Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)
Last year's team went 1-1-2 against them. Their only loss was by a single goal.
Last year's team went 1-1-2 against them. Their only loss was by a single goal.
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2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)
- Thread starter JDUBBS1280
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Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)
It is more to the fact that if last years team fell behind by two goals, the game was over. They had a mental block almost that when they fell behind they didn't have anything inside to come back, or it seemed like they gave up. The team this year just keeps fighting, and that is a huge change that we all like seeing.
It is more to the fact that if last years team fell behind by two goals, the game was over. They had a mental block almost that when they fell behind they didn't have anything inside to come back, or it seemed like they gave up. The team this year just keeps fighting, and that is a huge change that we all like seeing.
JDUBBS1280
MN Hockey Enthusiast
Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)
Posting this here as the other thread I posted it in was hijacked.
I've been thinking about this a lot today, and after watching last night's game again I think the thing we need to work on the most is breaking the puck out in the face of a strong forecheck. Don talked about our forwards being in better position and our defensemen working better together, but I think it's more than that. If you watch UMD's forecheck, one player would pressure the puck carrier (defenseman) while another player would try to cut off the outlet pass by covering the strong-side winger (2-1-2). This puts a lot of pressure on our young defenders to make quick, accurate passes, and resulted in several turnovers that led to goals this weekend.
One thing Herb Brooks used to do to beat this forecheck was to have the weak-side winger cheat down low and then have the defenseman carry the puck behind the net to the strong-side and then turn and wrap the puck along the boards back to the weak-side (where the weak-side winger would be waiting uncovered. This is just one easy way to beat this forecheck, but I think the coaching staff needs to do something schematically (at least early) to take some pressure off our young defensemen. You better believe other teams will see this in film study and employ the same aggressive forecheck if we don't.
<IMG SRC="http://mnhockeycentral.webs.com/BREAK%20OUT.jpg"></>
Posting this here as the other thread I posted it in was hijacked.
I've been thinking about this a lot today, and after watching last night's game again I think the thing we need to work on the most is breaking the puck out in the face of a strong forecheck. Don talked about our forwards being in better position and our defensemen working better together, but I think it's more than that. If you watch UMD's forecheck, one player would pressure the puck carrier (defenseman) while another player would try to cut off the outlet pass by covering the strong-side winger (2-1-2). This puts a lot of pressure on our young defenders to make quick, accurate passes, and resulted in several turnovers that led to goals this weekend.
One thing Herb Brooks used to do to beat this forecheck was to have the weak-side winger cheat down low and then have the defenseman carry the puck behind the net to the strong-side and then turn and wrap the puck along the boards back to the weak-side (where the weak-side winger would be waiting uncovered. This is just one easy way to beat this forecheck, but I think the coaching staff needs to do something schematically (at least early) to take some pressure off our young defensemen. You better believe other teams will see this in film study and employ the same aggressive forecheck if we don't.
<IMG SRC="http://mnhockeycentral.webs.com/BREAK%20OUT.jpg"></>
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Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)
It will be interesting to see how the D develop over the year. A lot are commenting on their need to improve. While there were a few times they got burned one-on-one, it seemed like a lot of their errors were on the break-out or even in the other end. Everyone wants to believe that Hill being gone is all the difference in the world, and from what I hear from people who know a little of the inner-workings, Hill was a problem. But to me, the biggest difference from last year, defensively, is that the TEAM isn't coughing up as many chances in the slot. Partly it is better positioning by the D, but it is also back-checking by the forwards. (How many times last year did we see get a pass in the slot, and the Gopher was a stride or two behind, or not even in the vicinity?) The problem was always most evident in all the games they didn't show up for so weren't moving their feet. So I guess I am wondering if all the improvement in coverage can be attributed to Hill's departure, and how much might have to do with motivation to play (which is partly on the coaches, but partly on the players). (And I don't give as much faith to one comment by a coach in a between period interview to believe you can assume Hill was only "encouraging" them as a lot of posters like to quote.) Don't get me wrong, I am glad to see Hill gone. But I think there are a lot more factors (Lucia Illness, some players who never reached potential, maybe some attitudes..) than one assistant, that contributed to the past three years and hope some of those things have also changed. Just hope they can continue to play well and can improve as the year goes on (and avoid injuries).
