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Can Michigan win it all despite Steve Racine?

ecemleafs said:
best offense in the country imo. so much talent and so many lines that can score. if racine is average i think they have a great chance to win it all.
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Average? Average goalies don't have to stop 40 shots a night and offense scores. 2.? Play team D and win a championship like the other top programs do. Not superstar, me me attitude in regular season than obsolete when playoff hockey kicks in
 
Re: Can Michigan win it all despite Steve Racine?

Blowing 3 separate leads against the lowly Badgers doesn't exactly show a commitment to team defense. Racine is not great, but he's not terrible either. The problem, like many have already indicated here, is the team defense. They might run into trouble if they play a team with good team defense like Quinnipiac, North Dakota, Boston College, or St Cloud.
 
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ThePowerConference said:
Blowing 3 separate leads against the lowly Badgers doesn't exactly show a commitment to team defense. Racine is not great, but he's not terrible either. The problem, like many have already indicated here, is the team defense. They might run into trouble if they play a team with good team defense like Quinnipiac, North Dakota, Boston College, or St Cloud.
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I think any team will, but we will see.
 
Re: Can Michigan win it all despite Steve Racine?

streaker said:
The last time Michigan played Minnesota, Racine was hurt. Nagelvoort was in net. But it hasn't mattered in Minnesota because the whole team morphs into a ball of goo. Goaltending is only part of the issue. Team defense is the real problem.
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I forgot about that but I guess it further emphasizes my point. Racine IS NOT the problem.
 
Re: Can Michigan win it all despite Steve Racine?

You must not be paying attention if you think Racine is the problem.

It's the horrific defense being played.

I'm not gonna just assume we're in the tournament. I won't believe it until I see it announced officially.

It seems the guys don't give a **** when they're playing terrible teams like the last two opponents but they come to play when it's a big game. BU, GLI, Minn, PSU.
 
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Re: Can Michigan win it all despite Steve Racine?

But hasn't team defense been an issue for MI for a decade or so? Even if team defense were only an issue this year...it'd probably be pinned on the coaches. But after a decade, it seems to me that its a crystal clear coaching issue.

MI has always had a very unique play style. They come at you a wave of individuals with super human effort. While the whole thing works very effectively, it wouldn't surprise me if this play style sacrificed some team defense.
 
Re: Can Michigan win it all despite Steve Racine?

5mn_Major said:
But hasn't team defense been an issue for MI for a decade or so? Even if team defense were only an issue this year...it'd probably be pinned on the coaches. But after a decade, it seems to me that its a crystal clear coaching issue.

MI has always had a very unique play style. They come at you a wave of individuals with super human effort. While the whole thing works very effectively, it wouldn't surprise me if this play style sacrificed some team defense.
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No, it hasn't been a "decade". Explain how they went to the FF in 2008 and to the NC game in 2011? They beat UNO, CC and shutout UND to get there. Hunwick had a ton to do with it, but overall they knew they had basicially 1.5 scoring lines and had to dedicate themselves to defense. The axiom about offense is skill and defense is hard work applies. You have to want to play team defense, even if it is coached up.

Overall your analogy implies that this is a coaching issue- supported by Pearson's departure. So, I'll give you half credit since it has been about 5 seasons since the change occurred. They definitely changed their style- and recruiting after Wiseman replaced him. But you shift your focus on your team's strengths and it is obvious the last few seasons that Michigan has had the skill to score but lack the defense first emphasis. Players still play and Berenson isn't just going to scrap defense. He is playing to their strengths. Combine it with a lack of a goaltender that steals games and this is the recipe your have.
 
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Re: Can Michigan win it all despite Steve Racine?

The one time the defense cares, the teeter-totter of not giving a **** flips to Racine's end.

MGoBlueHockey said:
You must not be paying attention if you think Racine is the problem.

It's the horrific defense being played.

I'm not gonna just assume we're in the tournament. I won't believe it until I see it announced officially.

It seems the guys don't give a **** when they're playing terrible teams like the last two opponents but they come to play when it's a big game. BU, GLI, Minn, PSU.
Click to expand...
 
Re: Can Michigan win it all despite Steve Racine?

I for one certainly hope not.
 
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