Minnesota Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2013-14 Season

[bluffrinkrat]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2013-14 Season

I wish they would do away with all the "fun activities" between periods, as well. Except for letting the rink rats play. They bring back fond memories of my brother, cousins and I playing between periods of the old St Paul Saints games at the Auditorium. It seems there have been way too many wet ice problems at several arenas in recent years.

 

[pokechecker]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2013-14 Season

“Our line tends to try to make pretty plays,” Brandt said. “So we need to get used to just shooting the puck more, and that’s kind of the point of that goal.”

the ugly ones count as much as the pretty ones

 

[OldDave]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2013-14 Season

I thought there was a really good crowd at Ridder, but the box score says 1,738. Did they not count the University staff that was in attendance?

I also paid particular attention to the D of each team because of the discussion on a different thread. As I expected, they all skated facing the puck. Early on in my initial hockey fan days, I learned I could always find the puck by looking at the D, It is still true: if you draw a line from the eyes of each, the lines most often intersect at the puck.

 

[D2D]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2013-14 Season

I thought there was a really good crowd at Ridder, but the box score says 1,738. Did they not count the University staff that was in attendance?

Looked like more than 1,738 in the seats to me also.

I was curious to see how it compared with all the other games played tonight. Only UMD came remotely close at 1,015. The ten games played in Hockey East and the ECAC drew a COMBINED 2,148...an average of just 215 per game.

 

[D2D]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2013-14 Season

Gophers women's hockey wins 58th consecutive game

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/230299961.html

 

[ARM]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2013-14 Season

It's probably sacrilege to ask this, given we are now without Amanda Kessel and Megan Bozek, but is this Minnesota team faster than last year's? The three freshmen playing D hoof it pretty good, and I think Cameranesi/Schipper should average out to roughly the same as Kessel/Kortum. People like Brandt and Bona seem faster. Somehow, Terry has gotten faster. Maybe I'm basing too much on tonight when they clearly had good legs, but if they aren't faster, they certainly aren't slower.

 

[bluffrinkrat]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2013-14 Season

I've noticed the same thing. I think they are generally faster as a team this year, especially because of the freshman Cameranesi and Schipper. But Lorence and Bona also seem faster than last year and Terry, as hard as it seems possible, seems faster as well. Lorence also seems to be playing with a lot more confidence this year and that has been fun to see.

 

[FiveHoleFrenzy]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2013-14 Season

Some random thoughts and a question:

How good will this years team be if/when the top line starts to cash in on the opportunities they are creating, Brandt in particular?

It seems like Minnesota, with the winning streak at such an astronomical level, has been able to to continue to not let it be too much of a distraction with how they are playing (remarkably consistent). Naturally, they are getting everyone's best as each opponent wants to be the one to end the steak but it will be nice to see the Gophers play a team that actually tries to pressure and attack them. I'm guessing that won't happen until the Whioux come to Ridder.

The freshmen class has exceeded my expectations but there is one player in particular who I am the most pleasantly surprised by and that is Kelsey Cline.

 

[OldDave]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2013-14 Season

I've noticed the same thing. I think they are generally faster as a team this year, especially because of the freshman Cameranesi and Schipper. But Lorence and Bona also seem faster than last year and Terry, as hard as it seems possible, seems faster as well. Lorence also seems to be playing with a lot more confidence this year and that has been fun to see.

I agree that the team speed is noticeably better. In Terry's case, I always thought she was the quickest player on the ice, but she seemed to pick and choose when to use it, like a shark that cruises by a couple of times until you think nothing will happen and then boom - she flashes by and you lose the puck. This year, she has linemates that not only share the speed, but also share that predator mentality, so they are all in constant attack mode.

I also have been impressed with the play of Cline. For a freshman, she shows remarkably little panic and seems to know exactly when to step up into the play.

 

[ARM]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2013-14 Season

Lorence also seems to be playing with a lot more confidence this year and that has been fun to see.

I agree; she's taken the Davis line to a new level. If her injury keeps her out for any length of time, that will be a problem.

How good will this years team be if/when the top line starts to cash in on the opportunities they are creating, Brandt in particular?

Brandt had an immediate chemistry with Kessel last year, because they both knew when to make the pass, and often, they'd get the puck right back. In the early weeks, it seems that too many plays wind up as Bona going in alone on two defenders and trying to dangle through them. In those situations, Kessel would usually hold the puck and wait because she knew support was coming.

... it will be nice to see the Gophers play a team that actually tries to pressure and attack them. I'm guessing that won't happen until the Whioux come to Ridder.

Many of the teams they've played have forechecked as hard as UND does. Bemidji is a fast team and has a tough forecheck that created problems at times, and even MSU last night was aggressive at sending people to the puck in the third period. Wisconsin and UMD definitely cranked up the forecheck pressure. The difference with UND is that they have more people who can finish once they create turnovers.

In Terry's case, I always thought she was the quickest player on the ice, but she seemed to pick and choose when to use it...

I've always thought of Terry more as an Energizer Bunny kind of player who just keeps going while she's on the ice, similar to Kelly Stephens. Her offense may go into slumps, but the relentless forecheck pressure and the willingness to backcheck hard are always in evidence.

I also have been impressed with the play of Cline. For a freshman, she shows remarkably little panic and seems to know exactly when to step up into the play.

What I've liked about Cline is that when she does join the play offensively she is able to quickly recover back to her defensive position. The offense is nice, but the D are on the ice to play defense, so the less time we need to have a forward covering for one the better off we will be.

 

[brookyone]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2013-14 Season

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_24439013/hockey-gophers-women-run-streak-58-4-1

Thought Paige Haley played with increased confidence vs. the Mavericks as well.

