Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-19: The Motzko Era Begins!

[Koho]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-19: The Motzko Era Begins!

SteveO was right, the Gophers were much more aggressive on the forecheck tonight, often sending in two, and it resulted in more zone time. Good call, sir!

Overall, this seemed like the most complete game they had played effort-wise and I feel like the team that played better won, not just the best goalie. Hopefully this is a trend, and not like last year where one game they looked like they could play with anyone and the next looked like they didn't deserve to be on the ice with anyone.

PSU was obviously missing a couple players, but they are a decent team and the Gophs played well with them. So I still hold to my contention that this team's play this year is more a matter of the effort they have given than that they their talent level is so low. The talent at the D level is lacking, but forwards and G are still strong and if the players continue to work on consistent effort the second half the season might be less frustrating than the first.

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-19: The Motzko Era Begins!

anyone know why the game started so late last night?
I mean - if you want the folks on the East Coast to watch Big10 hockey, why is the game starting at 9PM EST?

It was on ESPN-U and they carried the always critical UI-Chicago - IUPU-I game at 6.

Enjoyed Greyeagle's fine quip.

But there is some value to creating double-headers, at least from an Eastern Time Zone perspective. Columbus certainly isn't on the East Coast, but Ohio & most of Michigan are on Eastern time. Back on Friday, the schedule allowed me to watch the Buckeye game at 7:00PM, then most of the MN/PSU afterwards.

Do BTN & ESPN coordinate at all? Or was the schedule just a coincidence? Don't know. But obviously the BTN makes some effort to create doubleheaders when both games are on BTN.

Now if the in-house fans find an 8:00PM start to be a hardship, then my viewing convenience shouldn't matter. But if you go back far enough in history -- say the early '70s -- an 8:00PM start for a hockey game was considered perfectly reasonable.

Welcome to the board, directmagna.

 

[Koho]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-19: The Motzko Era Begins!

Which makes it a lot tougher to decide, do I watch the USA vs FIN Gold metal game or the Gophers? I'm suppose I'll try to do both.

Hope you went the route I did and watched Team USA first and a recorded Gophs. First, ends the night better. Second, they mentioned the Juniors score during the Gopher game so would have taken some mystery away. But mainly, after seeing a goal taken away from USA when a player was briefly in the crease (after the puck entered) then was tackled and fell out of the crease before the goal was scored by a different player, only later to have Finland score the winner with a guy with his foot in the crease, was too frustrating of a way to end the night. Instead, after USA I went to the second half the Wild game and watched them come back, then went to the Gopher game. A split with a Saturday win always feels a little better than a Friday win.

 

[Koho]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-19: The Motzko Era Begins!

SteveO was right, the Gophers were much more aggressive on the forecheck tonight, often sending in two, and it resulted in more zone time. Good call, sir!



It was on ESPN-U and they carried the always critical UI-Chicago - IUPU-I game at 6.

Seriously, did you get lost and come here instead of GPL? Been awhile.

And we actually got a new poster too?????? Attendance is up about 25% here.

 

[dxmnkd316]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-19: The Motzko Era Begins!

Just an idea -
we all know it's fun to have a special game at a special place -- ie: Stadium Series or special rivalry holiday tournaments --

Has anyone proposed playing a weekend series in Ridder Arena instead of Mariucci? Think of how electric the atmosphere with the crowd packed into that small arena and seeing college hockey on an NHL rink!

I can’t tell if this is serious or not.

 

[Greyeagle]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-19: The Motzko Era Begins!

Seriously, did you get lost and come here instead of GPL? Been awhile.

And we actually got a new poster too?????? Attendance is up about 25% here.

I knew I should have taken that left in Albuquerque....

Still lurk and read quite a bit.....you guys have it covered.

 

[trixR4kids]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-19: The Motzko Era Begins!

I suspect they don't trust the D enough to commit the extra man deep. I would think as Bob gets his players into the program we will see them get more and more aggressive.

Makes sense and this is good to hear. I think some of my biggest criticisms of the last coaching staff toward the end was the constant dumping of the puck with a weak forecheck and the Dmen being way too statue-esque at the blue line on offense. Glad to see some of this starting to take place under Motzko and I hope you're right that they plan to become more aggressive and fun (he said as much before the year).

 

[Koho]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-19: The Motzko Era Begins!

I suspect they don't trust the D enough to commit the extra man deep. I would think as Bob gets his players into the program we will see them get more and more aggressive.

What I was describing wasn't so much the scheme they were employing as I noticed when two guys were already deep with two PSU players, if the first PSU player got it to the second, the Gopher, instead of immediately pouncing on him, would just wait for the PSU guy to make a move at times. No killer instinct in those situations and gives PSU guy time to make the right play most of the time. If you already have two guys deep, don't allow any space or time. This seemed much less frequent last night (or maybe it was partly I wasn't watching as intently being on my third plus game of the day and haveing a few glasses of wine in me by that time.) In other words, a player effort/confidence issue more than coaching.

 

[SteveO]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-19: The Motzko Era Begins!

SteveO was right, the Gophers were much more aggressive on the forecheck tonight, often sending in two, and it resulted in more zone time. Good call, sir!

It was Koho who gave me the idea. I hope they do the same against ND.. I didn't know Bob read this thread?

