Michigan Hockey 22-23, new coach, new players, new era

[MichVandal]

Noticed on the mgoblog site that there's honest belief that a #1 seed is going to happen, regardless. I'm not going to run the numbers, but it really doesn't make sense to me that BU or Harvard can't pass us in PWR if we lose next weekend. At least a #1 or 2 regional seed....

Not a bad first season for Naurato, but I really think the D is lacking a lot. Much better last night, but still have the chronic problems that Red had for most of the last 20 seasons- where there's a time where the 5 on 5 play looks like a PK or there's just a really obvious turn over that should never happen. Seems that out D was more effective last night because we pinned them in the O zone long enough to force a change. It sure worked at keeping them from getting pucks on Portillo.

 

[sqeyes]

The D was better but you can predict a goal when the players start running around out of position leaving someone open.
Portillo needs to look before he tries to move the puck. He has dished off to the enemy almost as much as a teammate. He has gotten a little better and I wonder if there needs to be better communication with his teammates on where to go. (forward or behind him)
I think if they play Minn like OSU there is a very good chance of knocking them off.

 

[wolverineTrumpet]

Noticed on the mgoblog site that there's honest belief that a #1 seed is going to happen, regardless. I'm not going to run the numbers, but it really doesn't make sense to me that BU or Harvard can't pass us in PWR if we lose next weekend. At least a #1 or 2 regional seed....

Not a bad first season for Naurato, but I really think the D is lacking a lot. Much better last night, but still have the chronic problems that Red had for most of the last 20 seasons- where there's a time where the 5 on 5 play looks like a PK or there's just a really obvious turn over that should never happen. Seems that out D was more effective last night because we pinned them in the O zone long enough to force a change. It sure worked at keeping them from getting pucks on Portillo.

I tried running pwr predictor with us losing and both BU and Harvard winning against the highest ranked teams in their playoffs and that scenario (along with other favorites winning) allowed both BU and Harvard to jump us in the pairwise, showing a 4th place 'tie' but Michigan at the bottom of that tie, effectively 6th place. Either way, we should just try to beat the Gophers.

A B1G title would be really nice, and I'm not holding out hope for NCAAs. Too much sloppy play, weak special teams and usually too many penalties. I was excited we made it through a whole period without penalties Saturday. My fear in the NCAA tournament is that it looks like B1G officials have been calling more penalties than other conferences, which could lead to frustration of guys getting a lot of contact that doesn't get called leading to some retaliation that will get called.


As for Naurato, I agree, decent season for our interim head coach. Anyone else notice how B1G coach of the year finalists were basically if your team made semi-finals and there wasn't an interim in your head coach title?

 

[MichVandal]

As for Naurato, I agree, decent season for our interim head coach. Anyone else notice how B1G coach of the year finalists were basically if your team made semi-finals and there wasn't an interim in your head coach title?

He had a pretty tough time jumping in so late (and I still fault our AD for that). So yea, one of the finalists is kind of odd- since Michigan isn't given credit because of talent....

 

[wolverineTrumpet]

More fun with pairwise predictor:
If we lose and favorites win except Lowell upsetting Merrimack so that BU beats lower ranking Lowell for the HE title, then we stay 4th just ahead of BU.

I'm also poking around to see if there is any scenario that MSU sneaks into the last spot....but it looks like they are solidly at 16, with the AHA autobid taking that last spot.

 

[MichVandal]

Well, that takes care of what seed we will be, 2023 B1G champs!! Wow.

(and for I don't know how many time I post this- watching these to teams play is both stressful and really fun. The whole game finished in under 2 hours.)

Still things to address going into the tournament, but they are getting to the details now as opposed to massive faults. Really good to see the team improve.

As and aside, nice to see the interim coach beat the B1G coach of the year like that. The interim coach who didn't even make the final 3 for B1G coach of the year.

 

[MichVandal]

One other note, that color commentator is a moron. The "offsides" call- besides the MN player touching the puck last, all three Michigan players were on side before the puck was played. So even it it wasn't touched, it was on-sides.