Kelly Terry certainly appears focused on a very strong senior campaign, with new linemates that can skate with her...maintain her pace and energy. A line which should challenge anyone to contain for 60 minutes.

Remember the off-season? What GWH fan would not have had concerns about the blue line minus Bozek, Jalosuo and Stecklein? Yeah...I've seen a few ill advised passes but overall have been very encouraged by the bulk of play from Wolfe, Haley and Cline this early in their college career.

Heard that Lorence was seen with a noticeable limp last night. Hope she can return soon, what with her strong play to start the season.

All Seasons...my least favorite WCHA rink of those I've visited. Except for concessions. They're good. Expect a battle this afternoon. In case anyone in charge is reading...how about moving the camera a few feet out from behind the netting?

 

[pokechecker]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2013-14 Season

I've always thought of Terry more as an Energizer Bunny kind of player who just keeps going while she's on the ice, similar to Kelly Stephens. Her offense may go into slumps, but the relentless forecheck pressure and the willingness to backcheck hard are always in evidence

I've been thinking the same thing, although more like a cross between the Roadrunner & the Energizer Bunny
and the opposing team often ends up like Wile E Coyote

Heard that Lorence was seen with a noticeable limp last night. Hope she can return soon, what with her strong play to start the season.

Brook Garzone has done a good job of filling in, after missing the first 6 games she's had a nice start:
4 points in 4 games and +6 (and she has another period to go!

What I've liked about Cline is that when she does join the play offensively she is able to quickly recover back to her defensive position. The offense is nice, but the D are on the ice to play defense, so the less time we need to have a forward covering for one the better off we will be.

The pleasant surprise for me is Megan Wolfe, like the other freshmen D it is a big step up to play at the college level, but she had to learn a different position as well and right now she is second at +7 of the blueliners as of the second period at MSU
and appears to me to be handling the job quite well. Is it possible we may never see her at forward?
BTW, to those of you who were questioning McMillen's blueline play she is at +11, far and away the best at that stat.

It seems like Minnesota, with the winning streak at such an astronomical level, has been able to to continue to not let it be too much of a distraction with how they are playing .

Last year after each victory they would tweet the number, they don't seem to be doing that this year
so I guess that's your answer

 

[D2D]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2013-14 Season

It seems like Minnesota, with the winning streak at such an astronomical level, has been able to to continue to not let it be too much of a distraction with how they are playing (remarkably consistent).

Especially remarkable when every time they win the next headline is about the streak.

Gophers women's hockey routs MSU Mankato for 59th win in row

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/230366681.html

 

[brookyone]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2013-14 Season

http://www.twincities.com/gophers/ci_24442369/womens-hockey-gophers-rout-msu-mankato-7-0

I sincerely hope the team is not dropped like a hot potato by the Strib and PP when the end comes. Actually...I hope they never get the chance.

 

[brookyone]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2013-14 Season

Did I read something about a scoring milestone this afternoon? Or milestones?

 

[ARM]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2013-14 Season

Did I read something about a scoring milestone this afternoon? Or milestones?

Within the last minute I looked at the team stats and realized it was Ms. Davis' 100th point. Congratulations on reaching the milestone and my apologies on not catching it sooner. I knew it was coming, but I missed it in the slew of goals today. WTG Sarah!

 

[CrazyDave]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2013-14 Season

Within the last minute I looked at the team stats and realized it was Ms. Davis' 100th point. Congratulations on reaching the milestone and my apologies on not catching it sooner. I knew it was coming, but I missed it in the slew of goals today. WTG Sarah!

So first, congrats to Kelly Terry on her fantastic game today, and congrats to Sarah Davis on her milestone accomplishment.

Now, that said, the Pioneer Press and Strib articles (both linked earlier in this thread) disappointed me.

The Pioneer Press made no mention of Davis' mark (though they were probably like ARM in that respect).

The Strib hosed it all up. Originally, their write-up said that it was Terry that had reached 100 points. In actually, she reached the career 100-point mark at the end of last season; her five points today give her 116. I posted a comment about it on their site and they added the note about Davis, but they didn't correct the comment about Terry.

One funny comment was posted by Sarah on Twitter.

Thanks for all the congrats, but I just want to remind everyone that @AmandaKessel8 had 101 points last season...#how

 

[wwhyte]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2013-14 Season

One funny comment was posted by Sarah on Twitter.

Thanks for all the congrats, but I just want to remind everyone that @AmandaKessel8 had 101 points last season...#how

I had a good friend in college from Newfoundland, and always enjoy that Sarah seems to have exactly the same sense of humor.

 

[OldDave]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2013-14 Season

I had a good friend in college from Newfoundland, and always enjoy that Sarah seems to have exactly the same sense of humor.

You may enjoy Sarah's interview between periods during the first game in Bemidji (about 1:00:55 in at http://www.gophersports.com/allaccess/?media=406611. You probably will have to endure a commercial first.).

 

[Eeyore]

Re: Minnesota Golden Gopher Women's Hockey 2013-14 Season

ARM's writeup has a rare error in it: "Senior center Kelly Terry had five points and her first hat trick as a Gopher in helping her team to a 7-0 victory on the road at Minnesota State."

Second, following on 11/27/2011 at Harvard.

Save for a two minute stretch at the end of the first period of the Friday game, this was a good weekend for the Gophers. And if that's the extent of your troubles, it's just a good weekend, full stop. It was really nice to see some of the players that scored: Brook Garzone once in each game; Baylee Gillanders, who has been much more assertive about carrying the play in the offensive zone this year and got rewarded for it as she crashed the net. Milica McMillen unleashed a weapon of a caliber that I thought was outlawed in 27 states including Minnesota.

Just a gokd couple of games after the close call in Bemidji.