Minnesota Gophers 2012-2013: From Dinkytown to Steel City!

[burd]

Re: Minnesota Gophers 2012-2013: From Dinkytown to Steel City!

Bugstad does not appear to be one of them to me. I mean he's a good player but I would never ever compare him to Thomas Vanek.

You're probably right--that might not have been a fair comparison. But it seems that his reach, along with his considerable skill set, will allow him to control the puck at times like few players can. Don't get me wrong, as a Sioux fan, I'd prefer to see him do it against other teams, not UND. But a player who can do those things can be the difference come March, and there is plenty of time for the gophers to find a mix that maximizes his skills.

 

[D2D]

Re: Minnesota Gophers 2012-2013: From Dinkytown to Steel City!

But a player who can do those things can be the difference come March, and there is plenty of time for the gophers to find a mix that maximizes his skills.

We Gopher fans are certainly hoping for that! I think if most of us were honest we would have to say that we're a little disappointed in the team's offensive production SO FAR, but as you say there is still plenty of time to find some more productive mixes in the lineup.

And by the way, congrats to your team on a fine weekend.

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: Minnesota Gophers 2012-2013: From Dinkytown to Steel City!

We Gopher fans are certainly hoping for that! I think if most of us were honest we would have to say that we're a little disappointed in the team's offensive production SO FAR, but as you say there is still plenty of time to find some more productive mixes in the lineup.

And by the way, congrats to your team on a fine weekend.

Minnesota is getting into form. They had their early season struggles, but the biggest question mark (in goal) has been answered and then some. Wilcox is playing very well, and while Minnesota has had some lapses from time to time, generally the team has played well (from what I have seen). My guess is that Minnesota has a strong second half (not that 11-3-3 is weak by any means). IMO, it will be a two horse race for the MacNaughton between Minnesota and North Dakota...probably the way it should be. I certainly wouldn't be surprised if both teams skate the Cup around the ice come March. That being said, the series between the two sides in January should be huge and a lot of fun to watch.

Hopefully Minnesota does some damage in non-conference play before then. It would be extremely beneficial to not only Minnesota, but the rest of the WCHA, if they can beat BC and Notre Dame. The WCHA has lacked a lot of success out-of-conference, and that is why the conference is doing so poorly in the Pairwise. A strong non-conference showing over Christmas Break would do a world of good in that regard. Anyway, good luck until we meet up in January.

 

[Koho]

Re: Minnesota Gophers 2012-2013: From Dinkytown to Steel City!

Minnesota is getting into form. They had their early season struggles, but the biggest question mark (in goal) has been answered and then some. Wilcox is playing very well, and while Minnesota has had some lapses from time to time, generally the team has played well (from what I have seen). My guess is that Minnesota has a strong second half (not that 11-3-3 is weak by any means). IMO, it will be a two horse race for the MacNaughton between Minnesota and North Dakota...probably the way it should be. I certainly wouldn't be surprised if both teams skate the Cup around the ice come March. That being said, the series between the two sides in January should be huge and a lot of fun to watch.

Hopefully Minnesota does some damage in non-conference play before then. It would be extremely beneficial to not only Minnesota, but the rest of the WCHA, if they can beat BC and Notre Dame. The WCHA has lacked a lot of success out-of-conference, and that is why the conference is doing so poorly in the Pairwise. A strong non-conference showing over Christmas Break would do a world of good in that regard. Anyway, good luck until we meet up in January.

So will you be able to watch those games and actually cheer for the Gophers?

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: Minnesota Gophers 2012-2013: From Dinkytown to Steel City!

So will you be able to watch those games and actually cheer for the Gophers?

Of course. I always cheer for the WCHA team in a non-conference matchup. The Gophers are tied for my 10th favorite team.

 

[Koho]

Re: Minnesota Gophers 2012-2013: From Dinkytown to Steel City!

Of course. I always cheer for the WCHA team in a non-conference matchup. The Gophers are tied for my 10th favorite team.

And of course, one of the games is against BC!

