Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

[Third Family Member]

Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

Well, I guess my pique at the USCHO poll, which JJfP has wisely counselled me to pay no attention to is mitigated by the fact that Notre Dame pretty much owned Players of the Week honors this week. Congrats to captains Lavin and Ryan for offense and defense players of the week and to Mike Voran for Rookie honors. Again, ND continues to own RotW.

 

[siouxinminny]

Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

We like Irish in Grand Forks. Stay a while. Put your feet up. It's just the WCHA. Remember, you were members at one time.

 

[Jeff_Jackson_for_Pres.]

Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

Wow. Exactly how many pies did the boys consume yesterday?! That was just bad. Bad backchecking. Bad forechecking. Bad passes. Bad penalties. Bad face offs. Bad shifts after a goal.

I would say that a win tomorrow would be okay. Salvaging a split on the road, and all. But given that the team I've been watching for nearly 2 months apparently fell into a missile silo and was replaced by my beer league team, I got a bad feeling.

 

[dolan]

Wow. Exactly how many pies did the boys consume yesterday?! That was just bad. Bad backchecking. Bad forechecking. Bad passes. Bad penalties. Bad face offs. Bad shifts after a goal.

I would say that a win tomorrow would be okay. Salvaging a split on the road, and all. But given that the team I've been watching for nearly 2 months apparently fell into a missile silo and was replaced by my beer league team, I got a bad feeling.

Don't worry, you aren't the only team we've done that to.

 

[IrishHockeyFan]

Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

Yikes. Jeff Jackson needs to break out some cliches for his post morning skate conversation with the team.

Haven't seen the team look this much like the freshman laden collection they are since the second game of the season. And even then it was pretty much in the defensive end only. Odd that in the 14th game of the season they look as inexperienced as they have all year. Every bad thing they've done so far this year they managed to do in the game last night, and it bit them repeatedly. Worst of all was how badly they got outworked on every area of the ice. What's up with that?

We'll see now how this group of players deals with the adversity of knowing they just got their lunch handed to them. They didn't belong on the same ice as North Dakota and with the way this team has competed so far this year I find that a bit surprising. Win, lose, or tie tonight, they need to come out with an urgency that was appallingly lacking last night and simply compete. Remember, that's the one thing you can do regardless of who you are playing, where you are playing, or what the score is. There is never a reason not to. If the guys who dressed last night won't do it, dress a few tonight who will.

 

[Jeff_Jackson_for_Pres.]

Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

Much better effort tonight. Still too much coasting to pucks and getting outworked physically (by a wide margin). Mike Johnson played well, especially since he faced more than 80 shots this weekend (with about 45 coming tonight). It will sound like sour grapes, but the penalty on Jeff Costello for "goaltender interference" was complete horse poop. He and a NoDak defender were on the other post when the play stopped after Costello went hard to the net. The 2 skaters barely touched each other, let alone having Costello interfere with the goalie. I also have to say that the tripping penalty on ND with 39 seconds left in OT was questionable at best (he was going for the puck after an ND skater went down) and virtually never called that late in an OT at worst.

This weekend was weird. I've never seen ND hit so many posts (I believe at last count they hit 4). I've never seen Calle Ridderwall whiff so many times. On any other night, he would've had 2 goals, but not tonight. And the last NoDak goal last night was completely his fault. While I was quite disappointed in Riley Sheahan's play last night, he did much better tonight, including coming oh so close to winning it in OT shorthanded. He did assist on that shortie earlier, though. And, yay for Sam Calabrese, who had a solid weekend (unlike many, many of his teammates) and got the GTG. And no, Dell was not interfered with. The ND player (Rust?) had his skates taken out from under him, thus causing him to slide into NoDak's goalie.

I wish they could've split the weekend, but this may have been just what was needed to bring them down to earth, show them that it won't be easy to surprise people based on pre-season expectations and they need to...everyone in unison...value the puck. Next weekend is the battle to win back first place.

 

[IrishHockeyFan]

Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

I'm watching this game, and from the moment Notre Dame tied it up I kept saying "just hang on, baby." That thought alone bugs me. This team is good enough that none of us should be worried about "just hanging on." Against anyone. 2-2 with 3:03 left means there are 183 seconds left in which to win the darn thing. Now of course walking out of Englestad Arena with a tie after twice trailing is a decent outcome, certainly better than one of the alternatives. But it shows me that there is still a lot of learning left for all this talent to do.

