Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

[D2D]

Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

StarTribune recap:

Jones' goal wins a U opener that goes to the wire

The Gophers were pushed again in their season opener, but a late power-play goal staved off an upset by the Orange.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/g...cyaiUjc8LDyiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr

 

[brookyone]

Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

When the Gophs fans all week were wondering about how the offense would be, I was thinking of posting in your thread to don't forget about Chelsey Jones. Naturally, she did not have the backup at NU as she does at Minny, but every game I saw her play in she is a scoring thread and can get it done when need be. I hope she has a successful final season. She does have the capabilities to be a top-notch scorer for you guys.

I thought I noticed a little change, or adjustment in strategy by Chelsey in the opener...which was to shoot the puck more. A good idea I'd say.

For all the pre-season build up they gave to the defense you had to be a little disappointed with some breakdowns they had. As the game wore on there were too many odd-man rushes and players left all alone out front. Against a higher powered offense the goals-against number would have been higher.

Yup, lets hope for rapid improvement for the rematch tomorrow. It can't be entirely unexpected for the first time out. It looks to me like overall, Minnesota may just have its best shooting group of D that I can recall...with several "cannons" at the blueline. The 2nd goal from West, and the game winner are just the type of goals this team will need in relative abundance to succeed IMO...abundance relative to the diminished number of pretty goals we're likely to see this season. Although they're all pretty to me when they're in the net.

I was impressed by Kortum in the opener too...who appeared clearly ready & willing for the physical aspect of D-I hockey.

A SSM powerhouse forward was spotted in the house during the game as well.

 

[D2D]

Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

I was impressed by Kortum in the opener too...who appeared clearly ready & willing for the physical aspect of D-I hockey.

If you've seen Kortum out of uniform you know the physical side of the game shouldn't phase her a bit! If the team's players had a bench-press contest I wouldn't bet against her.

A SSM powerhouse forward was spotted in the house during the game as well.

Hmmmm....very interesting.

 

[CrazyDave]

Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

Kudos to Chelsey for being in the right place at the right time to tip a Kelly Seeler bomb from the blue line. Chelsey did seem to be playing better than I've seen her previously.

It was also nice to finally see Ludwigson getting some ice time (now if I can just remember that her name is Nikki and not Becky ).

Not thrilled with the Gopher D in the third period. Too much standing still led to both Syracuse goals. Plus there were a couple of times Grogan stopped the puck only to have a Syracuse player get to it first. They really need to play better tomorrow, and they'll have no choice but to play much better if they hope to win against stronger competition.

I'll take it, though. A win is a win -- just ask Wisconsin and UMD.

 

[CrazyDave]

Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

Surprised to be (if not the first by the time I actually post this) one of the first to comment about today's game.

I was pleased by the appearance of improvement in the Gophers' play. I'm sure that having Sarah Erickson for more than 12 seconds helped. I was really impressed with the first 10 minutes of the second period, when most of the play was in the Syracuse end.

As far as the lone Syracuse goal, that was a severe lapse of judgment by the Gopher D to throw the puck into our defensive slot area, and then Noora just overplayed the ensuing chaos. Gotta resolve breakdowns like that before next week at Columbus.

Other than the aforementioned breakdown in the second period, Noora was a rock in goal, and I wouldn't be surprised to see her in net for the second game on weekends that she's with the team (vs. being with Team Finland). Unfortunately that leaves Jenny Lura filling the third goaltender role for those weekends, but if Frosty continues with the rotation, Jenny will get the second game for any weeks that Noora is gone.

Kudos to Chelsey Jones on the three-goal weekend. The final Gopher goal today on the give-and-go with Laura May was a thing of beauty. I was getting worried because it seemed like the team was starting to lag in the third period, and the one third-period power play was only mediocre. So that fourth goal really was the nail in the coffin of the Orange.

Here's the box score from the game: http://www.collegehockeystats.net/0910/boxes/wminsyr1.o04

And here's the link to the GopherSports.com recap: Schleper and Jones Each Score Two in 4-1 Win

 

[ManBehindTheCurtain]

Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

A coach I knew once said that the greatest improvement any team makes is usually the improvement between the first and second games. Minnesota played a lot better today.

