Michigan Wolverines 2015-2016 Season

[streaker]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2015-2016 Season

That's two blown last minute leads that have cost us points in the standings. If we don't choke on the road against OSU back in January and Wisconsin tonight, we are up by 3 in the standings.

Now we almost certainly have to sweep or get a win and a tie at a place we've never even won at since this stupid league formed.

And the good-for-nothing buckeyes sure didn't help us out. Could've taken as many as NINE POINTS from Minnesota in the standings if they scored on them in OT.

Well, ifs and buts... but I agree... blown lead in last seconds vs. OSU, cost 2 pts. Blown lead at JLA vs. MSU cost 3 pts. Blown lead last night cost 1 pt. Plenty to look back on and lament if they don't take at least 4 points in Minnesota in two weeks. Then, they have to outpoint Minnesota in games vs. Bucks and Penn State. I don't know what the answer is as far as defensive play, but Wisconsin was really physical and we weren't. Took a ton of energy to play like that. I felt that there wasn't a complete team effort at their best from the blueliners and our entire offense was practically the CCM line. That won't work in the NCAA playoffs. Racine was outstanding except for maybe the third goal. Maybe playing Ferris this weekend will let them play loose and not worry about the standings. Give them time to prep for the biggest road series of the year.

[MGoBlueHockey]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2015-2016 Season

That's two blown last minute leads that have cost us points in the standings. If we don't choke on the road against OSU back in January and Wisconsin tonight, we are up by 3 in the standings.

Now we almost certainly have to sweep or get a win and a tie at a place we've never even won at since this stupid league formed.

And the good-for-nothing buckeyes sure didn't help us out. Could've taken as many as NINE POINTS from Minnesota in the standings if they scored on them in OT.

[streaker]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2015-2016 Season

Game 3 vs Wisconsin results in a win.

I missed most of the game, but it appears to me that the big headline is that Racine is getting better between the pipes. What I saw of the 3rd, he made some strong saves, and looked quite confident.

D play looks better, although the blind passes still....

CCM is still scoring, and Motte extended his scoring streak.

I understand that Wisconsin's one goal was questionable, but we still won by 3.

And, like in the summary, the second line contributed with Kile and Dancs scoring. I took a quick peek at the +/- ratings and there are only two guys with - ratings... and both are on the 3rd line.

I watched the Minnesota/OSU game- if OSU played any kind of defense, they win- gave up the 4th goal with less than 2 minutes, but OSU scored with .01 seconds left to tie, only to lose off a faceoff in OT. The Gopher series should decide the B1G Ten regular season, but the boys can't cough up any games along the way. Plus, it will sink their PWR quickly. Would be nice to keep a 2nd seed going into the NCAA playoffs. The teams above them I think are a cut above in defense and goaltending so it will be tough to earn a #1 seed.

[alfablue]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2015-2016 Season

Game 3 vs Wisconsin results in a win.

I missed most of the game, but it appears to me that the big headline is that Racine is getting better between the pipes. What I saw of the 3rd, he made some strong saves, and looked quite confident.

D play looks better, although the blind passes still....

CCM is still scoring, and Motte extended his scoring streak.

I understand that Wisconsin's one goal was questionable, but we still won by 3.

[UMICH]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2015-2016 Season

Have to discuss something good at Munn right now. The Hockey certainly isn't. And it's pretty darn good Ice Cream. You should try it.

Well, you beat us at the Joe. I don't get it, we really didn't play bad. Hildebrand just plated very well and your defense swarmed...

[Decatur Spartan]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2015-2016 Season

sparty typically plays above their heads when they play us. This is one reason why they are called Lil'Brother. They only care how they do when playing us.

To illustrate that point further I'll point out that they are having a discussion about ICE CREAM SANWICHES on the sparty board currently.

Have to discuss something good at Munn right now. The Hockey certainly isn't. And it's pretty darn good Ice Cream. You should try it.

