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

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

Watched both game webstream videos. I firmly believe the Gophers are capable of playing better hockey than what I saw at times during each of the final two games at the DECC. Still seeing many nice scoring chances created with too few being converted. Production and GPG are going to have to increase to win games on the conference schedule. Noora is playing extremely well and giving them a chance to win every time out thus far. The team is dealing with a certain amount of adversity in the early season injury wise and were without the services of #4 in the series finale tonight...and as all Gopher fans know, #17 since the Clarkson series. Adversity as happens during most any hockey season, but I have to say, the 110% effort and huge heart I'm seeing from all those playing, and those being put into bigger roles as needed has been very impressive to me...including both games in Duluth. Makes me proud to be a fan of this team. ;)
 
Re: 2010-11 Minnesota Gophers -- May, West Pursue Erie March

I guess it's a matter of perspective. I saw a lot of work from the Gophers, but I also saw way too much chippy play that seemed to me to only serve as a distraction. Seely, Rasmussen, Bozek and Schoullis stand out in my memory as especially chippy all weekend. And that's okay if the officials are going to let it go. Otherwise, put up some points before you start running your mouth or playing tough guy. Or just play hockey. Discipline and hard work win hockey games.

Just being honest. Flame away...
 
Re: 2010-11 Minnesota Gophers -- May, West Pursue Erie March

News from the "other side":

Friday's game: http://www.umdbulldogs.com/teams-womens-hockey.php?id=5311&page=news

Saturday's game: http://www.umdbulldogs.com/teams-womens-hockey.php?id=5318&page=news

Local coverage:

Friday: http://www.gophersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=8400&ATCLID=205021362

Saturday: http://www.gophersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=8400&ATCLID=205021906

Either way, the outcome is the same. Whatever happened to media bias? :(
 
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Re: 2010-11 Minnesota Gophers -- May, West Pursue Erie March

Only saw Saturday's game, so I can't comment on the weekend as a whole. But I'd say the biggest edge UMD had was they were more in synch at this point of the season. They completed a lot more of their passes, and more effectively. The Gopher lines were evolving throughout the game, and much of the play involved forwards who were obviously not sure what to expect from those with whom they were skating. We made too many mistakes over the first half plus of the game, resulting in the 3-0 hole, and though we outskated them from that point on, we misfired too many times and got in our own way, undermining the comeback attempt. It looked to me that both of the first two goals went in off of our D and Noora had zero chance, and she had little chance on the third, a player left open in the danger zone that culminated a sequence started by an ill-advised icing.

Overall, I'm encouraged. No West. No Erickson. Going against a far more experienced team on the road and down 3-0 early, our speed caused a lot of problems, and that while missing a couple of our fast players. I expect the gap between us and the defending champs to narrow in the months to come, and it isn't as large right now as I thought it would be.

We have to get healthy, and hope that at that point we aren't in a hole too deep to escape. I think that we are one of the 8 best teams in the country. I don't know that we'll be able to post a top-8 record, but clearly we can't afford anything less than our best in any upcoming game.
 
Re: 2010-11 Minnesota Gophers -- May, West Pursue Erie March

ARM said:
But I'd say the biggest edge UMD had was they were more in synch at this point of the season. They completed a lot more of their passes, and more effectively. The Gopher lines were evolving throughout the game, and much of the play involved forwards who were obviously not sure what to expect from those with whom they were skating.
Click to expand...

ARM, thanks for posting your perspective; I was looking forward to reading your comments. I'm a little puzzled why the lines were "evolving throughout the game" which clearly would have an impact in terms of being able to anticipate what your linemates will do and instinctively complete passes. Obviously UMD is a very good team but you would think by this point in the season the Gophers would be "more in synch" with one another and would have adjusted to playing without West. I was not aware that first liner (Erickson) was missing - what's the prognosis for her returning to the lineup?

The good news I guess is that both (away) games were very competitive and that a single added goal in each could have yielded a point or two. Now the team needs to quickly put these losses behind them because it certainly won't get any easier next weekend.
 
Re: 2010-11 Minnesota Gophers -- May, West Pursue Erie March

D2D said:
I'm a little puzzled why the lines were "evolving throughout the game" which clearly would have an impact in terms of being able to anticipate what your linemates will do and instinctively complete passes. ...I was not aware that first liner (Erickson) was missing - what's the prognosis for her returning to the lineup?
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I'm sure the official word on Erickson will be the oft-repeated day-to-day. Because the team chooses not to reveal injury specifics publicly, neither will I. Downey started in Erickson's spot with Schoullis and Kessel. Midgame, or just after UMD went up 3-0, Davis and Kessel switched lines, and Ludwigson took over for Rasmussen. I don't know if #25 was less than 100% or if this was just "coach's decision", but she was on the bench in the 3rd. So none of the lines were the same at the end as they were at the start, nor how they have been in any other game this season.
 
