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

[solovsfett]

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

The Gophers have four jerseys this year. The regular home and aways, the nasty gold ones, and the shirt they are wearing tonight.

got it, thanks. they look pretty ok, though I think would be better if it spelled minnesota rather than gophers

 

[ScoobyDoo]

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

Pathetic non-conference record. Down to 31.6%.

 

[JDUBBS1280]

Pathetic non-conference record. Down to 31.6%.

Embarrassing effort tonight. Same old defensive break-downs, getting beat to pucks, and losing puck battles. How many odd-man rushes did Notre Dame have? 15?

 

[state of hockey]

got it, thanks. they look pretty ok, though I think would be better if it spelled minnesota rather than gophers

I don't think they have ever had that. I believe the only jerseys they have ever had saying "Minnesota" were the the original jerseys, and the ones that have it in cursive. Never diagonal.

 

[Gophernation]

Embarrassing effort tonight. Same old defensive break-downs, getting beat to pucks, and losing puck battles. How many odd-man rushes did Notre Dame have? 15?

the gophers just looked bad until three minutes left in the game! Why do they do that? Just think if they would play the whole game for once, they would be unstopable. The boys have played like this alot lately, are we expecting to much from this team? There is alot of hockey left but we keep playing this way and we will miss the tourney again, sorry for the rant just dissappointed thats all! We need a sweep next weekend in sue land but we need to bring a better game or we wont get any points!

 

[Stauber1]

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

Some negativity tonight. Somewhat understandable, but ND is a very good team. My hope is that this game is the one that shows the team they need to start turning in a greater effort every time they step on the ice (6 days a week) if they want to hang any banner this season. I think MN has been slightly overrated so far (a bit of the "Yale" syndrome) and this weekend showed it. 6-10, yes..1-3, no.

That being said, MN put together about 7 minutes of good hockey tonight. Their PP in the 2nd, and the last 5 minutes of the game. After that 5min PP, I knew things were going to go poorly.

Hopefully, this lights a bit of a fire, because for the majority of the game tonight MN looked thoroughly outclassed. And I attribute that as much to what ND was doing as I do to what MN was doing.

Bjugstad clearly didn't have it tonight (despite his late goal). Haula was totally absent. Rau was held to being a pest and not a scoring threat. Seratorre looked out of his element (I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and attribute it to not playing in about a month), and Student clearly wasn't ready to step into this kind of game.
For the third game in a row, the 3rd line was the most effective for MN. And while that is great for the 3rd line, it's bad for the team. MN needed some of their big guys to step up tonight, and it didn't happen.

MN was having trouble completing passes tonight (and even just routine dump-ins); and while that often is the sign of lack of confidence (don't think that was it), or being unprepared to play (more likely...ND clearly was more prepared from the get go) I think much of it has to do with ND doing a very good job in taking away passing lanes, maintaining their team defensive shape, and simply hustling at a rate MN wasn't ready for.
What that means is that MN needs to get better at moving the puck (and their feet) quickly (and with purpose) if they want to compete against the elites in the country. And that's where I hope tonight can serve as motivation for EVERYONE involved in the program to up the intensity all week long, every week, from here on out.

 

[JDUBBS1280]

Some negativity tonight. Somewhat understandable, but ND is a very good team. My hope is that this game is the one that shows the team they need to start turning in a greater effort every time they step on the ice (6 days a week) if they want to hang any banner this season. I think MN has been slightly overrated so far (a bit of the "Yale" syndrome) and this weekend showed it. 6-10, yes..1-3, no.

That being said, MN put together about 7 minutes of good hockey tonight. Their PP in the 2nd, and the last 5 minutes of the game. After that 5min PP, I knew things were going to go poorly.

Hopefully, this lights a bit of a fire, because for the majority of the game tonight MN looked thoroughly outclassed. And I attribute that as much to what ND was doing as I do to what MN was doing.

Bjugstad clearly didn't have it tonight (despite his late goal). Haula was totally absent. Rau was held to being a pest and not a scoring threat. Seratorre looked out of his element (I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and attribute it to not playing in about a month), and Student clearly wasn't ready to step into this kind of game.
For the third game in a row, the 3rd line was the most effective for MN. And while that is great for the 3rd line, it's bad for the team. MN needed some of their big guys to step up tonight, and it didn't happen.

MN was having trouble completing passes tonight (and even just routine dump-ins); and while that often is the sign of lack of confidence (don't think that was it), or being unprepared to play (more likely...ND clearly was more prepared from the get go) I think much of it has to do with ND doing a very good job in taking away passing lanes, maintaining their team defensive shape, and simply hustling at a rate MN wasn't ready for.
What that means is that MN needs to get better at moving the puck (and their feet) quickly (and with purpose) if they want to compete against the elites in the country. And that's where I hope tonight can serve as motivation for EVERYONE involved in the program to up the intensity all week long, every week, from here on out.