[UMICH]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2015-2016 Season

Hey, we're still top 4 in the Pairwise...for now.

That didn't take long, we're down to #6 now.

[UMICH]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2015-2016 Season

Well UMICH, how could you lose to Sparty? Sparty is putrid!
I think you might have jinxed yourself telling us that. LOL!

sparty typically plays above their heads when they play us. This is one reason why they are called Lil'Brother. They only care how they do when playing us.

To illustrate that point further I'll point out that they are having a discussion about ICE CREAM SANDWICHES on the sparty board currently.

[Hockeybuckeye]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2015-2016 Season

Hey, we're still top 4 in the Pairwise...for now.

Well UMICH, how could you lose to Sparty? Sparty is putrid!
I think you might have jinxed yourself telling us that. LOL!

[UMICH]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2015-2016 Season

Hey, we're still top 4 in the Pairwise...for now.

[streaker]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2015-2016 Season

Cool. I've seen a team go from #2 to not making it over the course of a month and a half.

Right now, these rankings means nothing. I will not get burned again by looking at rankings and thinking we can assume we're in.



I'll believe it when I see it. We haven't put together a complete regular season in a long time.

I don't know what you mean by a complete regular season. We earned everything we have gotten the past three years. You can't lose winnable games to average teams and then scramble at the end of the season to make an autobid just because you didn't show up. Somehow we have lost our way- the fun and gun teams are exciting to watch but are not built for playoff success. Everyone has to play a 200 foot game, play defense. Our goaltending has been irratic since Hunwick left and even he could not save them his senior season. So when you say, "complete regular season", I have to say the last one was 1998. Not 2008. Not 2011. That is when we finished the entire season, not just the regular season, as champions.

I understand your premise. There is a ton of pessimism to sweep away, but at least we are in a better position now to at least have a post season run than the previous three seasons. But don't be fooled- even if we did make the NCAA playoffs, I think the style of play we bring can be shut down by any of the 15 other teams expected to make it. As Berenson cautioned- we are a top 10 team, right now. He knows what it takes to beat complete teams and we are not one of those teams.

[MGoBlueHockey]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2015-2016 Season

It does not mean nothing. It does tell you how the rest of the country is doing. Yes, there's a long way to go- but last year, we were on the outside looking in for most of the season. Not to say that we are in, but it's less of a struggle to figure out how to get in...

Cool. I've seen a team go from #2 to not making it over the course of a month and a half.

Right now, these rankings means nothing. I will not get burned again by looking at rankings and thinking we can assume we're in.

Exactly. What it means is, Minnesota and Penn State will be desperate down the stretch to jump up into the top 14 (since you have to consider the autobid for the AHC and at least one conference tourney upset) to obtain an at large. They are in the position we have been in for three years. If not, they have to win the tourney where we don't- although it would be nice.

I'll believe it when I see it. We haven't put together a complete regular season in a long time.

[streaker]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2015-2016 Season

It does not mean nothing. It does tell you how the rest of the country is doing. Yes, there's a long way to go- but last year, we were on the outside looking in for most of the season. Not to say that we are in, but it's less of a struggle to figure out how to get in...

Exactly. What it means is, Minnesota and Penn State will be desperate down the stretch to jump up into the top 14 (since you have to consider the autobid for the AHC and at least one conference tourney upset) to obtain an at large. They are in the position we have been in for three years. If not, they have to win the tourney where we don't- although it would be nice.

[alfablue]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2015-2016 Season

Means nothing. Lot of season left to be played.

It does not mean nothing. It does tell you how the rest of the country is doing. Yes, there's a long way to go- but last year, we were on the outside looking in for most of the season. Not to say that we are in, but it's less of a struggle to figure out how to get in...

[MGoBlueHockey]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2015-2016 Season

BTW, anyone notice that we are now 4th in the important rankings?

Means nothing. Lot of season left to be played.