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

[ScoobyDoo]

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

I don't think they'll be able to do enough against the TUCs even if they do manage to run the table in the next two weeks. Going .500 in the last four series would be something of an accomplishment. Unfortunately, that also means they must be four games over .500 in their two series against UND/SCSU + the playoffs. That is doable but difficult.

If they continue playing the way they have, yes, I agree. They need to turn a corner. Maybe Cepis is just the thing they need? They have the goaltending for sure.

UND at home - Possible Sweep if UND's troubles continue. Huge revenge factor.
SCSU - Home and Home - Again, possible sweep. They owned them last year. SCSU is exactly the same as last year.
UAA on the road. Possible sweep. UAA is terrible.
Denver on the road - Possible split. They usually do well in Denver.
CC at home - Possible split. Huge series.
At tUMD - Possible split.
Sconnie at home - Possible split

In other words, they have to go on a huge long winning streak starting at Tech to have any shot. If they do as above they can get in. If they falter against UND, SCSU, or UAA then they have to make it up later which may be impossible.

 

[Driftryder]

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

I think the point of a lot of the posters about winning the next four wasn't just about how their power will look at the end of the year. The point is, this team has a major confidence issue and needs to put together a streak against teams they should beat if they have any hope of having the confidence to beat those TUC's they will meet soon. I can't see them dropping 2 of the next four and then suddenly being able to sweep teams like UND and a other WCHA teams they will meet.

Great point. This was my reason for saying they needed to go 6-0 (including Tech) during this stretch of games. It had nothing to do with games against TUC's or PWR rankings and has everything to do with confidence and getting the winning feeling back.

 

[HarleyMC]

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

If they continue playing the way they have, yes, I agree. They need to turn a corner. Maybe Cepis is just the thing they need? They have the goaltending for sure.

UND at home - Possible Sweep if UND's troubles continue. Huge revenge factor.
SCSU - Home and Home - Again, possible sweep. They owned them last year. SCSU is exactly the same as last year.
UAA on the road. Possible sweep. UAA is terrible.
Denver on the road - Possible split. They usually do well in Denver.
CC at home - Possible split. Huge series.
At tUMD - Possible split.
Sconnie at home - Possible split

In other words, they have to go on a huge long winning streak starting at Tech to have any shot. If they do as above they can get in. If they falter against UND, SCSU, or UAA then they have to make it up later which may be impossible.

Actually the Gophers have not done exceptionally well in Denver (1-3) over the last two seasons with Gopher teams that were better equipped than this year. The Pioneers are at least as good as the two previous seasons, if not better. UAA has beaten some top teams (Den., UND, CC) and at home can surprise teams. SCSU has basically the same record at this time as last year but this year's Gopher team IMO is worse than last year. UMD has a better start this year than last year and at home they have a good record. CC has a similar good first half record like last year and went 3-1 against last season's Gopher team. A sweep of UND? Not sure about that, they're notoriously a good second half team.

I'm not trying to pop anyones bubble here, but I think projecting a second half without the Gophers being swept or losing less than 5 games to TUCs is a stretch.

 

[ScoobyDoo]

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

I'm not trying to pop anyones bubble here, but I think projecting a second half without the Gophers being swept or losing less than 5 games to TUCs is a stretch.

Well, then we may as well start the "next year" discussion now. Who's leaving? Who's coming in?

 

[HarleyMC]

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

Well, then we may as well start the "next year" discussion now. Who's leaving? Who's coming in?

As you have said, if they turn a corner and are a completely different team and consistent in the second half, they can pull it off. But all I'm saying is the odds are stacked against them. But I still believe in miracles.

 

[Stauber1]

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

I'm not trying to pop anyones bubble here, but I think projecting a second half without the Gophers being swept or losing less than 5 games to TUCs is a stretch.

Of course it's optimistic thinking. But it's not all that implausible, either. Bottom line, if this team is going to be good enough to get it done, they are going to have to show it over the next 4 games. They are out of 2nd chances.

 

[Bakunin]

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

I'm not trying to pop anyones bubble here, but I think projecting a second half without the Gophers being swept or losing less than 5 games to TUCs is a stretch.

Indeed. However, they could go 7-5 in the 12 TUC games and still make the tourney by sweeping the first round in the playoffs and then go 2-1 in the F5. This to me represents the most likely "they make it in" scenario - unfortunately, the odds are pretty strongly against it happening.

 

[Slap Shot]

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

If they continue playing the way they have, yes, I agree. They need to turn a corner. Maybe Cepis is just the thing they need? They have the goaltending for sure.

Those thoughts exactly came to my mind when reading the same comment. If the team plays more like they were expected to then getting in remains a realistic goal.

 

[HarleyMC]

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

Maybe Cepis is just the thing they need?

You mean Papa Chirp? That's his nickname.

