Minnesota Golden Gopher Season 2019-2020: Motzko 2.0

[SteveO]

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

He did it for fun and it's not going to happen so yeah, it's still time to get over it. Also pretty sure you weren't banned.

Unless GPL is practicing social distancing with posters who have the eeyore-itis virus. You know like finding that cloud in a silver lining.

 

[Bonin21]

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

I was temp banned because I called SCC "private p***ies" for not moving up lol. Maybe the world is more PC than a few years ago when it would be chanted at the X. It wasn't targeted at the kids themselves. Think they were looking for an excuse to do it anyways.

 

[duluthguy]

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

Questions:

When was the last time an end-of-season conference playoff included teams from two different conferences?
How exactly would this ever become a thing - who would have to approve it? The coaches, the AD's, Big Ten and other conference officials, and finally the NCAA?

I give it a snowballs chance in hell.

Back in the old days (the 80s), the WCHA had an "interlocking" schedule with Hockey East, meaning teams from the two conferences would play each other a handful of times during the regular season, and the games would count in the regular season conference standings. But then then each conference held a post-season tournament with just its own teams.

If I recall correctly, this started around the time the WCHA only had six teams (Minnesota, Wisconsin, UMD, UND, CC, and Denver) and was looking for other teams to play. Hockey East was a relatively new conference and wanted to establish itself. The arrangement ran its course after a while (6-10 years?), partly because St. Cloud State went D-1 and Tech came back to the WCHA from the CCHA.

 

[Bonin21]

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

WCHA only had six teams (Minnesota, Wisconsin, UMD, UND, CC, and Denver)

What a conference

 

[SteveO]

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

Any flight risks on the table from last season? I can't think of anyone who might make the jump.

Assessment on Ryan Johnson from The Hockey Writers:

The Sabres were fortunate to have two picks in the first round. With the 31st pick, they selected defenseman Ryan Johnson.

Johnson has had a solid, though unspectacular freshman campaign with the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Not projected to ever put up massive point totals, Johnson has accumulated 8 assists in 32 games. He continues to display his excellent skating which is without a doubt his greatest asset.

His point totals may not ever become elite. What is strong is his ability to defend. Johnson will likely spend at least two more seasons with the Golden Gophers. The disappointment of not making Team USA at the World Junior Championship can hopefully bolster him to improve his game going forward.

The Sabres’ defense will look very different by the time Johnson is ready to make the jump to the NHL. What we do know is if he makes it he will be behind Rasmus Dahlin. Just how far down he is below that remains to be seen.

 

[Bonin21]

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

Anyone that leaves for the pros would be making a massive, frankly idiotic, mistake.

I expect at least one of Denman or Rossini to leave since there will likely be three D coming in (leaving 10 total if no one leaves). 7 D will dress. Fish probably won't play much as a freshman.

 

[D2D]

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

What are the experts saying about LaCombe? I thought he really came on strong towards the end of his freshman year.

 

[SteveO]

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

What are the experts saying about LaCombe? I thought he really came on strong towards the end of his freshman year.

Hot off the press:

Anaheim director of player development Todd Marchant on University of Minnesota freshman defenseman Jackson LaCombe: “Jackson’s had a very strong year as a true freshman. He’s an excellent skater, he likes to get up in the play and he has definitely gotten better in the defensive zone since the beginning of the season. The sky’s the limit for Jackson because of his ability to skate. He can get himself out of trouble and he’s got very good vision coming through the neutral zone to get the puck to players.”

He actually had more points in the first half and played pretty good shutdown defense. He seemed to jump up into the rush and pinch more often in the second half showcasing his elite skating and puck handling ability in the o-zone. Even though there were times when he went solo and perhaps held the puck a little too long, as he matures I think he'll be one of best offensive D the Gopher's have had in quite some time.

 

[Bonin21]

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

We should expect 25 points from him next year, minimum.

 

[SteveO]

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

Question: Who gets your vote for MVP and why?

 

[Bonin21]

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

Meyers. By the end of the year he looked like the best player most often. Walker/McLaughlin/Ranta disappeared too much and though Reedy and McManus had better years, they still haven't come close to the expectations when they committed. There was not much separation between Meyers and Walker, though.

The good thing is all six are back, and hopefully Sorenson/Brodzinski/Perbix/Nelson have more confidence and the game has slowed down for them next season.

 

[D2D]

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

Question: Who gets your vote for MVP and why?

I don't know if any one player stood out enough to deserve a true "MVP", which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Their improvement in the second half was truly a team effort.

 

[4four4]

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

Since I'm banned from GPL lol...
For years people give me crap about suggesting some kind of cross conference setup. Over and over they say it will never happen and we have to accept the way things are. And now Vegoe tweets something like this.
https://twitter.com/evegoe/status/1242883539449896960

Gopher hockey needs the old rivalries in meaningful games. The fans are not just gonna get over it. When it finally happens all the people that said it will never happen will be silent.

They will get over it but it will take 20 years from now.

 

[Koho]

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

Gotta admit I'm glad NCAA isn't allowing another year eligibility for seniors of winter sports. There were a lot of other teams in country that would have potentially gained a lot more than MN, and could have messed up future classes as well.

 

[D2D]

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

Gotta admit I'm glad NCAA isn't allowing another year eligibility for seniors of winter sports. There were a lot of other teams in country that would have potentially gained a lot more than MN, and could have messed up future classes as well.

Totally agree.

 

[SteveO]

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

Gotta admit I'm glad NCAA isn't allowing another year eligibility for seniors of winter sports. There were a lot of other teams in country that would have potentially gained a lot more than MN, and could have messed up future classes as well.

The way things look it doesn't matter one way or another. I don't think there will be a 2020-21 Gopher season.

 

[Bonin21]

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

The way things look it doesn't matter one way or another. I don't think there will be a 2020-21 Gopher season.

After some nice cuts in season ticket prices, the renewal rate is going to be dreadful because of the unknown everyone is dealing with personally. They will certainly have to extend the deadline by months.

I would think there would be at least a half season next year. The 100th Gopher hockey season could start in January just like the first one. Early departures could happen well into the fall, and some that said they're going to stay may leave.

 

[D2D]

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

After some nice cuts in season ticket prices, the renewal rate is going to be dreadful because of the unknown everyone is dealing with personally. They will certainly have to extend the deadline by months.

I renewed my season tickets right away, before the virus threat exploded. If the season doesn't materialize - called off completely - I would expect to receive a full refund of approximately $900. If they decide on just a half a season will be played then I would expect my ~$900 to be pro-rated.

We'll see.

 

[Slap Shot]

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

After some nice cuts in season ticket prices, the renewal rate is going to be dreadful because of the unknown everyone is dealing with personally. They will certainly have to extend the deadline by months.

I would think there would be at least a half season next year. The 100th Gopher hockey season could start in January just like the first one. Early departures could happen well into the fall, and some that said they're going to stay may leave.

If the NCAA season is on hold surely NHL, AHL etc., will also be on hold. I see no reason why this situation would escalate early departures.

 

[Koho]

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

What a game...

(Wish I could see some games form the year Neal won the Hobey. I just remember thinking how dominant that Roseau line was, I wish I could watch them again to really see if they were as good as I remember.)