What's new
By:
USCHO Fan Forum

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

  • The USCHO Fan Forum has migrated to a new plaform, xenForo. Most of the function of the forum should work in familiar ways. Please note that you can switch between light and dark modes by clicking on the gear icon in the upper right of the main menu bar. We are hoping that this new platform will prove to be faster and more reliable. Please feel free to explore its features.

Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010: Calmly Step Away from the Ledge

Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010: Calmly Step Away from the Ledge

Driftryder said:
agreed.

Hopefully sharp objects are safely away from Scooby.
Click to expand...

I guess I'm glad I missed watching that game live. What a disaster. Season's over folks. Minnesota can just start trying to figure out if they can spoil anyone's season. Maybe ruin the MacNaughton for Denver or Wisconsin by stealing a game (yeah, right). 7th place, and a first round exit by sweep is all that's left.
 
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010: Calmly Step Away from the Ledge

ScoobyDoo said:
I guess I'm glad I missed watching that game live. What a disaster. Season's over folks. Minnesota can just start trying to figure out if they can spoil anyone's season. Maybe ruin the MacNaughton for Denver or Wisconsin by stealing a game (yeah, right). 7th place, and a first round exit by sweep is all that's left.
Click to expand...

Eeyore? Is that you?
 
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010: Calmly Step Away from the Ledge

Bakunin said:
Going on the road in the first round 2 out of 3 seasons is going to cost the program a substantial amount of money. That's two (possibly three) home dates p*ssed away.
Click to expand...

The WCHA gets that money.
 
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010: Calmly Step Away from the Ledge

4four4 said:
I will not disagree. The thing here is the Don Lucia has multi years left on this deal. Unless the boosters pony up and pay off the rest of the deal only then will coach Lucia be asked for the door. Otherwise we are stuck with him and his staff.
Click to expand...

How much is left on Don's contract money wise?
 
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010: Calmly Step Away from the Ledge

ScoobyDoo said:
I guess I'm glad I missed watching that game live. What a disaster. Season's over folks. Minnesota can just start trying to figure out if they can spoil anyone's season. Maybe ruin the MacNaughton for Denver or Wisconsin by stealing a game (yeah, right). 7th place, and a first round exit by sweep is all that's left.
Click to expand...

I honestly think the best way to spoil numerous seasons is to drop out of TUC status.
 
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010: Calmly Step Away from the Ledge

bucky15 said:
How much is left on Don's contract money wise?
Click to expand...

He's got one more year after this one on his contract. Maybe he'd accept a front office job like Woog did, sorry to have to say that after his run here, but something has to change.
 
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010: Calmly Step Away from the Ledge

4four4 said:
I don't think it is the assistant coaching. They need to recruit different players who can score goals.
Click to expand...

They are recruiting top scoring players. Even the D are top scorers, and then they play here and don't play D well or score. One bright spot for me this weekend was Wehrs showing some emotion after getting tossed out of the game. Where is the emotion? Flynn has lost his edge, no dominating the puck and putting opponents away, even when they get the lead you're not sure they can keep it. The thing about them getting top recruits who can score then getting here and not scoring is the most concerning.
 
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010: Calmly Step Away from the Ledge

state of hockey said:
I honestly think the best way to spoil numerous seasons is to drop out of TUC status.
Click to expand...

Hey, maybe that can be the new default strategy: positioning yourselves for the spoiler kill. The only problem with playing the spoiler role is they have to win a few games.;) It might be fun to watch the Gophers take a few teams down in the PWR though. Misery loves company.:D

bauerscsu said:
The WCHA gets that money.
Click to expand...

There's a revenue sharing plan with the WCHA for host teams after three years in the WCHA. The three year period was waived in negotiations with Bemidji State and UNO.
 
Last edited:
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010: Calmly Step Away from the Ledge

They don't have to win any games to drop out of TUC status - just lose repeatedly and the process will take care of itself.
 
