Michigan Wolverines 2011-2012 hockey thread

[alfablue]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2011-2012 hockey thread

Rumor mill: Jon Merrill now 50-50 on his return to the team. Speculation that he is not doing the things he needs to in order to be reinstated.

Hopefully Spath wont mind me posting his article- http://michigan.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1278108

in the notes are some comments from Red about the situation. And I very much appreciate how Red is handling this- in the long term, it's good for the team. One can't have a star be allowed run on different rules to the rest of the team. Many of you probably remember my critizisms of Jack Johnson who clearly did not embrace all of the players in his team- divisions are bad. He did nothing bad, I know. But you can see the effects of internal divisions on his teams.

 

[MichiganHockey27]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2011-2012 hockey thread

Rumor mill: Jon Merrill now 50-50 on his return to the team. Speculation that he is not doing the things he needs to in order to be reinstated.

It must be increasingly easier everyday to be tempted to leave. Jon is a great defenseman, but chances are, he's not staying four years no matter what. I just wish players these days would realize their obligation to their school, and more importantly, to their teammates. Why go the college route if you're focused on yourself? I think Red is doing the right thing, and I respect him even more for it.

Can't wait for the puck to drop tonight! I'm predicting a 4-0 win!

 

[MichiganHockey27]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2011-2012 hockey thread

Also, I've been hearing a lot of dissatisfaction on the jerseys this year...so last night I did a little edit to the maize jersey...what do you guys think?

You can read my 2 cents on my blog...but either way, what does everyone think about the new sweaters?

 

[hockeyplayer1015]

Can't wait for the puck to drop tonight! I'm predicting a 4-0 win!

I really wish I wasn't working, or I would certainly be making the drive to watch SLU play in Yost. I'll make it there some day...

I'm hoping that SLU just keeps it within 2, but I'm predicting a 6-1 win for you guys. We didn't look real good last weekend against Ferris from the sounds of it, and it was a short turnaround for the travel yesterday.

 

[alfablue]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2011-2012 hockey thread

Also, I've been hearing a lot of dissatisfaction on the jerseys this year...so last night I did a little edit to the maize jersey...what do you guys think?

You can read my 2 cents on my blog...but either way, what does everyone think about the new sweaters?

It's yet another shade of yellow. Big deal. I wonder if people are noticing that they look that much different on the big screen. But you can see that in the stands, too- look at wT- she does not stand out with an odd color in her jersey, until you see it on the high def, and for some reson there, it's really obvious.

 

[MichiganHockey27]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2011-2012 hockey thread

It's yet another shade of yellow. Big deal. I wonder if people are noticing that they look that much different on the big screen. But you can see that in the stands, too- look at wT- she does not stand out with an odd color in her jersey, until you see it on the high def, and for some reson there, it's really obvious.

Agreed, I feel like the yellows have been changing since 2005 (maybe even before). And don't get me started on that scoreboard! That thing is WAY TOO BIG!!! I know the rennovations will make it fit better, but it's so distracting to me...I can't imagine what it must be like for the players.

 

[alfablue]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2011-2012 hockey thread

Agreed, I feel like the yellows have been changing since 2005 (maybe even before). And don't get me started on that scoreboard! That thing is WAY TOO BIG!!! I know the rennovations will make it fit better, but it's so distracting to me...I can't imagine what it must be like for the players.

My wife thinks that they are back to the same yellow that we have in our 1991-1993 era jersies we wear to games. If they put a large swath of blue across the top, I'd be back in fashion!

Oh, and they've been changing colors for decades. Spend some time looking at the pictures up on the entry floor for the north end bleachers. SO many different jersies over the years, it makes your head spin. Very unlike the FB team.

 

[hckygoalie31]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2011-2012 hockey thread

Is it possible to watch any sort of video feed for tonights game?

 

[wolverineTrumpet]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2011-2012 hockey thread

Last week I had a student say "nice throwback jersey" to me. Umm...if I got the jersey when it was current then it's not a throwback...right?

Hockeyplayer, if you ever do make it to Ann Arbor and Yost let me know.

 

[hockeyplayer1015]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2011-2012 hockey thread

Hope you guys atleast brought the KY to Yost tonight. Ouch.

