Minnesota Gophers 2022-23

[FiveHoleFrenzy]

I am surprised there was not more badger objection to the Zumwinkle barely over the line if at all go ahead goal.

The goaltender kicked it back out...It was a goal.

Abbey Murphy scores in the shootout to give the Tunnelers the extra point. Very tense game that the Tunnelers gave up a goal with about 10 seconds left to lose the 3 point win.

 

[ARM]

Did Dan, or anyone else, say why Laitinen wasn't playing? Oden did pretty well at D and A. Wethington at center, but they then chose to shuffle the other centers around, so only the first line was intact. The annoying trend of bleeding points late in games continues, but this time, they were somewhat lucky to come away with two points, so not the worst possible outcome. I did think that UM got the best of the goaltending matchup today.

 

[Still Eeyore]

Did Dan, or anyone else, say why Laitinen wasn't playing? Oden did pretty well at D and A. Wethington at center, but they then chose to shuffle the other centers around, so only the first line was intact. The annoying trend of bleeding points late in games continues, but this time, they were somewhat lucky to come away with two points, so not the worst possible outcome. I did think that UM got the best of the goaltending matchup today.

Overall, I thought Minnesota was the slightly better team. They still have problems with pileups in front of the net, but the forechecking was fabulous. The number of Wisconsin breakout passes they deflected was high.

Both goalies left some dangerous rebounds, though Vetter didn't let in the soft goals that Kronish did.

 

[Timothy A]

Both goalies left some dangerous rebounds, though Vetter didn't let in the soft goals that Kronish did.

Vetter was fabulous. She stopped 3 breakaways during the game and then 2 in the shootout. The shots that beat her were grade a shots. Kronish wasn't tested like Vetter was and at least 2 of the goals were of the yikes variety.

 

[Still Eeyore]

Vetter was fabulous. She stopped 3 breakaways during the game and then 2 in the shootout. The shots that beat her were grade a shots. Kronish wasn't tested like Vetter was and at least 2 of the goals were of the yikes variety.

Vetter has consistently been great on breakaways and 2-on-1s. Her weaknesses have been not getting the puck covered in goalmouth scrambles, and overconfidence in her ability to push rebounds to safe places. She really doesn't like covering the puck for a faceoff, and this was particularly true in the overtime yesterday. Wisconsin just killed Minnesota on face-offs, and Vetter eventually went to great lengths to avoid giving them more chances.

 

[Timothy A]

Vetter has consistently been great on breakaways and 2-on-1s. Her weaknesses have been not getting the puck covered in goalmouth scrambles, and overconfidence in her ability to push rebounds to safe places. She really doesn't like covering the puck for a faceoff, and this was particularly true in the overtime yesterday. Wisconsin just killed Minnesota on face-offs, and Vetter eventually went to great lengths to avoid giving them more chances.

It is crazy how great she is on the odd player rushes. I wished UW players would sniper shot from 10 feet out, she's a save machine in tight.

It was fun watching the #1 lines go at it, practically Olympic level play from both sides. I wonder how Frosty will match lines when UW visits.

 

[Still Eeyore]

It was fun watching the #1 lines go at it, practically Olympic level play from both sides. I wonder how Frosty will match lines when UW visits.

The Gopher lines will probably be different. Nelli Laitinen, who has been Minnesota's best defenseman so far, wasn't in the lineup this weekend, for reasons that are unknown to me, and Emily Oden, normally the second line center, was playing D. As long as whatever kept Laitinen from dressing isn't long term, things should get back to normal.

 

[Still Eeyore]

Today's game was closer then the 4-1 score. Wisconsin was definitely better, but they weren't three goals better. Wisconsin's fourth goal was a backbreaker. After their third, Minnesota dominated play, kept the Badgers pinned in their defensive end, and had several good chances. Then Wisconsin goes down the ice and scores. Just a killer.

I remain of the opinion that there is little quality gap between Minnesota, Ohio State, and Wisconsin

 

[ARM]

... Emily Oden, normally the second line center, was playing D.

This was likely a factor in the Gophs getting dominated on faceoffs, as 21 is usually their most consistent on draws.

After four games, I'm still not sold on swapping #22 and #12. They've been held to a single goal twice in four games since making that switch, although the center jumbling this weekend means it isn't the only factor to consider.

 

[NMH]

Today's game was closer then the 4-1 score. Wisconsin was definitely better, but they weren't three goals better. Wisconsin's fourth goal was a backbreaker. After their third, Minnesota dominated play, kept the Badgers pinned in their defensive end, and had several good chances. Then Wisconsin goes down the ice and scores. Just a killer.

I remain of the opinion that there is little quality gap between Minnesota, Ohio State, and Wisconsin

IDK, I think I'd argue Minnesota's quality chances were rare overall in that second game. Fewer than half their attempted shots were on goal (29 SOG, 64 attempts, iirc). They just were not sharp and it felt like that was glaring because we are aware of how good their best shooters are and because we'd seen Kronish struggle, but they really didn't test her in the same way on Sunday. There were a lot of quick releases that just sailed or blown transition plays. When they held some prolonged possession, it did not feel like a goal was inevitable.