 

[HarleyMC]

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

Despite the fact that the Gophers have multiple NHL draft choices, I think Ryan Flynn's comment that the skill level of this team compared to past years is not as deep is correct.

All of us know that’s what we got to do for our team to be successful, We are not as skilled as some of the past Gopher hockey teams that have been here. - Ryan Flynn

 

[ScoobyDoo]

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

Quite frankly that comment ****es me off. I'm sick and tired of coach and the players saying that. Just shut up and do your jobs.

 

[observer85]

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

Despite the fact that the Gophers have multiple NHL draft choices, I think Ryan Flynn's comment that the skill level of this team compared to past years is not as deep is correct.

So where did the skill go? Must have had some skill to be recruited while still in high school and going through the USA Hockey summer development camps. Even Flynn had to have had some skill at some point, afterall, he played in Ann Arbor...or maybe Ann Arbor is over-rated as they don't get all the skill guys.

I agree with ScoobyDoo's comment...yes, just shut up and do your job...play like you were trained to do.

 

[HarleyMC]

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

So where did the skill go? Must have had some skill to be recruited while still in high school and going through the USA Hockey summer development camps. Even Flynn had to have had some skill at some point, afterall, he played in Ann Arbor...or maybe Ann Arbor is over-rated as they don't get all the skill guys.

I agree with ScoobyDoo's comment...yes, just shut up and do your job...play like you were trained to do.

I think the answer is three dimensional: 1) their skill level plateaued, which can often happen within a system that recruits younger players who in later years fail to meet expectations, 2) intangible disconnects between the coaching staff and the players that hinders, to some degree, team chemistry, intensity and skill development and 3) D1 hockey is much different than USHL or NTDP hockey and some players never adjust properly and meet performance expectations. IMO the NTDP is overrated.

 

[The Rube]

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

I think the answer is three dimensional: 1) their skill level plateaued, which can often happen within a system that recruits younger players who in later years fail to meet expectations, 2) intangible disconnects between the coaching staff and the players that hinders, to some degree, team chemistry, intensity and skill development and 3) D1 hockey is much different than USHL or NTDP hockey and some players never adjust properly and meet performance expectations. IMO the NTDP is overrated.

What I bolded/italicized. I have seen very little, compared to past teams.

 

[dggoddard]

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

Gopher Fans Please Step Back From The Ledge
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[state of hockey]

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

They haven't had really good chemistry when it counted since 2004. It was alright in 2005, and for five-six games at the end of the 2008 season, but that is about it.

 

[dxmnkd316]

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

They haven't had really good chemistry when it counted since 2004. It was alright in 2005, and for five-six games at the end of the 2008 season, but that is about it.

I disagree. The first half of last year they all seemed like they were on the same page.

 

[state of hockey]

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

I disagree. The first half of last year they all seemed like they were on the same page.

And where did that get them? That is not when it counts, is what I am saying. They have repeatedly taken steps backwards down the stretch, 2007-2008 being the exception.

 

[SCSU Euro]

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

If they continue playing the way they have, yes, I agree. They need to turn a corner. Maybe Cepis is just the thing they need? They have the goaltending for sure.

UND at home - Possible Sweep if UND's troubles continue. Huge revenge factor.
SCSU - Home and Home - Again, possible sweep. They owned them last year. SCSU is exactly the same as last year.
UAA on the road. Possible sweep. UAA is terrible.
Denver on the road - Possible split. They usually do well in Denver.
CC at home - Possible split. Huge series.
At tUMD - Possible split.
Sconnie at home - Possible split

In other words, they have to go on a huge long winning streak starting at Tech to have any shot. If they do as above they can get in. If they falter against UND, SCSU, or UAA then they have to make it up later which may be impossible.

I'm not saying that the Gophers couldn't sweep SCSU, but the way the teams are playing, Cloud could just as easily sweep too. And while we're not that much better than last year, how are we exactly the same squad? We don't have our starting goalie from last year, we're a much older and more seasoned squad because we lost a small (mostly worthless) senior class, and while our freshman class isn't big, its certainly one of the most talented ones we've had in a while, and all four are going to be decent factors in the series in January.

 

[ScoobyDoo]

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

I'm not saying that the Gophers couldn't sweep SCSU, but the way the teams are playing, Cloud could just as easily sweep too. And while we're not that much better than last year, how are we exactly the same squad? We don't have our starting goalie from last year, we're a much older and more seasoned squad because we lost a small (mostly worthless) senior class, and while our freshman class isn't big, its certainly one of the most talented ones we've had in a while, and all four are going to be decent factors in the series in January.

No, Duh. This is a Gopher thread. I'm arguing what the Gophers could possibly do, not what they're going to do. I'm not prescient. I'm sure SCSU is just wonderful this year, thanks for telling us.