That wasn't the only one, but the one he kept repeating.

 

[wolverineTrumpet]

That was exciting. I was nervous, but not too much because we knew our season continues no matter the B1G outcome.

One other note, that color commentator is a moron. The "offsides" call- besides the MN player touching the puck last, all three Michigan players were on side before the puck was played. So even it it wasn't touched, it was on-sides.

That wasn't the only one, but the one he kept repeating.

Yup. I was surprised neither commentator picked up on that all players were onsides before any Michigan player touched the puck in the zone. That's how I explained it to my husband. He wanted to know why the guys calling the game didn't understand the call.

 

[StateofHockey78]

Well, that takes care of what seed we will be, 2023 B1G champs!! Wow.

(and for I don't know how many time I post this- watching these to teams play is both stressful and really fun. The whole game finished in under 2 hours.)

Still things to address going into the tournament, but they are getting to the details now as opposed to massive faults. Really good to see the team improve.

As and aside, nice to see the interim coach beat the B1G coach of the year like that. The interim coach who didn't even make the final 3 for B1G coach of the year.

Credit where credit is due. A good game by both teams tonight. Could have gone either way. I thought MN had the better chances (by a small margin, but Portillo did his job). The atmosphere at the game was pretty unreal and both teams didn't disappoint. Two things I will b*tch about from the game, why were both teams so dreadful on their PP's. I mean there were short handed chances for each team. Both teams better clean that up. The second thing, what is with these big goalies and nets coming loose? The first few didn't bother me, but that last one Cooley had a grade A chance and it's a shame these loose nets are stopping the momentum of the plays. If I had the option, I'd rather see these two play a 7 game series than deal with the NCAA format LOL. Such amazing hockey. See you in Tampa, hopefully.

 

[MichVandal]

Credit where credit is due. A good game by both teams tonight. Could have gone either way. I thought MN had the better chances (by a small margin, but Portillo did his job). The atmosphere at the game was pretty unreal and both teams didn't disappoint. Two things I will b*tch about from the game, why were both teams so dreadful on their PP's. I mean there were short handed chances for each team. Both teams better clean that up. The second thing, what is with these big goalies and nets coming loose? The first few didn't bother me, but that last one Cooley had a grade A chance and it's a shame these loose nets are stopping the momentum of the plays. If I had the option, I'd rather see these two play a 7 game series than deal with the NCAA format LOL. Such amazing hockey. See you in Tampa, hopefully.

Still have 45 min to watch SC, but I'm betting your 3rd goal will be in the top 10. That was pretty amazing.

But you hit on why I enjoy watching these teams play, even if it's so stressful.

BTW, what's up with making your rink smaller?

 

[MichVandal]

So #3 overall, in Allentown. Get Colgate first, and then the winner of Tech and PSU if we do that. Tough regional, but it should be at this point.

 

[wolverineTrumpet]

Allentown is too far away. We need someone to put in regional bids for Toledo, Grand Rapids, or somewhere else that's within 4 hour drive (I'd even do Ft. Wayne or Cinnci again)

 

[StateofHockey78]

Still have 45 min to watch SC, but I'm betting your 3rd goal will be in the top 10. That was pretty amazing.

But you hit on why I enjoy watching these teams play, even if it's so stressful.

BTW, what's up with making your rink smaller?

The roof definitely came off after that goal, although that didn't last long lol.

Olympic rinks are a thing of the past, I think there's only a couple left. With how effective the NCAA has become producing pro-ready players it only makes sense to have a rink that better translates to the NHL for recruits. I don't mind the changes because our style of play has become much more NHL-like than in the past. I actually think our game would translate better against you guys on NHL/Hybrid rinks than Olympic.

 

[MichVandal]

The roof definitely came off after that goal, although that didn't last long lol.

