FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

[joeyv]

Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

Two words: Butt kicking.

Wisconsin had early jump, pressured hard on the forecheck from the opening faceoff, and really jammed RIT up. RIT looked tight, took some lousy penalties, and got stung on the pp by UW.

Brendan Smith with 5 assists, Stepan with a couple of goals, and UW was rock solid from start to finish.

Great run for RIT, but when the rubber hit the road yesterday, UW was in their grill.

Surprised by the BC/Miami result. Miami was just awful and 4 of the BC goals were just horribly soft and not due to some sort of stellar effort on the part of the BC crew. BC just caught Miami on its worst day, I would NOT attribute it to dominance or talent gap.

I think UW matches up well with BC on smaller ice and I don't think BC is going to be able to free wheel like they were against Miami. UW's advantage against BC will be its ability to grind in the corners and clog up neutral. While BC has some scoring punch (obviously) but Wisconsin's advantage is on D and with their depth. I'll put out that fourth line against BC's 3rd and 4th any time.

Liked the approach last night, liked the energy, but I HATED the slow ice conditions and all the pokey reviews. The games had no flow and no consistency.

The prize is in sight. Get an early jump on Saturday, play with poise, and deliver NUMBER 7!

Wisconsin Hockey: One More to Go!

 

[NYTrojan]

Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

I still for the life of me can't figure out how Denver lost that game.

I understand one and done hockey, but c'mon Pios.

Let's start by saying that no matter what kind of game RIT brought on Thursday it wasn't going to matter, the way Wisconsin was playing we couldn't have won that game. You were dialed in, playing with fire every second on the ice. We don't have the skates to match with that.

With that admission, you got about half the RIT team that Denver did. The vast majority of that is to your credit... Denver came out flat and let us build some confidence but you have to imagine that Denver woke up and gave their all by the time the 3rd period rolled around.

You could see it straight from puck drop... The boys on the ice were awestruck by the Frozen Four, by that huge building, by the week and a half off, and yeah probably lacking in focus from all the rallies, send off parties, etc that we gave them (I wouldn't have changed a thing though, those boys earned that). They were scrabbling from the second the puck dropped.... then you punched us in the mouth a minute and a half in and we never recovered.

Our defense was passive, their sticks pointed at the man instead of fanning for the puck. The fights along the boards didn't exist (How we beat Denver... we forced them to play at the boards instead of in the middle of the ice). That focus was just not there. Are your centers THAT much better at the faceoff than Denver's? We could reliably win faceoffs against them and were just torn apart by your boys. I mean look at it this way... you could say we fluked our way through Denver... that Denver was sleepwalking and whatnot.. fine. But we beat on UNH pretty good. You're obviously better than they are by no small margin, but would you have expected to beat them 8-1 or worse?

No excuses. RIT wasn't winning if Wisconsin brought their A game. I just wish we could have given you the game we gave Denver to keep it competitive (It probably wasn't going to be close either) so we didn't lose all of the respect we earned by taking down Denver and UNH.

I would love a Wisconsin (or perhaps Denver, UNH... anybody really) fan's opinion who saw our games in Albany.

We aren't on the same level as you guys, not even close. Nobody will ever argue that... but we're a hell of a lot better than what we showed in Detroit.

Still proud of my team. Best of luck to yours tomorrow. I will be rooting for ya.

 

[Bullitt]

Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

I think it's very clear who the better team was right from the start. Domination is the best word that comes to mind.

I watched RIT and the Badgers a few times throughout the year and RIT simply doesn't match up well at all in any area of the game. It showed last night.

RIT can be very proud to have gotten to the Frozen Four...not an easy thing to do!

No doubt, the best two teams in College Hockey are playing for the national championship. I thought Miami was over-rated throughout the year...look at their losses, especially later in the season and look at the beating they took yesterday. No way should they have been a #1 team...no way.

The BC/Wisco game is going to be a great game to wach...WOW!

 

[InsideHockey]

Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

Wisconsin Postgame Press Conference Video from Sean Shapiro:

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[joeyv]

Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

Let's start by saying that no matter what kind of game RIT brought on Thursday it wasn't going to matter, the way Wisconsin was playing we couldn't have won that game. You were dialed in, playing with fire every second on the ice. We don't have the skates to match with that.

With that admission, you got about half the RIT team that Denver did. The vast majority of that is to your credit... Denver came out flat and let us build some confidence but you have to imagine that Denver woke up and gave their all by the time the 3rd period rolled around.

