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2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)

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J

JDUBBS1280

MN Hockey Enthusiast
With the exhibition game in the books and the season set to start next week, I thought it was about time to start a season thread. Good showing by the team tonight, and lots of promise that Pride On Ice has returned! I know the schedule and stats are easy to find elsewhere, but I thought it would be nice to have in this thread for easy reference. I will do my best to keep them up-to-date :)

RECORD (Overall/Confence/Pts)

9-1-0/6-0-0/12 Pts
WCHA Standings: 1st Place

SCHEDULE/RESULTS

10/02/11 vs. British Columbia # Mariucci Arena <A HREF="http://onlyfans.cstv.com/schools/minn/sports/m-hockey/recaps/100211aaa.html">W, 3-0</A>
10/07/11 vs. Sacred Heart <A HREF="http://onlyfans.cstv.com/schools/minn/sports/m-hockey/recaps/100711aaa.html">W, 9-0</A>
10/08/11 vs. Sacred Heart <A HREF="http://onlyfans.cstv.com/schools/minn/sports/m-hockey/recaps/100811aaf.html">W, 6-0</A>
10/14/11 at Minnesota Duluth <A HREF="http://onlyfans.cstv.com/schools/minn/sports/m-hockey/recaps/101511aaa.html">W, 5-4 OT</A>
10/15/11 at Minnesota Duluth <A HREF="http://onlyfans.cstv.com/schools/minn/sports/m-hockey/recaps/101511aam.html">W, 5-4</A>
10/21/11 vs. Vermont <A HREF="http://onlyfans.cstv.com/schools/minn/sports/m-hockey/recaps/102111aae.html">W, 6-0</A>
10/23/11 vs. Vermont <A HREF="http://onlyfans.cstv.com/schools/minn/sports/m-hockey/recaps/102311aaa.html">L, 4-5</A>
10/28/11 at Alaska-Anchorage <A HREF="http://onlyfans.cstv.com/schools/minn/sports/m-hockey/recaps/102911aaa.html">W, 5-0</A>
10/29/11 at Alaska-Anchorage <A HREF="http://onlyfans.cstv.com/schools/minn/sports/m-hockey/recaps/103011aaa.html">W, 3-1</A>
11/04/11 vs. North Dakota <A HREF="http://onlyfans.cstv.com/schools/minn/sports/m-hockey/recaps/110411aaa.html">W, 2-0</A>
11/05/11 vs. North Dakota <A HREF="http://onlyfans.cstv.com/schools/minn/sports/m-hockey/recaps/110511aaf.html">W, 3-2</A>
11/11/11 at Wisconsin Madison, Wisconsin 7:00 p.m. CT (FSN)
11/12/11 at Wisconsin Madison, Wisconsin 7:30 p.m. CT (BTN)
11/18/11 at St. Cloud State at St. Cloud State 7:30 p.m. CT
11/19/11 vs. St. Cloud State Mariucci Arena 7:00 p.m. CT
11/25/11 at Michigan State East Lansing, Michigan 6:00 p.m. CT
11/26/11 at Michigan State East Lansing, Michigan 6:00 p.m. CT
12/02/11 vs. Minnesota State Mariucci Arena 7:00 p.m. CT
12/03/11 vs. Minnesota State Mariucci Arena 7:00 p.m. CT
12/09/11 vs. Michigan Tech Mariucci Arena 7:00 p.m. CT
12/10/11 vs. Michigan Tech Mariucci Arena 8:00 p.m. CT

Mariucci Classic
12/30/11 vs. Niagara Mariucci Arena 7:00 p.m. CT
12/31/11 vs. Northeastern/Princeton Mariucci Arena 6:00 p.m. CT

01/07/12 vs. Notre Dame (Hall of Fame Game) Mariucci Arena 7:00 p.m. CT
01/13/12 at North Dakota Grand Forks, N.D. 7:30 p.m. CT
01/14/12 at North Dakota Grand Forks, N.D. 7:00 p.m. CT
01/20/12 vs. Colorado College Mariucci Arena 7:00 p.m. CT
01/21/12 vs. Colorado College Mariucci Arena 5:00 p.m. CT
01/27/12 vs. St. Cloud State Mariucci Arena 7:00 p.m. CT
01/28/12 at St. Cloud State St. Cloud, Minn. 7:00 p.m. CT
02/10/12 at Denver Denver, Colorado 8:30 p.m. CT
02/11/12 at Denver Denver, Colorado 8:00 p.m. CT
02/17/12 vs. Bemidji St Mariucci Arena 7:00 p.m. CT
02/18/12 vs. Bemidji St Mariucci Arena 7:00 p.m. CT
02/24/12 at Nebraska-Omaha Omaha, Neb. 7:30 p.m. CT
02/25/12 at Nebraska-Omaha Omaha, Neb. 7:00 p.m. CT
03/02/12 vs. Wisconsin Mariucci Arena 7:00 p.m. CT
03/03/12 vs. Wisconsin Mariucci Arena 7:00 p.m. CT

