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Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

CrazyDave said:
Gophers looked pretty flat in the first 5 minutes of the game.
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My theory is that the first shift of the game got them back on their heels for a bit. They had good jump warming up, Erickson nearly had a break off of the opening faceoff, and then they got pinned in their own end and couldn't get changed for 90 seconds. The Mav's got fired up, our 1st still needed a rest when their next turn came around so the 2nd went back out, and it took a while to gain some control of the game.

It was nice to get the "W", but the game was deceptively close. The usual strong effort by #41 redeemed a lot of sins out there. Mostly we played well, but when MSU would get control in our zone, we'd play a very passive game. I don't like when the player defending the puck carrier is the only person wearing an "M" who is skating. The other issue is that mistakes seem to snowball. A forward loses control on the PP, one D whiffs on the puck, the other D falls down as the last skater back. In Game 1 in Madison, those breakdowns were unending. At least last night, they were isolated.

I'll be interested to see who gets the call in goal today. I know who I'd start, but luckily for all of us, I'm not behind the bench. Okay, I am behind the bench, but seated in the bleachers.:cool:
 
Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

Second game ends in a 1-1 tie, but the Gophers win the shootout for the bonus point in the WCHA standings. Annie Schleper with the game-tying PP goal with 8:29 remaining in regulation, and also with the only shootout tally for either team.

Noora Räty with the 26-save effort in goal today.

Box score is here but doesn't currently list the result of the shootout, so CollegeHockeyStats.net's version of the WCHA standings has not credited the Gophers with the bonus shootout point. The Gophers have 16 conference points with a 7-2-1-1 record, and 9-2-1 overall.

I'll leave it to ARM and others to provide deeper analyses, as they were there in person and I was not. I completely missed the first period due to other events.
 
Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

CrazyDave said:
Second game ends in a 1-1 tie, but the Gophers win the shootout for the bonus point in the WCHA standings. Annie Schleper with the game-tying PP goal with 8:29 remaining in regulation, and also with the only shootout tally for either team.

Noora Räty with the 26-save effort in goal today.

Box score is here but doesn't currently list the result of the shootout, so CollegeHockeyStats.net's version of the WCHA standings has not credited the Gophers with the bonus shootout point. The Gophers have 16 conference points with a 7-2-1-1 record, and 9-2-1 overall.

I'll leave it to ARM and others to provide deeper analyses, as they were there in person and I was not. I completely missed the first period due to other events.
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I only saw the 3rd period and the OT (online). For this stretch of the game I thought the Gophers pretty much controlled the play in terms of puck possession and had the territorial edge. But you had to be disappointed in the power play, especially when they had an extended 2 man advantage and couldn't capitalize. MSU did a nice job defending but I thought with 2 players up the Gophers took some ill advised shots and didn't work it in for better scoring opportunities. Something to work on for sure, moving the puck (and feet) quicker with more authority, getting the goalie moving and finding the open player from close in.

When I first tuned in the announcer said something to the effect that Nora was keeping the Gophers in the game but I took that with a grain of salt since he was obviously a real homer, BUT she (again) sure was great when they needed her in the 3rd and the OT, not to mention the shootout when she really shut them down. All I can say is that it sure will be great to have her on the team the next three years.
 
Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

Just a reminder that the men's team hosts UMD tomorrow evening at 7:00 pm, so the womens' fans get first dibs on the best parking spots for the 6:07 start. The spaces close to the rinks will be a precious commodity for later- arriving fans attending the mens game. A little different situation applies on Saturday as the womens' game will be ending at about the time the mens' fans are arriving - lots of traffic coming and going.
 
Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

Also Subway Classic (women's basketball) at 6 p.m. as well. The Gophers aren't playing at least so hopefully there isn't too much traffic at 6.
 
Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

Don't forget about this on Saturday, either...
Gopher Women's Hockey is hosting their Annual Food Drive on Saturday, November 21st vs. Bemidji State. Bring a non-perishable food item to Ridder Arena and receive half-price admission!
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Thanks to the Gopher Athletics Twitter and Facebook notices for the reminder.
 
Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

CrazyDave said:
I'll leave it to ARM and others to provide deeper analyses, as they were there in person and I was not.
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Yes, aren't you glad you got to witness that UofM vs. SDSU classic in person?:p Sorry for the slow response, but I've been "webless" for a few days.

D2D said:
But you had to be disappointed in the power play, especially when they had an extended 2 man advantage and couldn't capitalize. MSU did a nice job defending but I thought with 2 players up the Gophers took some ill advised shots and didn't work it in for better scoring opportunities.
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They've made some personnel changes on the PP, and I'm not sure that the net effect was an improvement. I like hands -- lots and lots of hands -- with the advantage, and I think the movement is in the opposite direction. They've loaded up one unit with the first line plus Schleper and Bozek, and that crew scored the weekend's PP goals and looked dangerous on quite a few other chances. The other bunch definitely suffered from the tweaks. Minnesota did manage to finally tie it up on the PP, but that was more just Schleper in transition rather than anything organized. I thought Erickson, West, and Bozek all had good looks that didn't go, much to the credit of Altmann.

D2D said:
When I first tuned in the announcer said something to the effect that Nora was keeping the Gophers in the game but I took that with a grain of salt since he was obviously a real homer, BUT she (again) sure was great when they needed her in the 3rd and the OT, not to mention the shootout when she really shut them down. All I can say is that it sure will be great to have her on the team the next three years.
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I thought Altmann was the best I've ever seen her and a big reason why OT was necessary. Noora might have had an easier day than Friday for much of it. Where #41 really shined was in the shootout -- nobody got a sniff of a goal. I would think there is a lot of pressure on a goalie when your team shoots first each round and doesn't score, and she seemed to welcome that pressure. I expect that she'll have a good shootout record over her career.

As for the rest of the Gopher shootout, it was very forgettable up until Schleper going upstairs. Both Erickson and West had trouble handling the puck coming out of the center dot, had to go chase it, and had little time and little chance by the time they recovered it. Francis seemed determined to find some ice that wasn't rutted up, looked like she was going 3/4 speed, and misfired on her shot. Maybe that worked in Anne's favor, because the degree of difficulty of her try was doubled in comparison to the other three.

Overall, I didn't think Minnesota played that bad, despite the scoreboard. The Mav's goal was basically a bounce, of which they took advantage. The overall defense was better, but the miscues tend to be rather glaring.

Hopefully the team now has the after effects of being swept, 4 Nations, the bye, and the various and sundry bugs that have plagued them in the rearview mirror, and can close out the 2009 portion of the schedule as they opened it.:)
 
Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

ARM said:
Yes, aren't you glad you got to witness that UofM vs. SDSU classic in person?:p
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Yeah, but at least they got a win without OT. :rolleyes:

Unfortunately, I'm going to miss Friday's game due to Alumni Band responsibilities (read: I'm going to be at the men's game :o ). But I'll be back Saturday for the women's-men's doubleheader. ;)

Good analysis ARM. I fully concur with your last statement.
 
Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

Natalie Darwitz is going to be a guest on Gov. Pawlenty's radio show tomorrow at 9:10 am on WCCO radio.
 
Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

Good luck this weekend Gophs!

Blessed with many early season positives and knowing that you haven't played your best hockey yet is very exciting!

It truly is there is you want it...
 
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Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

gopher991 said:
Natalie Darwitz is going to be a guest on Gov. Pawlenty's radio show tomorrow at 9:10 am on WCCO radio.
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Bump for anybody who tends to forget things like I do. WCCO is 830 AM in the Twin Cities.
 
Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

ARM said:
Bump for anybody who tends to forget things like I do. WCCO is 830 AM in the Twin Cities.
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Anyone get a chance to listen in and can report on how it went?
 
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