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

MichVandal said:
Fantilli in the Hobey Hat Trick- https://www.uscho.com/2023/03/30/three-big-ten-players-named-2023-hobey-hat-trick/

Given a few years ago, the Kyle Conner wasn't given the award the year after Eichel got it, I'm wagering he won't get it. Especially since there's an upperclassman in the running. Which is fine, it's only a trophy, Adam will still be the #2 draft pick soon, and it won't really impact his contract.
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I actually think Fantilli has a great chance to win it. I have to think that there will be a number of first place votes split between Cooley and Knies. I see Cooley and Knies voters as being of a very similar mindset as to why they are voting those players. I see Fantilli as a very different rationale. I think for Cooley/Knies its voters looking at the 200 foot game (and all aspects of the game) and how players are impacting others around them. Fantilli, in my opinion is the best pure offensive weapon in the game and his goals and points support just that. That is not to say he doesn't have skill in other areas, I just believe Cooley/Knies are better in other areas of the game. I think it hurts the two Gophers in this case as a result. We'll see how it shakes out.
 
StateofHockey78 said:
I actually think Fantilli has a great chance to win it. I have to think that there will be a number of first place votes split between Cooley and Knies. I see Cooley and Knies voters as being of a very similar mindset as to why they are voting those players. I see Fantilli as a very different rationale. I think for Cooley/Knies its voters looking at the 200 foot game (and all aspects of the game) and how players are impacting others around them. Fantilli, in my opinion is the best pure offensive weapon in the game and his goals and points support just that. That is not to say he doesn't have skill in other areas, I just believe Cooley/Knies are better in other areas of the game. I think it hurts the two Gophers in this case as a result. We'll see how it shakes out.
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Funny you put it like that. Fantilli has pretty consistently been the first one to backcheck, especially when you see Hughes make a mistake. He's pretty invisible in his back check, but he's also pretty aggressive. Speed matters.
 
MichVandal said:
Funny you put it like that. Fantilli has pretty consistently been the first one to backcheck, especially when you see Hughes make a mistake. He's pretty invisible in his back check, but he's also pretty aggressive. Speed matters.
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Never said he doesn't do other things. I said I think those two are better at other parts of the game.
 
StateofHockey78 said:
Never said he doesn't do other things. I said I think those two are better at other parts of the game.
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Ok, so the "he's a pure offensive player" wasn't an implication that he doesn't play D and after you pointed out that your two finalists play a full 200ft game... Got it. But also my point is that I think he's as good in our D zone as you think your players are, and that you see his numbers and only really saw him play a handful of times.

Fantilli is a large reason why our D has gotten so much better in the last 3 months.
 
MichVandal said:
Ok, so the "he's a pure offensive player" wasn't an implication that he doesn't play D and after you pointed out that your two finalists play a full 200ft game... Got it. But also my point is that I think he's as good in our D zone as you think your players are, and that you see his numbers and only really saw him play a handful of times.

Fantilli is a large reason why our D has gotten so much better in the last 3 months.
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I can understand why you might think that, but no that is not the context with which I'm describing his game. Is he an excellent two way player, yes. Do I think his 200 foot game is better than Knies/Cooley, no I do not. Do I think he's the best offensive weapon in the game, yes I do. Do I think he deserves serious consideration, yes I do. Don't lose sight of the fact, we are not arguing the idea ANY of these guys are BAD or have major flaws in their game. We are simply talking about what they do best. I think it's fine if you believe he's the best at everything, we can agree to disagree.
 
I'm getting excited. We leave for Tampa tomorrow. I'm not sure what to expect Thursday. I expect it to be close against a strong defensive team and great goalie. Then again it's hockey, and what I expect is often not the result.
 
wolverineTrumpet said:
I'm getting excited. We leave for Tampa tomorrow. I'm not sure what to expect Thursday. I expect it to be close against a strong defensive team and great goalie. Then again it's hockey, and what I expect is often not the result.
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Have a safe and fun trip down. And we hope to see you on Saturday- as we wimped out to wait until Saturday.
 
Have gotten a lot of 'go blue's down here, even from people that don't know the Frozen Four is town. Saw some fans that used to post here on our flight.
 
Well, that was a let down. Made mistakes, and QU jumped all over them. And that D they have is amazing- just took away almost all chances we had to score. Portillo very much has a pretty bad night- at least moving after a shot. Those two goals that were banked off of him was terrible, and then that 4th goal- geez.

Still, all things considered, getting to the Frozen Four with a coach that literally had to recruit his own players before the season because he was announced at the last moment, and then had to fix a lot of issues- that was a pretty big deal to keep the program going strong. It could have been a disaster, but things really turned around after the OSU weekend.

Sucks to lose in the Semi again, but sometimes the better team wins. QU was just great tonight.
 
Your team has some scary talent. Just wasn’t in the cards tonight. Strong defense, goalie play and a bit of puck luck was the difference tonight.
 
MichVandal said:
Well, that was a let down. Made mistakes, and QU jumped all over them. And that D they have is amazing- just took away almost all chances we had to score. Portillo very much has a pretty bad night- at least moving after a shot. Those two goals that were banked off of him was terrible, and then that 4th goal- geez.

Still, all things considered, getting to the Frozen Four with a coach that literally had to recruit his own players before the season because he was announced at the last moment, and then had to fix a lot of issues- that was a pretty big deal to keep the program going strong. It could have been a disaster, but things really turned around after the OSU weekend.

Sucks to lose in the Semi again, but sometimes the better team wins. QU was just great tonight.
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What about the three breakaways he stopped ? Wasn't all his fault Mr Sour Grapes !
 
sshablak said:
What about the three breakaways he stopped ? Wasn't all his fault Mr Sour Grapes !
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Sure, he kept the team in the game, but how does that not mean those were some pretty bad mistakes. Just like the really horrible pinches Hughes made that lead to odd man rushes and ultimately the 2nd goal.

Many other times, the offence is capable of dealing with those problems, but Q's D was so strong and suffocating that it took an amazing single person play and a really strong play just to get the two goals we had. That part of the game was pretty predictable, so the D, including Portillo, had to have one of the best games they ever played. That didn't happen.

Q won because they deserved it. But don't tell me that mistakes can't be pointed out.
 
MichVandal said:
Portillo very much has a pretty bad night- at least moving after a shot. Those two goals that were banked off of him was terrible
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Yeah, I couldn't understand why twice he was so badly out of position when the puck was behind the net allowing the bank shots off him. He should have ben tight against the post! If those two goals didn't happen the games outcome may have been different.
 
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