2010-11 Minnesota Gophers -- May, West Pursue Erie March

[ManBehindTheCurtain]

Re: 2010-11 Minnesota Gophers -- May, West Pursue Erie March

Here are my players of the game...

Honorable mention: Noora Räty
3rd Star: Sarah Davis
2nd Star: Becky Kortum
1st Star: Anne Schleper
Also have to give props to (Kelly) Terry

Thanks for the eyewitness report CD.

From here great to see that Davis finally got a goal. Her body language last weekend said to me that she expects to score and was starting to get a little frustrated with nothing going in. Perhaps this is the start.

Terry very much starting to look like what she is, a candidate for her national team. Note, the box score gives Terry the third star.

If the box score and your eyes don't lie the top two stars must have been Kortum and Schleper.

Hats off to Noora Räty and the whole team's defensive effort for the zero. It's tough to lose when you give up zero.

 

[brookyone]

Re: 2010-11 Minnesota Gophers -- May, West Pursue Erie March

P.S. Thank you, Mankato, for your upset win against North Dakota this evening!

Gotta love that. Would have been great to see the Buckeyes hang on for the W also. OSU really looking like a potential top 3 contender at this early stage. If they can get some solid goaltending...

 

[ARM]

Re: 2010-11 Minnesota Gophers -- May, West Pursue Erie March

If the box score and your eyes don't lie the top two stars must have been Kortum and Schleper.

Rather than singling out Kortum, I'd say that the 9/10/11 (or more accurately 11/9/10) line as a whole had another very nice game. They are currently a dangerous unit, and have the potential to get much better. I thought they were the most effective trio last weekend as well, which made the decision to swap Erickson and Terry for the 3rd period unfortunate. Outside of a couple of reports from Canadian viewers, I knew nothing of Terry coming into the year, and I've been very happy with what I've seen from her. It is nice to know that we still have enough components to put together another top-quality line, but if I were coaching (scary thought) I'd leave 9/10/11 intact.

As for Schleper, she seems to have nice games vs SCSU -- must like going home. I thought that was Mira's best game of the season to date as well.

Gotta love that. Would have been great to see the Buckeyes hang on for the W also.

At this early point in the season, it is tough to say what team we want to see win or lose, because we don't know with what team we'll be fighting for position in the standings, or what position that will be. Because of our youth, I expect that we'll get less than half the total points from UMD & UW the next two weekends, and at that point, we'd be pretty far down in the standings and 1st in the regular season will be a big climb.

If Noora keeps rolling like she has so far, then of course anything becomes possible.

 

[brookyone]

Re: 2010-11 Minnesota Gophers -- May, West Pursue Erie March

At this early point in the season, it is tough to say what team we want to see win or lose, because we don't know with what team we'll be fighting for position in the standings, or what position that will be.

Honestly, I don't have much difficulty harboring hopes UW would put one in the L column, even at this early stage. I don't see it happening often this season.

I like the play of the 11/9/10 line a lot as well...I've been impressed with all three. So far, Kortum is like a whole new player with a whole new level of confidence and will to be an impact player. I like to mention that (repeatedly) because I predicted she would upgrade her game this season.

 

[JosephPSchmoe]

Re: 2010-11 Minnesota Gophers -- May, West Pursue Erie March

...it is tough to say what team we want to see win or lose...

I can help you with that.

 

[ARM]

Re: 2010-11 Minnesota Gophers -- May, West Pursue Erie March

I can help you with that.

I'm beyond help. The one team besides the Gophers that I'm sure I want to win is the team playing the Bulldogs, and even that rule fails me on a day like today when they play a non-conference game. It is in the best interest of the Gophers if UMD wins, so much as it pains me, no cheering for the Huskies.

 

[CrazyDave]

Re: 2010-11 Minnesota Gophers -- May, West Pursue Erie March

Okay. Two good wins over a badly overmatched St. Cloud team. Glad to see it. Also glad to have Terra back dressed tonight. Not a shabby weekend. Same result as the last time the Huskies hosted consecutive home games against the Gophers (a maroon and gold sweep).