 

[SwedishJustice22]

Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

Does anyone know where I can get my jersey lettered with the fonts that the boys have on the back of their sweaters? If Im gonna get it done I want it done right

 

[swedenflag_inSEC7]

Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

Does anyone know where I can get my jersey lettered with the fonts that the boys have on the back of their sweaters? If Im gonna get it done I want it done right

My dad got my Calle one numbered at Paige's in Granger. They do a really nice job, I go there for everything I need screened.

 

[Jeff_Jackson_for_Pres.]

Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

The first day of December. I looked out the window this morning and saw a light dusting of snow. I can now listen to my Xmas music (I limit myself to the month of December so I don't get sick of it). I love Xmas music.

I've decided all I want for Christmas is 4 or 5 Irish victories on the ice. (Admittedly, one of those 5 would be post-Christmas...). I'll live with 4, as that would mean we had split with Miami. On the road. If I get 5 victories, I'll make the team fudge. I make great fudge.

Miami frightens me. Well, Carter Camper frightens me. I'm sure he frightens most goalies and defensemen he encounters, too. He's the (obvious) early pick for Hobey. He has 1,382 points this season.

Actually, he has 32 points. In 16 games. He's followed by Andy Miele with an almost as scary 27 points. The others in double digits are Reilly Smith (who along with our Riley--Sheahan, that is--were the 2 NCAA players invited to try out for Canada) with 19, Pat Cannone (15) and Andy Hirschfeld (10). Smith leads the team in +/- at +12.

ND has some frighteningly good freshmen. T.J. Tynan, CCHA's rookie of the Month for November (joining teammate Anders Lee who was ROTM for October) leads the team in scoring with 18 points. He also leads the team in +/- at +8. Ryan Guentzel is next with 17, followed by Ben Ryan (16), Lee (12) and Calle Ridderwall (11).

ND dresses on average 8 freshmen per game. Miami has only 2 freshmen on their entire roster.

Coach Blasi has been splitting time in net between Cody Reichard (6-2-0 with a GA of 2.31 and a save % of .901) and Connor Knapp (3-2-3, 1.79, .915). Mike Johnson is 7-3-2 with a GA of 2.56 and a save % of .911. I would expect that Steven Summerhays will start the post-Christmas game. If he starts pre-Christmas, I don't think it would be til next weekend, when ND is at home.

Miami averages 3.75 GF and gives up 2.12 GA. ND averages 3.6 GF and gives up 2.73 GA. Miami takes just over 7 penalties/game and is 89.2% on the PK. They have given up 9 PPG's and scored 3 SHG's. They have scored 17 PPG's behind a PP that hits 22.1% of the time. They have given up 4 SHG's. ND takes just under 6 penalties/game. Their PK is effective 89% of the time, giving up just 8 PPG's. Almost negating those PPG's against are their nation-leading 7 SHG's for. They have scored 11 PPG's of their own with a PP that works only 14.1% of the time. They have given up zero SHG's.

Miami's and ND's best O by far both occur in the 2nd period. It wouldn't surprise me to see both teams score 3 goals in each 2nd period given the statistics. ND has pretty even D throughout. Miami, like MSU, tends to give up more and more as the game wears on. Miami is 6-3-3 whey scoring first. ND is 8-1-1 when they register the first tally of the night.

I hope the freshmen make a good first impression on the Redhawks because you never get a 2nd chance for that first impression.

Keep steadily before you the fact that all true success depends at last upon yourself.

 

[IrishHockeyFan]

Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

Coming into this series I am surprised by two things. One, the domination MU has had over Notre Dame. I was surprised to see that they hold a 34-15 edge in games won. Actually, no that's not an edge. That's a 1000 foot cliff, and we've been falling off it more times than not since 1981. The other thing that surprises me is that Miami still hasn't won that NCAA championship yet. They're well on their way to a 6th straight season of at least 23 wins, and have come close to winning it all -- sometimes agonizingly so -- in the last two seasons. They have had eleven 20 win seasons since Notre Dame re-joined the CCHA in 1992. Who knows, it could happen this season.