STATS-SKATERS (GP-G-A-PTS-PIM +/-)

20 <A HREF="http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-hockey/mtt/alt_mark00.html">Alt, Mark</A> 10-1-4-5-14 +8
17 <A HREF="http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-hockey/mtt/ambroz_seth00.html">Ambroz, Seth</A> 10-2-1-3-27 +1
27 <A HREF="http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-hockey/mtt/bjugstad_nick00.html">Bjugstad, Nick</A> 10-8-7-15-4 +12
22 <A HREF="http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-hockey/mtt/boyd_travis00.html">Boyd, Travis</A> 8-0-4-4-0 +3
24 <A HREF="http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-hockey/mtt/budish_zach00.html">Budish, Zach</A> 10-3-8-11-17 +9
16 <A HREF="http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-hockey/mtt/condon_nate00.html">Condon, Nate</A> 10-4-4-8-2 +2
21 <A HREF="http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-hockey/mtt/hansen_jake00.html">Hansen, Jake</A> 10-3-8-11-18 +9
19 <A HREF="http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-hockey/mtt/haula_erik00.html">Haula, Erik</A> 10-7-10-17-10 +10
4 <A HREF="http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-hockey/mtt/helgeson_seth00.html">Helgeson, Seth</A> 10-0-2-2-20 +6
12 <A HREF="http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-hockey/mtt/holl_justin00.html">Holl, Justin</A> 10-2-3-5-8 +6
26 <A HREF="http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-hockey/mtt/isackson_christian00.html">Isackson, Christian</A> 2-0-0-0-0 -1
23 <A HREF="http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-hockey/mtt/larson_jared00.html">Larson, Jared</A> 0-0-0-0 -
18 <A HREF="http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-hockey/mtt/larson_nick00.html">Larson, Nick</A> 7-1-1-2-6 +3
10 <A HREF="http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-hockey/mtt/marshall_ben00.html">Marshall, Ben</A> 10-1-1-2-12 +12
9 <A HREF="http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-hockey/mtt/matson_taylor00.html">Matson, Taylor</A> 10-2-3-5-12 +1
15 <A HREF="http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-hockey/mtt/miller_joe00.html">Miller, Joe</A> 0-0-0-0 -
6 <A HREF="http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-hockey/mtt/parenteau_jake00.html">Parenteau, Jake</A> 8-0-0-0-0 +4
7 <A HREF="http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-hockey/mtt/rau_kyle00.html">Rau, Kyle</A> 10-8-7-15-2 +14
13 <A HREF="http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-hockey/mtt/sacchetti_nico00.html">Sacchetti, Nico</A> 3-0-0-0-0 -
29 <A HREF="http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-hockey/mtt/schmidt_nate00.html">Schmidt, Nate</A> 10-1-11-12-4 +6
14 <A HREF="http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-hockey/mtt/serratore_tom00.html">Serratore, Tom</A> 10-2-0-2-2 +4
3 <A HREF="http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-hockey/mtt/student_chris00.html">Student, Chris</A> 0-0-0-0 -
5 <A HREF="http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-hockey/mtt/thompson_blake00.html">Thompson, Blake</A> 2-0-2-2-8 +2
11 <A HREF="http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-hockey/mtt/warning_sam00.html">Warning, Sam</A> 10-3-3-6-8 +4

STATS-GOALIES (GA-Avg-Min-Saves-Pct W/L/T)

35 <A HREF="http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-hockey/mtt/patterson_kent00.html">Patterson, Kent</A> 16-1.60-602-258-0.942 9/1/0
1 <A HREF="http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-hockey/mtt/shibrowski_michael00.html">Shibrowski, Michael</A> 0-0.00-0-0.000 0/0/0
30 <A HREF="http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-hockey/mtt/kremer_jake00.html">Kremer, Jake</A> 0-0.00-0-0.000 0/0/0
 
Last edited:
Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)

What I thought I saw last night was a continuation of what we've seen over the past several years; they lack finishers. The Gophs dominated the play, but only beat the opposing goalie twice. Should have been about 6 times with the level of puck control they showed.
 
Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)

Summary of exhibition game.


A Sound Defensive Game

Under returning assistant coach Mike Guentzel, the Gopher defensive corps looked to be much improved overall. Tonight's group of Seth Helgeson, Justin Holl, Mark Alt, Ben Marshall, Jake Parenteau, Blake Thompson, and Chris Student help hold British Columbia no shots on goal in the first period.

More Improvement on the Blueline

The defensemen were also aggressive offensively, making several rushes into the offensive zone. The Gophers attempted a lot of shots from the point and players like Mark Alt, Justin Holl, Ben Marshall, and Chris Student were not afraid to carry the puck deep into the offensive zone.

Filling the Aaron Ness Void

Speaking of Marshall, the Mahtomedi-native looked like a valid replacement for Aaron Ness on the blueline. Though he is one of the team's smallest defenders, he showed that he can make up for his lack of size with quick bursts on the backcheck and good anticipation. He also showed the ability to make opponents miss while making rushes up the ice and displayed his superb vision on with a couple blueline-to-blueline passes.

Replacing Cepis?

Jacob Cepis was good goal-scorer and a pesky player to deal with last year--certainly a player who will be hard to replace. However, two of the Gophers' freshman forwards, Kyle Rau and Sam Warning, showed some promising similarities to Cepis tonight. Both players showed a fearlessness that will help them deal with the physical WCHA style of play as well as a few signs of playmaking ability. Warning tallied an assist on Jake Hansen's game-winning goal.*

Goaltending

Though they weren't tested much, the Minnesota goaltenders showed they will be up to the task this season. Kent Patterson wasn't fazed by the absence of shots faced in the first period and stopped all three shots he faced, while Mike Shibrowski turned way all seven Thunderbird shots that came his way. The highlight of the night between the pipes was Shibrowski's save on a Cole Wilson one-timer in the second period that forced the Colorado College transfer to move quickly across the crease.

http://www.gophersports.com/blog/hockey/
 
Last edited:
goldy_331 said:
What I thought I saw last night was a continuation of what we've seen over the past several years; they lack finishers. The Gophs dominated the play, but only beat the opposing goalie twice. Should have been about 6 times with the level of puck control they showed.
Click to expand...

You have to give some credit to their goaltender too. I don't remember where I read it, but he was one of the top goaltenders in the WHL the past few years. The Gophers had some opportunities they just missed on, and I think we'll start to see them hit more on those as guys get into the groove. Some things to work on yet, like the power play and penalty kill, but much more positives to take away than negatives IMO.
 
Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)

I love the enthusiasm, and I hope you are right, but I'll believe it when I see it. We have been waiting four years for them to get into a groove.
 
state of hockey said:
I love the enthusiasm, and I hope you are right, but I'll believe it when I see it. We have been waiting four years for them to get into a groove.
Click to expand...

Don't get me wrong. My expectations aren't sky-high for this season, but I do think we'll see a step in the right direction. If we don't make the Final Five and get a tournament bid, I'll be surprised.
 
Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)

Hopefully this is the year will springboard the Gophs back to dominance in college hockey! Minny needs a winner and I hope that Gopher Hockey will be just that.
 
Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)

JDUBBS1280 said:
Filling the Aaron Ness Void

Replacing Cepis?
Click to expand...
I gotta ask, are you serious on these two points?

Ness: I'm going to go out on a limb and say his 2G and 12A for a whopping total of 14 points on the season will not be missed. I know some people here have hard-ons for the guy, but come on, they will not miss him as much as some of you people think they will.

Cepis: Ok, so he led the team in scoring. He was a hustle player and he was gritty, I get it. Trust me, I liked the guy.....a lot. But do you really think they will miss his, again whopping, 29 point total for the season? I'm going to go out on a limb and say the Gophers have (at least) two guys that break the 30 point barrier this season.

I understand your points, but you'd think we are losing all-WCHA type talent that needs to be replaced and that just isn't the case.
 
gopher wes said:
I gotta ask, are you serious on these two points?

Ness: I'm going to go out on a limb and say his 2G and 12A for a whopping total of 14 points on the season will not be missed. I know some people here have hard-ons for the guy, but come on, they will not miss him as much as some of you people think they will.

Cepis: Ok, so he led the team in scoring. He was a hustle player and he was gritty, I get it. Trust me, I liked the guy.....a lot. But do you really think they will miss his, again whopping, 29 point total for the season? I'm going to go out on a limb and say the Gophers have (at least) two guys that break the 30 point barrier this season.

