Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

[ARM]

Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

Looking at SCSU's stats, I see that 65 out of the team's 76 total goals have been scored by 4 seniors (Hogan, Roberts, Nelson and Pezon). With the season and their college careers now winding down, I'm sure this group - all Minnesotans - will not need any extra motivation going up against the Gophers.

We've seen that often enough over the years -- Minnesota kids getting fired up to play the Gophs. Those numbers don't bode well for the Huskies next season, however.

 

[brookyone]

Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

I'm sure this group - all Minnesotans - will not need any extra motivation going up against the Gophers.

Undoubtedly, the Huskies will be motivated. Add Nelson to what was a very nice recruiting class...the seniors should be very motivated for this home & home.

It's a gut check for the Gopher squad...to bounce back after a tough weekend in Duluth. You sure want to maintain control of your own destiny. Finishing with Wisconsin, you definitely want 4 pts. this weekend. Don't know the situation...but a fully recovered Emily West would sure help. Though given the specific injury...fully recovered is likely an unrealistic expectation.

 

[ARM]

Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

According to my on-screen guide, tonight's game will be televised on BTN tomorrow morning at 9:30.

 

[CrazyDave]

Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

I'm not going to say much about tonight's game. We ran into a real hot goaltender in Nixon, even when the Gophs played much better in the second and third periods. Congrats to Nikki Ludwigson for finally getting on the score sheet.

The first Husky goal was soft again. Not good. It went five-hole, as did Holly Roberts shootout goal (though the first one was helped in by the Gophers actually trying to stop it). But nobody picked up Felicia Nelson for the second Husky goal in the first period, and she's one opposing player you do not want to have wandering around your defensive zone.

Our shootout attempts looked tough. Why are we trying to deke the goalies so much? It didn't work up in Bemidji in either game, and it didn't work on Erickson's attempt tonight.

Gophers have now given up 5 power play goals in the past two games. What's up with that?

Gophers get one point, but they really needed two. UMD is now within 2 points with 3 games left for each team. Not good, my friends... not good at all.

Box score

 

[ARM]

Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

We ran into a real hot goaltender in Nixon, even when the Gophs played much better in the second and third periods.

One has to figure that you're going to run into a good goalie most nights in the WCHA. In order to be successful against such netminders, a team needs to get bodies to the net and cash in on rebounds -- mostly, we didn't. The noteworthy thing about the Frischmann goal is that it was one of the few times all night where we had somebody really going hard to the net while a shot was taken, and Katie got the tip. Teams need to make the most of their high quality chances. One player had several Grade A scoring opps and couldn't get anything to go. Another had a prime chance to end the game in the final seconds and didn't convert. Not saying these are easy, but no mattter how hot Nixon or any other goalie is, she is beatable. Someone needs to go out there and make a play.

Francis got rid of the puck fast on her goal. I think that's what we need to do. Too often, it seems the shooter hesitates, and the goalie is able to recover.

Gophers have now given up 5 power play goals in the past two games. What's up with that?

As the saying goes, your best penalty killer has to be your goalie. I thought those skating on the PK did well last night. The Huskies didn't have much possession time in the zone, and they finished with only 3 SOG. Unfortunately, the first two went in. The first one has to be stopped, pure and simple. If not, we're not going to be very successful. The other one was a bit of an unlucky bounce that essentially created an odd-man chance down low for SCSU, but we've seen a shooter robbed in that situation many times this year as well. In post game comments, I thought there was too much focus on bounces. You have to make your own breaks. Frischman said last night ...

“There’s that one quote that says, ‘the harder you work, the luckier you get.’

I don't think Gophersports has video of the interviews, but you can hear Frost here. And if you want to read more of my nonsense go here.

The team is banged up right now. Some who are playing aren't at 100%, and we had a couple out by the finish. But I think that we are the best team in the league, I wouldn't trade our roster for that of anyone else, and I hope that the team is excited to go out and prove they deserve to be champions. Get excited -- this is why you work so hard all year long.

 

[D2D]

Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

All good points ARM but you have to be encouraged by the effort last night. I thought the team played hard and for the most part played well. But they need to figure out a way to regain their scoring touch, maybe by getting back to the "ugly goal" mentality.

 

[ARM]

Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

I thought the team played hard and for the most part played well.

I agree; they did a lot of little things well, but they didn't make enough of the game-changing plays to get the "W".

 

[ARM]

Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

The Good - I got to talk to The Boomer. Laura May had a multi-goal game. The coaches have more video of things that need fixing. Did I mention that I got to talk to The Boomer?

The Bad - 4 straight w/o a win. Do we look like a championship team; no, probably not.

The Ugly - It wasn't really that ugly. Maybe I'm in that stage called "acceptance". But I am getting sick of seeing all those shots fired over the crossbar. Maybe those count as goals in practice. When do the Olympics end?

I think that the better team won today. The 2-goal first period sequence was one of those strange events that signals it probably isn't going to be your day. Seen too many of those sequences lately.

Bring on the Badgers.

 

[ManBehindTheCurtain]

Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

In Duluth at the end of two: Ohio State 4, UMD 2.

In Vancouver at the end of one: Canada lots, Slovakia none.

OOOO-hio! Let's go Buckeyes!

 

[D2D]

Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

The Ugly - It wasn't really that ugly. Maybe I'm in that stage called "acceptance". But I am getting sick of seeing all those shots fired over the crossbar. Maybe those count as goals in practice. When do the Olympics end?