Olympic rinks are a thing of the past, I think there's only a couple left. With how effective the NCAA has become producing pro-ready players it only makes sense to have a rink that better translates to the NHL for recruits. I don't mind the changes because our style of play has become much more NHL-like than in the past. I actually think our game would translate better against you guys on NHL/Hybrid rinks than Olympic.

Really? I see our games as almost identical. Which is why our games go so very fast in time.

I always thought it was funny how some Michigan fans would complain about playing on your sheet, even though we always, always played well there and at Northern. Didn't win every game, but our style of play translated perfectly to the bigger sheet.

Alas, end of an era. I see your point, especially since the Olympics use NHL players more often than not- so sheet size is almost irrelevant.

 

[MichVandal]

Allentown is too far away. We need someone to put in regional bids for Toledo, Grand Rapids, or somewhere else that's within 4 hour drive (I'd even do Ft. Wayne or Cinnci again)

Toledo in 2025... (with the FF in Vegas, Baby)

2024 is *some* risks- Missouri gets to have a regional hosted by Lindenwood. And SOUTH Dakota gets one hosted by UNO. I'm sure ND and Minnesota will have no problem going there.

Sioux Falls is the west regional in '24, the Midwest in '26.

Other than Toledo, there are no other actual midwest hosts through '26. Maybe when our program can get some stability we will make a bid for somewhere. But we can use some help from all the rest of the schools in the lower part of our state.

 

[model94]

Toledo in 2025... (with the FF in Vegas, Baby)

2024 is *some* risks- Missouri gets to have a regional hosted by Lindenwood. And SOUTH Dakota gets one hosted by UNO. I'm sure ND and Minnesota will have no problem going there.

Sioux Falls is the west regional in '24, the Midwest in '26.

Other than Toledo, there are no other actual midwest hosts through '26. Maybe when our program can get some stability we will make a bid for somewhere. But we can use some help from all the rest of the schools in the lower part of our state.

Help from the little people? It never ends.

 

[Stauber1]

BTW, what's up with making your rink smaller?

It should be noted that it's not going all the way down to the NHL 200x85, despite what Clymer said on the broadcast.
Can't remember what the exact measurements will be but it's gonna be 200x90-93.

Just another case of Clymer saying the wrong thing but with a lot of confidence.

 

[MichVandal]

It should be noted that it's not going all the way down to the NHL 200x85, despite what Clymer said on the broadcast.
Can't remember what the exact measurements will be but it's gonna be 200x90-93.

Just another case of Clymer saying the wrong thing but with a lot of confidence.

Sort of half way, then. Ok. So it should still be more open and fun to watch, then. I was also trying to figure out how you reseat the fans when it's *that* much narrower. But going half way isn't quite as bad.

 

[Lost_Husky]

Toledo in 2025... (with the FF in Vegas, Baby)

2024 is *some* risks- Missouri gets to have a regional hosted by Lindenwood. And SOUTH Dakota gets one hosted by UNO. I'm sure ND and Minnesota will have no problem going there.

Sioux Falls is the west regional in '24, the Midwest in '26.

Other than Toledo, there are no other actual midwest hosts through '26. Maybe when our program can get some stability we will make a bid for somewhere. But we can use some help from all the rest of the schools in the lower part of our state.

And who does Michigan think will help them? They pissed off WMU and disappointed Tech. (Granted the lead bridge burner is gone.) Ferris doesn't have a following to significantly move the needle.

I'm sure MSU would go along with their B1G buddy.

IMO, Michigan has some burnt bridges to repair before most of the Michigan schools partner with them.

 

[MichVandal]

And who does Michigan think will help them? They ****ed off WMU and disappointed Tech. (Granted the lead bridge burner is gone.) Ferris doesn't have a following to significantly move the needle.

I'm sure MSU would go along with their B1G buddy.

IMO, Michigan has some burnt bridges to repair before most of the Michigan schools partner with them.

So nice that you totally missed my point. ANY one of the other schools in the state can also host a regional. Not help Michigan do it, but host it as well.

But continue hating and lashing out for no good reason. Fine by me.