Re: 2010-11 Minnesota Gophers -- May, West Pursue Erie March

D2D said:
ARM, thanks for posting your perspective; I was looking forward to reading your comments. I'm a little puzzled why the lines were "evolving throughout the game" which clearly would have an impact in terms of being able to anticipate what your linemates will do and instinctively complete passes. Obviously UMD is a very good team but you would think by this point in the season the Gophers would be "more in synch" with one another and would have adjusted to playing without West. I was not aware that first liner (Erickson) was missing - what's the prognosis for her returning to the lineup?

The good news I guess is that both (away) games were very competitive and that a single added goal in each could have yielded a point or two. Now the team needs to quickly put these losses behind them because it certainly won't get any easier next weekend.
Click to expand...
I agree, and ARM, thanks for your objective and unbiased observations.

JosephPSchmoe said:
I guess it's a matter of perspective. I saw a lot of work from the Gophers, but I also saw way too much chippy play that seemed to me to only serve as a distraction. Seely, Rasmussen, Bozek and Schoullis stand out in my memory as especially chippy all weekend. And that's okay if the officials are going to let it go. Otherwise, put up some points before you start running your mouth or playing tough guy. Or just play hockey. Discipline and hard work win hockey games.

Just being honest. Flame away...
Click to expand...
:rolleyes:

Like clockwork, fans around the WCHA can always anticipate and plan on reading the ceaseless claims of "chippy" play of opponents from UMD fans...always accompanied by disparaging remarks directed at opponents players. Just being honest when I say no one outside of Duluth has any illusions of an unbiased and objective opinion from this source.
 
Re: 2010-11 Minnesota Gophers -- May, West Pursue Erie March

Well, let's see. The Gophers were swept. They're in sixth place. Which part of their game are you happy with?
 
Re: 2010-11 Minnesota Gophers -- May, West Pursue Erie March

brookyone said:
Like clockwork, fans around the WCHA can always anticipate and plan on reading the ceaseless claims of "chippy" play of opponents from UMD fans...always accompanied by disparaging remarks directed at opponents players. Just being honest when I say no one outside of Duluth has any illusions of an unbiased and objective opinion from this source.
Click to expand...

As a UMD fan, I'd say that I didn't think either of the games/teams were "chippy". I've always prefered it when the refs set the tone but don't dictate play with how they call the game. I thought in these two games that the players were allowed to play . . .
and, as a result, either team could have won either game. There was great tending, great skating, momentum shifts . . . all you can ask for in hockey.

In game two I thought for sure when the Goofs scored early in the 3rd to pull within one that they might go on to win it. However, the Dogs regrouped defensively and I think only allowed 5 shots the entire period even though they were outskated. I thought UMD might lose their composure after the smash-up in the end boards, but they didn't. In fact, it seemed they used it as a rallying point.

We could watch 100 more games this season and not see two back-to-back games played as evenly as these two were. Great hockey . . . and I think, great WOMEN'S hockey.

I think we're all in for another battle in the Ridder re-match.
 
Re: 2010-11 Minnesota Gophers -- May, West Pursue Erie March

binnyrus said:
As a UMD fan, I'd say that I didn't think either of the games/teams were "chippy". I've always prefered it when the refs set the tone but don't dictate play with how they call the game. I thought in these two games that the players were allowed to play . . .
and, as a result, either team could have won either game. There was great tending, great skating, momentum shifts . . . all you can ask for in hockey.

In game two I thought for sure when the Goofs scored early in the 3rd to pull within one that they might go on to win it. However, the Dogs regrouped defensively and I think only allowed 5 shots the entire period even though they were outskated. I thought UMD might lose their composure after the smash-up in the end boards, but they didn't. In fact, it seemed they used it as a rallying point.

We could watch 100 more games this season and not see two back-to-back games played as evenly as these two were. Great hockey . . . and I think, great WOMEN'S hockey.

I think we're all in for another battle in the Ridder re-match.
Click to expand...

Thanks for posting your opinion that both games were evenly played; that's good to hear if you're a Gopher fan, considering that these two losses make it 6 in a row? The Dogs sure seem to have our number, seemingly always finding a way to pull it out. Again if you're a Gopher fan all you can say is, "this recent trend just has to stop"!
 
