Wisconsin Hockey 22-23 Empty Dreams & Empty Seats

[GoBucky18]

In the TM article Ceulemann's used a "nautical reference" and described it in a positive way that the team is "floating around and making sure no water gets into the boat". Maybe a slip, but....Ohhhhh Buddy, that perfectly describes a vessel Dead in the Water and the crew simply trying to make sure they don't become shark food.

If I ever used a nautical reference it would be that of a Viking or Roman warship, war drums beating at the front, every movement of the crew with purpose and desire to crush your foe and claim the spoils of war after victory. I feel like that sums these TG teams up, there is no sense of purpose, no ultimate desire, or demand, to be the best.

The stats absolutely prove this. 20 SOG is BRUTAL. If they are swept concincingly, I will be stunned if TG is the coach on Monday.

Also, I just havent had time to do the W/Ls on results, but I still get frustrated over those that wax poetic over the WCHA. Michigan, Michigan St and Notre Dame were in the WCHA until 81 and only Michigan's griping about travel took them to the CCHA. Back then travel budgets were a huge drain on teams...with the amt of $ going into ADepts now, its a minimal concern.

I get the Nodak, Denver, UMD and CC part of it, but those other teams WI owned and bloated their record against like St. Cloud, Omaha, Alaska(both Fairbanks and Anchorage), Bemidji, Mich Tech and Northern Michigan need to understand Wisconsin dominated them and then did "ok" against the big boys with a few years of putting together great years.

Hate to say it, but we are in the big leagues now. Say what you will about the big10...theres a lot pf $ flying around and everyone is equal. Talent, coaching, and teamwork win.

Now Im venting, so I apologize. Ill be watching the games this weeke d on BT+ and going to the MSU and Mich series as Im back in the Midwest. Gotta keep looking forward and find the key to success. We cant wax and wane about the past while the present and future are passing us by.

Semper Gumby

[Timothy A]

The games from last weekend were on Bally Sports last night back to back, which I appreciate for the primetime exposure of the program. I watched a lot of the 2nd period Friday and some of the first period Saturday. If you played a game where every time UW had 3 successful passes in a row you took a drink, you would die of dehydration. I cannot understand how players with this kind of talent can't simply connect on passes to players they have open or get the puck and just randomly move it to move it and not with purpose. Possession is crucial.

[Badger_Bretzky]

I haven't posted in a long time, although I do check in here regularly but I figured I'd throw in my $0.02. First off, I've been a season ticket holder since we played at the Coliseum, I throw that out there just so you know where I'm coming from. I dropped my tickets when COVID happened, and I haven't been back since. I have a friend who lives up in "The Cities" and has Gopher tickets and we have hosted each other every year when our respective teams were in town for over 20 years. So I've witnessed some good years and some bad years, but what we're witnessing now....uncharted territory.

Like so many of you, I was super excited when TG and Company came to town, but once again, the old adage about NHL coaches not necessarily translating to college rears it's ugly head. I've decided that I won't be attending any more games until TG and crew are gone. As I said, I've been a fan for a long time now, but it is frankly exhausting to lose SO MUCH. Call me a fair weather fan if you want, but I'm voting with my feet. Unless or until the product on the ice is worth watching and spending my hard earned money on, I'm done; not to mention the embarrassment of losing so badly to MN ALL THE TIME lately. I simply can't/won't take it any more. I don't live close to Madison, it's a 45 mile drive one way. I still love hockey, but I'm going to turn my attention in another direction, I'm going to watch the Dubuque Fighting Saints instead. I'll still check in here, and believe me, I'll be checking Badger box scores, but that's going to be the limit of my involvement with this club until changes are made.

I still can't believe that TG and crew can take the talented players they have and can't translate that talent into some semblance of a respectable record. The Badger's roster on paper looks as good as anyone else's from a pure talent standpoint. When you look at Badgers that move on to the NHL, they are well received and have plenty of hardware to show their talent. K'Andre Miller is an excellent, recent example. At Wisconsin he showed flashes of brilliance, but also seemed to be a liability at times. With the Rangers, he's been starting on defense since day one and now he's paired with Trouba; the guy has talent. Why wasn't that apparent at UW? I think it was the coaching.

Anyway, I've gone on long enough. Good Luck to the Badgers. I won't be watching them at the Kohl Center and I certainly won't be driving 5 hours to The Cities to watch them embarrass themselves and me.

Take Care,
Bretzky

[Timothy A]

I hope Holloway is ok. He just got completely destroyed last night on what seems to be a great legal open ice hit. The lad will be a force if he can stay healthy.

[Timothy A]

Lots of UW chatter about the character of the team blah blah blah. The last thing we want is the UW men's program to be the lovable losers. McIntosh, just get it over with.

[GoBucky18]

When all the articles and team insight media pieces talk about "character", then you know for a fact they are stretching to find something good to say and that the team is not talented at all.

I really feel that if they get their doors blown off this weekend, I don't knlw how Granato survives until Monday.

[MadCityRich]

The "Great Bretzky" with a heartfelt post.
Nice to hear from you.

If you read back through this thread, you'll see I (and others) feel as you do. I gave up my 45 year family tickets 3 years ago. I now travel to NHL games although I also enjoy USHL Capitols games.

THIS site is where I rant with friends. I don't watch or listen, therefore I can't comment on their play. I've still got one of my ten toes on the bandwagon and WILL purchase season tickets again when the entire staff (top to bottom) is sent packing, regardless of who they hire.

[digitalbooya]

We win! Haha!

[GoBucky18]

I don't get it. They played their butts off and looked good for 50 of the 60 mins. Minimal defensive meltdowns on the backside D, the forecheck was strong, and Gorniak was beating everyone to the puck. Good win on the road...

Two things that they still are awful at:
1) Penalty kill. Moe stood tall tonight but UMDs 2 PP goals were way too easy.
2) WAY too many lazy/dumb penalties in the 3rd, esp last 10mins. 1 for too many men, and 1 for a cross check in front of the goal that was completely unnecessary.

A win is a win, but sadly my prediction above will not come true. Sorry guys!

[WiscTJK]

I predicted 1-5 before the season started. I’m guessing that will be correct. Maybe they will surprise me tomorrow.

[solovsfett]

Well, that’s the response you want from the team. I’m happy for Tony. The weight of the world must have been on his shoulders coming into this weekend.

[digitalbooya]

Sweep!

[GoBucky18]

I don't get it. Where was this team the 4 games prior?! Jekyl and Hyde. Maybe they finally have some upperclassman leadership? Pure speculation. Gorniak with a big weekend.

Break open the bourbon and toast one to Andringa, for one weekend at least.

[WiscTJK]

Unfortunately, I was unable to see either game, so I don't know what happened. Nice to get a sweep and a shutout. Never saw that coming. Sounded like the freshman were great on Friday scoring.

Can they carry that into this weekend? Let's hope.

[WiscTJK]

It's a little early for pairwise comparisons, but after this weekend, UMD is now 39 and Wisconsin is 34. St Cloud is 1 and OSU is 7. So it's possible that UMD was just overrated and really not the 10th rated team.

Wisconsin is in the bottom half of NCAA teams statistically of pretty much every major category.

Penn State comes in as pairwise #4 this weekend. I think it will be interesting to see how the team handles the up pace offense and typically PSU gives Wisconsin fits.