It will be interesting to see how the D develop over the year. A lot are commenting on their need to improve. While there were a few times they got burned one-on-one, it seemed like a lot of their errors were on the break-out or even in the other end. Everyone wants to believe that Hill being gone is all the difference in the world, and from what I hear from people who know a little of the inner-workings, Hill was a problem. But to me, the biggest difference from last year, defensively, is that the TEAM isn't coughing up as many chances in the slot. Partly it is better positioning by the D, but it is also back-checking by the forwards. (How many times last year did we see get a pass in the slot, and the Gopher was a stride or two behind, or not even in the vicinity?) The problem was always most evident in all the games they didn't show up for so weren't moving their feet. So I guess I am wondering if all the improvement in coverage can be attributed to Hill's departure, and how much might have to do with motivation to play (which is partly on the coaches, but partly on the players). (And I don't give as much faith to one comment by a coach in a between period interview to believe you can assume Hill was only "encouraging" them as a lot of posters like to quote.) Don't get me wrong, I am glad to see Hill gone. But I think there are a lot more factors (Lucia Illness, some players who never reached potential, maybe some attitudes..) than one assistant, that contributed to the past three years and hope some of those things have also changed. Just hope they can continue to play well and can improve as the year goes on (and avoid injuries).
johnnypohlfan
New member
Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)
Your points would be better emphasized if you used more parentheses. Seriously, lots more. They're quite effective and don't distract me from your arguments at all.
Your points would be better emphasized if you used more parentheses. Seriously, lots more. They're quite effective and don't distract me from your arguments at all.
Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)
I thought they looked better at coverage, forwards were backchecking, it was the breakout that needed some help. I'm sure that will be worked on in practice.
I thought they looked better at coverage, forwards were backchecking, it was the breakout that needed some help. I'm sure that will be worked on in practice.
JDUBBS1280
MN Hockey Enthusiast
Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)
All Gopher Hockey In-Game and Post-Game Audio For This Season Posted Here
<A HREF="http://audioboo.fm/MinnesotaHockey">INTERVIEWS</A>
All Gopher Hockey In-Game and Post-Game Audio For This Season Posted Here
<A HREF="http://audioboo.fm/MinnesotaHockey">INTERVIEWS</A>
JDUBBS1280
MN Hockey Enthusiast
Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)
Don Lucia Radio Show From 10/17/2011
<A HREF="http://www.gophersports.com/allaccess/?media=271655">LISTEN HERE</A>
Don Lucia Radio Show From 10/17/2011
<A HREF="http://www.gophersports.com/allaccess/?media=271655">LISTEN HERE</A>
JDUBBS1280
MN Hockey Enthusiast
Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)
<strike>Rocco Grimaldi</strike> Kyle Rau Named WCHA Rookie of the Week
<A HREF="http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/132078688.html">READ HERE</A>
<strike>Rocco Grimaldi</strike> Kyle Rau Named WCHA Rookie of the Week
<A HREF="http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/132078688.html">READ HERE</A>
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Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)
In my defense (and I do think this is accurate(well, maybe not accurate, but what I am sticking with)), is that I was hunting all day {Ok, not 24 hours {actually more like 9 am to 6 (PM that is), however long that is} and I swear the trees I was stepping over were getting higher and higher as the day went on (If you know what I mean), so that by the time I got back and tried to write that post (through my blurred vision}, that my mind was more focused on my aching legs (especially my right groin muscle {which I hope gets better by the time hockey starts}) than on writing a concise commentary on the state of Gopher defense and the perceived power of the Parise-esqu coach Geuntzel (Oh yeah, and I might have had a couple beers at the end of the hunt).
