Bowling Green vs. Minnesota State WCHA Semifinal

[Hockey John]

These two teams split their four games during the regular season. BG was the only WCHA team to get a win in Mankato. All four games were decided by one goal with three of the games decided in overtime. It should be a good one. What are everyone's thoughts?

GO BG!!!!! Roll Along.

 

[purpleinnebraska]

Re: Bowling Green vs. Minnesota State WCHA Semifinal

Double good news for Mav fans - We made the FF, AND it's not in the Xcel Center, where we're like 0 for 98 (That may not be an exact number, but it's not far off.). Good luck in Grand Rapids!

 

[MavsFan]

Re: Bowling Green vs. Minnesota State WCHA Semifinal

The Bowling Green games were very early in the season. I'm sure that neither team is the same now as they were then.

 

[MavHockey14]

The Bowling Green games were very early in the season. I'm sure that neither team is the same now as they were then.

I'm hoping so. The Mavs are 10-1-1 in their last 12. One more win and it's probably a guaranteed birth in the NCAAs. Two wins almost guarantees them a 3 seed.

If the Mavericks continue to click special teams wise, I don't see how BG beats them.

Also, for Maverick fans, just a reminder the games will be televised on FSNorth.

 

[Freddie]

Re: Bowling Green vs. Minnesota State WCHA Semifinal

@MavHockey14. I believe you mean berth.

 

[BGFan]

Re: Bowling Green vs. Minnesota State WCHA Semifinal

This is playoff hockey. The regular season record or how the teams played each other earlier means nothing (except for seeding). The idea of one and done tends to change the chemistry on a hockey team. NMU nearly took you to a game three yet you're confident that BG probably doesn't have a chance. I'm not sure that I'd be that confident. I don't make bold declarations like that for obvious reasons, win or lose I just hope for a great game from my Falcons.

 

[Iwearpurple]

Re: Bowling Green vs. Minnesota State WCHA Semifinal

This is playoff hockey. The regular season record or how the teams played each other earlier means nothing (except for seeding). The idea of one and done tends to change the chemistry on a hockey team. NMU nearly took you to a game three yet you're confident that BG probably doesn't have a chance. I'm not sure that I'd be that confident. I don't make bold declarations like that for obvious reasons, win or lose I just hope for a great game from my Falcons.

I don't see MavHockey 14 making any bold prediction, nor did he say that BG doesn't have a chance.

What he did say was "If the Mavericks continue to click special teams wise, I don't see how BG beats them." And I believe, he is correct.

 

[Nab423]

Re: Bowling Green vs. Minnesota State WCHA Semifinal

I feel like it is going to be a good series. I agree that the teams are different than when they met before, BG has their best player now. If Carpenter stays hot and BG keeps all its lines rolling and we get a solid effort from Burke, it should be a good one to watch.

Speaking of watching...any BG or Mavs fans going to the game?

 

[Freddie]

Re: Bowling Green vs. Minnesota State WCHA Semifinal

I've seen it all year, and will repeat myself on this post. IF BG plays all three periods, they can play with anybody....BUT if they take a collective nap, they can lose to ANYbody. I make NO bold predictions, other that to say I expect this to be an exciting game to watch...and am QUITE sad that I won't be able to be there in person

The Mavericks' power-play numbers are frightening, and the only way to negate that is to stay out of the box. Mister Obvious has spoken.

 

[MavHockey14]

Re: Bowling Green vs. Minnesota State WCHA Semifinal

I've seen it all year, and will repeat myself on this post. IF BG plays all three periods, they can play with anybody....BUT if they take a collective nap, they can lose to ANYbody. I make NO bold predictions, other that to say I expect this to be an exciting game to watch...and am QUITE sad that I won't be able to be there in person

The Mavericks' power-play numbers are frightening, and the only way to negate that is to stay out of the box. Mister Obvious has spoken.

Oh, so just like virtually every other hockey team, if the team plays a full game, they can play with anybody?

If both teams get great effort and consistently play well, the Mavericks will likely win a close game. Often times in big games, special teams makes the difference. Hopefully with the third best power play and third best penalty kill in the country, the Mavericks can use that to their advantage.

 

[blackswampboy]

Re: Bowling Green vs. Minnesota State WCHA Semifinal

Hopefully with the third best power play and third best penalty kill in the country, the Mavericks can use that to their advantage.

last time I checked, Mankato's PK was 6th. and BG's was 13th.
but yeah, the expectations here are on Mankato.

 

[GrinCDXX]

Re: Bowling Green vs. Minnesota State WCHA Semifinal

but yeah, the expectations here are on Mankato.

Nicely played

 

[MavHockey14]

Re: Bowling Green vs. Minnesota State WCHA Semifinal

last time I checked, Mankato's PK was 6th. and BG's was 13th.
but yeah, the expectations here are on Mankato.

I forgot the pitiful performance the PK had on Saturday moved it down to 6th. Thanks.

 

[Nab423]

Re: Bowling Green vs. Minnesota State WCHA Semifinal

This game could be decided by a "garbage" goal. No goals are garbage in hockey. Don't quote me on this, but I can see the game winner being a slapshot from the point, hitting the glass behind the net and the pucks bounced back and hits the goalie in the back and goes in...wouldn't be the first time I have seen it.