Got to give props to SCSU's Ashley Nixon for keeping her team in the game as long as she did. As I commented in the live blog, it figures that her best game of the season to-date would be against Minnesota. She deserved the #1 Star in the box score tonight.

Now on to Duluth. Should be an interesting matchup. I'll be curious to see if UMD repeats their trouncing of UConn tomorrow, or if the eastern Huskies rebound a bit.

 

[D2D]

Re: 2010-11 Minnesota Gophers -- May, West Pursue Erie March

Got to give props to SCSU's Ashley Nixon for keeping her team in the game as long as she did. As I commented in the live blog, it figures that her best game of the season to-date would be against Minnesota. She deserved the #1 Star in the box score tonight.

No question, but the Gophers helped Nixon look even better than she played tonight, which is saying something. Far too many great chances went astray, which made the final score much closer than it should have been. There were easily a half-dozen plays that left you wondering, "how did that not go in?"

The Gophers will (obviously) need to convert a much higher percentage of their great chances if they hope to beat the Bulldogs in Duluth this coming weekend. And that assumes the goaltending will remain nearly as perfect as it was the past two nights. With Raty in net, you get the feeling that they always have a chance to win.

 

[SCSU2039]

Re: 2010-11 Minnesota Gophers -- May, West Pursue Erie March

Okay. Two good wins over a badly overmatched St. Cloud team. Glad to see it.

Got to give props to SCSU's Ashley Nixon for keeping her team in the game as long as she did. As I commented in the live blog, it figures that her best game of the season to-date would be against Minnesota. She deserved the #1 Star in the box score tonight.

As a SCSU fan that this is only the second game I've managed to go to, I have to say, even with the loss it was a decent game for my rebuilding huskies. I was actually surprised with how well SCSU played overall. This SCSU team is lacking scoring(lacking might even be the wrong word for it) yet the Gophers only managed to push 3 power play goals past Nixon. Nixon will be the key to SCSU's season. We are missing way too much offensive punch at this point and the defense seems to be ok to good at best. Nixon almost needs to throw a shutout to win games this year sadly.

With all that said, I have to say it seems this Gopher team isn't what it has been in years past. I don't know if its the fact SCSU seemed a little less imtimadated by the Gophers than in years past or if the Gophers are just not what they once where. Please don't think I don't think the Gophers are a good team this year, it just seems the gap isn't as large as I thought it should be considering I don't honestly expect much from SCSU this year. Am I just misjudging the Gophers based on the one game I've seen or should Gopher fans be a littled worried even if its early in the season?

 

[The Boomer]

Re: 2010-11 Minnesota Gophers -- May, West Pursue Erie March

Parity. The Gophers will be tested by teams NOT called the Badgers and Bulldogs this year.

Defensively, the Huskies are questionable at best. Giving up 55 SOG would hint at this. Ashley Nixon did a tremendous job in net. Plus, the Gopher hit every one of the pipes, blew chances with shots just wide, and didn't have much puck luck. The 3-0 score could have easily been much worse.

My first question was: Will the Huskies ever win a game this season? The question last night was: Will the Huskies ever score a goal again this season?

Bring on the Beavs.

 

[SCSU2039]

Re: 2010-11 Minnesota Gophers -- May, West Pursue Erie March

Hi Boomer,

I agree based on what I saw Saturday, the Gophers are not the same team they have been years past.

I also agree in general on the SCSU Huskies. The defense is questionable, espically with how they are letting teams sit near the blue line and get near break aways way too easily. Thats why I called the defensive play of SCSU ok to good. The only huge plus I saw in the SCSU defense is that while they gave up a huge amount of shots, they were not giving up a huge amount of point blank shots and uncontested second chances that I have seen in the past.

I agree about the Gophers alot. Its not a knock on them since I believe they are the much better team, but if they play like they did against SCSU on a weekly basis, then its going to be a much harder road for them than its been in the past.

That said, I really enjoyed the game on Saturday. I wish the Gophers the best. My feelings towards the Gophers women's team is much more postive than it is for the men's team. With my low expectations for my SCSU Huskies this year, I have to say I would not have a problem with the Gophers doing well.