Those named as stars for the after the game on the ice tribute, May, Jones and Schlepper were all deserving of the honors based on their play today. For me, however, the star today was the same as the star Friday. The biggest difference between the two teams was that Syracuse had absolutely no answer for West. Every time she was on the ice the Gophers were the clearly superior team.

There is still a lot, a lot of work to do. For example, I do not recall any Minnesota v. Wisconsin game from the past 4 years, the years of Badger dominance, that featured Wisconsin giving up odd man rushes in the profusion that the Gophers gave them up today. Too many 2 on 1s, far too many 3 on 2s. Badly missed from today's play was the consistent commitment to defense by the forwards as epitomized over the past several years by the likes of Ross and Marvin.

For example, the Syracuse goal, as pointed out by CD, was a severe defensive lapse. But it wasn't the D, it was one of the freshman forwards who dropped the puck softly backwards into the slot, creating for Syracuse what they were unable to consistently create on their own, a spectacularly good scoring chance.

I think Raty had to play today if she was going to play at all. The coaching staff wanted her to have a game before having to give her one in a conference match up. She played well but faced mostly only ordinary difficulty in making the saves she made. For me this was not a declaration of Lura as number 3. In fact, I think it likely that Lura gets the second game next weekend in Columbus.

I join CD in being very pleased to see the confidence with which Jones suddenly plays. Again today she was a far, far better player than anything she ever showed us last year.

I hope Kelly is OK. I noticed Friday that she didn't return to play but it was the Frost quote in, of all places, the Star-Tribune, that provided the information that she had a concussion. You can see her walking through the background in those video post game comments posted on GopherSports so I guess I am optimistic that she will be okay to return soon. But a concussion is an injury to the brain and should be and apparently is being taken very seriously. I hope Kelly is OK. I know she is new at the center position but after watching the other centers today I see why it is that Frost referred to her in that quote as the team's second line center. Even as new at the position as she is, she is the second best they have.

EDIT: Present at the game today were Gophers for life Andrea Nichols and Maggie Souba.

 

[CrazyDave]

Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

For example, the Syracuse goal, as pointed out by CD, was a severe defensive lapse. But it wasn't the D, it was one of the freshman forwards who dropped the puck softly backwards into the slot...

I stand corrected on that. I couldn't see well enough from the other end of the ice to determine who it was.

I think Raty had to play today if she was going to play at all. The coaching staff wanted her to have a game before having to give her one in a conference match up. She played well but faced mostly only ordinary difficulty in making the saves she made. For me this was not a declaration of Lura as number 3. In fact, I think it likely that Lura gets the second game next weekend in Columbus.

Fair enough. I guess we'll wait and see. It's a nice problem to have.

 

[Habs]

Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

Lura is for the moment no 3. You will see it next weekend.

 

[ARM]

Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

At this early point of the season, I don't think it pays to spend a lot of time worrying about who is where on the depth chart at a given position -- it can change too fast. The players know, and we find out when the line charts or box scores come out.

In goal, the coach has said that we have 3 of starter caliber. I think the staff is confident playing any of them. Who ranks where could change if any of the three is off their game or dinged up. Grogan wasn't particularly sharp on either of the past two weekends. I've seen her better, and I'm confident that she'll play better soon. Based on her pedigree, I sincerely doubt that there is any hesitation about inserting Räty into a conference game vs any opponent, with or without seasoning. She's looked ready for prime time when I've watched her. And Lura has 3 wins over UMD the past two years, holding them to a goal or less each time. That indicates the potential to move to the front of the line in a hurry. Frost said that the each has to be ready to go when her number is called; I think that's rather indicative of the current situation. I'm sure each one wants more time. The best way to get it is to perform so well that the coaches are forced to play you.

As for centers, I thought Kortum showed a lot of improvement over two days. Given she played wing when I watched her last year, I'd expect her to take some time to adjust. Her line scored both of the even-strength goals today, which is always a good sign. The team will likely learn more when they go up against OSU and their blue-chip forwards.

Nice job by the Gophers this weekend. They seemed to be playing hard and having fun.

 

[brookyone]

Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

http://www.mndaily.com/2009/10/04/gophers-women-start-season-2-0

 

[nutsabouthockey]

Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

Lura is for the moment no 3. You will see it next weekend.

Sure hope not. It is insane to me that a goalie of Lura's calibre could be #3.

 

[ARM]

Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

It is insane to me that a goalie of Lura's calibre could be #3.