 

[D2D]

Re: Minnesota Gophers 2012-2013: From Dinkytown to Steel City!

Of course. I always cheer for the WCHA team in a non-conference matchup. The Gophers are tied for my 10th favorite team.

And of all the schools out there without a nickname, North Dakota is by far my favorite team!

P.S. Is the NCAA going to make you change your screen name?

 

[Koho]

Re: Minnesota Gophers 2012-2013: From Dinkytown to Steel City!

And of all the schools out there without a nickname, North Dakota is by far my favorite team!

P.S. Is the NCAA going to make you change your screen name?

They are my least favorite team without a name.

 

[Dirty]

Re: Minnesota Gophers 2012-2013: From Dinkytown to Steel City!

They are my least favorite team without a name.

Mine too.

 

[Slap Shot]

Re: Minnesota Gophers 2012-2013: From Dinkytown to Steel City!

I don't know if I quite agree completely. On one hand, he does seem to feel the pressure causing a couple mistakes. But on the other hand, he should play more the power forward role he is built for. He does well using his size and reach on the perimeter to control the puck, but he needs to show more intensity to take the puck to the net at times.

He said he thinks that Bjug needs to get to the net more and is pressing. So do you on both accounts. How is that disagreement?

From my couch what has ailed the Gophers most:

1) Lack of puck support at crucial times - both even strength and on the PP. In addition too often looking for the perfect moment to shoot or pass.
2) Lack of effort in the 3rd in particularly with a lead, but they've had a few bad 2nd periods as well. Not sure if this is conditioning or mental.
3) Bjug is not playing his best right now

Not saying that's all there is, but you correct the above even marginally and I'd not be surprised if they had at least one less loss and one less tie. Remember last year it was mentioned often that despite the schedule they had results that '10-'11 team would not have had and that still rings true. I think they have their best hockey in front of them if they get their heads on straight.

One other key - I think some people forget that Lucia is notorious for shuffling lines and this year is not the exception. Once he settles on them more there is going to be more continuity and more trust out on the ice.

 

[D2D]

Re: Minnesota Gophers 2012-2013: From Dinkytown to Steel City!

They are my least favorite team without a name.

Of teams without a nickname, most favorite = least favorite.

(I was just trying to be a little diplomatic)

 

[Koho]

Re: Minnesota Gophers 2012-2013: From Dinkytown to Steel City!

Of teams without a nickname, most favorite = least favorite.

(I was just trying to be a little diplomatic)

Dirty and I were able to figure that out.



And they are your teams major rival, F.......(orget) diplomacy!

 

[Koho]

Re: Minnesota Gophers 2012-2013: From Dinkytown to Steel City!

He said he thinks that Bjug needs to get to the net more and is pressing. So do you on both accounts. How is that disagreement?

Too lazy to read back, but it seemed like the gist of a couple posts was Bjugs was just clutching the stick to hard and it would all come if he relaxed. But my point was,, relaxing alone wouldn't do it. It would help with his play-making and perimeter play, but that he actually needs to change his style fundamentally in some situations. Take the team on his shoulders, figuratively (by sometimes carrying the other team on his shoulders literally) and powering to the net to create chances.

 

[burd]

Re: Minnesota Gophers 2012-2013: From Dinkytown to Steel City!

OK, I'll comment on what I see going on for the Gophers, but first this:

I come in peace;
We're all in this together for love of The Game;
The Game is bigger than schools, awards, or titles;
It's a small World, after all;
Some of my friends were once Gopher fans;
It's the Holiday Season;

And . . . well . . .

Gophers just suck and always will.

And that's OK.

 

[D2D]

Re: Minnesota Gophers 2012-2013: From Dinkytown to Steel City!

Looks like 'burd the turd' has been sucking on his stinky peace pipe this evening.