I also thought all of Vetter's cracks showed on Sunday, and again were more glaring because she'd just shown what a great goalie she can be the day before. I thought she was stellar on Saturday, giving the Badgers little to work with. On Sunday, it felt as though she did not stop one puck cleanly. I had mentioned it to the person next to me in the press box somewhat bewilderingly and the next play Vetter fumbled the simplest stop of a pass back puck with no pressure. It was honestly a bit crazy to watch, the swing between the two games.

 

[FiveHoleFrenzy]

IDK, I think I'd argue Minnesota's quality chances were rare overall in that second game. Fewer than half their attempted shots were on goal (29 SOG, 64 attempts, iirc). They just were not sharp and it felt like that was glaring because we are aware of how good their best shooters are and because we'd seen Kronish struggle, but they really didn't test her in the same way on Sunday. There were a lot of quick releases that just sailed or blown transition plays. When they held some prolonged possession, it did not feel like a goal was inevitable.

I also thought all of Vetter's cracks showed on Sunday, and again were more glaring because she'd just shown what a great goalie she can be the day before. I thought she was stellar on Saturday, giving the Badgers little to work with. On Sunday, it felt as though she did not stop one puck cleanly. I had mentioned it to the person next to me in the press box somewhat bewilderingly and the next play Vetter fumbled the simplest stop of a pass back puck with no pressure. It was honestly a bit crazy to watch, the swing between the two games.

Very acurate assessment of what transpired on Sunday...

Minnesota, much like Wisconsin and OSU and even UMD to a degree, has a lot of talent on their roster. The last few years with Minnesota, it seems like it has been a struggle to get all that talent working together as a unit. And as you mentioned, you see on one night...Great goaltending...The next night...Maybe not so much. That issue of consistency has been with them for a while as well.

 

[FiveHoleFrenzy]

Yale leads 4-2 after one period...Let that sink in...Giving up 4 goals in the first period...Wow.

Goaltender is scrambling around and seems to have no idea what she is doing. Defensemen have screwed up multiple times even giving up a 2-0 break to Yale which they somehow screwed up and didn't score. Non-existent support from the forwards as well.

This team is a mess right now...

 

[nobody72924]

Yale leads 4-2 after one period...Let that sink in...Giving up 4 goals in the first period...Wow.

Goaltender is scrambling around and seems to have no idea what she is doing. Defensemen have screwed up multiple times even giving up a 2-0 break to Yale which they somehow screwed up and didn't score. Non-existent support from the forwards as well.

OSU fan cheering on Gophers. 4-2 Yale 1st period, Ugh. Ugly 1st for Gophers. Plenty of time to come back if they shore things up. I’ll keep watching and cheering on Gophers. Today.

 

[FiveHoleFrenzy]

#9 and #12 have had some chances here in the second period but neither can make a play. Gophers have scored once and made a goalie change so it is 4-3 Yale late in the 3rd period.

 

[nobody72924]

#9 and #12 have had some chances here in the second period but neither can make a play. Gophers have scored once and made a goalie change so it is 4-3 Yale late in the 3rd period.

Much better period. Keep up good play and score on some of those good chances.

 

[FiveHoleFrenzy]

You can't have that bad a first period and have your best players not be able to score when given opportunities. Mikayla Pahl played well in relief compared to how Vetter played in the first period..

Yale wins 4-3.

 

[nobody72924]

You can't have that bad a first period and have your best players not be able to score when given opportunities. Mikayla Pahl played well in relief compared to how Vetter played in the first period..

Yale wins 4-3.

Yep. 1st period, ugh. Last minute of 1st period, UGH. Yale gummed mid-ice and defensive zone all 3rd period so Minnesota couldn’t get many scoring chances. Good luck rest of season. See you versus Buckeyes.

 

[ARM]

This team is a mess right now...

I could take the homer approach and say that they'd be better if they had #s 7, 11, 22, and 20 (am I missing anyone?), but until they figure out how to defend consistently, they aren't going anywhere. Frost has said for years that most games are a race to 3 goals, but that doesn't work as well if you allow 4 goals as often as the Gophers do.

 

[FiveHoleFrenzy]

I could take the homer approach and say that they'd be better if they had #s 7, 11, 22, and 20 (am I missing anyone?), but until they figure out how to defend consistently, they aren't going anywhere. Frost has said for years that most games are a race to 3 goals, but that doesn't work as well if you allow 4 goals as often as the Gophers do.

It was interesting listening to the audio broadcast on Friday against Penn State as Dan mentioned #14 (Nicholson) and #17 (Dunne) being along on the trip for this tournament. The fact that #21 was taking shifts on defense makes me wonder That if either of those 2 players were healthy, why weren't they playing? It was not mentioned about injuries for either player so I have no idea what to think.

 

[FiveHoleFrenzy]

On a different note...There was an ugly incident in the Minnetonka/Andover game Saturday, involving a future Gopher recruit off the Minnetonka High School team who came on the ice when Minnetonka pulled the goalie as the extra attacker. Attacker being the right word as she proceeded to elbow the Andover player in the head well behind the play. Anger, frustration, or being provocked...I don't care what the supposed excuse was...That is simply not something that should have been done by this player (#14 for Minnetonka). I feel stronly enough about it that If I'm part of the Gopher's coaching staff I would consider recommending pulling the scholarship offer to this player.