Re: 2010-11 Minnesota Gophers -- May, West Pursue Erie March

binnyrus said:
As a UMD fan, I'd say that I didn't think either of the games/teams were "chippy". I've always prefered it when the refs set the tone but don't dictate play with how they call the game. I thought in these two games that the players were allowed to play . . .
and, as a result, either team could have won either game. There was great tending, great skating, momentum shifts . . . all you can ask for in hockey.

In game two I thought for sure when the Goofs scored early in the 3rd to pull within one that they might go on to win it. However, the Dogs regrouped defensively and I think only allowed 5 shots the entire period even though they were outskated. I thought UMD might lose their composure after the smash-up in the end boards, but they didn't. In fact, it seemed they used it as a rallying point.

We could watch 100 more games this season and not see two back-to-back games played as evenly as these two were. Great hockey . . . and I think, great WOMEN'S hockey.

I think we're all in for another battle in the Ridder re-match.
Click to expand...

Wonderful! I do appreciate an actual objective eyewitness account of the games void of obvious bias and disrespectful comments directed at opponents players complete with fabricated material and an apparent blind eye to the infractions by players on the team they support. Your description, as well as the account of game two by ARM matches exactly what played out on the small screen to the eyes of this viewer. I even had my spectacles on while viewing. Also good to hear from someone who knows the difference between physical and chippy play. I thought I witnessed some physical play which included infractions by combatants on both sides with penalties called accordingly. Thank you for your account of the series.

I think it'll be another battle of similar proportions in the rematch. I just hope both teams have their full complement of skaters available for that rematch...always makes for a better series.

For now...it's on to another huge challenge for Minnesota. Can anyone stop The Big Red Machine?
 
Re: 2010-11 Minnesota Gophers -- May, West Pursue Erie March

brookyone said:
Wonderful! I do appreciate an actual objective eyewitness account of the games void of obvious bias and disrespectful comments directed at opponents players complete with fabricated material and an apparent blind eye to the infractions by players on the team they support. Your description, as well as the account of game two by ARM matches exactly what played out on the small screen to the eyes of this viewer. I even had my spectacles on while viewing. Also good to hear from someone who knows the difference between physical and chippy play. I thought I witnessed some physical play which included infractions by combatants on both sides with penalties called accordingly. Thank you for your account of the series.

I think it'll be another battle of similar proportions in the rematch. I just hope both teams have their full complement of skaters available for that rematch...always makes for a better series.

For now...it's on to another huge challenge for Minnesota. Can anyone stop The Big Red Machine?
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Everything was ok until you whined about missing players. (rolleyes) Typical. All teams have to deal with this at some point or another . It's called depth. (smiley)
 
Re: 2010-11 Minnesota Gophers -- May, West Pursue Erie March

CanHockGuy said:
All teams have to deal with this at some point or another . It's called depth. (smiley)
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This is our team thread, where we discuss the strengths and weaknesses of our team. If that doesn't meet your lofty standards, feel free to take your wisdom elsewhere, like to the test thread where you can learn how to use smileys.

Yes, depth is a good thing. But when you're playing the defending champs + 4 returning Olympians and missing your top two returning scorers, it is tough to make up the difference with players from the 4th line. Rest assured that should UMD lose a point or two in Bemidji this weekend, their coach will mention players absent for 4 Nations a time or two.
 
Re: 2010-11 Minnesota Gophers -- May, West Pursue Erie March

CanHockGuy said:
Everything was ok until you whined about missing players. (rolleyes) Typical. All teams have to deal with this at some point or another . It's called depth. (smiley)
Click to expand...
:( I'm absolutely mortified I disappointed you. Your opinion means so much to me. :)
 
Re: 2010-11 Minnesota Gophers -- May, West Pursue Erie March

ARM said:
This is our team thread, where we discuss the strengths and weaknesses of our team. If that doesn't meet your lofty standards, feel free to take your wisdom elsewhere, like to the test thread where you can learn how to use smileys.

Yes, depth is a good thing. But when you're playing the defending champs + 4 returning Olympians and missing your top two returning scorers, it is tough to make up the difference with players from the 4th line. Rest assured that should UMD lose a point or two in Bemidji this weekend, their coach will mention players absent for 4 Nations a time or two.
Click to expand...

Your coach would tell you he doesn't care for excuses. And you don't post on other threads? Is this your forum? Take a walk buddy. (smiley)
 
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