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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
Watched the WJSS (World Junior Summer Showcase) Finland/Canada and USA/Sweden games on NHL Network yesterday. Lots of recent NHL draft choices scattered throughout, but most are on the USA squad.
Sampo Ranta showed some great speed as the Fins clobbered Canada 8-3. Ranta is leading all scorers after 7 games in the 11-game tournament at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Mich which includes USA, Finland, Canada and Sweden.
It's part of the tryout process for the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championships, which will be held Dec. 26-Jan. 5 in the Czech Republic. Ranta was one of the last players cut from the Finnish squad in 2019 that went on to win the tournament’s gold medal, so he's pulling out all the stops hoping to make the 2020 Fin team.
Blake McLaughlin and Ryan Johnson are on the USA squad. Blake McLaughlin has spent considerable time with trainer Cal Dietz so far this summer, and has put on some weight. His compete level was strong and added a goal and assist in USA's shellacking of Sweden 6-0 yesterday. This is McLaughlin’s second on-ice camp of the summer after he traveled to Southern California in late June for the Anaheim Ducks development camp.
He was second on the Gophers among rookie scorers with five goals and 15 assists in 35 games last season. I expect Blake will elevate his game next season. The BMW line (Burke/McLaughlin/Walker) was fast and productive, a bright spot for the Gophers last season and if Motzko keeps them together, they'll be exciting to watch.
USA plays Finland on Friday Aug. 2 @ 4pm and the last game of the WJSS on Sat. @ 4pm vs Canada.
Watched the WJSS (World Junior Summer Showcase) Finland/Canada and USA/Sweden games on NHL Network yesterday. Lots of recent NHL draft choices scattered throughout, but most are on the USA squad.
Sampo Ranta showed some great speed as the Fins clobbered Canada 8-3. Ranta is leading all scorers after 7 games in the 11-game tournament at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Mich which includes USA, Finland, Canada and Sweden.
It's part of the tryout process for the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championships, which will be held Dec. 26-Jan. 5 in the Czech Republic. Ranta was one of the last players cut from the Finnish squad in 2019 that went on to win the tournament’s gold medal, so he's pulling out all the stops hoping to make the 2020 Fin team.
Blake McLaughlin and Ryan Johnson are on the USA squad. Blake McLaughlin has spent considerable time with trainer Cal Dietz so far this summer, and has put on some weight. His compete level was strong and added a goal and assist in USA's shellacking of Sweden 6-0 yesterday. This is McLaughlin’s second on-ice camp of the summer after he traveled to Southern California in late June for the Anaheim Ducks development camp.
He was second on the Gophers among rookie scorers with five goals and 15 assists in 35 games last season. I expect Blake will elevate his game next season. The BMW line (Burke/McLaughlin/Walker) was fast and productive, a bright spot for the Gophers last season and if Motzko keeps them together, they'll be exciting to watch.
USA plays Finland on Friday Aug. 2 @ 4pm and the last game of the WJSS on Sat. @ 4pm vs Canada.
Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-2019: Fire Motzko
Yesterday the Fins got off to a commanding lead against a slow starting USA squad. USA came back in 3rd and nearly tied it up in the last minute but fell short to the Fins 6-5.
Sampo Ranta had a nice breakaway for a goal and he leads all scorers going into the final day of the WJSS vs Sweden (1pm). USA vs Canada rivalry in the final game (4pm).
Finland vs USA HIGHLIGHTS
Yesterday the Fins got off to a commanding lead against a slow starting USA squad. USA came back in 3rd and nearly tied it up in the last minute but fell short to the Fins 6-5.
Sampo Ranta had a nice breakaway for a goal and he leads all scorers going into the final day of the WJSS vs Sweden (1pm). USA vs Canada rivalry in the final game (4pm).
Finland vs USA HIGHLIGHTS
Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-2019: Fire Motzko
I happened to see Ranta's breakaway goal yesterday, and my immediate thought was, "Hope we see more of that when he's wearing a Gopher sweater". Based on that one play I won't be surprised if he's chosen as one of the team's shootout specialists on a regular basis.
Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-2019: Fire Motzko
He looked fast, competed hard and was strong around the net throughout the whole tourney. With all the top draft choices, I was surprised he led in scoring. I expected more last year, but a breakout year for Sampo Ranta would be huge.
