Wisconsin Hockey 25-26 Hastings Year 3 - Turning the Corner?

[srkbadger]

Fitzgerald just needs to sit the rest of the game. Nope, nice Mike. He gives up a stupid turnover at his own blue line with a blind pass which leads to a short handed goal and no accountability. Now he commits a stupid penalty. Thanks Fitzgerald for another goal against, 2 tonight so far. He's still getting a shift.

 

[srkbadger]

Now Hensler has a broken ankle. This year is just effed.

 

[digitalbooya]

It doesn’t matter what the team does if the other team scores on roughly half their shots. Goalies need to get their heads out of their asses.

 

[solovsfett]

Injuries alone cannot explain what we’re witnessing here. Lack of effort seems apparent from multiple guys. Have they tuned Hastings out? If yes, that’s a major problem that cannot be easily fixed.

Just tuned in to see it’s 4-1. No NCAA’s once again. How did Hensley get injured? Blocking a shot?

 

[srkbadger]

Injuries alone cannot explain what we’re witnessing here. Lack of effort seems apparent from multiple guys. Have they tuned Hastings out? If yes, that’s a major problem that cannot be easily fixed.

Just tuned in to see it’s 4-1. No NCAA’s once again. How did Hensley get injured? Blocking a shot?

He was coming into the zone along the boards with a Gophers and hip checked him. As they fell his leg got pinned under him and his ankle assumed an odd angle and looked a little floppy to me. He needed two guys to help him with his leg lifted off the ice. I'd be shocked if it's not broken.

 

[srkbadger]

Rock bottom is coming next weekend. They aren't going to beat Notre Dame playing this way.

 

[digitalbooya]

Massive goaltender difference.

 

[solovsfett]

He was coming into the zone along the boards with a Gophers and hip checked him. As they fell his leg got pinned under him and his ankle assumed an odd angle and looked a little floppy to me. He needed two guys to help him with his leg lifted off the ice. I'd be shocked if it's not broken.

Thanks. Ugh. Just when you think it can’t get any worse.

15-9-2 with 8 games left. It’s very possible they go 2-6 the rest of the way.

 

[srkbadger]

Just where are they getting those 2 wins? They ain't beating Notre Dame playing like this, Ohio State has always been their kryptonite, Michigan will destroy them, and we just saw what Penn State will do to them.

 

[solovsfett]

Just where are they getting those 2 wins? They ain't beating Notre Dame playing like this, Ohio State has always been their kryptonite, Michigan will destroy them, and we just saw what Penn State will do to them.

I’m being generous. Michigan and Ped state will destroy Bucky. TOSU will likely sweep and then ND? I don’t know? Split?

Did Hastings have second half swoons at Mankato? Did he underestimate the b10 challenges? Are he and his entire staff overrated?

Today was a good comparison with regard to coaches….Look what Mark Johnson’s team did without 5 of their very best players.

At the very least they need to look for a new goalie coach because holy chit…all season these guys have let in soft goals.

 

[aktick]

Every time I start to get excited again…sad. I too thought Hastings was a great hire. But maybe it’s 10 years too late? The comparisons to the ‘06 team aren’t fair because of the insanely changed dynamics. That team was old school recruit, build, keep guys around, have a strong senior class.

Think I’m probably checking out of college hockey for good, unfortunately. Running a business now so no time, and why waste my energy worrying about them when our AD clearly gives two shits?!

 

[solovsfett]

Welp….i guess it’s time to bust out some thinner. Two consecutive weekends where Wisconsin wasn’t just swept but completely throttled.

2 NCAA appearances in 12 years. The legacy has been dismantled thoroughly.

 

[srkbadger]

Every time I start to get excited again…sad. I too thought Hastings was a great hire. But maybe it’s 10 years too late? The comparisons to the ‘06 team aren’t fair because of the insanely changed dynamics. That team was old school recruit, build, keep guys around, have a strong senior class.

Think I’m probably checking out of college hockey for good, unfortunately. Running a business now so no time, and why waste my energy worrying about them when our AD clearly gives two shits?!

I'm going through a similar process. For this fan, NIL has ruined college sports. College sports has become just another version of professional sports with mercenaries traversing the transfer portal. Everyone's a free agent every year. At least in the pros they have a contract over some length of time. In college, who knows who'll be on your team next year. It might be what the players wanted, but I don't like it.

 

[WiscTJK]

I’m done. Cannot follow this team. I loved the Hastings hire but it’s clearly not working. Something is wrong.

 

[WiscTJK]

No stats this week. I’m done caring.

 

[srkbadger]

Beyond the second half folds under Hastings, the thing that most concerns me is the Stramel situation. He didn't look good with us, and Hastings had him leashed. He went to MSU and has become a beast. What led to that transformation? My concern is that many of the current Badgers look a lot like the Charlie Stramel Badger: uninspired, low energy, and too often lost on the ice.

 

[aktick]

I'm going through a similar process. For this fan, NIL has ruined college sports. College sports has become just another version of professional sports with mercenaries traversing the transfer portal. Everyone's a free agent every year. At least in the pros they have a contract over some length of time. In college, who knows who'll be on your team next year. It might be what the players wanted, but I don't like it.

Yeah, I just don’t care about Badgers sports in general. They dug their grave…

 

[Timothy A]

Tonight's score was two to two 5 on 5. I've never seen a penalty kill be so epically bad. Hauser is better than that.

 

[solovsfett]

The 05-06 team lost four straight and five of six in late January/early February.

This team needs to focus on:
1. Passing well
2. Less quantity of shots and more high danger quality shots
3. Defensive prowess
4. Play the floaters less

It still irritates me that Hastings forced Stramel to leave because he wouldn’t play him above the 4th line. That’s a 1st line center for one of the best teams in the country.

Maybe the problem isn’t the system, but rather the lineup decisions.

The 05-06 team lost those games mostly because Brian Elliott was out. He was the last great UW goalie. I think one or two others may have been injured but losing Elliott was a big part of it.

With him in net the team played like they were invincible.

 

[solovsfett]

Beyond the second half folds under Hastings, the thing that most concerns me is the Stramel situation. He didn't look good with us, and Hastings had him leashed. He went to MSU and has become a beast. What led to that transformation? My concern is that many of the current Badgers look a lot like the Charlie Stramel Badger: uninspired, low energy, and too often lost on the ice.

I fear Hastings is holding back progress from many players. I’d love to hear from Mankato fans about what they think the problem is.

I believe the higher caliber players just don’t fit his system (scorers are hamstrung) …and that may fly in Mankato and get you in the tourney but it very obviously doesn’t fly in b10.

We really do need answers.