Minnesota hosts Michigan: 2/13 & 2/14

[gopher wes]

Re: Minnesota hosts Michigan: 2/13 & 2/14

Unfortunately I agree a split is likely. I'd like to jump on the bandwagon that the Gophers have righted everything and will cruise through this weekend, but I'm not quite there yet. I hope they prove me wrong because a sweep would probably do that.

They swept Michigan a year ago on Valetine's weekend at home. Just sayin'.

[Tiggsy]

Re: Minnesota hosts Michigan: 2/13 & 2/14

I think a split is a reasonable expectation for this weekend.

Unfortunately I agree a split is likely. I'd like to jump on the bandwagon that the Gophers have righted everything and will cruise through this weekend, but I'm not quite there yet. I hope they prove me wrong because a sweep would probably do that.

[Driftryder]

Re: Minnesota hosts Michigan: 2/13 & 2/14

Gameday!

Looking forward to this series against Michigan. Should be some fun hockey to watch.

Hope the Gophers bring their A game this weekend, they'll need it.

[gopher wes]

Re: Minnesota hosts Michigan: 2/13 & 2/14

Seems I'll be making an appearance at Mariucci on Saturday evening. It would be nice to see a win.

[Go4PuckFan2.0]

Re: Minnesota hosts Michigan: 2/13 & 2/14

I think the Gophers finally have found religion.

That, and they seem to play better against better competition.

Add some home ice and I see a Gopher sweep.

Of course, that's my opinion. I could be wrong.

[wolverineTrumpet]

Re: Minnesota hosts Michigan: 2/13 & 2/14

I think a split is a reasonable expectation for this weekend.

Has Michigan finally found defense, allowing just 3 goals in the last 3 games, or is that more a reflection of the caliber opponent (Wisconsin and Sparty)? Maybe it's that Nagelvort is playing better, going back 4 games where Michigan allowed 4 goals, only 1 was given up by Nagelvoort who came in for the last 2 periods of that game.

Hopefully we don't give the Gopher power play too many opportunities, especially not a 5 minute like they had at Yost. Here's hoping the gophs allow another 11 (or more) goal weekend for the Wolverines.

[HarleyMC]

Re: Minnesota hosts Michigan: 2/13 & 2/14

IT'S GAME DAY!!

Well hobos and clowns, we're five weeks out and the Gophers have reached another defining weekend of college hockey in their 2014-15 roller coaster season. In fact, all around college hockey this weekend's games have sizable PWR implications for various teams. With wins and a little help, Penn State, Vermont and St. Lawrence could jump into the 16 team tournament field, while teams like Harvard, Mass-Lowell, the Gophers and Michigan are desperately fighting week to week to stay in the pack. Even the DU/UND matchup could complicate the PWR spread for the bottom six.

This weekend is as critical for Michigan as it is for the Gophers. For example, a loss and tie for Michigan could send them tumbling to the bubble, while a win and a tie could elevate the Gophers to #12 depending on how other teams perform (i.e. Q-pac/St. Lawrence...SL win).

Michigan currently leads the NCAA with 4.21 goals/game vs the Gophers/3.54. The Wolverines also lead the NCAA in even strength goals at 3.25/game, while the Gophers are #15 at 2.27 ES goals/game. But both teams find themselves in the bottom half of the nation in goals against at 2.65 GA/Gophers and 2.88 GA/Michigan. Overall, that translates into a high flying transition game with lots of offensive action and scoring.

Wilcox was solid against OSU last weekend and will need to be in top form to backstop a barrage of shots from the corn and blue. Although the Gophers currently lead the nation in PP% at 29%, they've relied on it too much this season and have been weak 5x5. That must change if the Gophers expect to move up in the B1G standings and also increase their PWR chances for an at-large bid. Go Gophers!

[The Rube]

Re: Minnesota hosts Michigan: 2/13 & 2/14

Is alfa still posting all day about how s/he doesn't care about the Gophers? No? Finally gave up? Good.

[Slap Shot]

Re: Minnesota hosts Michigan: 2/13 & 2/14

And I thought UND fans lacked a sense of humor. Puffy chest fans rule that world. Later

[Driftryder]

Re: Minnesota hosts Michigan: 2/13 & 2/14

Series news and notes from Gophersports

http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m...021115aaa.html

Gopher Hockey preps for a Big Ten Conference showdown this weekend as No. 12 Michigan visits Mariucci Arena for a two-game series. The two league rivals open up on Friday, Feb. 13 at 8:12 p.m. CT (BTN, BTN2Go, 1500 ESPN, Gopher Radio Network) with the series finale set for Saturday, Feb. 14 at 7:05 p.m. CT (FOX Sports North PLUS, BTN2Go, 1500 ESPN, Gopher Radio Network).

Minnesota/Michigan Series Preview

Two of the top scoring teams in the nation will faceoff at Mariucci Arena this weekend as Michigan’s top-ranked offense (4.21 goals per game) takes on Minnesota’s sixth-ranked offense (3.54 goals per game). Meanwhile, the Gophers boast the nation’s top power play (.291) while Michigan comes in at No. 4 in the nation (.241).

The Gophers are 131-120-14 all-time against the Wolverines including an 80-47-10 mark on home ice but have lost three-straight to this weekend’s opponent including a pair of games in Ann Arbor in January.

[SanTropez]

Re: Minnesota hosts Michigan: 2/13 & 2/14

Says the fan of the team that's won..........I don't even know or care how many NC's your team's won. It's less than Michigan.
Also, please note, I'm not the one that went down this road so don't start lecturing me about how long ago most of our 9 titles are.

Well 7 of them were before 1965, and that's not a lecture just fact.

Easy to look up too, at least it is for someone who went to the real U of M.

[gopher wes]

Re: Minnesota hosts Michigan: 2/13 & 2/14

I thought most of them were sad. I mean how can that happen to someone to have that outlook?

I guess I should say that they started out laughable and made me SMH the more I read.

Better?

[Tiggsy]

Re: Minnesota hosts Michigan: 2/13 & 2/14

Probably the second truest post in this thread and the only one that had made me chuckle.

Though alfa's posts are laughable for other reasons.

I thought most of them were sad. I mean how can that happen to someone to have that outlook?

[ScoobyDoo]

Re: Minnesota hosts Michigan: 2/13 & 2/14

Well this is it. My guess is since it is it they'll be split. Which sucks for Minnesota and is fine for Michigan. So, that's probably what it'll be.

[gopher wes]

Re: Minnesota hosts Michigan: 2/13 & 2/14

Pretty much. I only care about MI when it directly affects the Gophers. Like this week. Other than that, I ask: who? Oh those fellers who wear ugly helmets? Who coaches them, the really old guy that has lived way past the average age expectation or the guy who's a loudmouth dooshnozzle? The old guy? Ok, thanks.

Probably the second truest post in this thread and the only one that had made me chuckle.

Though alfa's posts are laughable for other reasons.