Just got home and sad to see the Gophers lost another one. Despite the shots being fired OVER the net, I totaled the total shots ON net and the Gophers had a whopping 85-34 advantage for the two games. But unfortunately points are not won or lost based on shot totals, you need to put more INTO the net than the other team.

 

[ARM]

Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

But unfortunately points are not won or lost based on shot totals, you need to put more INTO the net than the other team.

And we were better in that respect, scoring as many as we had in the three previous games combined. The first goal in particular demonstrated the kind of willingness to get down and dirty that it is going to take going forward.

Another item worthy of note -- down the stretch as Minnesota was looking to generate more offense, we saw 4 D on the ice at once, Bozek and Schleper as wings with Erickson between them.

 

[D2D]

Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

Another item worthy of note -- down the stretch as Minnesota was looking to generate more offense, we saw 4 D on the ice at once, Bozek and Schleper as wings with Erickson between them.

Weird, was the coach just trying to send a message or what?

 

[ARM]

Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

Weird, was the coach just trying to send a message or what?

Unless someone else was injured, my guess is he was trying to find more offense. Both Schleper and Bozek bring some scoring pop to the mix.

 

[CrazyDave]

Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

Just so no one thinks I've gone MIA... I just don't have anything to add.

I'm just getting my hearing back after that !@#$ National Hockey Center foghorn.

 

[gopher991]

Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

Gophers are going to be on Rosen's Sport Sunday tonight (WCCO). Feature on Noora to come.

 

[oldfan]

Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

The Good - I got to talk to The Boomer. Laura May had a multi-goal game. The coaches have more video of things that need fixing. Did I mention that I got to talk to The Boomer?

The Bad - 4 straight w/o a win. Do we look like a championship team; no, probably not.

The Ugly - It wasn't really that ugly. Maybe I'm in that stage called "acceptance". But I am getting sick of seeing all those shots fired over the crossbar. Maybe those count as goals in practice. When do the Olympics end?

I think that the better team won today. The 2-goal first period sequence was one of those strange events that signals it probably isn't going to be your day. Seen too many of those sequences lately.

Speaking of that. If they award the goal, and back up the clock, how does the Zebro penalty still stand? By taking time off the clock, the penalty, any shots on goal etc should be erased. SCSU is up 1-0, but they don't get the goal , and the penalty ( which by scoring 24 sec later is how they go from 0-0 to up 2-0 in 24 sec flat). If Mn had scored, and that was the next stoppage in play, after the goal that had to be reviewed would the goal have counted? Would you see two goals posted at the same time?
I think the Refs screwed that call up, but just as disturbing was the fact that the Refs would not even talk to the Mn coaches to explain what ever the rule is. So hockey fans, what was the right call? If the Refs screwed that up, it definitely had an effect on the game.

 

[CrazyDave]

Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

Speaking of that. If they award the goal, and back up the clock, how does the Zebro penalty still stand? By taking time off the clock, the penalty, any shots on goal etc should be erased. SCSU is up 1-0, but they don't get the goal , and the penalty ( which by scoring 24 sec later is how they go from 0-0 to up 2-0 in 24 sec flat). If Mn had scored, and that was the next stoppage in play, after the goal that had to be reviewed would the goal have counted? Would you see two goals posted at the same time?

I think the Refs screwed that call up, but just as disturbing was the fact that the Refs would not even talk to the Mn coaches to explain what ever the rule is. So hockey fans, what was the right call? If the Refs screwed that up, it definitely had an effect on the game.

If I correctly remember what I've heard before, then if the next stoppage had been a goal by either team, that second goal would not have stood -- only one goal can be awarded at a stoppage. However, the rules also state that any penalties that occur subsequent to the initial goal that is being reviewed will be enforced. I recall this same scenario occurring before with one of the Gopher teams (not sure though if it was the men or the women).

 

[The Boomer]

Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

Always good to talk with ARM and Crazy Dave.

Yes, much discussion on the delayed goal/review, Gopher in the penalty box, etc. It didn't seem that the goph bench were very upset--I believe CD has the right answer--any goal, waved off--player in the box stays in the box.

Great weekend for the Huskies, just based on the all-time domination of the Gophers. A great way to go "out" (it was the last home regular season game, so Senior Day was Saturday). Nation-leading goal scorer Felicia Nelson had two, and home town favorite Holly Roberts had 3 goals and 3 assists!!

And goaltender Ashley Nixon is playing exceptionally well and stopped many grade A chances from the Gophs.

St. Cloud native Anne Schleper is working out just fine for the U of M, isn't she?

Good luck the rest of the way. No, I don't want the Huskies to face the Gophers in the playoffs.

 

[ARM]

Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

I recall this same scenario occurring before with one of the Gopher teams (not sure though if it was the men or the women).

I know it happened during the 2004-2005 season vs OSU, with the Gophers being the team that ultimately scored. The referee on that day was Ms Young (now Fix), and although she did enforce the penalty on Minnesota that led to the whistle, for some bizarre reason the player who was originally in the box for the Buckeyes at the time the "goal" had been scored was not allowed out (it was a PP goal.) Given that, I've always had my doubts as to whether that instance defined how the rulebook states that play should be called.

St. Cloud native Anne Schleper is working out just fine for the U of M, isn't she?

Yes -- if you know of where we can get any more like her, that would be great.

Good luck the rest of the way.

Thanks. I'm hoping for more smiles from the hockey gods this weekend than we've had thus far in February.

 

[brookyone]

Re: Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2009-2010

http://www.mndaily.com/2010/02/14/gophers-fall-th-huskies-3rd-time

A little painful to post this link.