Which is why I don't see a point in trying to rank them #1, #2, #3. It looks like North Dakota may have a similar problem. But it definitely beats the problem of not having a legitimate starting goalie.

 

[DC78-82]

Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

Which is why I don't see a point in trying to rank them #1, #2, #3. It looks like North Dakota may have a similar problem. But it definitely beats the problem of not having a legitimate starting goalie.

I think a lot of people get hung up on the "ranking" notion when it comes to lines and goalies, but at this level, particularly with the teams that are deep enough to have 9 or 10 top notch players, it's more about chemistry and roles within the team structure. When I played we weren't 1, 2, 3. The lines were designated only by color, and on a given day any line might start, and sometimes one line was hot, other times it was another.

With the same situation in net, it may not be that one is better than the other, it might be a case of having a returning goalie(s) who have seen the level of play, that you want to put in to set the tone. Certainly Lura has proven herself on the world stage, and there's no reason to think she'll have trouble at the NCAA D1 level, but having her backstop a team that has a couple of games under their belt and developed some synergy and confidence shouldn't put her at the back of some imaginary line. Of course, the fact that she'll be missing some crunch time games in February might mean her role this year is to fill in when necessary to assure that the two that remain with the team are backstretch ready.

That said, it is really early to read much into any combinations or rotations

 

[brookyone]

Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

With the same situation in net, it may not be that one is better than the other, it might be a case of having a returning goalie(s) who have seen the level of play, that you want to put in to set the tone. Certainly Räty has proven herself on the world stage, and there's no reason to think she'll have trouble at the NCAA D1 level, but having her backstop a team that has a couple of games under their belt and developed some synergy and confidence shouldn't put her at the back of some imaginary line. Of course, the fact that she'll be missing some crunch time games in February might mean her role this year is to fill in when necessary to assure that the two that remain with the team are backstretch ready.

That said, it is really early to read much into any combinations or rotations

...and I agree that there is no "1, "2 or "3 designated 'tender among these three at present.

 

[nutsabouthockey]

Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

Which is why I don't see a point in trying to rank them #1, #2, #3. It looks like North Dakota may have a similar problem. But it definitely beats the problem of not having a legitimate starting goalie.

Lura and Grogan have already both proven themselves to be "legitimate starting goalies" and there never should have been a third brought into the mix in my opinion, but it is what it is. All they needed was a solid "third" goalie. Could possibly open up a world of unhappiness amongst the tenders but will wait and see.

Nice to see May getting regular shifts. I think she can really help this year's team. Look forward to seeing more of her.

 

[Habs]

Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

I do not agree. When you have to compete for ice time you have to give your best all the time. Results into more solid goaltending for Gophers.

 

[nutsabouthockey]

Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

I do not agree. When you have to compete for ice time you have to give your best all the time. Results into more solid goaltending for Gophers.

It is about "opportunity to compete" and the reality is that there is going to be a "starting goaltender" not getting an opportunity. The coach is not going to rotate three goalies.

 

[MN. Fan]

Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

Lura is for the moment no 3. You will see it next weekend.

I do not agree. When you have to compete for ice time you have to give your best all the time. Results into more solid goaltending for Gophers.

How do you know that Lura or Grogan are not #1? Just because Raty is the goalie for Finland does not make her the best. She also has to prove herself. The season is early. I do know one thing... When it comes to UMD I want Lura in the net.

 

[brookyone]

Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

I do not agree. When you have to compete for ice time you have to give your best all the time. Results into more solid goaltending for Gophers.

I agree, competition is good...and I believe Frosty said it himself, when you have an opportunity to add a player the caliber of Miss Räty, you do it. I'd be perfectly happy with a three way rotation with these three. Unless / until any of the three makes it foolish to take them out of the net. Yes, it's possible for someone to become less than content with their situation. This season, with the anticipated absences of Räty, you definitely need both Grogan and Lura. Maybe we should wait 'til 2010-2011 to worry about any potential fallout.

I hope Jenny gets a start in Columbus.

 

[ManBehindTheCurtain]

Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

Only today did I get a chance to watch the GopherSports video of Frost's post game comments.

I wish to change my position.

Frost speaks very highly of Noora Räty. He knows way more about it than I do. In fact, I am now willing to consider that SHE is number 1.

Doesn't matter though, Frost says best in practice that week will get the game time.

Good enough for me.