USCHO Fan Forum
This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
-
The USCHO Fan Forum has migrated to a new plaform, xenForo. Most of the function of the forum should work in familiar ways. Please note that you can switch between light and dark modes by clicking on the gear icon in the upper right of the main menu bar. We are hoping that this new platform will prove to be faster and more reliable. Please feel free to explore its features.
2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)
- Thread starter JDUBBS1280
- Start date
- Status
Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)
Although he missed the net a lot tonight. Like to see him hit it more when there is a body in front for a rebound.
Although he missed the net a lot tonight. Like to see him hit it more when there is a body in front for a rebound.
Slap Shot
I got nothing
Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)
This is true, but I was thinking more along line of not getting rid of the puck in the defensive zone before he had to, whicn instead has resulted in opportunities to skate the puck out of the zone and lead to a counter rather then just burying the puck in the corner of the defensive zone and/or leading to a turnover. Baby steps...
This is true, but I was thinking more along line of not getting rid of the puck in the defensive zone before he had to, whicn instead has resulted in opportunities to skate the puck out of the zone and lead to a counter rather then just burying the puck in the corner of the defensive zone and/or leading to a turnover. Baby steps...
Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)
I agree. Alt also had a good game tonight. I like the way these two and Parenteau seem to be improving through the year. And while this also may be thanks in part to Geuntzel, I think it is easier for D to gain confidence when the forwards are backchecking as well as they are this year and the Goalie is so solid. (But I think there are more factors than just Guentzel to all of this.)
Last edited:
Slap Shot
I got nothing
Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)
btw, despite the Gophers having troubles in the 2nd period, they have had I believe only 1 OT game this year whereas it seems they have had a myriad of OT gams in seasons past. I think that speaks to a team that is not content a lead, but also will not lay down and die when behind.
btw, despite the Gophers having troubles in the 2nd period, they have had I believe only 1 OT game this year whereas it seems they have had a myriad of OT gams in seasons past. I think that speaks to a team that is not content a lead, but also will not lay down and die when behind.
Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)
I mentioned in the SCSU series thread, that Guentzel helped the D, so now the forwards don't have to necessarily backcheck, they can be more aggressive, like the Gophers' teams of old. Increased scoring because of it, etc etc. Domino effect.
I mentioned in the SCSU series thread, that Guentzel helped the D, so now the forwards don't have to necessarily backcheck, they can be more aggressive, like the Gophers' teams of old. Increased scoring because of it, etc etc. Domino effect.
Slap Shot
I got nothing
Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)
Yes and no. The Gophers forwards have backchecked imho like never before this year because of Geuntzel, but it strategically puts them in position for the breakout because they force the opponent into turnovers and the resulting breakout. The overall increased "grit" factor has amped up their ability to capitalize on their skill whereas in the past few seasons they couldn't utilize that skill because they were never in position to take advantage of it.
Yes and no. The Gophers forwards have backchecked imho like never before this year because of Geuntzel, but it strategically puts them in position for the breakout because they force the opponent into turnovers and the resulting breakout. The overall increased "grit" factor has amped up their ability to capitalize on their skill whereas in the past few seasons they couldn't utilize that skill because they were never in position to take advantage of it.
Driftryder
Gopher Hockey
Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)
Without a doubt the forwards this year have backchecked harder than the last few combined, which is huge obviously.
Without a doubt the forwards this year have backchecked harder than the last few combined, which is huge obviously.
Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)
I've heard the coach gets pretty frustrated with him at times and gives him plenty of "instruction".
I've heard the coach gets pretty frustrated with him at times and gives him plenty of "instruction".
Handyman
Hug someone you care about...
Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)
Oh they backcheck, but they dont need to do it to cover for bad defensive play which is the difference. They dont need to be deep in no position to break the puck out they can be ready to transition as soon as the D gets the puck. It is beautiful
Oh they backcheck, but they dont need to do it to cover for bad defensive play which is the difference. They dont need to be deep in no position to break the puck out they can be ready to transition as soon as the D gets the puck. It is beautiful
Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)
And while I agree the D is more aggressive, so are the forwards. While I think Guentzel is probably a huge step up from Hill, I think people are just too willing to attribute 90% of the change to him. Lucia is still the head coach and has a proven history, even without Guentzel. There are a lot of factors contributing to improved play. Player personalities is huge. Having a guy like Rau who plays his heart out does more to fire up teammates than a coach typically can. And once a team starts to win and gain confidence, they will play harder. A couple odd bounces in Duluth meaning they lose both games and we might be looking at a different team, regardless of the coach. The season is all about building momentum and gaining confidence. It is more than just what one assistant brings.
And when I think about the Gopher teams of old, I think about teams that held the puck so much that the other team didn't have possession enough to threaten as much, not that the D was so controlling that they gave forwards the puck to play with.