One thing I did know is this will be another difficult series for Notre Dame. No time like the present to start tilting that domination a little in our favor.

 

[StillaLeafsFan]

Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

...The others in double digits are Reilly Smith (who along with our Riley--Sheahan, that is--were the 2 NCAA players invited to try out for Canada)

Actually there are 4 NCAA players invited to Canada's WJC camp, and 2 former NCAAers.
I'm not quite sure what to expect from this series. I can't recall a good series vs. Miami in recent memory, and I'm hoping the Irish can build upon their learning experience in Grand Forks last weekend and come out swinging. Wasn't it this series last year that Eric Ringle sustained his career-ending concussion and Calabrese was knocked out for the year with a broken ankle? Let's hope for something better than that!

 

[NMUFAN21]

Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

I noticed when NMU plays you in a few weeks its on comcast, do they have a free online feed somewhere like FSDetroit

 

[IrishHockeyFan]

Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

I'm not quite sure what to expect from this series. I can't recall a good series vs. Miami in recent memory, and I'm hoping the Irish can build upon their learning experience in Grand Forks last weekend and come out swinging. Wasn't it this series last year that Eric Ringle sustained his career-ending concussion and Calabrese was knocked out for the year with a broken ankle? Let's hope for something better than that!

3 years ago was the last time we had a decent weekend with MU, splitting in their barn. They were ranked #1 at the time IIRC. The year before we used a 3 point weekend against another highly ranked Miami team late in the season to cement the idea that Notre Dame was truly arriving on the college hockey scene in Jackson's second season. The Saturday game was one to remember, with Notre Dame trailing late in the third period 2-0 before storming back for a 2-all tie. That game alone is all the proof needed to show how stupid the shootout is IMHO.

Last year the series included the injuries you mention, as well as at least one of Ian Cole's concussions.

 

[Jeff_Jackson_for_Pres.]

Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

Yes! Props X 2 to Bryan Rust for a fantastic 2-goal night. Working man props to Anders Lee for some good hustle to get to pucks and earn assists. More props to Mike Johnson, who made some critical saves late and Nick Larson and Ryan (MIP) Guentzel for carbon copy goals from atop the face off circles. Superman-sized props to T.J. Tynan for the GWG. Man am I super glad he got the "opportunity" to fill a late hole on the roster.

I worried at first because ND doesn't seem to react well when they give up the first goal. And they gave up the first 2 tonight. Both within the last 3:15 of the period. Grr. Then they give up the 3rd with under 2 to go in the 2nd. Grr. Then they give up the tying goal with 3:16 to go in the game. Grr.

But--they didn't stop competing. The 1st period was quite evenly played. I thought ND dominated the play in the 2nd and 3rd. By a wide margin. ND made great strides on the face off category. On the flipside, their PK spewed chunks tonight (even though Riley Sheahan had yet another close shorthanded call...).

Another observation was that Miami is like UA(F). They play quite differently when they have a lead as opposed when they are tied or behind.

I'm happy. Oh, and I bought some of the ingredients for fudge. One down. 4 to go.

 

[IrishHockeyFan]

Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

Interesting article on concussions and some of the evolution of the NHL's approach to the subject. Highly apropos given the opponent this weekend. And before any of our friends from Miami crawl all over me for that statement, I'm not insinuating any dirty play in our recent match-ups, just that we left Oxford last year with at least 3 diagnosed concussions. Whatever small a part concussions may have played as well in the decision for Ian Cole and Teddy Ruth to leave the NCAA and begin being paid to play, they played a part. Eric Ringel is only now appearing to be recovering from the repeated brain trauma he has suffered from in his hockey playing career, 12 months AFTER playing his final game.

Great game out of the Irish last night. Loved how they freely exerted their will in the third period, and kept going full tilt even after Miami scored the game tying goal with just 3:16 left. Kept up the pressure, pounced on a rebound, and took less than a minute to score the game winner.

What was it I said after last Saturday?

