking forward to a good weekend! Not sure how many other MC families will be traveling. One family had to cancel their trip. There are also some Minnesota families of the team - guessing they will be there.

And for those wondering about the arena. It is nice. No coffee will be freezing.

It will be nice to have so many teams ranked in this tourney. Let's go Warriors!!

[The Rube]

Re: 2015 Mariucci Classic: Minnesota Merrimack Lowell RIT

Mecca is not cold, although it might feel as such to wuss coasters.

I hate the cold. I think 40 degrees is cold (unless it's March; winter blood and all). And the Mecca is not cold.

[Greyeagle]

Re: 2015 Mariucci Classic: Minnesota Merrimack Lowell RIT

So noted. As long as it takes more than 10 minutes for freshly poured coffee to freeze if dropped on the floor, I'm generally good.

If this is an ongoing issue it may be time to change your bourbon brands.

[Go-UML]

Re: 2015 Mariucci Classic: Minnesota Merrimack Lowell RIT

Don't be dropping coffee in our arena! The corpies may sue.

Not sure who they are but I'll do my best to keep the litigation on hold.

[Tiggsy]

Re: 2015 Mariucci Classic: Minnesota Merrimack Lowell RIT

So noted. As long as it takes more than 10 minutes for freshly poured coffee to freeze if dropped on the floor, I'm generally good.

Don't be dropping coffee in our arena! The corpies may sue.

[Go-UML]

Re: 2015 Mariucci Classic: Minnesota Merrimack Lowell RIT

Mecca is not cold, although it might feel as such to wuss coasters.

So noted. As long as it takes more than 10 minutes for freshly poured coffee to freeze if dropped on the floor, I'm generally good.

[Slap Shot]

Re: 2015 Mariucci Classic: Minnesota Merrimack Lowell RIT

Mecca is not cold, although it might feel as such to wuss coasters.