 

[mnstate0fhockey]

Too lazy to read back, but it seemed like the gist of a couple posts was Bjugs was just clutching the stick to hard and it would all come if he relaxed. But my point was,, relaxing alone wouldn't do it. It would help with his play-making and perimeter play, but that he actually needs to change his style fundamentally in some situations. Take the team on his shoulders, figuratively (by sometimes carrying the other team on his shoulders literally) and powering to the net to create chances.

I think we may be saying the same things, but in different ways. I agree with much of what you say. When I said "relax", I more meant that he should trust his instincts instead of trying to find the extra pass or double back. He needs to stop thinking so much and just play. That means, IMO, driving the net more, shooting when he has an opportunity, and just put the puck on net instead of trying to pick the corner every shot.

 

[gopher wes]

Re: Minnesota Gophers 2012-2013: From Dinkytown to Steel City!

He said he thinks that Bjug needs to get to the net more and is pressing. So do you on both accounts. How is that disagreement?

From my couch what has ailed the Gophers most:

1) Lack of puck support at crucial times - both even strength and on the PP. In addition too often looking for the perfect moment to shoot or pass.
2) Lack of effort in the 3rd in particularly with a lead, but they've had a few bad 2nd periods as well. Not sure if this is conditioning or mental.
3) Bjug is not playing his best right now

Not saying that's all there is, but you correct the above even marginally and I'd not be surprised if they had at least one less loss and one less tie. Remember last year it was mentioned often that despite the schedule they had results that '10-'11 team would not have had and that still rings true. I think they have their best hockey in front of them if they get their heads on straight.

One other key - I think some people forget that Lucia is notorious for shuffling lines and this year is not the exception. Once he settles on them more there is going to be more continuity and more trust out on the ice.

I feel like fans have been saying this about the Gophers for a number of years....probably since I started following Gopher hockey religiously about seven or eight years ago now. Even last year when the team was clicking offensively, there were still a few folks that didn't like some of the cutesy stuff going on. These Gopher teams have all the talent in the world. They need that killer instinct at times instead of becoming complacent.

I have a good feeling about the second half for this team. I just hope good competition brings out the best in this team because we definitely haven't seen it yet.

 

[SanTropez]

Re: Minnesota Gophers 2012-2013: From Dinkytown to Steel City!

Horn on track to be red shirted?

I was wondering the same thing, he was a very good HS player and had some international success as well. I thought he would be playing some 4th line this year. (would be better than playing a D as forward imo)

Bio:

International: Notched three goals and one assist in four games for the U.S. Under-17 Select Team at the 2009 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament in Fussen, Germany en route to a bronze medal.

High School: Skated for Benilde-St. Margaret's for four years under head coach Ken Pauly • captained Red Knights to 2012 state Class AA title with six points in tournament play • finished high school career holding school records for career points (207) and assists (127) and became the first player in school history to reach the 200-point and 100-assist plateaus • earned all-state honors in his final two years and was a four-time All-North Suburban Conference honoree • became the first freshman in BSM history to lead the team in goals in 2008-09

• played three seasons in the Upper Midwest Elite High School Hockey League • scored the championship-winning goal in overtime to clinch the Bauer NIT Championship for Minnesota White in 2010 • won two state championships for the Red Knights in lacrosse was a second-team all-state honoree in 2011.

 

[4four4]

Re: Minnesota Gophers 2012-2013: From Dinkytown to Steel City!

Old news. It will be interesting to see where Blake Thompson ends up finishing his hockey career. Last year he just didn't look the "Gopher" part. His play was horribly inconsistent in the defensive zone, actually made me wince.

 

[Red Cows]

Re: Minnesota Gophers 2012-2013: From Dinkytown to Steel City!

Hopefully Minnesota does some damage in non-conference play before then. It would be extremely beneficial to not only Minnesota, but the rest of the WCHA, if they can beat BC and Notre Dame. The WCHA has lacked a lot of success out-of-conference, and that is why the conference is doing so poorly in the Pairwise. A strong non-conference showing over Christmas Break would do a world of good in that regard.

The same would be true if UNO can beat up on Quinnipiac weekend after next. 18 vs. 6 in the current pairwise.