Hope you went the route I did and watched Team USA first and a recorded Gophs. First, ends the night better. Second, they mentioned the Juniors score during the Gopher game so would have taken some mystery away. But mainly, after seeing a goal taken away from USA when a player was briefly in the crease (after the puck entered) then was tackled and fell out of the crease before the goal was scored by a different player, only later to have Finland score the winner with a guy with his foot in the crease, was too frustrating of a way to end the night. Instead, after USA I went to the second half the Wild game and watched them come back, then went to the Gopher game. A split with a Saturday win always feels a little better than a Friday win.

I started with the "high anxiety hockey fan" switching back and forth routine. Then just stayed with the Gophers like a good homie. Saw the third of the USA/FIN. I didn't get a good look at the GWG. Is there a still frame that shows it?

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-19: The Motzko Era Begins!

I can’t tell if this is serious or not.

To be honest, I'm wasn't sure either. But whether sarcastic or serious, isn't the meaning is the same either way? (that crowd atmosphere is currently lacking)

 

[Koho]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-19: The Motzko Era Begins!

I started with the "high anxiety hockey fan" switching back and forth routine. Then just stayed with the Gophers like a good homie. Saw the third of the USA/FIN. I didn't get a good look at the GWG. Is there a still frame that shows it?

I got a text from a buddy with a grainy shot claiming this right after I deleted my recording of it. I think it might have been in the crease but came out before shot. But that is what seemed to happen on US non-goal. Would like to know what the actual rule is.

 

[Koho]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-19: The Motzko Era Begins!

From the IIHF rulebook:
If an attacking skater is in the goal crease at the moment the puck
crosses the plane of the goal line and his position in no way affects
the goaltender’s ability to make a save or play his position properly,
the goal will be allowed.

I wish I would have saved the recording though, because I though the forward entered the crease following the puck. Was attacked by three Finns and was tackled, falling out of the crease as the puck came out of the crease and Walstrom (?) shot in. Can't find anything in the rules to justify the goal being called off.

 

[SteveO]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-19: The Motzko Era Begins!

At least they didn't lose to Canisius this week.

Canisius swept UND!?? A lot of Whioux fans on pain medication this week.

A host of other upsets last weekend blew up my PWR calculations. I was only off on the RPI by .0021 though, which landed the Gophers in 26th instead of 24th.

It was a rough week for teams in the USCHO Poll. Nine of the top 15 suffered losses, including No. 1 St. Cloud (7-2 to No. 14 Union), No. 2 Massachusetts (2-1 to UMass-Lowell), and No. 5 Quinnipiac (5-4 to Colgate).

Also dropping games were Notre Dame (ranked sixth), Penn State (ninth), Northeastern (11th), Bowling Green (12), North Dakota (13), and Union (14th). All but St. Cloud lost to unranked teams.

 

[SteveO]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-19: The Motzko Era Begins!

Gotta have faith

Had to post this. I'm reading the BC thread and boom! Debbie Downer with a stunner.

Interesting article on the death of Olympic size rinks > ARTICLE

 

[D2D]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-19: The Motzko Era Begins!

Had to post this. I'm reading the BC thread and boom! Debbie Downer with a stunner.

Interesting article on the death of Olympic size rinks > ARTICLE

Have not heard anything happening anytime soon at Mariucci. As far as I know, it's still just on the wish-list, with no definite timetable to get it done.

 

[Bonin21]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-19: The Motzko Era Begins!

They don't have the dough and I wouldn't expect it any time soon given the rebuild happening. We don't have any huge donors like some college programs do.

 

[SteveO]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-19: The Motzko Era Begins!

Have not heard anything happening anytime soon at Mariucci. As far as I know, it's still just on the wish-list, with no definite timetable to get it done.

Yeah and I think Bonin nailed it...no cash flow for this project. The article reminded me that the Gophers' systems and style were historically engineered over 25 years ago for the big sheet.

The big sheet doesn't have the level of physicality like the NHL size. Thus the Gophers have been known for their speed and puck skills more than their physical game.

That style and emphasis will change over time though on the smaller sheet and the Gophers will add more consistent physicality to their game. I'd actually like to see that now.

 

[5mn_Major]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-19: The Motzko Era Begins!

It's common for many observers to blame the Gopher D for all the team's woes, and much of the criticism is deserved. But it's primarily the forwards' job to put the puck in the net, and when they only score twice on 46 shots, the blame shifts to them. Coming close doesn't count.

Yeah. I said the same a month back. The D is very young. There is no excuse for the forwards.

 

[trixR4kids]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-19: The Motzko Era Begins!

The forwards deserve plenty of blame for the mediocrity of this team, they're also likely not the main reason we get outshot and outchanced every night.

 

[Slap Shot]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-19: The Motzko Era Begins!

The forwards deserve plenty of blame for the mediocrity of this team, they're also likely not the main reason we get outshot and outchanced every night.

Huh? If they're unable to maintain possession, generate PP's and scoring chances of their own which unit is generally more to blame? Granted defenders absolutely play a part in breaking out of the defensive zone etc., but how many times have the Gophers given up shot opportunities for one pass too many, missed the net and just flat out failed to score? They're 18th in PP% yet 13th in PK%, 35th in FO%, 22nd in Sh%, 43rd in overall CF% and 53rd in Close CF% which is huge given how many close games they've had, meanwhile Robson has a .924 SV%. As bad as the D core supposedly is the forwards are not getting it done.