Notre Dame is a good team, but we played one of the worst games defensively I have seen in a LONG time. If it wasn't for a late rally, Kent Patterson, and a few pipes, this game could have been 7-1. Way too many turnovers, players not getting the puck deep, defenseman pinching in and getting beat, etc...

I don't know why we continue to have our defenseman play so aggressively when we continue to struggle with the same defensive responsibilities. I know we are young defensively, but it is getting frustrating to see the same players make the same mistakes.

I think Bjugstad isn't 100%. I don't think he was during the WJC, and I don't think he is yet now. He looks hesitant to initiate contact at times.

 

[gilmore tuttle]

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

Disagree with the above comment about Student. Didnt notice him much at all last night, which can be a good thing when you are a defensemen. Noticed Helgeson a lot last night and not for good things.

 

[ScoobyDoo]

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

Disagree with the above comment about Student. Didnt notice him much at all last night, which can be a good thing when you are a defensemen. Noticed Helgeson a lot last night and not for good things.

Helgeson did the same thing he always does last night. Someone will have to explain to me why he insists on playing the puck instead of the man when he's backing up towards the net. He got beat because of that whereas if he had taken the guy no shot would've occurred.

 

[JDUBBS1280]

Helgeson did the same thing he always does last night. Someone will have to explain to me why he insists on playing the puck instead of the man when he's backing up towards the net. He got beat because of that whereas if he had taken the guy no shot would've occurred.

Couldn't agree more. What frustrates me more than the fact that he continues to do it is the fact that he doesn't seem to know that he screwed up.

 

[Greyeagle]

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

Helgeson did the same thing he always does last night. Someone will have to explain to me why he insists on playing the puck instead of the man when he's backing up towards the net. He got beat because of that whereas if he had taken the guy no shot would've occurred.

He drives me insane....and yes it's a short trip.

I didn't notice Student much, which is a good thing. When Parenteau is back I hope Student continues to play with some sort of three person rotation with #'s Studen, Helgeson, & Holl - Helgy & Holl need to be more uncomfortable in regards to their playing time.

 

[Stauber1]

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

JD, I don't agree with you that this was "one of the worst defensive performances in a long time."
Both games up in Duluth were pretty bad. The Fridays at both Wisconsin and St. Cloud were worse than last night as well.

Notre Dame was doing a lot to make the Gophers look bad and to expose MN's weaknesses. I guess I'll repeat myself, but the fact that so many passes (and attempted dumps) went into bodies was a sign that MN wasn't prepared to play the game at the pace ND was playing at. That is partly on MN, but also on ND as they were the ones forcing that pace. It also is the result of a team and of individuals on that team that know/s exactly where to be and how to close down the puck carrier while taking away options. ND was better at that than anyone MN has played this year. They were physical, and their speed was just as good as MN's.

Yeah, ND could have had a few more goals for sure, but the ones they did score: 2pp, 1SH, 1 directly off a face-off. I dunno.

As far as Bjugstad, he may well not be 100%. But just 1 example, in the 2nd period he found himself alone in the slot, the puck sitting perfectly on his stick, and a solid 1 to 1.5 seconds to pick his spot...and he missed the net. That's a play that he has to do better with if this team is going to be successful.

 

[Stauber1]

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

He drives me insane....and yes it's a short trip.

I didn't notice Student much, which is a good thing. When Parenteau is back I hope Student continues to play with some sort of three person rotation with #'s Studen, Helgeson, & Holl - Helgy & Holl need to be more uncomfortable in regards to their playing time.

After the first period, I noticed Student quite a bit. He was having trouble recognizing when to commit to loose pucks, was following the pass and forgetting about the player who made the pass, getting turned routinely, losing track of guys floating behind him...I think a lot of that has to do with simply not playing in such a long time. But still, he wasn't ready for this kind of game.
I don't think most of MN was ready to play a team of ND's caliber, especially so for Student. That's a tough team to make your debut against. That's all I was saying.

I do agree that I'd like to see Holl and Helgeson held a bit more accountable, and playing time is a great way to do that. Student seems to have the tools, just not the mental edge at this time. So, I wouldn't mind seeing him back out there again this season.

 

[Greyeagle]

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

After the first period, I noticed Student quite a bit. He was having trouble recognizing when to commit to loose pucks, was following the pass and forgetting about the player who made the pass, getting turned routinely, losing track of guys floating behind him...I think a lot of that has to do with simply not playing in such a long time. But still, he wasn't ready for this kind of game.
I don't think most of MN was ready to play a team of ND's caliber, especially so for Student. That's a tough team to make your debut against. That's all I was saying.
I do agree that I'd like to see Holl and Helgeson held a bit more accountable, and playing time is a great way to do that. Student seems to have the tools, just not the mental edge at this time. So, I wouldn't mind seeing him back out there again this season.

Out of curiosity, were at the game or watching on TV? I was not at the game and I tend to be much more forgiving when my observations are based on the television broadcast - especially of defensemen.