 

[brookyone]

Re: 2010-11 Minnesota Gophers -- May, West Pursue Erie March

Hi Boomer,

I agree based on what I saw Saturday, the Gophers are not the same team they have been years past.

The Gophers are most definitely a different team than previous versions, but if you're saying they are noticeably or markedly less talented than what has been your impression of those previous teams, I'd be forced to disagree with that assessment. As a whole, they are as talented as any Gopher team I've watched over the years. They did not play exceedingly well vs. SCSU and do continue to have issues finishing on many / most of their scoring chances. I'd expect to see that aspect improve from what I'd characterize as being a bit snake bitten thus far...per the lack of cashing in on their good scoring chances. I sure hope they improve in that regard. I think you may have to consider the absence of Emily West as potentially affecting an early season impression of Minnesota as well. She's a large factor in the Gophers performance in every game she plays...they miss her immensely.

I agree about the Gophers alot. Its not a knock on them since I believe they are the much better team, but if they play like they did against SCSU on a weekly basis, then its going to be a much harder road for them than its been in the past.

I agree with both you and The Boomer...This Gopher team is going to be tested in every conference series in 2010-2011...as I said in another thread. If they don't start to take advantage of more of their scoring chances they'll be in trouble in any of those conference match-ups. Especially when playing the powerhouses where it's very unlikely they're going to get as many chances to score as they had vs. the Huskies. I think there's going to be enough games (for my taste) when strong efforts in goal will be required for the Gophers success. Bottom line, they need to provide their 'tenders a little more breathing room than they've been able to do thus far.

 

[SCSU2039]

Re: 2010-11 Minnesota Gophers -- May, West Pursue Erie March

The Gophers are most definitely a different team than previous versions, but if you're saying they are noticeably or markedly less talented than what has been your impression of those previous teams, I'd be forced to disagree with that assessment. As a whole, they are as talented as any Gopher team I've watched over the years. They did not play exceedingly well vs. SCSU and do continue to have issues finishing on many / most of their scoring chances. I'd expect to see that aspect improve from what I'd characterize as being a bit snake bitten thus far...per the lack of cashing in on their good scoring chances. I sure hope they improve in that regard. I think you may have to consider the absence of Emily West as potentially affecting an early season impression of Minnesota as well. She's a large factor in the Gophers performance in every game she plays...they miss her immensely.


I agree with both you and The Boomer...This Gopher team is going to be tested in every conference series in 2010-2011...as I said in another thread. If they don't start to take advantage of more of their scoring chances they'll be in trouble in any of those conference match-ups. Especially when playing the powerhouses where it's very unlikely they're going to get as many chances to score as they had vs. the Huskies. I think there's going to be enough games (for my taste) when strong efforts in goal will be required for the Gophers success. Bottom line, they need to provide their 'tenders a little more breathing room than they've been able to do thus far.

Don't take it wrong, brookyone. I'm basing my thoughts on a extremely small sample(one game) so I respect your opinion a lot. Compared to past years this Gopher team just didn't seem the same. I realize its early and that they didn't finish as many scoring chances as they could have which is a result of Nixon(who might be slightly underrated in the WCHA) and it being early. I also think that I just noticed something different in the attidute of the Huskies this time. Even down, they didn't seem totally defeated in the 3rd like I have seen them in the past. Maybe its something about the make up of the Huskies this year compared to last that just seemed to make the Gophers seem less impressive.

If anything, I honestly expected the Gophers to do much more against my Huskies considering its clearly a rebuilding year for them. I hate to say it, but I felt good about lossing to the Gophers 3-0 considering it was 3 power play goals(one being a 3 on 5) that did the Huskies in. I was just underwhelmed. If thats the type of game the Gophers are going to play this year, its going to be a much harder time than in the past for them in the WCHA. Thats why I felt they are not the same as in years past.

I wasn't implying that the Gophers are not a good team. I'm far from saying that. I think they will get better, I just thought it was not a great performance in the game I saw. I really think they can be a much better team than I saw.

 

[brookyone]

Re: 2010-11 Minnesota Gophers -- May, West Pursue Erie March

I wasn't implying that the Gophers are not a good team. I'm far from saying that. I think they will get better, I just thought it was not a great performance in the game I saw. I really think they can be a much better team than I saw.

