Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2019-2020: Motzko 2.0

[SteveO]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2019-2020: Motzko 2.0

CC on the road will prove to be a challenge for this young Gopher team as the season begins this Fri-Sat at Broadmoor World Arena. CC is fast in transition and their D are a mix of shutdown with an offensive upside. The Gophers will face a CC returning lineup with a lot of speed and scoring depth. Goaltending might be the biggest question mark for both teams with new netminder recruits in the lineup.

Not much can be gleaned from the ex on Sunday except that the Gophers have never tied an ex game at the beginning of the season, trailing in the game until the third and ending the contest in a tie with no ESGs. Perhaps with the exception of Brodzinski (and that remains to be seen at this level from a HS recruit) I don't see any standout natural goal scorers. Walker could elevate his game this season. His speed is dynamic, but my concern is he seemed to struggle handling the puck in front on several occasions last season when capping off his drive to the net. Some of the worst accuracy came from Sampo Ranta who had 5 SAs and only 1 SOG. Reedy was second with 5 SA and 2 SOG. Those are two guys who must improve to make up for the 55% of scoring lost with the departure of Pitlick, Sheehy and others.

 

[St. Clown]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2019-2020: Motzko 2.0

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">New <a href="https://twitter.com/fsnorth?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@fsnorth</a> team for <a href="https://twitter.com/GopherHockey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GopherHockey</a> broadcasts includes Charlie Beattie on play-by-play, Ben Clymer returning as analyst and <a href="https://twitter.com/BobbieBohlig?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BobbieBohlig</a> between the benches. Full story to come on <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRinkLive?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheRinkLive</a></p>— Jess Myers (@JessRMyers) <a href="https://twitter.com/JessRMyers/status/1180180907564687361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Bobbie Bohlig, the SCSU alumna?

She's regressing in her career, moving to the lowly Gopher hockey broadcasts.

 

[Bonin21]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2019-2020: Motzko 2.0

There's a reason the hottest ones usually end up at SCSU, UND, and MNSU

 

[SteveO]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2019-2020: Motzko 2.0

Finally it is GAME DAY Gopher fans! And just to get the players in the mood, it's going feel like January in Colorado Springs as temps are dropping to below zero overnight.

The Gophers will face an early challenge with the CC Tigers who return approximately 60% of their scoring. CC has a backline with a combo of speed transition and shutdown D. They can also score with players like defensiveman Brian Yoon whose 26 points last season were the most by a Colorado College freshman since St. Louis Blues forward Jaden Schwartz during the 2010-11 season. Forwards Ben Copeland, Chris Wilkie, Grant Cruikshank, Alex Berardinelli, Christiano Versich each had near 20 pts last season and are expected to step up and fill the void lost by 4 top scoring seniors.

The Gophers are the youngest team in the NCAA this season and will need to make immediate corrections from their ex game that according to Motzko was replete with turnovers and too much "cuteness" or individual vs team play. I suspect we'll see a lot of protection around the net from the young D with Sr Tyler Nanne providing some offensive surge from the backline. Other than the new BMW line which now inc. Bryce Brodzinski, the Gophers will need much more offensive production from some of the returning players like Ranta, McManus, Reedy and Burke all of whom with the exception of McManus, had very few SOG in the ex. tie with Mount Royal.

The question mark in the series is the netminders from both teams. The Tigers acquired Ryan Ruck from Northeastern as a graduate transfer (graduated last May) with one yr of eligibility left. He may be the veteran starter for CC in the series. The Gophers brought all three goalies. I'd like to see Jack Lafontaine in net who has NCAA experience and was named BCHL's Top Goaltender last season for the Penticton Vees.

The elevation factor could pose a challenge for the Gophers who practiced yesterday in Colorado Springs, an elevation of 6,230 feet, roughly 1,000 feet higher than Denver. Much like Mariucci, Broadmoor has the Olympic sheet with deep corners. With the elevation, I expect short shifts from both teams and lots of energy from CC in their season opener on home ice. Although ranked 6th in the NCHC season poll the Tigers have high hopes this season. The underdog Gophers will need to hit the ice strong and play a full 60 of error-free and "stay out of the box" hockey if they expect to split this series. This might not be pretty.