It is going to be a good, fun game. Hopefully I will be able to watch it live.

 

[Huskiefan906]

Re: Bowling Green vs. Minnesota State WCHA Semifinal

BG beat us recently better than Mankato.

All year I thought Mankato would win the WCHA, but now I am not so sure.

I think GR will bring some surprises as the predicted Ferris vs MSU is also as likely not to happen.

Hope the fans come out and watch some great hockey.

I really like Coach Bergeron, and think he will have his team ready for Mankato.

 

[Freddie]

Re: Bowling Green vs. Minnesota State WCHA Semifinal

This game could be decided by a "garbage" goal. No goals are garbage in hockey. Don't quote me on this, but I can see the game winner being a slapshot from the point, hitting the glass behind the net and the pucks bounced back and hits the goalie in the back and goes in...wouldn't be the first time I have seen it.

It is going to be a good, fun game. Hopefully I will be able to watch it live.

BG has seen a good variety of those garbage goals this year both for and against:
*Had this exact goal you described, off the glass, goalie's water bottle, back of goalie's head .
*Twice had puck hit a seam in the boards on a dump-around, bounced right in front to chaser while goalie was behind net.
*Gave Tech an "own-goal" on an attempted back-pass following a faceoff win deep in own zone.
*Came VERY close to see one go in off the referee's skate this past Saturday.

Couldn't agree more. No such thing as garbage, at least not when its YOUR team making the score.

BG's team defense has improved tremendously over the last several weeks. They've been doing a great job on limiting 'grade-A" chances and clearing any rebounds. Early on, I believe we were trying to do 'too much' with those rebounds (trying to get control of them and skate or pass up ice)...lately, we've been steering those rebounds in to the corner, and taking our chances on winning the scrums down deep. I still see an occasional 'panic' decision down there in the corners, we took a crap-load of icing calls last weekend vs Tech, and we've got to win more faceoffs!

The Falcons are playing with a lot of confidence right now and (altho I know it was a LONG time ago) the fact BG has beaten the Mavs twice is a reminder that we CAN win.

Again, no bold predictions from this fan, other than expectations for an exciting game.

 

[BGFan]

Re: Bowling Green vs. Minnesota State WCHA Semifinal

last time I checked, Mankato's PK was 6th. and BG's was 13th.
but yeah, the expectations here are on Mankato.

The expectations haven't been on BG in the tournaments for the last several years yet we still advanced. Expectations and reality don't always meet. Ferris can attest to that.

Mankato is good, there is no doubt about it but BG is playing its best hockey of the season right now. If they continue to play like they have the last 4 games, it will be one helluva good game. I believe that BG can win but I won't say that they will or can win based on this factor or that one. There are just too many variables and lucky bounces to take into consideration.

 

[MavHockey14]

Re: Bowling Green vs. Minnesota State WCHA Semifinal

BG beat us recently better than Mankato.

All year I thought Mankato would win the WCHA, but now I am not so sure.

I think GR will bring some surprises as the predicted Ferris vs MSU is also as likely not to happen.

Hope the fans come out and watch some great hockey.

I really like Coach Bergeron, and think he will have his team ready for Mankato.

They beat you better? You're justifying reasoning as to why you think BG can beat Mavericks off that?

Bowling Green could beat the Mavs due to a number of reasons...

1. Good penalty killing and staying out of the box in general.
2. Good goaltending.
3. Continuing to play consistently better hockey, like they have the last 5 games. (5-0)

Comparing scores is for fools. If you want to compare scores, the Mavericks are 10-1-1 in their last 12, and the Falcons are 6-5-1 all in WCHA play. That suggests the Mavericks should have a better chance to win. It's a stupid system, because quite frankly, the last 12 games for both teams have no meaning come Friday.

 

[Freddie]

Re: Bowling Green vs. Minnesota State WCHA Semifinal

I also have to take exception to Huskiefan906's post. The margin of victory means diddly-squat. Saturday's BG win over Tech was the CLOSEST 5-2 game I've ever seen. It was anybody's game right up to the ENG.

 

[pdt1081]

BG has seen a good variety of those garbage goals this year both for and against:
*Had this exact goal you described, off the glass, goalie's water bottle, back of goalie's head .
*Twice had puck hit a seam in the boards on a dump-around, bounced right in front to chaser while goalie was behind net.
*Gave Tech an "own-goal" on an attempted back-pass following a faceoff win deep in own zone.
*Came VERY close to see one go in off the referee's skate this past Saturday.

Couldn't agree more. No such thing as garbage, at least not when its YOUR team making the score.

BG's team defense has improved tremendously over the last several weeks. They've been doing a great job on limiting 'grade-A" chances and clearing any rebounds. Early on, I believe we were trying to do 'too much' with those rebounds (trying to get control of them and skate or pass up ice)...lately, we've been steering those rebounds in to the corner, and taking our chances on winning the scrums down deep. I still see an occasional 'panic' decision down there in the corners, we took a crap-load of icing calls last weekend vs Tech, and we've got to win more faceoffs!

The Falcons are playing with a lot of confidence right now and (altho I know it was a LONG time ago) the fact BG has beaten the Mavs twice is a reminder that we CAN win.

Again, no bold predictions from this fan, other than expectations for an exciting game.

You forgot the goal Cooper scored after the dump in hit the linesman in the balls.