Minnesota Gopher Season Thread: 2014-15 (Continued)

[5mn_Major]

Re: Minnesota Gopher Season Thread: 2014-15 (Continued)

That's obvious. You're so wrong it's not even funny. He makes everyone on the ice better. He sets up his teammates, does a great job back-checking (or as they say now "back pressure") and has deceptive speed. His long stride doesn't look fast, but he's past you before you know it. And he is VERY strong on his skates. And his teammates love him. So before you get comfortable thinking that this is just more Eastern hype, think again.

He didn't even win the Walter Brown.

As a freshman, is he in the same class with Johnny Hockey? I'd bet large sums of money against that.

[chickod]

Re: Minnesota Gopher Season Thread: 2014-15 (Continued)

I can't say I've seen much BU hockey. But I'd say its very likely that Eichel's a fairly one dimensional player. He can score. No knock against him, because scoring in hockey is critical. But as a freshman, very few play 200 foot games.

That's obvious. You're so wrong it's not even funny. He makes everyone on the ice better. He sets up his teammates, does a great job back-checking (or as they say now "back pressure") and has deceptive speed. His long stride doesn't look fast, but he's past you before you know it. And he is VERY strong on his skates. And his teammates love him. So before you get comfortable thinking that this is just more Eastern hype, think again.

[D2D]

Re: Minnesota Gopher Season Thread: 2014-15 (Continued)

As an unbiased observer, I think its got to be Mike Reilly. He integrates with forwards like nobody's business, can instantly make the game 200 feet, and play very advanced D as needed (a serious upgrade to his game from LY). But if scoring is your thing, he's not only the top scoring D in the nation, but he's the top scoring player on a team with the most prolific senior class in hockey (and he's put up more points than Hobey winner Gilroy). You've got to go back 3 years to find a defenseman putting up the points (and four years if Reilly comes up with 2 more).

I've been voting for him every day, but unfortunately he's way behind a couple of others. Does this fan voting site count for anything? Or is it just a popularity contest to get people interested in who wins the trophy?

[5mn_Major]

Re: Minnesota Gopher Season Thread: 2014-15 (Continued)

Doesn't seem to be on anyone's radar here...and IMO some on GPL would jump out a window, but here's my opinion:

I can't say I've seen much BU hockey. But I'd say its very likely that Eichel's a fairly one dimensional player. He can score. No knock against him, because scoring in hockey is critical. But as a freshman, very few play 200 foot games. That's why it doesn't surprise me that Vesey got the Walter Brown.

At the end of the day, we always seem to have top scoring forwards getting the Hobey...with an occasional shut down D sprinkled in. Frankly, we haven't had a D of any type for awhile. Not since Gilroy. As an unbiased observer, I think its got to be Mike Reilly. He integrates with forwards like nobody's business, can instantly make the game 200 feet, and play very advanced D as needed (a serious upgrade to his game from LY). But if scoring is your thing, he's not only the top scoring D in the nation, but he's the top scoring player on a team with the most prolific senior class in hockey (and he's put up more points than Hobey winner Gilroy). You've got to go back 3 years to find a defenseman putting up the points (and four years if Reilly comes up with 2 more). Eichel? Go back to last year and you'll someone who was several times the Hobey forward. No offense, but Eichel doesn't deserve the Hobey.

[gopher wes]

Re: Minnesota Gopher Season Thread: 2014-15 (Continued)

UMD has been playing .500 hockey for nearly the entire second half. I honestly think if the Gophers play like they did last Sat., they blow the doors off UMD from the puck drop. The Gophers speed and talent plus a relentless will to win makes this team scary good.

UMD also wasn't healthy during part of that stretch from what I understand.

[HarleyMC]

Re: Minnesota Gopher Season Thread: 2014-15 (Continued)

Precisely what I've been asking myself the last couple of days. While I believe the Gophers have the talent to make a serious run, they will also need
(a) an absolute "we will not lose" mentality in all four games, and
(b) Wilcox to be at his best, and
(c) some opportunistic scoring in games where we will almost inevitability get outshot, and even outplayed somewhat.