 

[JDUBBS1280]

JD, I don't agree with you that this was "one of the worst defensive performances in a long time."
Both games up in Duluth were pretty bad. The Fridays at both Wisconsin and St. Cloud were worse than last night as well.

Notre Dame was doing a lot to make the Gophers look bad and to expose MN's weaknesses. I guess I'll repeat myself, but the fact that so many passes (and attempted dumps) went into bodies was a sign that MN wasn't prepared to play the game at the pace ND was playing at. That is partly on MN, but also on ND as they were the ones forcing that pace. It also is the result of a team and of individuals on that team that know/s exactly where to be and how to close down the puck carrier while taking away options. ND was better at that than anyone MN has played this year. They were physical, and their speed was just as good as MN's.

Yeah, ND could have had a few more goals for sure, but the ones they did score: 2pp, 1SH, 1 directly off a face-off. I dunno.

As far as Bjugstad, he may well not be 100%. But just 1 example, in the 2nd period he found himself alone in the slot, the puck sitting perfectly on his stick, and a solid 1 to 1.5 seconds to pick his spot...and he missed the net. That's a play that he has to do better with if this team is going to be successful.

Can't disagree with much of what you said man. I watched the game at my in-laws, and wasn't able to give it my full attention, but it seemed like there were more defensive miscues and breakdowns than there even were in the other games we played poorly. I don't remember having so many odd-man rushes against us. I have the game recorded, and I'll have to rewatch it, but you're right, Notre Dame did a lot to force turnovers and outworked us most of the night as well.

 

[Stauber1]

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

Out of curiosity, were at the game or watching on TV? I was not at the game and I tend to be much more forgiving when my observations are based on the television broadcast - especially of defensemen.

I was at the game. You're right, it's a lot easier to see the stuff away from the puck when you are watching 10 rows up than when you are relying on a TV crew.
I was watching him pretty closely, just because I was pretty curious to see how he would play, so maybe I was putting under the microscope a bit too much. Like i said, I think he has the tools; he just wasn't in form to be playing at that level.

 

[Driftryder]

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

I was out of town and didn't get to catch the game at all, how did Patterson look? Was he hung out to dry?

 

[gopher wes]

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

As many have mentioned, Haula was invisible on Saturday. I was thoroughly disappointed with his lack of effort literally the entire game.

Now that I am thinking back. I don't remember seeing Hansen on the ice. He did nothing noticeable.

As metioned, Rau was nothing more than a pest. He was the only player I saw hustling consistently against Notre Dame. That strikes me as a little odd considering he was supposed to be tired after returning for the WJC. He was skating circles around the rest of his teammates, getting his butt kicked in the process, and still coming back for more. Doesn't make sense to me. (EDIT: Thinking back, Matson always hustles 100% when he is on the ice but he was not very noticeable to me outside of his goal)

As for Student, he played OK, but nothing more. He pinched once offensively when he shouldn't have and I'm pretty sure that was what created the 2 on 1 when Notre Dame hit the pipe(s). Marshall is the one I am growing tired of very quickly. Everyone talks about the offense which we have seen very little of thus far other than flashes of promise but not much more. I'm not sure sitting him is the answer but I'm sick of the turnovers and him being a defensive liability.

 

[JDUBBS1280]

As many have mentioned, Haula was invisible on Saturday. I was thoroughly disappointed with his lack of effort literally the entire game.

Now that I am thinking back. I don't remember seeing Hansen on the ice. He did nothing noticeable.

As metioned, Rau was nothing more than a pest. He was the only player I saw hustling consistently against Notre Dame. That strikes me as a little odd considering he was supposed to be tired after returning for the WJC. He was skating circles around the rest of his teammates, getting his butt kicked in the process, and still coming back for more. Doesn't make sense to me. (EDIT: Thinking back, Matson always hustles 100% when he is on the ice but he was not very noticeable to me outside of his goal)

As for Student, he played OK, but nothing more. He pinched once offensively when he shouldn't have and I'm pretty sure that was what created the 2 on 1 when Notre Dame hit the pipe(s). Marshall is the one I am growing tired of very quickly. Everyone talks about the offense which we have seen very little of thus far other than flashes of promise but not much more. I'm not sure sitting him is the answer but I'm sick of the turnovers and him being a defensive liability.

Agree with everything you said, especially concerning Haula and Marshall.

 

[Stauber1]

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

I was out of town and didn't get to catch the game at all, how did Patterson look? Was he hung out to dry?

He got hung out to dry a little bit. The goals came 2 on ND pp's, 1 on a shorthanded breakaway, and 1 directly off a face-off.
It was the same story as always for Patterson though. Very solid, few to no uncontrolled rebounds, if it was low it wasn't getting past him, but struggled when shots went on goal high.
Aside from the 3 goals that were scored high when the shooter was approaching square to the goal, ND also hit the crossbar twice on shots where Patterson was clearly beat. I think Jeff Jackson and co. did there due diligence in scouting and had their guys wise to shooting high as their best chance to score goals.