I'm watching this game, and from the moment Notre Dame tied it up I kept saying "just hang on, baby." That thought alone bugs me. This team is good enough that none of us should be worried about "just hanging on." Against anyone. 2-2 with 3:03 left means there are 183 seconds left in which to win the darn thing. Now of course walking out of Englestad Arena with a tie after twice trailing is a decent outcome, certainly better than one of the alternatives. But it shows me that there is still a lot of learning left for all this talent to do.

Thank you very much.

 

[Jeff_Jackson_for_Pres.]

Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

I hate dealing with "what if's." What if Mike Johnson had started? What if ND, after totally dominating the 1st period, had managed to score? What if my Xmas wish had come true and I had to make the team fudge? What if Miami hadn't committed 2 classless penalties late in a 5-2 game? Not that those penalties would have been classy in a 0-0 game. I think I'm starting to lose respect for Miami. I know that sounds like sour grapes whining, but I'm pretty sure that Michigan doesn't take those penalties. Rick Comley's Spartans don't send one guy in deep with a 3-goal lead to commit a CFB penalty. I know the Miami posters will flame me for this rant, but after scoring their 5th goal, the Redhawks started headhunting, and I don't respect a team like that. And before anyone comes back with, "Well you have a guy who committed 2 CFB penalties this year..." I attribute those to a green freshman learning the ropes in his first 2 collegiate games. And one of those was definitely a CFB and was deserved. And it wasn't late in a game where we were up by 3 goals. (And kudos to that freshman for sticking up for his captain tonight.)

That said, what was up with Steven Summerhays? Those were some craptastic goals he let in. I'm hoping Johnson's confidence is back enough on the radar for Coach Jackson's liking because he certainly settled things down in net in the 3rd. Disappointing play all around for the team, especially after coming out of the starting gate on fire.

I'm happy with a split on the road. I am. Really.

 

[MUhawks628]

Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

Rick Comley's Spartans don't send one guy in deep with a 3-goal lead to commit a CFB penalty.

They are more a fan of the 2 on 1 beatdown at center ice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fI-sYE1DsMs

 

[IrishHockeyFan]

Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

What if Miami hadn't committed 2 classless penalties late in a 5-2 game? Not that those penalties would have been classy in a 0-0 game. I think I'm starting to lose respect for Miami.

In my time on this forum I have generally gone out of my way not to get caught up in a lot of the "this team plays dirty" or "that player is really a no-talent goon" back-and-forth. But I have to say that if the way Miami conducted themselves throughout most of these two games is indicative of the way they play everyone, my respect for that program has cratered. Very small time. Mason and Weber both showed a lot of "courage" when their team was up 5-2 late in the game, but where was it when the game was scoreless or Miami was up just a goal? And if the Miami fans want to come aboard and flame away, let them. It will just show me they know less about the game than I have long given them credit for.

Summerhays struggled about as much as I have seen a goalie struggle in years in the second period. The whole team was WILDLY inconsistent as well. For the majority of the second period shifts they left the game plan on the bench. Miami completely disrupted their skating and slowed them down. It's hard to believe they managed 2 goals in fact. Odd they looked so bad after a pretty spirited first period.

Splits on the road against good teams are a pretty good outcome. As long as the team expects more than the fans at any rate.

 

[Jeff_Jackson_for_Pres.]

Re: Irish hockey '10-11-Everyone bets on a sure thing, but it takes guts not to fold.

But I have to say that if the way Miami conducted themselves throughout most of these two games is indicative of the way they play everyone, my respect for that program has cratered. Very small time. Mason and Weber both showed a lot of "courage" when their team was up 5-2 late in the game, but where was it when the game was scoreless or Miami was up just a goal? And if the Miami fans want to come aboard and flame away, let them. It will just show me they know less about the game than I have long given them credit for.

This is the last I'll say on the current subject: Miami posters actually had the ridiculous idiocy to write, "Sometimes at the end of a long game, when you are up by 3 goals...frustrations just come out. Nothing you can really do about it."

Really? How about not lining a guy up on the boards when you can see his numbers? And what frustrations can anyone have when they are blowing out the other team late in a game?!

And this telling quip, "Of course Miami only resorts to thuggery when they are winning by a large margin."

Thuggery when you are winning or losing is classless. It shows less skill than you think you possess.

Rant over. I've decided my offer for fudge still stands if the team can win the last 3 this year.