You could see it straight from puck drop... The boys on the ice were awestruck by the Frozen Four, by that huge building, by the week and a half off, and yeah probably lacking in focus from all the rallies, send off parties, etc that we gave them (I wouldn't have changed a thing though, those boys earned that). They were scrabbling from the second the puck dropped.... then you punched us in the mouth a minute and a half in and we never recovered.

Our defense was passive, their sticks pointed at the man instead of fanning for the puck. The fights along the boards didn't exist (How we beat Denver... we forced them to play at the boards instead of in the middle of the ice). That focus was just not there. Are your centers THAT much better at the faceoff than Denver's? We could reliably win faceoffs against them and were just torn apart by your boys. I mean look at it this way... you could say we fluked our way through Denver... that Denver was sleepwalking and whatnot.. fine. But we beat on UNH pretty good. You're obviously better than they are by no small margin, but would you have expected to beat them 8-1 or worse?

No excuses. RIT wasn't winning if Wisconsin brought their A game. I just wish we could have given you the game we gave Denver to keep it competitive (It probably wasn't going to be close either) so we didn't lose all of the respect we earned by taking down Denver and UNH.

I would love a Wisconsin (or perhaps Denver, UNH... anybody really) fan's opinion who saw our games in Albany.

We aren't on the same level as you guys, not even close. Nobody will ever argue that... but we're a hell of a lot better than what we showed in Detroit.

Still proud of my team. Best of luck to yours tomorrow. I will be rooting for ya.

NYT,

Very complimentary post. I do think the layoff and the atmosphere really affected RIT. The kids looked really tight, a bit starstruck, and back on their heels immediately. Getting smacked in the beak right away did not help at all, and certainly when a good team gains confidence its hard to stop the momentum.

Wisconsin has an obvious advantage in that they play in front of 15,000 people every night, and have been in these settings before.

I was a bit surprised that RIT did not appear to have the team quickness and speed it displayed in the regional. Wisconsin is not a team of burners, but Wisconsin's kids were obviously quicker. Plus, I think UW's physicality was head and shoulders above RIT's and with RIT getting off to a shaky start, the die was cast pretty early in the game. In essence, they just could not get the confidence needed to even the disparity in talent and depth.

The penalties were tough for RIT. When you are a bit undermanned, you've got to stay five on five, and while Wisconsin created some of the penalties, there were quite a few that were undisciplined and silly (e.g. the checking from behind dq was a horrible play).

Look, RIT has twice the number of wins as SCSU in the NCAA's! This is a great accomplishment for a newly minted D-1 program. They have been to a Frozen Four. They have now added the experience for the program and they made a fantastic run that should be remembered by the fans and supporters of the program.

I hope to see the RIT faithful rooting for UW tomorrow. Nothing to be ashamed of here folks...it was a memorable run. I think most people who saw the game agreed that the RIT team that was out there last night was not the team that they were accustomed to seeing all season.

Wisconsin Hockey: Honest Assessment.

 

[RedFreak]

Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

You could see it straight from puck drop... The boys on the ice were awestruck by the Frozen Four, by that huge building, by the week and a half off, and yeah probably lacking in focus from all the rallies, send off parties, etc that we gave them (I wouldn't have changed a thing though, those boys earned that). They were scrabbling from the second the puck dropped.... then you punched us in the mouth a minute and a half in and we never recovered.

That was my guess. RIT was a bit awestruck at the situation, Wisconsin jumped on 'em early, and the die was cast.

Are your centers THAT much better at the faceoff than Denver's? We could reliably win faceoffs against them and were just torn apart by your boys.

Might be. Not sure where to find those stats but UW usually wins the faceoff margin, often by quite a bit. They must practice it to death.

Still proud of my team. Best of luck to yours tomorrow. I will be rooting for ya.

You should be proud. Congrats on a great season.

 

[NYTrojan]

Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

NYT,

Very complimentary post.

Thanks. It is important to me that the post comes across the right way. In NO way am I trying to take anything from Wisconsin. You outclassed us in every way and deserved not just to win, but to dominate. I'm not trying to whine or suggest that the game could have been different. I am just trying to defend my team from the total loss of momentum and respect that comes when you get your face shashed into the ice.

Major congratulations to Wisconsin for playing like you should in the frozen four, instead of playing like you think you can get away with against an Atlantic team. You respected us as an opponent... though now that I see the way you treat opponents you think are worthy I kind of wish you didn't

 

[joeyv]

Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

Thanks. It is important to me that the post comes across the right way. In NO way am I trying to take anything from Wisconsin. You outclassed us in every way and deserved not just to win, but to dominate. I'm not trying to whine or suggest that the game could have been different. I am just trying to defend my team from the total loss of momentum and respect that comes when you get your face shashed into the ice.

