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Michigan Wolverines 2013-14 Season Thread: The B1G Time

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2013-14 Season Thread: The B1G Time

alfablue said:
Hoepfully Zach continues to play with confidence.

On a related note- it's interesting that we have years where the incoming Freshman goalie really struggles, and others were that does not happen. Just as interesting- when that Freshman shows some serious playing ability later. Makes me wonder about the impact of team chemistry on incoming goalies.
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Zach is a true freshmen at 19, where Racine has played more in the minor Juniors- and is a 22 year old sophomore. I think that the maturity factor is huge, plus the mentoring having a 23 year old in Janny on the roster, too. I also think our Captains are solid this season. Copp reminds me of Jed Ortmeyer.
 
Re: Michigan Wolverines 2013-14 Season Thread: The B1G Time

streaker said:
Zach is a true freshmen at 19, where Racine has played more in the minor Juniors- and is a 22 year old sophomore. I think that the maturity factor is huge, plus the mentoring having a 23 year old in Janny on the roster, too. I also think our Captains are solid this season. Copp reminds me of Jed Ortmeyer.
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By the age thing, Racine should have been able to step right in at the beginning of last year, and just dominate. It wasn't until it was too late that he started to play better.

So for incoming players- particularly goalies- team chemistry and the team leadership appears to play a pretty massive role.
 
Re: Michigan Wolverines 2013-14 Season Thread: The B1G Time

alfablue said:
By the age thing, Racine should have been able to step right in at the beginning of last year, and just dominate. It wasn't until it was too late that he started to play better.
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To be fair to Racine, though, he had hip surgery in the summer of 2012, so he was not 100 percent at the beginning of the year last season. Obviously there's no way to tell what part of his improvement from fall 2012 to sprig 2013 was due to recovery from the surgery and what part was due to natural improvement, but let's take that into account when we evaluate Racine's freshman year.
 
Re: Michigan Wolverines 2013-14 Season Thread: The B1G Time

Alton said:
To be fair to Racine, though, he had hip surgery in the summer of 2012, so he was not 100 percent at the beginning of the year last season. Obviously there's no way to tell what part of his improvement from fall 2012 to sprig 2013 was due to recovery from the surgery and what part was due to natural improvement, but let's take that into account when we evaluate Racine's freshman year.
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I'll give you that, but knowing that Goalies are more mentally sensitive than other players, and seeing previous freshman struggle when there were clearly team issues, I still see a correlation between successful freshman goalies and good chemistry, and more the converse- struggling freshman and bad chemistry. Heck, it wasn't until what appeared to be a lot of dirty laundry was aired that we saw Racine really take off.

Billy Sauer had a tough time, and the team clearly had chemistry problems. Yes, he was young, but seeing how he was treated on the ice, I can't imagine what happend off. Rutledge was supposed to be good- but didn't even come close- and we know last year was a very low point in terms of team chemistry.

I'm just saying that if there are cliques on the team, and some think of themselves very highly, then an unhappy goalie appears to be a reality.

How to fix that, I don't know. But I'm a big fan of figuring that out- seeing how much better we got when Jack Johnson left the team.
 
Re: Michigan Wolverines 2013-14 Season Thread: The B1G Time

Probably need a sweep by both our teams to have a shot at the challenge. Good luck this weekend.
 
Re: Michigan Wolverines 2013-14 Season Thread: The B1G Time

alfablue said:
By the age thing, Racine should have been able to step right in at the beginning of last year, and just dominate. It wasn't until it was too late that he started to play better..
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I don't know about that part. I don't think he was given much of a chance. Rutledge was supposed to be the second coming of Marty Turco. it wasn't until it became obvious that he wasn't going to cut it that Racine was really given a chance.
 
Re: Michigan Wolverines 2013-14 Season Thread: The B1G Time

alfablue said:
How to fix that, I don't know.
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I think a lot of that comes through getting to really know the player and his family during the recruiting process. Another aspect of that is having a wide network of people you can trust and rely on to give the coaching staff a "Heads up" during that same process would help.
 
Re: Michigan Wolverines 2013-14 Season Thread: The B1G Time

JoeZ said:
I take it you don't already have a ticket. I MIGHT have my 2nd seat available but won't know for certain until Thursday evening. Penalty box side, blue line, on the glass. If my son-in-law ends up not making it and you are still without I'll let you have it for face. We'll just have to figure out how to get in touch.
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I heard from my son in law - he is coming so my 2nd seat will not be available.
 
Re: Michigan Wolverines 2013-14 Season Thread: The B1G Time

alfablue said:
Man, this team looks good.
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Went to my first game of the year tonight (I've watched others on TV) and I can somewhat agree. They seem to play with a level head and always concentrate on defense. They never try to do too much on offense, that's a very responsible attitude to have. That being said this team would be absolutely perfect if Hensick was still on the team. TJ wasn't the most responsible person with the puck his first 3 years but his senior year he seemed to get it. I don't think Nagelvoort is there yet either but I'm not too goalie-wise. But yes, it's night and day between this year and last season.

BTW, saw a girl "studying" during the second intermission in the student section but she was dancing while reading. I was impressed, that is the Michigan difference. I also ran into Taylor Lewan, he's fricking huge!
 