Don't worry, I wasn't offended by your thoughts at all. I can definitely understand your position based on the series at the NHC.

I was telling one of my fellow Gopher fans...I think we may be able to take "The Big Three" concept and throw it out the window this season...and quite possibly for the future as well. WCHA fans may still have like opinions on who the clear top two teams are / will be at the end...but now I think there are definite new possibilities as to how the top 5-6 could play out and settle at the end of the conference schedule.

My heart is of course with the belief the Gophers improve to their potential throughout the season and hold their usual place among the top 3. On top would be something I could live with.

 

[ARM]

Re: 2010-11 Minnesota Gophers -- May, West Pursue Erie March

Parity. The Gophers will be tested by teams NOT called the Badgers and Bulldogs this year.

I think that parity arrived last year, when Minnesota had back-to-back ties with Bemidji and then played multi-OT games against Minnesota State-Mankato and tOSU in successive rounds of the WCHA tournament. Their last series versus the Huskies resulted in shootout and regulation wins for SCSU. So do I think St. Cloud is closer to Minnesota than they have been in past? No.

The Huskies struggles could be predicted by last season's stats. SCSU had 7 players who had double-digit points; the top five all graduated, including players who put up 49, 46, 43, and 38 points. When your two top returning scorers have 12 and 10 points, that's a recipe for a rough start. The St. Cloud player who impressed me the most over the weekend was a D, Lisa Martinson. She foiled a number of Gopher chances and seemed to do a good job of breaking the puck out of her own zone. I think SCSU will improve, but it will be a rough season.

I'm actually very happy with what I've seen from the Gophers. The good: #41. Obviously a 4-game shutout streak isn't going to survive the Bulldog/Badger weekends, but she seems to be back in her pre-Olympic form. We expected good things from our rookies, and they haven't disappointed. Three of the top four scorers so far are frosh, and two more are skating regular shifts. Kortum is playing very well and seems to have a better idea of how her talents translate to the college game. Our blue line has shown flashes of what they can be, and I'm optimistic about what we'll see from them by season's end.

We struggled mightily w/o West last season, and while we obviously miss her, a team that puts 50+ shots on goal while ringing the pipes is at least getting chances. Players like Erickson, Schoullis, and May have demonstrated an ability to finish those chances in the past, and I think that they will again in the future.

I think we take some lumps before the 4 Nations break. But I see that as a good thing, because once we've seen UMD and UW, we'll have a better idea of where we need to go and how much improvement is needed. That's why WCHA teams have experienced so much success -- there is always somebody around to measure yourself by.

 

[brookyone]

Re: 2010-11 Minnesota Gophers -- May, West Pursue Erie March

http://www.mndaily.com/2010/10/27/minnesota-umd-show-striking-similarities

 

[brookyone]

Re: 2010-11 Minnesota Gophers -- May, West Pursue Erie March

http://www.gophersports.com/ViewArt...323&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=8400&ATCLID=205019728

GO GOPHERS!

 

[D2D]

Re: 2010-11 Minnesota Gophers -- May, West Pursue Erie March

http://www.gophersports.com/ViewArt...323&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=8400&ATCLID=205019728

GO GOPHERS!

Thanks for the link; I especially enjoyed the included link to the interview with Becky Kortum. Becky has been playing with much more confidence in her sophomore year, and she acknowledges as much in this interview. She also gives credit to her two new freshmen linemates, #9 Sarah Davis and #10 Kelly Terry, both of whom have been playing great as well.

Sure hope the coach keeps this line together for the foreseeable future, and best of luck to the whole team in Duluth this weekend - make a lasting mark with your final games playing UMD at the DECC!

 

[CanHockGuy]

Re: 2010-11 Minnesota Gophers -- May, West Pursue Erie March

Hey Brooky, cat did get your **** after all. ......................................Voo........................

 

[CanHockGuy]

Re: 2010-11 Minnesota Gophers -- May, West Pursue Erie March

Hey Brooky, cat did get your **** after all. ......................................Voo........................

..........doo............Good luck next time.