Major congratulations to Wisconsin for playing like you should in the frozen four, instead of playing like you think you can get away with against an Atlantic team. You respected us as an opponent... though now that I see the way you treat opponents you think are worthy I kind of wish you didn't

Wisconsin does have a lot of "star power" with all the first and second round draft picks. It would be easy for these guys to simply think they can show up and win, and to have them prepared in the way that they obviously were, says a lot about the coaching staff and the character of the kids. Talent is one thing, but having the proper attitude and poise is so much more important.

Should be a fun hockey game tomorrow. UW had better bring its best...and I am confident they WILL.

Wisconsin Hockey: No Gimmes.

 

[Innova]

Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

Wisconsin does have a lot of "star power" with all the first and second round draft picks. It would be easy for these guys to simply think they can show up and win, and to have them prepared in the way that they obviously were, says a lot about the coaching staff and the character of the kids. Talent is one thing, but having the proper attitude and poise is so much more important.

I agree with this 100%. It is funny though, I remember last year people saying that if we don't make the tournament next year, Eaves should be fired! Funny what success does for the coaches image (not saying it was you Joey, I'm just sayin')

Should be a fun hockey game tomorrow. UW had better bring its best...and I am confident they WILL.

Wisconsin Hockey: No Gimmes.

I can't wait!

 

[joeyv]

Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

I agree with this 100%. It is funny though, I remember last year people saying that if we don't make the tournament next year, Eaves should be fired! Funny what success does for the coaches image (not saying it was you Joey, I'm just sayin')


I can't wait!

I was VERY tough on Eaves last year, no doubt. I admit it and I did state that if Eaves did not get this team to compete for an NC I was going to be hollering. These are the kinds of runs I EXPECT every year and the previous two years (sub .500 records and NCAA flame outs) were simply intolerable to me.

As I have always said, I expect this program to compete for NC's every year, no exceptions.

Winning is always the best elixir and Eaves and his staff have done a great job this season. Coaching a high profile program is a constant battle of "what have you done for me lately", which is fueled by those with expectations similar to my own for UW. Just ask Don Lucia, who in my opinion, is getting a lot of unwarranted heat right now. Can't say I'm too busted up about the tribulations of Gopherdom right now.

Wisconsin Hockey: What HAVE You Done for me Lately?

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

I would love a Wisconsin (or perhaps Denver, UNH... anybody really) fan's opinion who saw our games in Albany.

We aren't on the same level as you guys, not even close. Nobody will ever argue that... but we're a hell of a lot better than what we showed in Detroit.

Still proud of my team. Best of luck to yours tomorrow. I will be rooting for ya.

I watched the games from Albany on TV, although obviously not there. When I said that about Denver, I was being rhetorical more than anything.

Denver is every bit as talented as we are, but they peaked at the wrong time of the season and were on a downslide coming into the playoffs. That in no way diminishes your team's accomplishment though as you still have to win the games.

I don't doubt that you could play us tougher than that, but yesterday was probably our best effort of the season and you just caught us at the wrong time.

There's nothing wrong with being a Regional Champion. It's a great starting point and in time, if not immediately, your fans will celebrate it for the great accomplishment that it is/was.

 

[RedFreak]

Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

Wisconsin does have a lot of "star power" with all the first and second round draft picks. It would be easy for these guys to simply think they can show up and win, ...

Actually, I think Wisconsin does this a lot. It's my best explanation for their sub-par regular season records and poor Final Five showing.

 

[ganzhimself]

Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

...so we didn't lose all of the respect we earned by taking down Denver and UNH.

I would love a Wisconsin (or perhaps Denver, UNH... anybody really) fan's opinion who saw our games in Albany.

We aren't on the same level as you guys, not even close. Nobody will ever argue that... but we're a hell of a lot better than what we showed in Detroit.

Still proud of my team. Best of luck to yours tomorrow. I will be rooting for ya.

Don't worry... The game vs. Denver wasn't a fluke, and RIT is a better team than UNH anyway.

On your Albany games... The difference was that you scored first. Once you got that first goal, RIT then knew they could skate with Denver. They were winning the battles, they were able to play their style of hockey, and Denver got tired trying to play catch up. The UNH game? Well, let's just say that I think RIT is just flat out a better club than UNH... Not to mention the huge emotional high those boys were on from getting their first D-I tourney win against the #2 overall seed.