[{(Is that better?)}]
Your points would be better emphasized if you used more parentheses. Seriously, lots more. They're quite effective and don't distract me from your arguments at all.
In my defense (and I do think this is accurate(well, maybe not accurate, but what I am sticking with)), is that I was hunting all day {Ok, not 24 hours {actually more like 9 am to 6 (PM that is), however long that is} and I swear the trees I was stepping over were getting higher and higher as the day went on (If you know what I mean), so that by the time I got back and tried to write that post (through my blurred vision}, that my mind was more focused on my aching legs (especially my right groin muscle {which I hope gets better by the time hockey starts}) than on writing a concise commentary on the state of Gopher defense and the perceived power of the Parise-esqu coach Geuntzel (Oh yeah, and I might have had a couple beers at the end of the hunt).
[{(Is that better?)}]
Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)
I thought that is what I said.
I thought that is what I said.
JDUBBS1280
MN Hockey Enthusiast
Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)
Gophers CHN Team of the Week
<A HREF="http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2011/10/18_team_of_the_week_minnesota.php">READ STORY</A>
Notice This:
"The shots Saturday were 50-16 in favor of Minnesota-Duluth, but it wasn't really indicative of the story. The game had a good flow up and down, each way, and a lot — not all — of Duluth's shots were dump-ins and from the perimeter."
Gophers CHN Team of the Week
<A HREF="http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2011/10/18_team_of_the_week_minnesota.php">READ STORY</A>
Notice This:
"The shots Saturday were 50-16 in favor of Minnesota-Duluth, but it wasn't really indicative of the story. The game had a good flow up and down, each way, and a lot — not all — of Duluth's shots were dump-ins and from the perimeter."
johnnypohlfan
New member
Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)
I see what you did there!
Well played, Sir.
I see what you did there!
Well played, Sir.
Fighting Sioux 23
New member
Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)
Cheap Shot!
Grimaldi was injured and didn't even play this weekend. It would have been difficult for him to win rookie of the week...although Parise could have done it
Congrats to Rau, well deserved.
Cheap Shot!
Grimaldi was injured and didn't even play this weekend. It would have been difficult for him to win rookie of the week...although Parise could have done it
Congrats to Rau, well deserved.
JDUBBS1280
MN Hockey Enthusiast
Cheap Shot!
Grimaldi was injured and didn't even play this weekend. It would have been difficult for him to win rookie of the week...although Parise could have done it
Congrats to Rau, well deserved.
Thought you guys would enjoy that
I realize Grimaldi was injured. Just poking some fun. And of course Parise could have, he's a Minnesotan
willythekid
New member
Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)
Grimaldi is going for offensive player of the week when he is healthy... Rau can have all rookie of the weeks he wants, heII he can have wcha rookie of the year for all I care. Grimaldi will be going for Hobey...
Thought you guys would enjoy that
I realize Grimaldi was injured. Just poking some fun. And of course Parise could have, he's a Minnesotan
Grimaldi is going for offensive player of the week when he is healthy... Rau can have all rookie of the weeks he wants, heII he can have wcha rookie of the year for all I care. Grimaldi will be going for Hobey...
Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)
It may be hard for him to get offensive player of the week when he is stuck in his dorm room with the shades pulled down, afraid he might see a scantily clad dressed girl and all.
Grimaldi is going for offensive player of the week when he is healthy... Rau can have all rookie of the weeks he wants, heII he can have wcha rookie of the year for all I care. Grimaldi will be going for Hobey...
It may be hard for him to get offensive player of the week when he is stuck in his dorm room with the shades pulled down, afraid he might see a scantily clad dressed girl and all.
willythekid
New member
Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)
agreed... I just hope Lucia makes the goofs wear appropriate length skirts when UND comes to town.
agreed... I just hope Lucia makes the goofs wear appropriate length skirts when UND comes to town.
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