Looking at the overall field and the records/stats of the "favorites", I think the Gophers have at least as good of a chance as any other team, but I also think that they will absolutely need all three of the above if they are to win the overall championship.

Yeah, you're spot on. Without a doubt, Wilcox is our best weapon. I would add that their tenacious forecheck and aggressiveness in the hard areas is a key to success as well. Fortunately we're seeing more of that now than ever before this season.

I'm convinced more than in any of the 3 previous seasons that the "we will not lose" mentality is personified in Kyle Rau. Kyle has typically been a spotty scorer, much like Warning, who has disappeared on the score sheets for lengthy periods in the past. But right now he's playing at near full potential as a player and has grown leaps and bounds as a leader down the stretch. It's his "will to win" mentality (along with Seth Ambroz and Travis Boyd) that has really inspired and impacted this team on their road back from the dead.

UMD has been playing .500 hockey for nearly the entire second half. I honestly think if the Gophers play like they did last Sat., they blow the doors off UMD from the puck drop. The Gophers speed and talent plus a relentless will to win makes this team scary good.

[D2D]

Re: Minnesota Gopher Season Thread: 2014-15 (Continued)

Question is, can they plow through the stiffer competition from ranked teams in a one and done?

Precisely what I've been asking myself the last couple of days. While I believe the Gophers have the talent to make a serious run, they will also need
(a) an absolute "we will not lose" mentality in all four games, and
(b) Wilcox to be at his best, and
(c) some opportunistic scoring in games where we will almost inevitability get outshot, and even outplayed somewhat.

Looking at the overall field and the records/stats of the "favorites", I think the Gophers have at least as good of a chance as any other team, but I also think that they will absolutely need all three of the above if they are to win the overall championship.

[HarleyMC]

Re: Minnesota Gopher Season Thread: 2014-15 (Continued)

I think MN will win it. There is no sure bet. If I can get a 50% chance at the title, versus 12.5%...just saying.

So no more "shine the turd" comments? Watched a bit of the B1G Tourney Championship game again last night. I will say this, the Gophers are playing at a much different level now than at any time in the season. Question is, can they plow through the stiffer competition from ranked teams in a one and done? B1G litmus test this weekend.

[The Rube]

Re: Minnesota Gopher Season Thread: 2014-15 (Continued)

Same thing as a double negative. "If"? Oh...so you're NOT sure we'll make it to Boston and win it?

I think MN will win it. There is no sure bet. If I can get a 50% chance at the title, versus 12.5%...just saying.

[5mn_Major]

Re: Minnesota Gopher Season Thread: 2014-15 (Continued)

Some fun reading while we wait for Friday's game:

Wild notes: Former UMD star outnumbered in the locker room
http://www.startribune.com/sports/wild/297474181.html

Cut him.

[D2D]

Re: Minnesota Gopher Season Thread: 2014-15 (Continued)

Some fun reading while we wait for Friday's game:

Wild notes: Former UMD star outnumbered in the locker room
http://www.startribune.com/sports/wild/297474181.html

[gopher wes]

Re: Minnesota Gopher Season Thread: 2014-15 (Continued)

I think we are gonna win it. If we are in the title game, I'm 99% certain I'll be heading to the airport that morning for a "day trip" to Boston.

For the Tampa Frozen Four, I was planning on driving down that Friday morning if/when the Gophers beat BC in the semis. We all know how that turned out.

Last year, as soon as the regional was over we were in full on planning mode to make the entire trip. No, the title game was not the outcome we had hoped but if I had missed that .6 game, I'm not sure I would ever forgive myself.

If they make it out of this regional, we will again be in full on planning mode to make the trip to Boston.