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Re: Michigan Wolverines 2013-14 Season Thread: The B1G Time

BU almost played the perfect road game... got the one goal lead and was trying to protect it too soon. Michigan was frustrated but kept coming in waves. I think if the O'Connor kid would have held on after the mid point of the third, BU would have gotten their second wind and won. That last penalty was killer- I kept saying the whole game that Michigan had to get O'Connor side to side, and finally did on the Motte PP goal. Guptill had an up and down game, but hustled when it counted and buried the Penalty Shot. BU played their guts out, as did Michigan- very entertaining game... but the penalties were like 6-1 in U-M's favor, so that skewed the shots.

Like Red is fond of saying, this was a men's game out there tonight. I just hope there is enough in the tank for saturday.

Also- new head officiating crew- may be carryovers from the old WCHA.

And I also ran into Lewan... or shall I say he nearly ran me over. The dude is huge.

Oh- and if anyone is looking for two tickets for the UML game, I have my friend's two next to me. Just give me a notification and I'll pass along my cell number to contact me.
 
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Re: Michigan Wolverines 2013-14 Season Thread: The B1G Time

Just wanted to tell you guys that I had a blast at my first Michigan hockey game tonight. The student section was highly entertaining and everyone I spoke with was very friendly. I learned a new song and a new dance, and I got to watch a team beat BU. It was a little odd to be cheering FOR Guptill after cursing his name for 2 years, but I'm adjusting quickly and look forward to catching a few more games this season. However, I'd like to ask that if you don't feel like eating your mini JJ sandwich, that you please do not throw it at pedestrians walking down State St. while you're driving 40mph. JJ sandwiches are boasted as freaky fast because of the speed at which they are made, not for the speed at which they fly from your car window.
 
Re: Michigan Wolverines 2013-14 Season Thread: The B1G Time

Just want to say good job to Michigan now, before we hate each other. I am pumped for the Minnesota-Michigan rivalry to get red hot again.
 
Re: Michigan Wolverines 2013-14 Season Thread: The B1G Time

streaker said:
And I also ran into Lewan... or shall I say he nearly ran me over. The dude is huge.

Oh- and if anyone is looking for two tickets for the UML game, I have my friend's two next to me. Just give me a notification and I'll pass along my cell number to contact me.
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Exactly. I ran into Taylor as well and he was flabbergasted that I knew he'd come back for this year. Seeing such a big guy with his mouth agape was actually very intimidating, and I'm a big guy myself. We talked for a minute or two and I had to let him get to his adoring fans. Very nice guy.

I actually think that I'll need 2 tickets for the UML game streaker. I'll know for sure later in the afternoon Saturday.
 
Re: Michigan Wolverines 2013-14 Season Thread: The B1G Time

I was actually very dissappointed with PDG's play tonight. Right from the opening introductions he had a bad night. Anyone else notice how he "thought" that he was going to be the first person introduced tonight? He got half-way to the blue line before stopping and scrambling to get back. You've gotta love those moments...
 
Re: Michigan Wolverines 2013-14 Season Thread: The B1G Time

Great hockey game. I thought BU would have played a great road game, if they took a couple fewer penalties. Your boys look like a pretty good squad this year.

Barring the result, it was great to watch a good game in such a great environment. Michigan fans were great hosts, and it is a terrific barn.
 
Re: Michigan Wolverines 2013-14 Season Thread: The B1G Time

state of hockey said:
Just want to say good job to Michigan now, before we hate each other. I am pumped for the Minnesota-Michigan rivalry to get red hot again.
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After watching the end of the BC game with you guys, your feeling is very mutual. I can't wait until February.
 
Re: Michigan Wolverines 2013-14 Season Thread: The B1G Time

UMICH- I think you are selling Zach a little short in net. Certainly, the team, the team, the team is making a massive addition to the play. But Nagelvoort is making quite a few goal stealing saves. Last night, the break away was really a good shot- right under he glove arm. And this is after BU scored high, and shot there all night. It was a tough save, and he made it. I still may lean slighly toward Racine, but I have no issues with Nagelvoort in the net- he's big, quick, and anticipates the play really well.

Motte- that kid is going to be either really big, or go pro quickly. He's putting himself in all of the right places to get goals that are almost freebies- and to be able to do that consistently is pretty nice to have on your team.

Compher- big name, everyone knows he's out there, and somehow gets enough space to make some very behind the spotlight plays. He's got an impressive touch on his passes.

I was a little concerned about Guptil's penalty shot, but the way he put that off, the slow improvement in his game is real. He's not 100% where I think he should be, but certainly getting there.

PDG- talk about an enigma. he's like 80% making some incredible moves to get shots. and like 80% of being on the ice. So close but so far.

Defense- well, have not really noticed them, since we are playing so much time in the offensive zone. Which also means that they are getting the puck out of the zone really quickly. So much so that I really don't know who is playing the best of them all. Their puck handling is getting better and better each game- and I do include Claire on that. There is still a little time where the team is a little lost in our zone, but the good thing is that they are keeping the quality shots down during that time.

The best part so far, as a viewing fan- the BU and BC style of play matches well with ours- in a manner that makes is really fun to watch. And seeing the end of the BC-MN game last night- the anticipation to see the gophers is getting higher by the week. I sure hope we get to see all 4 games.
 
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