Good luck the rest of this season. wT/alfa/anybody else who was there, did SLU get outplayed that much, or are you guys just that good? The stats show a relatively even game, but obviously the score says otherwise.

 

[streaker]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2011-2012 hockey thread

Hope you guys atleast brought the KY to Yost tonight. Ouch.

Good luck the rest of this season. wT/alfa/anybody else who was there, did SLU get outplayed that much, or are you guys just that good? The stats show a relatively even game, but obviously the score says otherwise.

The Saints dominated the first twelve minutes, actually- and scored first on a 2x1 and had a 9-2 shot advantage. After that Michigan woke up and just outskated them. There were some hightlight reel goals and some weak goaltending, too, which is why Weninger got yanked. The three late first period goals really set STL on their heels. If it wasn't for some dumb penalties, they probably wouldn't have had the chance to even be close at 5-2. The third period started at 7-3 and both teams slept through the first ten minutes. Then, Michigan scored the eighth goal and it was like the Saints quit skating. Michigan took it to them the rest of the period. Flanagan came to play tonight for the Saints, but that was about it. SOG were fairly even, but that was mostly due to the Saints PP chances. Michigan dominated the game, but I wouldn't say that this will be indicative of what they'll do to a more talented opponent. The Wolverines have eaten the cupcakes (Niagara, Bentley and St. Lawrence) and now need to show what they have on the road next weekend at NMU before concluding the month at Yost against Ferris.

 

[alfablue]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2011-2012 hockey thread

Didn't expect what so ever that we would dominate St. Lawerence like that. Nor do I recall the last time we posted a Pizza score like that. So long that it appears that the reference isn't even with the students anymore.

Still- imho we have some things to work on. 1) D needs to stop pinching SO MUCH. I'm ok for them to play offense, but they are taking too many chances that lead to odd man rushes. SL's first goal was a direct result of that, and was a very easy 3x1, actually. 2) Defensive zone play- like last weekend, we struggled to get out of the zone far too often. Those kinds of struggles can lead to a very long night against a team that can be more opportunistic. 3) the first few seconds of a PK- that's the second time we got scored on within seconds of a penalty. can't lose those faceoff's that cleanly. They did reasonably good on the PK once a zone was developed, but need to calm down a little when dumping the puck out- you can see that there's a little too much desparation at times, and the puck just doesn't go anywhere.

On the good side- well, scoring. They hit gaps that I didn't expect to get in, and people were on the door step to put in some slop. 2 of Luke's goals were from the goal crease to the back of the net. Don't need much skill to bury that, but you need skill to know to be there. The PK when the puck is deep in the oppoent zone or at neutral ice contines to be very entertaining for Michigan fans, and must drive opposition coaches nuts. That's pretty awesome.

StL still got a LOT of shots off last night. We got a goal every 3ish shots, they- every 10. 10-3. The final goal tender didn't belong in net, IMHO- diGuiseppe and Wholberg's goals were a sleeping goalie, or he had the deer in the headlights synrome.

Good progress, and still things to work on. Fun so far, and now it will get very interesting to see if we are really that good.

 

[hockeyplayer1015]

StL still got a LOT of shots off last night. We got a goal every 3ish shots, they- every 10. 10-3. The final goal tender didn't belong in net, IMHO- diGuiseppe and Wholberg's goals were a sleeping goalie, or he had the deer in the headlights synrome.

Ya, about that... Grilk is easily our 4th horse in the goalie barn, and is a walk on. Once I realized he was in net (after the 9th goal) I knew that 10 was likely going to happen.

 

[redwings8831]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2011-2012 hockey thread

Didn't expect what so ever that we would dominate St. Lawerence like that. Nor do I recall the last time we posted a Pizza score like that. So long that it appears that the reference isn't even with the students anymore.

2008 CCHA Playoffs Game 1 vs Nebraska-Omaha, 10-1.

 

[alfablue]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2011-2012 hockey thread

Ya, about that... Grilk is easily our 4th horse in the goalie barn, and is a walk on. Once I realized he was in net (after the 9th goal) I knew that 10 was likely going to happen.

Ouch. Couldn't really figure why your second goalie was pulled after the end of the 2nd.

 

[hockeyplayer1015]

Ouch. Couldn't really figure why your second goalie was pulled after the end of the 2nd.