I understand your points, but you'd think we are losing all-WCHA type talent that needs to be replaced and that just isn't the case.
Click to expand...

I didn't write the summary. It was from Gophersports.com. And I agree with much of your post.
 
Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)

I liked how the Freshman played last night, most of them looked like they belong and hustled. Rau had some nice scoring chances and some great passes to setup scoring chances. Marshall seems calm with the puck and his outlet passes were on the money, I know UBC stinks and all but it was nice to see. They should be able to score some more goals this year.


On to Sacred Heart....does Sacred Heart have any fans? If any Sacred heart fan could give us some insight about your team that would be great.
 
Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)

SanTropez said:
I liked how the Freshman played last night, most of them looked like they belong and hustled. Rau had some nice scoring chances and some great passes to setup scoring chances. Marshall seems calm with the puck and his outlet passes were on the money, I know UBC stinks and all but it was nice to see. They should be able to score some more goals this year.


On to Sacred Heart....does Sacred Heart have any fans? If any Sacred heart fan could give us some insight about your team that would be great.
Click to expand...

Iceburg posted this on the GPL board....

Sacred Heart has one local on their <A HREF="http://www.sacredheartpioneers.com/sports/m-hockey/2010-11/roster">roster</A>, <A HREF="http://www.sacredheartpioneers.com/sports/m-hockey/2010-11/bios/stuart_alex_3d8n">Alex Stuart</A>, a St. Coud area defenseman that played his high school hockey at Shattuck bofore a <A HREF="http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/playerpage.html?playerid=847105&seasonid=3192">few years in the USHL</A>. Also, it appears <A HREF="http://www.sacredheartpioneers.com/sports/m-hockey/2010-11/bios/verbeek_kyle_zc84">the son</A> of former NHL player Pat Verbeek is on their roster. They weren't very good last year, but obviously you can't sleep on anyone.
 
Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)

Recruit Updates

A.J. Michaelson, -Waterloo Black Hawks
After turning down an offer to play for the USNTDP last season, many find it odd that A.J. Michaelson is playing in the USHL this season and equally head scratching that he is not playing for a team not based in Ann Arbor, Mich. After all, Michaelson was not offered the vacant forward position on the NTDP this summer—a sign that some believe means his stock is spiraling downward. Nonetheless, Michaelson had an impressive junior year last season as his 60 points led his Apple Valley High School team in Minnesota.

What sets Michaelson apart from other 2011 draft eligible is that he can flat out fly and uses his speed to beat defenders wide on scoring opportunities. Michaelson seems to have made a fairly easy transition to the junior game, as he led the USHL in goals this preseason. It will be interesting to see if Michaelson will be able to rely on his speed to find the same success he had in high school come the regular season playing in the faster, stronger USHL. The University of Minnesota commit plays a very gritty game and will go into the traffic areas to battle for loose pucks. One aspect of Michaelson’s game that needs improvement this season is getting more behind his very accurate shot.

Over the last several years, there has been mixed results in Minnesota native players leaving Minnesota High School Hockey to join the junior ranks. Look for Michaelson to see more Derek Forbort-like success rather than Seth Ambroz-like disappointment. Michaelson’s stock will likely stay constant and keep him as a mid to high first round selection come June.

D Brady Skjei, USNTDP U18
Brady Skjei returns to the USNTDP playing again with a very talented group of defensemen. It is safe to say that Skjei is the fastest skating defenseman on the U18 team and may be the fastest player in the entire program. While Skjei has never been a huge point producer and likely never will be, he loves to take the puck up himself and create opportunities for his forwards. Last season, Skjei had a minus-14; six worse than any other player in the program. A lot of this has to do with the fact that the U17 team struggles against the bigger, older competition, but it is certainly something to keep an eye on this season. Ironically, Skjei reversed the trend at the USHL Fall Classic, finishing a team best plus-4.

University of Minnesota head coach Don Lucia has the two fastest commits eligible in 2012 playing in the USHL this season. Skjei, like Michaelson, will both play for the Gophers as true freshmen next season.

<A HREF="http://futureconsiderations.ca/keep-an-eye-on-the-u/">http://futureconsiderations.ca/keep-an-eye-on-the-u/</A>
 
Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)

JDUBBS1280 said:
I didn't write the summary. It was from Gophersports.com. And I agree with much of your post.
Click to expand...
Sorry, I didn't see the link at the bottom of your post:(. Didn't mean to call you out like that.
 
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