Ryan Johnson got the final goal of the tourney as USA beat Canada 5-3. I thought he played solid conservative D, didn't jump in and join the rush. But he skates well, exits the zone with skill, and he's got a nice shot. He'll be solid on the blueline for the Gophers.
USA vs Canada HIGHLIGHTS
He looked fast, competed hard and was strong around the net throughout the whole tourney. With all the top draft choices, I was surprised he led in scoring. I expected more last year, but a breakout year for Sampo Ranta would be huge.
Ryan Johnson got the final goal of the tourney as USA beat Canada 5-3. I thought he played solid conservative D, didn't jump in and join the rush. But he skates well, exits the zone with skill, and he's got a nice shot. He'll be solid on the blueline for the Gophers.
USA vs Canada HIGHLIGHTS
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Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-2019: Fire Motzko
Have game recorded, and plan to watch tomorrow. Will pay special attention to Johnson, as from your description his ability to break the puck out by making the controlled right play without taking undue risk is something the Gophers could really use.
Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-2019: Fire Motzko
Forgot about these games and happened to just catch end of second and third of USA Canada.
So how did McLaughlin look?
For Wild Fans, seemed like Caufield was noticeable, but did Boldy not make team?
How did Brink look?
And yes, hoping for Ranta to turn into the player I thought he was going to be after the first couple games.
Gophs need a number of things to fall into place, including a number of player to step up and finding strong goaltending. A lot of unknowns with such a young team.
Forgot about these games and happened to just catch end of second and third of USA Canada.
So how did McLaughlin look?
For Wild Fans, seemed like Caufield was noticeable, but did Boldy not make team?
How did Brink look?
And yes, hoping for Ranta to turn into the player I thought he was going to be after the first couple games.
Gophs need a number of things to fall into place, including a number of player to step up and finding strong goaltending. A lot of unknowns with such a young team.
Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-2019: Fire Motzko
McLaughlin unfortunately didn't see a lot of ice time vs Canada. Sandelin had him as a 13th forward, so he subbed in for a few shifts in the Canada game, but that was it. USA was loaded down with top draft picks. Overall, IIRC he had a G and A in the tourney. Trying to find some chemistry by subbing in with various linemates in a short tourney can be frustrating, although you could tell his speed was there.
Boldy was on the team, and had some nice looks against the Fins. I liked the puck movement from Boldy, he looked confident and creative with the puck, a true playmaker with a quick release shot. Brink was feisty and ended up in a fight during the Canada game, high compete level...excellent speed.
Caufield is an excellent sniper in space, accurate hard shot, but not a great stickhandler with tremendous speed to blow by players on open ice. Needs to be paired with a skilled playmaker (eg. Hughes was his linemate). But I didn't see him playing the corners much. IMO Cole Caufield plays with a lot of confidence and competes hard like he has something to prove with his smaller stature. Definitely a potential B1G Rookie of the Year candidate.
McLaughlin unfortunately didn't see a lot of ice time vs Canada. Sandelin had him as a 13th forward, so he subbed in for a few shifts in the Canada game, but that was it. USA was loaded down with top draft picks. Overall, IIRC he had a G and A in the tourney. Trying to find some chemistry by subbing in with various linemates in a short tourney can be frustrating, although you could tell his speed was there.
Boldy was on the team, and had some nice looks against the Fins. I liked the puck movement from Boldy, he looked confident and creative with the puck, a true playmaker with a quick release shot. Brink was feisty and ended up in a fight during the Canada game, high compete level...excellent speed.
Caufield is an excellent sniper in space, accurate hard shot, but not a great stickhandler with tremendous speed to blow by players on open ice. Needs to be paired with a skilled playmaker (eg. Hughes was his linemate). But I didn't see him playing the corners much. IMO Cole Caufield plays with a lot of confidence and competes hard like he has something to prove with his smaller stature. Definitely a potential B1G Rookie of the Year candidate.
Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-2019: Fire Motzko
Thanks, my pleasure D2D
Draft picks on the WJSS USA squad per round:
First Round 11
Second Round 7
Third Round 4
Fourth Round 3
Fifth Round 3
I think with Ranta leading all scorers and Ryan Johnson delivering a solid D performance, they're both a lock for the 2020 WJC. Although Blake McLaughlin's compete level was consistent, he had limited ice time and with high end draft choices as competition for a roster spot, there's a good chance he might not make the cut.