 

[The Rube]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2019-2020: Motzko 2.0

Game day. *squee*

 

[SteveO]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2019-2020: Motzko 2.0

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Making his first start in goal for the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gophers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gophers</a>, Jack LaFontaine gets the nod for the 2019-20 season opener. <a href="https://t.co/L49puva2CE">pic.twitter.com/L49puva2CE</a></p>— Minnesota Men’s Hockey (@GopherHockey) <a href="https://twitter.com/GopherHockey/status/1182697665416462336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Koho]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2019-2020: Motzko 2.0

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Making his first start in goal for the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gophers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gophers</a>, Jack LaFontaine gets the nod for the 2019-20 season opener. <a href="https://t.co/L49puva2CE">pic.twitter.com/L49puva2CE</a></p>— Minnesota Men’s Hockey (@GopherHockey) <a href="https://twitter.com/GopherHockey/status/1182697665416462336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Well that was disappointing. Thought they might get win when they scored second goal so quickly after CC's. LaFontaine looked a little like one of A.P.'s kids in the beginning of the game. Fumbled the puck a few times. He doesn't appear to be the 'minimize motion by playing perfect position' type of goalie like Robson. Tough to judge with just one game. He looked OK, but didn't do anything to make me think he would be stealing a lot of games for us either.

So what is the cost to stream on the NaCHO net?

Oh yeah, I don't usually pay attention to uni's, but I thought CC's were ugly and very hard to read on TV.

 

[SteveO]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2019-2020: Motzko 2.0

Well that was disappointing. Thought they might get win when they scored second goal so quickly after CC's. LaFontaine looked a little like one of A.P.'s kids in the beginning of the game. Fumbled the puck a few times. He doesn't appear to be the 'minimize motion by playing perfect position' type of goalie like Robson. Tough to judge with just one game. He looked OK, but didn't do anything to make me think he would be stealing a lot of games for us either.

So what is the cost to stream on the NaCHO net?

Oh yeah, I don't usually pay attention to uni's, but I thought CC's were ugly and very hard to read on TV.

I thought LaFontaine did ok, made some nice saves and didn't have much of a chance on 2 CC goals. I think Motzko may give him another shot tonight. Gophers showed increasing moments of puck possession in the third, but CC boxed out around the crease, didn't allow much inside and was very fast in transition. They more than matched the Gopher's speed. CC had the better two-man forecheck throughout the game and that was a key to shutting down the Gopher's transition game.

NCHC TV I think is $15 a game. CC's unis looked like practice jerseys. They should shelve those forever. Must win tonight for later PWR implications.

 

[trixR4kids]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2019-2020: Motzko 2.0

Yeah I chalk that result up to CC’s goalie outplaying ours and penalties mostly. Outside of that it was pretty even and each team missed some great chances. I do like the more fire wagon approach that we saw and it was a fun game to watch even if the result wasn’t what I hoped for. The new D seem more mobile especially Johnson and you could see that when they had puck possession in the offensive zone, unlike much of last year and the years before where they just stood like a statue near the blue line and then threw it away out of fear of a turnover.

And yeah playing on the road in that elevation for the first game with this super young team isn’t ideal to say the least. I went on a trip there after biking all summer and I remember just biking a couple miles to a bar and it felt like I’d drank 3 beers before doing it, you just can’t get enough oxygen to your legs compared to what you’re used to and that’s a far more leisurely activity than going full anaerobic for however many shifts a game.

 

[SteveO]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2019-2020: Motzko 2.0

Yeah I chalk that result up to CC’s goalie outplaying ours and penalties mostly. Outside of that it was pretty even and each team missed some great chances. I do like the more fire wagon approach that we saw and it was a fun game to watch even if the result wasn’t what I hoped for.

And yeah playing on the road in that elevation for the first game with this super young team isn’t ideal to say the least. I went on a trip there after biking all summer and I remember just biking a couple miles to a bar and it felt like I’d drank 3 beers before doing it, you just can’t get enough oxygen to your legs compared to what you’re used to and that’s a far more leisurely activity than going full anaerobic for however many shifts a game.

I think it was Wilkie that had 3 pipes and Halloran had one for CC. Gophers missed some open sides too. Brodzinski needs to get pucks on net, no SOG last night.

 

[The Rube]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2019-2020: Motzko 2.0

Well that was disappointing. Thought they might get win when they scored second goal so quickly after CC's. LaFontaine looked a little like one of A.P.'s kids in the beginning of the game. Fumbled the puck a few times. He doesn't appear to be the 'minimize motion by playing perfect position' type of goalie like Robson. Tough to judge with just one game. He looked OK, but didn't do anything to make me think he would be stealing a lot of games for us either.