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010: Calmly Step Away from the Ledge

Bakunin said:
They don't have to win any games to drop out of TUC status - just lose repeatedly and the process will take care of itself.
Click to expand...

Bingo. I think a zero point weekend in Anchorage is in order.
 
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010: Calmly Step Away from the Ledge

ScoobyDoo said:
I agree 100%.
Click to expand...
Its been a tough year Scoobs. Kind of makes you really appreciate the good years dont it ? They will be back its the beautifull thing about college hockey theres always next year :)
 
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010: Calmly Step Away from the Ledge

Stauber1 said:
I've stated it a couple dozen times, and I'll state it again: too many "stars" is not what is plaguing this team. There isn't evidence of selfish play; and lack of effort, at least from my perspective, hasn't been an issue.

The biggest problems that I see are inability to execute, inability to adhere to/play with/be prepared with any sort of system or systems, and lack of any sort of team identity.

All of these things, when occurring intermittently either game-by-game or season-by-season, would be an indictment of the players on the roster. But the situation has become chronic and as such points to a more systemic problem. That doesn't exempt the players from any sort of responsibility; it is simply to say the issues appear to be at least partially attributable to the coaching staff.
Click to expand...

Well said and I agree. I moved this over here since this is off topic a bit on the UAA series thread. I would also add that ultimately the proverbial "buck" stops with the coaching staff. Unfortunately, Lucia has somewhat established "team identity" by repeatedly informing the media that this is a team that can't score more than 2-3 goals/game. Last year the team had a good first half and scored 4 or more goals in 9 games at this stage, compared to 7 times this season. Not a significant differential. I do believe this team has the talent and potential to score goals and win.

I submit that repeatedly reinforcing a negative stereotype of this team is NOT a line item in a Gopher coaches' job description. Lucia has been in this position long enough to know better and it makes no sense to me whatsoever. A coach needs to know when and how to engage in positive constructive criticism and consistently build team morale to inspire a team to believe they can improve.

There is no doubt in my mind that these players care about winning, but the cohesiveness and chemistry needed to win is definitely not there. In my view, it is due to a large extent to a serious disconnect between players and coaches. Given this is the third year in a row, I'm hoping for major changes top to bottom or sadly there is sufficient reason to expect more of the same next season.

It's kind of eerie how this year parallels Doug Woog's 1998-99 last regular season (15-17-9/Overall, 12-13-8/WCHA). At the time that was the worst W/L record in 27 years since Herb Brooks took over for Glen Sonmor. Despite the poor showing, the 1998-99 team landed in 4th place and won the first two rounds of the WCHA playoffs but lost in the F5 semi-final. Oddly enough, the Gophers lost to Don Lucia's CC team in third place game. They did not make the NCAA tournament that year for the second time in a row.

This season so far: (12-12-2/Overall, 7-9-2/WCHA). The Gophers need to win 5 of their remaining 10 games just to tie the 1998-99 team for total WCHA wins
 
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010: Calmly Step Away from the Ledge

HarleyMC said:
Well said and I agree. I moved this over here since this is off topic a bit on the UAA series thread. I would also add that ultimately the proverbial "buck" stops with the coaching staff. Unfortunately, Lucia has somewhat established "team identity" by repeatedly informing the media that this is a team that can't score more than 2-3 goals/game. Last year the team had a good first half and scored 4 or more goals in 9 games at this stage, compared to 7 times this season. Not a significant differential. I do believe this team has the talent and potential to score goals and win.

I submit that repeatedly reinforcing a negative stereotype of this team is NOT a line item in a Gopher coaches' job description. Lucia has been in this position long enough to know better and it makes no sense to me whatsoever. A coach needs to know when and how to engage in positive constructive criticism and consistently build team morale to inspire a team to believe they can improve.

There is no doubt in my mind that these players care about winning, but the cohesiveness and chemistry needed to win is definitely not there. In my view, it is due to a large extent to a serious disconnect between players and coaches. Given this is the third year in a row, I'm hoping for major changes top to bottom or sadly there is sufficient reason to expect more of the same next season.