Like I said RIT and their followers should be proud of their team, they've accomplished a lot in 5 years in D-I, hell it took SCSU how long to win ONE NCAA tourney game?

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

I was VERY tough on Eaves last year, no doubt. I admit it and I did state that if Eaves did not get this team to compete for an NC I was going to be hollering. These are the kinds of runs I EXPECT every year and the previous two years (sub .500 records and NCAA flame outs) were simply intolerable to me.

We were tough on him because he deserved it. What I didn't know, and maybe the rest of you didn't either, was just how much of a bind the early departures after 06 out them in. I mean, I knew that they were losing a lot of scoring punch, but I thought they should have had guys ready to step up and take over.

There was an article in the paper this week that mentioned how Eaves and Oz got together after that and changed their recruiting strategy and started looking for more guys that would stick around. Last season, I didn't know about this change in philosophy and not knowing, I went with the assumption that they were just staying the course and hoping for the best.

I won't say that we were wrong for criticizing because I also think that we should be competing for titles on a regular basis. We just didn't have all of the facts in front of us.

I now believe that we will be more consistent in the years to come. Kudos to Eaves and the program for realizing that it wasn't working and fixing the problems.

 

[RedFreak]

Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

I was VERY tough on Eaves last year, no doubt. I admit it and I did state that if Eaves did not get this team to compete for an NC I was going to be hollering. These are the kinds of runs I EXPECT every year and the previous two years (sub .500 records and NCAA flame outs) were simply intolerable to me.

Ditto.

 

[bucky15]

Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

But we beat on UNH pretty good. You're obviously better than they are by no small margin, but would you have expected to beat them 8-1 or worse?

NYT - I saw the game against UNH on TV and RIT look much faster against them than Wisco.

I was pretty happy when UNH and RIT beat the teams they were playing, but than got a little nervous after seeing RIT mop up UNH.

I thought the game was going to be much closer. RIT will be back to the frozen four shortly no doubt.

 

[Capernicus]

Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

I don't think that the officiating was at all bad. The calls that the HE refs made were all good. I was surprised to be honest. Nice to see some good officiating after some of the terrible games called by the WCHA refs all season.

I agree it was nice to see some good officiating. But with what we have to put up with in the AHA, I would have been happier with the potential for bias with a WCHA crew than see any AHA crew out there. (Possible exception made for Feola, but who to pair him with?)

I don't suppose you WCHA guys want to switch refs with us for season or 20?

Congrats to the Badgers on advancing to the title game again. I will be pulling for BC in this one, but only because of the Wilson-York connection. A win for York, is a vicarious win for Wilson, which is a vicarious win for RIT.

But, then again, losing in the semi's to the eventual champion doesn't sound that bad either. Aww, heck. I guess I don't know who I want to win now.

 

[aktick]

Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

I don't suppose you WCHA guys want to switch refs with us for season or 20?

You know, we all complain about the refs in the WCHA like crazy, but it's almost comforting to see other conferences doing the same about their refs.

Biggest problem I have with the WCHA refs is the way they are almost like a good ol' boys club, and that the head of officials is a ****ing ******* **** ****head.

 

[Wisko McBadgerton]

Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

Hat's off to RIT. Seriously. If I were an RIT fan (and I would have been in the tourney except for the obvious) I'd pretty much forget about last night's game, other than what the program can learn from it, and focus on the win over Denver. That, to me, was completely unthinkable... Until it happened. Having watched tons of college hockey this year I didn't think Miami was really fit to carry Denver's skates throughout the regular season let alone be ranked ahead of them. (Yes, I know what the PWR was and yes, I'm WCHA biased. So what.)
Throughout the year, Denver has often started slow, but time and again changed the tide and dominated great teams seemingly at will. I was all set for Denver to shift gears and take RIT to the woodshed later in that game. But when Denver put the pressure on, your boys stood up, played hard, believed, and took everything Denver could throw at them. They showed a ton of character. It was a giant effort, and a giant win over an extremely good team. Congratulations on a great season, and an unbelievable regional. Something huge to build on.

 

[sweatpants]

Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

But we beat on UNH pretty good. You're obviously better than they are by no small margin, but would you have expected to beat them 8-1 or worse?

I wouldn't expect it, but wouldn't be shocked if it happened. UNH came to Madison earlier this year and got a beat down by the Badgers in the two games. The Badgers outscored them 10-2 and outshot them 95-35 in that series.