So what is the cost to stream on the NaCHO net?

Oh yeah, I don't usually pay attention to uni's, but I thought CC's were ugly and very hard to read on TV.

It's about $17 for the stream.

This team is a work in progress, I expect nothing. However, I see much promise as they learn to gel, and as they grow. I hope to see an almost full 4 year team, no one leaves early (and that's a pipe dream). Rough year this year, but next year...look out.

 

[SteveO]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2019-2020: Motzko 2.0

Nice come from behind win for the Gophers. Gophers lost on a PPG last night, but It was CC tonight that shot themselves in the foot in the 2nd taking five penalties and the Gopher PP took advantage with 2 PPGs. I thought Ranta was tenacious and aggressive, McLaughlin showed his skill in open space to get the winning goal and honestly the entire Gopher D played with poise and executed well in the zone to shutdown CC for 2/3 periods.

Moe appeared to be a bit shaky in the first and then settled down. The Gopher D played very well in front of him for the remainder of the game, and especially brilliant was killing off the 5 min major to Sammy allowing CC very few SOG.

Guys like Meyers, Perbix, LaCombe, Johnson, Staudacher stood out for me in this series as skilled players to watch develop this season. This team has the potential to play some very exciting and opportunistic hockey and to come from behind for a W is an early sign of the resilience and tenacity of this team. Overall, a good series split on the road and a lot to build on for this young and maturing Gopher squad.

 

[willythekid]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2019-2020: Motzko 2.0

I only saw bits and pieces of these games... Mostly between periods and after the UND games. What I saw was very entertaining hockey. Both teams have players that should excite their relative fanbases. It does seem that former Hawk Wilkie had it out for the gophers lol.

 

[Koho]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2019-2020: Motzko 2.0

Nice come from behind win for the Gophers. Gophers lost on a PPG last night, but It was CC tonight that shot themselves in the foot in the 2nd taking five penalties and the Gopher PP took advantage with 2 PPGs. I thought Ranta was tenacious and aggressive, McLaughlin showed his skill in open space to get the winning goal and honestly the entire Gopher D played with poise and executed well in the zone to shutdown CC for 2/3 periods.

Moe appeared to be a bit shaky in the first and then settled down. The Gopher D played very well in front of him for the remainder of the game, and especially brilliant was killing off the 5 min major to Sammy allowing CC very few SOG.

Guys like Meyers, Perbix, LaCombe, Johnson, Staudacher stood out for me in this series as skilled players to watch develop this season. This team has the potential to play some very exciting and opportunistic hockey and to come from behind for a W is an early sign of the resilience and tenacity of this team. Overall, a good series split on the road and a lot to build on for this young and maturing Gopher squad.

Almost wish I had splurged on the stream. On the other hand, I'm glad I forgot the Wild were on. That could be a long season.

 

[Koho]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2019-2020: Motzko 2.0

1. Are we down to like 4 posters here?
2. I assume it is no longer possible to put a smiley at he beginning of a thread?
3. haven't looked lately, are there still UND tickets?
4. Anyone going to Duluth?

 

[The Rube]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2019-2020: Motzko 2.0

Most have gone to the team boards. If anyone is left here, it's mostly like Indy Jones. Wondering about the artifacts.

 

[Greyeagle]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2019-2020: Motzko 2.0

1. Are we down to like 4 posters here?
2. I assume it is no longer possible to put a smiley at he beginning of a thread?
3. haven't looked lately, are there still UND tickets?
4. Anyone going to Duluth?

1. Part timer here but will probably get more active as the season ramps up. Given GPL and other social media this board's priority has dropped off for me.
2. Not sure
3. Just looked at the website. Fewer options on Friday than Thursday
4. No

 

[SteveO]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2019-2020: Motzko 2.0

Most have gone to the team boards. If anyone is left here, it's mostly like Indy Jones. Wondering about the artifacts.

And that's why you're posting here?

 

[SteveO]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2019-2020: Motzko 2.0

1. Part timer here but will probably get more active as the season ramps up. Given GPL and other social media this board's priority has dropped off for me.

Always enjoy your unique candid humor.

 

[D2D]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2019-2020: Motzko 2.0

Back from an extended Caribbean vacation and still trying to adjust to the 50 degree temperature drop.

Very much looking forward to seeing the Gophers in person for the first time this weekend.