It's kind of eerie how this year parallels Doug Woog's 1998-99 last regular season (15-17-9/Overall, 12-13-8/WCHA). At the time that was the worst W/L record in 27 years since Herb Brooks took over for Glen Sonmor. Despite the poor showing, the 1998-99 team landed in 4th place and won the first two rounds of the WCHA playoffs but lost in the F5 semi-final. Oddly enough, the Gophers lost to Don Lucia's CC team in third place game. They did not make the NCAA tournament that year for the second time in a row.

This season so far: (12-12-2/Overall, 7-9-2/WCHA). The Gophers need to win 5 of their remaining 10 games just to tie the 1998-99 team for total WCHA wins
Click to expand...

People keep focusing on Lucia's statements to the press about this team. I think maybe too much is made of that. The players don't get their info on what their coach thinks of them by reading the press. They get it from the coaches mouth in the hours they are with him, versus the 2 minute interview after a game. I am sure it is not uncommon for a coach to rip into a team after a sub-par performance, but tell the press that they just didn't get the bounces. While things have improved since the first half, this team is still not playing with the confidence they need to play up to their abilities. (Anyone who has played knows how confidence can affect even your ability to hit the net. There is a subtle difference between the feeling of needing to just fire the puck when the chance is there, when you are afraid of something bad happening if you hold it, versus taking the extra half second to find a spot, or at least make sure you are on net.) Maybe Lucia is trying give the message he feels he needs to in press interviews to shelter them from too much criticism in order to shield their confidence. I really doubt he goes to every player and says "its ok if you don't put more goals in, because I don't expect many goals". Same with Hill's statements about "encouraging players". Who cares what they say in an interview? It doesn't necessarily represent what actually happens in practice.
 
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010: Calmly Step Away from the Ledge

For Gopher fans that refuse to give up hope amongst all this pessimism, I salute you.

On Feb 1, 2004, Denver sported a 6-10-4 WCHA record. They went on to win the National Championship. They had talent but didn't really play consistently until later in the season.

So yes it's a long shot, but lots of good can happen in Feb and March (and even April!).
 
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010: Calmly Step Away from the Ledge

Koho said:
People keep focusing on Lucia's statements to the press about this team. I think maybe too much is made of that. The players don't get their info on what their coach thinks of them by reading the press. They get it from the coaches mouth in the hours they are with him, versus the 2 minute interview after a game. I am sure it is not uncommon for a coach to rip into a team after a sub-par performance, but tell the press that they just didn't get the bounces. While things have improved since the first half, this team is still not playing with the confidence they need to play up to their abilities. (Anyone who has played knows how confidence can affect even your ability to hit the net. There is a subtle difference between the feeling of needing to just fire the puck when the chance is there, when you are afraid of something bad happening if you hold it, versus taking the extra half second to find a spot, or at least make sure you are on net.) Maybe Lucia is trying give the message he feels he needs to in press interviews to shelter them from too much criticism in order to shield their confidence. I really doubt he goes to every player and says "its ok if you don't put more goals in, because I don't expect many goals". Same with Hill's statements about "encouraging players". Who cares what they say in an interview? It doesn't necessarily represent what actually happens in practice.
Click to expand...

Confidence certainly has been an issue. Yet that week against UND, one would think, should have given a boon to their confidence. Then they come and lay the egg that they did this past weekend.
I think the lack of confidence is heavily (although admittedly not solely) attributable to a lack of team identity. What is it "we" do really well? What do "we" fall back on? What is "our" bread and butter? When the going starts getting tough, what are the elements of "our" game that we know we can rely on? (sorry for all the rhetorical pronouns).
Part of being a successful coach is crafting that kind of identity, and instilling *confidence* among the players in that identity.
I really haven't seen any sort of concise identity for the past 3 seasons, excluding the play-off run 2 years ago when the identity was "we have a hot goalie, so we play really tight defensively" or the very beginning of last season, when it was all about special teams.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top