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Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-2019: Fire Motzko
- Thread starter The Rube
- Start date
Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-2019: Fire Motzko
I need to stop buying cheap fishing rods....
I need to stop buying cheap fishing rods....
Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-2019: Fire Motzko
I honestly expected more push back from the Wolverines tonight, but Michigan came out flat and stayed that way for much of the game. As the Wolverines' season ticked down to the end, Pearson looked visibly stunned on the Michigan bench as the Gophers aggressively won puck battles, transitioned well and controlled play with crisp passing all game reminiscent of old-time Gopher hockey. In what may have been the final home game at Mariucci for 9 seniors (and maybe Pitlick), they were relentless and left it all on the ice tonight.
Rem Pitlick had another signature game with two goals (21). Pitlick now leads the B1G in PPG and G. Sheehy is tied with Hirose (MSU) for 1st in pts. Together the scoring tandem of Pitlick/Sheehy was red hot impressive and with other lines contributing like they have, there's a reason to believe. With their second sweep in a row on home ice, and 7-1 in their last 8, the Gophers are playing their best hockey of the season at the right time.
They're two more wins from entering the NCAA tournament. Can they pull it off? If favored ND wins over MSU, the Gophers are off to South Bend for a single elimination next week. The Gophers swept ND in South Bend earlier this season 5-1 and 2-1.
I honestly expected more push back from the Wolverines tonight, but Michigan came out flat and stayed that way for much of the game. As the Wolverines' season ticked down to the end, Pearson looked visibly stunned on the Michigan bench as the Gophers aggressively won puck battles, transitioned well and controlled play with crisp passing all game reminiscent of old-time Gopher hockey. In what may have been the final home game at Mariucci for 9 seniors (and maybe Pitlick), they were relentless and left it all on the ice tonight.
Rem Pitlick had another signature game with two goals (21). Pitlick now leads the B1G in PPG and G. Sheehy is tied with Hirose (MSU) for 1st in pts. Together the scoring tandem of Pitlick/Sheehy was red hot impressive and with other lines contributing like they have, there's a reason to believe. With their second sweep in a row on home ice, and 7-1 in their last 8, the Gophers are playing their best hockey of the season at the right time.
They're two more wins from entering the NCAA tournament. Can they pull it off? If favored ND wins over MSU, the Gophers are off to South Bend for a single elimination next week. The Gophers swept ND in South Bend earlier this season 5-1 and 2-1.
ThePowerConference
Registered User
Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-2019: Fire Motzko
Holy cow what happened to all the fans at Mariucci? I turned it there at intermission of the Duluth-St Cloud game and it was literally 80% empty. I mean, I understand that their attendance has fallen in recent years but it was like virtually completely empty.
Holy cow what happened to all the fans at Mariucci? I turned it there at intermission of the Duluth-St Cloud game and it was literally 80% empty. I mean, I understand that their attendance has fallen in recent years but it was like virtually completely empty.
Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-2019: Fire Motzko
High School hockey tournament, other events on campus, weather, tickets not included in season tic pack, and no more sugar coated mini-donuts. The "faithful remnant" saw some impressive Gopher hockey though.
HIGHLIGHTS
High School hockey tournament, other events on campus, weather, tickets not included in season tic pack, and no more sugar coated mini-donuts. The "faithful remnant" saw some impressive Gopher hockey though.
HIGHLIGHTS
ThePowerConference
Registered User
Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-2019: Fire Motzko
SteveO, do fans buy tickets and just not go? I don't quite understand that. Why buy tickets if you're not gonna go? Seems like a waste of money, no?
SteveO, do fans buy tickets and just not go? I don't quite understand that. Why buy tickets if you're not gonna go? Seems like a waste of money, no?
Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-2019: Fire Motzko
I don't think no-shows was a huge attendance factor in this series. There simply were not many tics sold. Announced attendance for last night was 1835 and today 1911. I think butts in the seats was close to those numbers.
I don't think no-shows was a huge attendance factor in this series. There simply were not many tics sold. Announced attendance for last night was 1835 and today 1911. I think butts in the seats was close to those numbers.
Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-2019: Fire Motzko
Beyond stupid idea to not include playoff games in the highest season ticket price in the country and to expect people to buy tickets to games they knew would be empty.
Beyond stupid idea to not include playoff games in the highest season ticket price in the country and to expect people to buy tickets to games they knew would be empty.
Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-2019: Fire Motzko
Of course that doesn't apply to Friday's game. That one was available on FSD+, but was arbitrarily blacked out here. Making things a little worse, DirecTV didn't even own up to the blackout. They just displayed the DirecTV logo on FSD+. Our version of the channel guide had only a TBA message.
This kind of inconsistency has been going on for some time. If there was an actual reason behind the hit-and-miss coverage, I'd be willing to consider it with an open mind. But which games are offered and which games are blocked just seems utterly arbitrary...
Be that as it may, Congratulations to the Gophers on the series win.
Unless you were watching DirecTV in Central Ohio, where the game WAS available on FSN+.
Of course that doesn't apply to Friday's game. That one was available on FSD+, but was arbitrarily blacked out here. Making things a little worse, DirecTV didn't even own up to the blackout. They just displayed the DirecTV logo on FSD+. Our version of the channel guide had only a TBA message.
This kind of inconsistency has been going on for some time. If there was an actual reason behind the hit-and-miss coverage, I'd be willing to consider it with an open mind. But which games are offered and which games are blocked just seems utterly arbitrary...
Be that as it may, Congratulations to the Gophers on the series win.
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dxmnkd316
Lucia Apologist
Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-2019: Fire Motzko
I’m thrilled about the win but I was really bothered by Michigan not pulling their goalie. I just don’t get it. Give it a shot at least. It doesn’t matter if you lose 4-1 or 5-1. I just felt like the coaches owed it to their seniors to at least give it a shot. I didn’t like that.
I’m thrilled about the win but I was really bothered by Michigan not pulling their goalie. I just don’t get it. Give it a shot at least. It doesn’t matter if you lose 4-1 or 5-1. I just felt like the coaches owed it to their seniors to at least give it a shot. I didn’t like that.
Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-2019: Fire Motzko
Pearson is good coach and that surprised me too. He looked disengaged in the third and commented afterwards that the team wasn't mentally prepared for the game. Down by 3 goals, I think he basically threw in the towel. I agree with you, I think he should have pulled Mann at 3 min. I'm sure the seniors and others were not happy about it in the locker room. If your season is on the line, let your players finish it off with some dignity. Never go down without a fight until the bitter end.
The sole purpose of moving to campus sites was to increase attendance for the B1G playoffs. I think Motzko was clearly disappointed in the turnout. He said thank you to those who showed up and commented, "we're playing for those who showed up, not those who didn't".
It makes no sense to abandon season ticket holders and make them pay for playoff tickets, when they're already paying an exorbitant extra cost cloaked as a "donation" scheme. But that's the finance dept. trying to manage their debt schedule without regard to perceptive marketing. Granted there were other factors that hindered attendance this weekend, but overall that was horrible marketing. That's an embarrassment to a historical program, the coaches, and the players.
Pearson is good coach and that surprised me too. He looked disengaged in the third and commented afterwards that the team wasn't mentally prepared for the game. Down by 3 goals, I think he basically threw in the towel. I agree with you, I think he should have pulled Mann at 3 min. I'm sure the seniors and others were not happy about it in the locker room. If your season is on the line, let your players finish it off with some dignity. Never go down without a fight until the bitter end.
The sole purpose of moving to campus sites was to increase attendance for the B1G playoffs. I think Motzko was clearly disappointed in the turnout. He said thank you to those who showed up and commented, "we're playing for those who showed up, not those who didn't".
It makes no sense to abandon season ticket holders and make them pay for playoff tickets, when they're already paying an exorbitant extra cost cloaked as a "donation" scheme. But that's the finance dept. trying to manage their debt schedule without regard to perceptive marketing. Granted there were other factors that hindered attendance this weekend, but overall that was horrible marketing. That's an embarrassment to a historical program, the coaches, and the players.
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Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-2019: Fire Motzko
So if MN were to win next week, along with Penn State (or Wis), the Championship would be in MN. Right?
I am not expecting two more wins, but it sure seems more feasible now than it did two months ago.
And is Reedy going to give up one of his goals in the stats and give it to McLaughlin for making that save on McLaughlin's shot?
So if MN were to win next week, along with Penn State (or Wis), the Championship would be in MN. Right?
I am not expecting two more wins, but it sure seems more feasible now than it did two months ago.
And is Reedy going to give up one of his goals in the stats and give it to McLaughlin for making that save on McLaughlin's shot?
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Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-2019: Fire Motzko
Yep. If they keep playing strong, two wins is doable. Looked like Reedy was reaching for a potential tip.
Yep. If they keep playing strong, two wins is doable. Looked like Reedy was reaching for a potential tip.
Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-2019: Fire Motzko
I don't follow the Gophers like I used to. Kiddo plays out east and they've already punched their ticket to the NCAA's. Yet a lot is being made out of attendance this weekend at Mooch. No doubt, it was more than surprising. I just really like Motzko telling his players to go salute those who are here. Players can't do a **** thing about attendance or marketing or ticket prices. All they can do is play. When they are on the ice, they judge the community support by looking into the stands. If you are a player, you almost have to say, "screw these people". Lets do it for ourselves and those who are here. May sound harsh to the Gopher faithful watching from the Lazy-Boy......yet if I'm on that ice, that's what I'm thinking. Nice Job Motz......
I don't follow the Gophers like I used to. Kiddo plays out east and they've already punched their ticket to the NCAA's. Yet a lot is being made out of attendance this weekend at Mooch. No doubt, it was more than surprising. I just really like Motzko telling his players to go salute those who are here. Players can't do a **** thing about attendance or marketing or ticket prices. All they can do is play. When they are on the ice, they judge the community support by looking into the stands. If you are a player, you almost have to say, "screw these people". Lets do it for ourselves and those who are here. May sound harsh to the Gopher faithful watching from the Lazy-Boy......yet if I'm on that ice, that's what I'm thinking. Nice Job Motz......
Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-2019: Fire Motzko
Right now, just bring it on. I don't care who it is, because we'll have to beat better teams later on if we are to make a true run.
Right now, just bring it on. I don't care who it is, because we'll have to beat better teams later on if we are to make a true run.
Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-2019: Fire Motzko
As far as attendance goes, the two women's games at Ridder drew 5,063 vs just 3,746 for the two men's games at Mariucci. Like the men, season ticket holders for the women had to pay to attend their league playoff games, albeit at a much more reasonable cost. But the lopsided difference in attendance between the two programs on the same weekend has to be a first in the 20 years the women have been playing.
I am one of the season ticket holders who did not attend either game this weekend. No. 1 I was a little peeved that the first round of playoffs were not included in the season ticket package, like they always were in the good old WCHA days. No. 2 on Friday night there was a conflict with the high school Class AA semifinals, which I did attend along with ~19,500 hockey fans, some of which would have surely gone to the Gopher game if not for the conflict. Then on Saturday I went to the Gopher women's game vs. UMD at Ridder, and there was a conflict there as well, as by the time that game ended I would have missed the first period of the men's game. I decided to save the $25 (or whatever it was to get in) and stay until the women's game was over. I recorded the men's game on the DVR and watched it when I got home...
As far as attendance goes, the two women's games at Ridder drew 5,063 vs just 3,746 for the two men's games at Mariucci. Like the men, season ticket holders for the women had to pay to attend their league playoff games, albeit at a much more reasonable cost. But the lopsided difference in attendance between the two programs on the same weekend has to be a first in the 20 years the women have been playing.
Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-2019: Fire Motzko
When I saw the attendance for the weekend, I thought, "Welcome to minor league hockey".
I can remember playing in a lot of near empty arenas. But I highly doubt the guys were thinking, "screw these people" though. Sometimes having a light crowd takes the edge off the performance stress and helps a player to ease into his game much quicker.
It's an extra energy injection playing before a raucous crowd of crazed hometown hockey fans. But I don't think the players faulted those who chose to be at a once a year event like the MSHS hockey tourney or the WCHA women's championship. These guys have all played before small crowds before, so it's really no big deal. Once the game starts, getting that W is all they care about.
I agree, it was pretty classy for Motzko to stop the players at the bench gate and ask them to turn around to salute the student section. They were loud on Sat. as were the "faithful few" scattered throughout Mariucci.
When I saw the attendance for the weekend, I thought, "Welcome to minor league hockey".
I can remember playing in a lot of near empty arenas. But I highly doubt the guys were thinking, "screw these people" though. Sometimes having a light crowd takes the edge off the performance stress and helps a player to ease into his game much quicker. It's an extra energy injection playing before a raucous crowd of crazed hometown hockey fans. But I don't think the players faulted those who chose to be at a once a year event like the MSHS hockey tourney or the WCHA women's championship. These guys have all played before small crowds before, so it's really no big deal. Once the game starts, getting that W is all they care about.
I agree, it was pretty classy for Motzko to stop the players at the bench gate and ask them to turn around to salute the student section. They were loud on Sat. as were the "faithful few" scattered throughout Mariucci.