Either way, it is all good so far....
It goes both ways, but how many times last year was the third guy into the zone (who is the responsibility of the backchecking forward) the open guy who scored. You don't see much of that this year.
And while I agree the D is more aggressive, so are the forwards. While I think Guentzel is probably a huge step up from Hill, I think people are just too willing to attribute 90% of the change to him. Lucia is still the head coach and has a proven history, even without Guentzel. There are a lot of factors contributing to improved play. Player personalities is huge. Having a guy like Rau who plays his heart out does more to fire up teammates than a coach typically can. And once a team starts to win and gain confidence, they will play harder. A couple odd bounces in Duluth meaning they lose both games and we might be looking at a different team, regardless of the coach. The season is all about building momentum and gaining confidence. It is more than just what one assistant brings.
And when I think about the Gopher teams of old, I think about teams that held the puck so much that the other team didn't have possession enough to threaten as much, not that the D was so controlling that they gave forwards the puck to play with.
Either way, it is all good so far....
Slap Shot
I got nothing
Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)
You said it in fewer words but I think we are saying the same thing. Good times, eh?
Oh they backcheck, but they dont need to do it to cover for bad defensive play which is the difference. They dont need to be deep in no position to break the puck out they can be ready to transition as soon as the D gets the puck. It is beautiful
You said it in fewer words but I think we are saying the same thing. Good times, eh?
Handyman
Hug someone you care about...
Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)
It is the basis for "Good Gopher Hockey". We may not play the best D in the league, we may give up odd man rushes and so on, but when the team is playing well they switch from D to O in a flash and skate you to death.
You said it in fewer words but I think we are saying the same thing. Good times, eh?
It is the basis for "Good Gopher Hockey". We may not play the best D in the league, we may give up odd man rushes and so on, but when the team is playing well they switch from D to O in a flash and skate you to death.
ScoobyDoo
NPC
Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)
And it's one of the most beautiful things to watch on the planet.
It is the basis for "Good Gopher Hockey". We may not play the best D in the league, we may give up odd man rushes and so on, but when the team is playing well they switch from D to O in a flash and skate you to death.
And it's one of the most beautiful things to watch on the planet.
Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)
Whatever they are doing it's working, Holl's improvement has been fun to watch.
Whatever they are doing it's working, Holl's improvement has been fun to watch.
Handyman
Hug someone you care about...
state of hockey
He fixes the cable?
Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)
Another thing of good Gopher teams past is when they enter the offensive zone. If there isn't a great chance on net, they don't try to force it there. They dump it to the corner and begin the forecheck of death they used to do. Gorgeous when they pull it off.
Another thing of good Gopher teams past is when they enter the offensive zone. If there isn't a great chance on net, they don't try to force it there. They dump it to the corner and begin the forecheck of death they used to do. Gorgeous when they pull it off.
Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)
Yes. It's almost back to the "you score 4, we'll score 5" days. Lovin' it.
However, 8-4, and a split for the weekend's total? A little disappointing.
It is the basis for "Good Gopher Hockey". We may not play the best D in the league, we may give up odd man rushes and so on, but when the team is playing well they switch from D to O in a flash and skate you to death.
Yes. It's almost back to the "you score 4, we'll score 5" days. Lovin' it.
However, 8-4, and a split for the weekend's total? A little disappointing.
Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)
My own GHS (gopher hate sydnrome) index is spiking and that's scary, but it is a good thing to see the team playing so well. We all love this game, and when it's played well at this level, it's a total pleasure, even when it is they who are playing well. (this is getting hard) The fans deserve it too, given what they've been through the last 3 or 4 years.
And if it continues and becomes intolerable, we can be consoled by the fact that gopher fans are, in every other aspect of life, a bunch of backward, slopeheaded, splayfooted, toothless, drooling morons who should all be shipped off to group homes in northern Saskatchewan.
My own GHS (gopher hate sydnrome) index is spiking and that's scary, but it is a good thing to see the team playing so well. We all love this game, and when it's played well at this level, it's a total pleasure, even when it is they who are playing well. (this is getting hard) The fans deserve it too, given what they've been through the last 3 or 4 years.
And if it continues and becomes intolerable, we can be consoled by the fact that gopher fans are, in every other aspect of life, a bunch of backward, slopeheaded, splayfooted, toothless, drooling morons who should all be shipped off to group homes in northern Saskatchewan.
Re: 2011-12 Minnesota Season Thread (Pride On Ice Returns!)
I am quite happy that you find comfort somewhere. It sounded like the only thing a Wisconsin fan had to cheer about was the really cool third jerseys the Badgers wore last night. We feel your pain.
I am quite happy that you find comfort somewhere. It sounded like the only thing a Wisconsin fan had to cheer about was the really cool third jerseys the Badgers wore last night. We feel your pain.
- Status