Eh, our 3rd goalie has yet to see playing time, and I'm not sure he made the trip (I would assume he did), but I'm kind of hoping he gets the look tomorrow night @RIT. He has played pretty well in very limited action last couple seasons, and the other 3 goalies certainly haven't been stellar for us so far. Granted, last weekend was penalty issues, last night was #4 Michigan issues, but giving up 19 goals in 3 games is going to make this a very, very long season if we don't figure something out.

 

[Got 6 Want More]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2011-2012 hockey thread

Eh, our 3rd goalie has yet to see playing time, and I'm not sure he made the trip (I would assume he did), but I'm kind of hoping he gets the look tomorrow night @RIT. He has played pretty well in very limited action last couple seasons, and the other 3 goalies certainly haven't been stellar for us so far. Granted, last weekend was penalty issues, last night was #4 Michigan issues, but giving up 19 goals in 3 games is going to make this a very, very long season if we don't figure something out.

I am not sure Grilk or Spads is 3rd or 4th, but I know neither of them are one and two. STL is a better team than that but last night just sounded like a total **** show. SLU is giving up to many goals period. Whether it is team defense or goaltending, it is a pretty obvious problem. If we can skate with Yale, we can skate with anyone, but so far what I have seen has been depressing. It is way too early in the season to have our lack of depth at defense exposed. Where was Dewey? All I can say, is I'd rather get run out of the barn in October and learn from it than start off with a false sense of confidence. We need to get a lot better fast and tighten up defensively a lot. At least the refs didn't screw us, but I am sure they would have it was closer and needed to help!

Michigan is a young team and obviously a good team. I suspect you will have some fun watching them in Ann Arbor this season.

 

[nhmonarch]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2011-2012 hockey thread

It was a tremendous experience watching a game at Yost...although not much of a game - Classy team, fans, students and pep band.

 

[streaker]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2011-2012 hockey thread

It was a tremendous experience watching a game at Yost...although not much of a game - Classy team, fans, students and pep band.

Wow, thanks. Frame this post for future reference. Glad the chants didn't offend. Hope coach Marsh gets well soon, also.

 

[streaker]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2011-2012 hockey thread

Didn't expect what so ever that we would dominate St. Lawerence like that. Nor do I recall the last time we posted a Pizza score like that. So long that it appears that the reference isn't even with the students anymore.

Still- imho we have some things to work on. 1) D needs to stop pinching SO MUCH. I'm ok for them to play offense, but they are taking too many chances that lead to odd man rushes. SL's first goal was a direct result of that, and was a very easy 3x1, actually. 2) Defensive zone play- like last weekend, we struggled to get out of the zone far too often. Those kinds of struggles can lead to a very long night against a team that can be more opportunistic. 3) the first few seconds of a PK- that's the second time we got scored on within seconds of a penalty. can't lose those faceoff's that cleanly. They did reasonably good on the PK once a zone was developed, but need to calm down a little when dumping the puck out- you can see that there's a little too much desparation at times, and the puck just doesn't go anywhere.

On the good side- well, scoring. They hit gaps that I didn't expect to get in, and people were on the door step to put in some slop. 2 of Luke's goals were from the goal crease to the back of the net. Don't need much skill to bury that, but you need skill to know to be there. The PK when the puck is deep in the oppoent zone or at neutral ice contines to be very entertaining for Michigan fans, and must drive opposition coaches nuts. That's pretty awesome.

StL still got a LOT of shots off last night. We got a goal every 3ish shots, they- every 10. 10-3. The final goal tender didn't belong in net, IMHO- diGuiseppe and Wholberg's goals were a sleeping goalie, or he had the deer in the headlights synrome.

Good progress, and still things to work on. Fun so far, and now it will get very interesting to see if we are really that good.

Couple things- yes way too many shots, but understandable once the game was out of hand.
Second, the defense isn't pinching all that much, just making poor decisions- they are quickly giving up the blue line more than pinching, IMO and choosing to pinch at the wrong time. That's what happens when you have three freshmen playing D and others up front.
Third, some chatter from some of the experienced players suggest that they are a little sore about hearing the projections about Michigan struggling to score. I hope they understand that playing near last place clubs at home doesn't amount to much proof that the offense "has arrived". We'll see next weekend on the road.