[HarleyMC]

Re: Minnesota Gopher Season Thread: 2014-15 (Continued)

Here are the "Bet the Board" odds for this weekend's regional semi-finals:

Regional Semis................................Spread...............Money Line..............Total Points

Yale vs Boston University - First Round - Verizon Wireless Arena - Manchester, NH - ESPNU

Fri 3/27 101 Yale..............................+1½ -190................+160........................o4½ -160
2:00PM 102 Boston University.............-1½ +150................-210........................u4½ +120

St. Cloud State vs Michigan Tech - First Round - Scheels Arena - Fargo, ND - ESPN3

Fri 3/27 103 St. Cloud State...............+1½ -320................+100........................o5½ +130
4:30PM 104 Michigan Tech.................-1½ +240................-140........................u5½ -170

Minnesota vs Minnesota Duluth - First Round - Verizon Wireless Arena - Manchester, NH - ESPNU

Fri 3/27 105 Minnesota......................-1½ +190.................-150........................o5½ -120
5:30PM 106 Minnesota Duluth ............+1½ -270.................+110........................u5½ -120

Quinnipiac vs North Dakota - First Round - Scheels Arena - Fargo, ND - ESPNU

Fri 3/27 107 Quinnipiac......................+1½ -230................+140.........................o4½-155
8:00PM 108 North Dakota..................-1½ +170................-180.........................u4½+115

Boston College vs Denver - First Round - Dunkin Donuts Center - Providence, RI - ESPN2

Sat 3/28 109 Boston College...............+1½ -260...............+110.........................o5½ +110
3:00PM 110 Denver...........................-1½ +180...............-150.........................u5½ -150

Rochester Institute vs Minnesota St. Mankato - First Round - Compton Family Ice Arena - South Bend, IN - ESPNU

Sat 3/28 111 Rochester Institute........+2½ +100...............+800.........................o5½ -150
4:00PM 112 Minnesota State ............-2½ -140...............-1700.........................u5½ +110

Providence vs Miami Ohio - First Round - Dunkin Donuts Center - Providence, RI - ESPNU

Sat 3/28 113 Providence...................+1½ -230...............+135...........................o4½ -125
6:30PM 114 Miami Ohio ....................-1½ +170...............-175...........................u4½ -115

Harvard vs Omaha - First Round - Compton Family Ice Arena - South Bend, IN - ESPN3

Sat 3/28 115 Harvard.......................-1½ +240...............-120...........................o5½ -115
7:30PM 116 Omaha..........................+1½ -320...............-120...........................u5½ -125


POINT SPREAD

If the number is positive (+), then you add the points to your team's score. If the number is negative (-), then subtract those points from your team's score. The side with the higher score after the points are applied is the winner. Same payoff structure as Money Line (+ or -).

MONEY LINE

UM ("-" = Favorite) vs. UMD: minimum $100 bet on UMD win, Money Line pays $110; minimum $150 bet on Gopher win, Money Line pays $100

TOTAL POINTS

When you bet on totals, you are betting on whether the total points scored in the game will be higher (over) or lower (under) than the posted total. Over/under for UMD vs UM is even at 5.5 pts.: $120 pays $100.

[HarleyMC]

Re: Minnesota Gopher Season Thread: 2014-15 (Continued)

Although we've had issues with UMD, that school doesn't seem the same as when they outplayed us in the fall and we're not the same as when we struggled even more than they did at the NSCC.

In short, the path is there.

That seems to be how Lucia sees it as well. EDIT: BTW, excellent recap Major...thanks for that.

"They're a really good team and (the previous matchups) were all close games," Lucia said. "Ever since that time, we've been playing better. I think that was the low moment in the season." The Gophers' transformation, Lucia said, comes down to the team's goalie. "Adam Wilcox has found a rhythm, and we all know how important goaltending is that this time of year," Lucia said. "I think we're in a good state now and I prefer it to be that way. We've had some years where we lost a few at the end and we had no momentum. We had to win some games to get here and we're playing well; hopefully, that carries into this weekend."

[HarleyMC]

Re: Minnesota Gopher Season Thread: 2014-15 (Continued)

If you are hesitant, you ARE doing it right. Never bet a fool's bet. If MN makes it to Boston, my chances and possible investment take an uptick.

Same thing as a double negative. "If"? Oh...so you're NOT sure we'll make it to Boston and win it?