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

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

- RIT scoring first in both games was huge. If they score first against Wisconsin, its a different game than if Wisconsin gets ahead early.
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I agree with Chris that this is a good analysis and largely right on. However, point #1, quoted above, was the very biggest one in both games IMHO (and will be again in Detroit).

Personally, I don't think DeMichiel was all that "red hot" this past weekend. He was great, he was solid, but he was also pretty much just like he has been most nights. Like I've been telling people all days, those two games were not fluke wins. The Tigers came, they played their game, they played it well, and they won both games.

I also agree with those that said they expect something more like the RIT-DU game come next Thursday. That game could have been opened up a few times, but wasn't ... and it could have gone either way.

Can't wait to zip through Ontario on my way to Detroit next week.
 
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Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

ZamboniDude said:
Denver did the same (as evidenced by 15-ish shots from their top line forwards and 40 shots overall as a team), but RIT was able to keep most of the Denver play out on the perimeter of the offensive zone. The shots were numerous but not as many quality shots as Denver probably expected to get. Denver players were visibly frustrated (i.e. smashing sticks on ice and shaking heads) in the 2nd and 3rd periods as they continued to pour longer range shots at the net but DiMichiel was steady and the defense took decent care of rebounds.

...

- When Wisconsin sets up in the RIT zone, RIT will go to great lengths to keep the middle clear and force everything along the boards and to the point. How Wisconsin reacts to that and generates chances anyway will be important. I think both Denver and UNH players made reference to this as the "RIT system" in the post game interviews. Denver did not react well to this tactic, and UNH seemed to do a better job handling this before the 3 goal outburst killed them mentally.
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I think that'll be the main battle of the weekend. This UW team has been able to cycle the puck better than any other season since the title team in '06. UW was able to do that and move around into the interior of the zone very effectively in the West regional. Most of the goals scored this weekend came from inside.
 
Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

Pardon the interruption, but if some of you like playing hockey, and would like to join us for a posters pick up game- we are hosting the annual Posters Game at Yost Ice Arena, Ann Arobr, noon-2pm on Saturday April 10.

Ann Arbor is about a 45 min drive from Detroit, as a reference.

Come play, watch, ref, scorekeep- whatever.

Here's the thread in the Cafe secion- http://board.uscho.com/showthread.php?t=85605&page=9

(yes, this is a little self serving, but that's just because I'm stuck fitting the bill if we are short)
 
Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

JRZ DVLS said:
I will say that both teams are pretty solid from top to bottom. Obviously, UW has more top end Talent, but from what i gathered, their goaltending is pretty shaky, and has been the Achilles this season.
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Gudmanson hasn't been UW's Achilles heal this season (19-4-4, 2.32 gaa .915 s%). Inconsistant play has been their "issue", but even at that, they haven't lost back to back games all year. The other goalie, Bennett, has been more of an Achilles heal (8-6-0, 2.82 gaa, .885 s%).

As long as they play up to their potential, they will be in the game with a chance to win, and that's all you can ask for.

Common opponents...UW waxed UNH early in the year @ the Kohl, 4-0 and 6-1. UW was 2-0-1 against DU and 3-1 against Kato.
 
Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

Timothy A said:
Gudmanson hasn't been UW's Achilles heal this season (19-4-4, 2.32 gaa .915 s%). Inconsistant play has been their "issue", but even at that, they haven't lost back to back games all year. The other goalie, Bennett, has been more of an Achilles heal (8-6-0, 2.82 gaa, .885 s%).

As long as they play up to their potential, they will be in the game with a chance to win, and that's all you can ask for.

Common opponents...UW waxed UNH early in the year @ the Kohl, 4-0 and 6-1. UW was 2-0-1 against DU and 3-1 against Kato.
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Maybe so, i was going by what many of my friends in Madison were telling me since they watch much more than i do. (I get the FSN North (Minnesota) feed in Chicago) Many of them had told me Goaltending could be better...
I dont think it will be on Gudmanson shoulders anyway.
 
Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

Should be interesting if RIT can handle UW's depth upfront and at the blue line. nothing is going to come easy for RIT but there goalie is a beast so if UW throws 20 pucks on him in the 1st and gets nothing out of it, we have seen frustration hold this team back at times this season. I wish it was this eekend, although the extra week to allow RIT to cool off a bid may be ok too...
 
Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

Gudmenson's been exactly what UW has needed this year, steady, no "killer" goals given up (worst I've seen was the 3rd by SCSU on Sat). UW has enough offense to win a game, just can't have a goaltender lose it. I agree, he will give you a heart attack at least once a night, but he gets the job done. Bennett gives you about 3 heart attacks a game, and one "softie" a game as well.

For our Rochester friends, is Dinosaur's BBQ still open there? Been a while, but I remember that being very tasty!!
 
Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

Unfortunately, I can't fly to Detroit for that weekend but I look forward to watching on ESPN2. Wisconsin is a big DI school with a long history in hockey. They will be a tough opponent for RIT. I'm sure both teams are doing their homework and will be at their best April 8. It will be an exciting game that will bring Wisconsin and RIT fans on the edge of their seat.

As an undergrad, I loved the energy of RIT hockey and tried not to miss a game. The fan base has always been very large and grassroots, often coming early to set up. It was not hard to fill up Ritter Arena and turn fans away before the DI days so the arena must be bursting at its seams now. Any plans to build a new arena?

It is great to see Tiger Hockey program ascend to the NCAA Division I Frozen Four. The team has shown they are nationally first-rate and can take on the big, established hockey powerhouses. For the first time in a long time, I'm actually thinking about donating, although not very much as I'm still in graduate school. I can only imagine this will boost alumni giving.

Wayne Wilson has done a spectacular job this year. I hope he continues to coach the team for many seasons to come.

This is just the beginning. :)
 
Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

ZamboniDude said:
- RIT is a 4 seed but they clearly don't care about seedings or PWR. They keep coming and coming. So, if Wisconsin forgets the seeding thing and the perceived talent disparity and just treats RIT as they would any other equally skilled opponent, it will serve them well. .
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Well said.
 
Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

unclenick said:
Don't be zipping too fast the OPP WILL CATCH YOU!!!!!!!!:eek:
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Thanks for the warning ... can't say it hasn't happened before. But the "flow of traffic" is always a bit quicker once I cross that border from NY into Ontario!:cool:
 
Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

JRZ DVLS said:
Maybe so, i was going by what many of my friends in Madison were telling me since they watch much more than i do. (I get the FSN North (Minnesota) feed in Chicago) Many of them had told me Goaltending could be better...
I dont think it will be on Gudmanson shoulders anyway.
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For the most part, people in Madison and badger fans in general often expect a tremendous amount out of our goaltending. We have had such a strong tradition in developing (or having) excellence in that position we often expect too much and look down upon goaltenders that are very good. Players like Mike Richter, Curtis Joseph, Brian Elliott and Bernd Bruckler really have created such high expectations for UW Badgers in goal that often, we are negative when we really have a good, but not spectacular goaltender.
 
Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

Sucks that we have to wait two weeks for the FF. ;)

So does the two week layoff favor either team?

How do the coaches keep their teams sharp?
 
Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

HighToTheGloveSide said:
Sucks that we have to wait two weeks for the FF. ;)

So does the two week layoff favor either team?

How do the coaches keep their teams sharp?
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I'm not sure it favors any team.. gives both team a week or so to review video and so forth...as for keeping the team sharp, just practice..i mean think about ncaa football and the bowl games.. some teams don't play the game for a month...for us its only 2 weeks so, plus it gives anyone with injuries or feeling banged up to recover..
 
Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

HighToTheGloveSide said:
How do the coaches keep their teams sharp?
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Wayne Wilson and Jerry York both were asked about this during the NCAA press conference today. Wilson mentioned that having a few days to deal with media, tickets for family, travel, etc., before focusing on the hockey was good. York pointed out that before they made the change, you'd get back on Sunday (often very late) and have to be at the site of the tournament on Tuesday which was very short. And he said that it was much easier for fans to make arrangements with an extra few days.
 
Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

This might be a stupid question...but how do they keep a hockey rink cold inside a football stadium?
 
Re: FFFF Semi (4/8): Wisconsin vs. RIT

I watched all of DU's games this year and Wisconsin was the best team that they played, better than BC who DU beat in early January. DU went 0-2-1 against Wisconsin and got smoked in the WCHA consolation game. They played two very close games earlier in the year. The Badgers have a deeper defense than DU and more balanced scoring. DU had better goaltending than the Badgers. RIT's goalie is going to have to play better than he did against DU to get a win and he played a great game against DU. The first goal is going to be huge in this game. My money is on the Badgers in this game. I see Miami beating BC in the other game setting up a Miami/Wisconsin final. I think the final game goes to OT with a fluke goal winning it for one of the teams.
 
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