Re: 2010-11 Minnesota Gophers -- May, West Pursue Erie March
Here comes the stretch that will likely make or break us: vs UMD; @tOSU; @UW. Depending on how we do over these three weeks will determine if we have a shot at second place or will have to scratch and claw for home ice in the WCHA quarters.
Not to mention the impact these games will have on NCAA seeding! Critical stretch indeed.
Other than the first ten minutes plus of the second period on Saturday, I think the team is playing well. Now we need to keep heading in the right direction and improving every week.
I wish I could be as sanguine about their play on Saturday. Maybe I'm being a bit harsh, but I still see too many turnovers that lead to good scoring chances by the other team, even a MSU that coming in had not won a game since the second week of November. The Gophers need to take better care of the puck in their own end, because against a more skilled offensive team (like their next opponent) they will pay the price if they're careless around their own goal and give the puck away too often on their break out attempts. Another issue: they are still giving up too many odd-man breakaways, oftentimes the result of their D not recognizing "developing danger" quickly enough when she doesn't have other support. But thanks to a combination of continued stellar goaltending by Noora Raty, some missed close-in shots as well as a dose of bad luck, MSU just wasn't able to take advantage on this particular day. Despite only giving up just one goal in two games, I think there is definitely room for improvement defensively.
Thankfully, there are many positives, enough that if things go right they should continue to outweigh the negatives. Obviously goaltending is again supurb, and this is huge. Normally you see great effort and skill in forechecking the other team deep in their end. The offensive pressure often results in some nice playmaking and good scoring opportunities. They continue to use their points well, and the D can really fire the puck. The scoring is becoming a bit more balanced - it was great to see May get in on the action in a big way. I think it's only a matter of time when the puck starts going in for Brausen, who is skating very well and always gives tremendous effort. Terry and Davis continue to impress greatly, and what can you say about Kessel? Obviously, a tremendous talent. And then they have Erickson, Schoullis and Kortum, all of whom are dangerous and can find ways to score at any time.
So overall I am optimistic, but not as much as I would like to be, mainly due to the defensive vulnerabilities that I'm still seeing. Hopefully these are being worked on in practice this week and they will come fully prepared to take it to those mangy dogs on our home ice! If we have a
total team effort a SWEEP is very much within reach!