If so, we may only be missing a couple guys for the Mariucci Classic, which is good considering PWR implications at that stage against either SCSU or MSUM. Always looking down the road.
Thanks, my pleasure D2D
Draft picks on the WJSS USA squad per round:
First Round 11
Second Round 7
Third Round 4
Fourth Round 3
Fifth Round 3
I think with Ranta leading all scorers and Ryan Johnson delivering a solid D performance, they're both a lock for the 2020 WJC. Although Blake McLaughlin's compete level was consistent, he had limited ice time and with high end draft choices as competition for a roster spot, there's a good chance he might not make the cut.
If so, we may only be missing a couple guys for the Mariucci Classic, which is good considering PWR implications at that stage against either SCSU or MSUM. Always looking down the road.
Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-2019: Fire Motzko
I guess the question then becomes: How many will each of those teams likely be missing?If so, we may only be missing a couple guys for the Mariucci Classic, which is good considering PWR implications at that stage against either SCSU or MSUM. Always looking down the road.
purpleinnebraska
Well-known member
Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-2019: Fire Motzko
Thanks for the info, purple. That leaves St. Cloud, do they have any possibilities for the World Juniors?
Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-2019: Fire Motzko
Line chart and healthy scratches from the USA vs Canada game: HERE
From what I can tell, there were no SCSU players on the USA team. The final cut for the 2020 WJC will come off this roster. Team USA is in a tough grouping again and opens the 2020 WJC vs Canada on Thurs. Dec. 26. IMO with all the high end draft picks on the USA squad, the WJC is a "must see" tournament.
Group A
TEAM/2019 FINISH
Finland/Gold
Switzerland/Fourth
Sweden/Fifth
Slovakia/Eighth
Kazakhstan/Ninth
Group B
TEAM/2019 FINISH
United States/Silver
Russia/Bronze
Canada/Sixth
Czech Republic/Seventh
Germany/Promoted
Line chart and healthy scratches from the USA vs Canada game: HERE
From what I can tell, there were no SCSU players on the USA team. The final cut for the 2020 WJC will come off this roster. Team USA is in a tough grouping again and opens the 2020 WJC vs Canada on Thurs. Dec. 26. IMO with all the high end draft picks on the USA squad, the WJC is a "must see" tournament.
Group A
TEAM/2019 FINISH
Finland/Gold
Switzerland/Fourth
Sweden/Fifth
Slovakia/Eighth
Kazakhstan/Ninth
Group B
TEAM/2019 FINISH
United States/Silver
Russia/Bronze
Canada/Sixth
Czech Republic/Seventh
Germany/Promoted
purpleinnebraska
Well-known member
Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-2019: Fire Motzko
I don't recall exactly, but I thought Brent Larson was mentioned as one of Sandelin's possible assistants.
I don't recall exactly, but I thought Brent Larson was mentioned as one of Sandelin's possible assistants.
Slap Shot
I got nothing
Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-2019: Fire Motzko
That Tonka team from 2 years ago could have gone undefeated (although they still won it all), and last year with Brink...
That Tonka team from 2 years ago could have gone undefeated (although they still won it all), and last year with Brink...
Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-2019: Fire Motzko
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The WJC has always been my favorite tournament to watch (only exception being when the Gophers make it to the Frozen Four
)Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-2019: Fire Motzko
The 2020 WJC is really going to be competitive. I don't think there's ever been this many 1st round NHL draft picks in the tourney. 24 of the 31 first rounders will be in the tourney: USA/11, Canada/7, Sweden/4, Finland/2. It's gonna be fun to watch.
The WJC has always been my favorite tournament to watch (only exception being when the Gophers make it to the Frozen Four
The 2020 WJC is really going to be competitive. I don't think there's ever been this many 1st round NHL draft picks in the tourney. 24 of the 31 first rounders will be in the tourney: USA/11, Canada/7, Sweden/4, Finland/2. It's gonna be fun to watch.
Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2018-2019: Fire Motzko
IMO, Edina should have been the number one seed.
That Tonka team from 2 years ago could have gone undefeated (although they still won it all), and last year with Brink...
IMO, Edina should have been the number one seed.