Minnesota Gophers 2012-2013 Part II: Mmmm, Iron City Beer!

[Slap Shot]

Re: Minnesota Gophers 2012-2013 Part II: Mmmm, Iron City Beer!

I find Sioux fans on here to be a fun bunch. They typically have a good sense of humor and most of the time, recognize a joke without having to have it spelled out. In addition, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.

In the real world, I typically don't care for their fans when I come into contact with them at the Kohl Center. I don't like the Sioux, but as much as it goes against conventional wisdom, I don't DIS-like them anymore than say Denver. The rivalry has gone stale for me, much like the UW one has for many Gopher fans.

The whiny part of that blog, to my cardinal & white ears anyway, is the complaining about the (GASP!) goonery. I realize that the Gophers are the torch-bearers for class in college hockey, but the constant complaining about the occasional liberty taken gets old. It's hockey.

Cripes, I see the same things in many of the bantam games that I'm at. Of course, that surely doesn't happen during bantam games in Minnesota.

That stuff's just part of the game and I highly doubt that Rau was just a poor innocent midget who got beat down. I'm willing to bet that your little angels have something to do with the shots that are taken at them. Popping off to the wrong guy will get you slashed. Seriously, who doesn't know that?

Heck, I've seen bantam teams use that as a strategy. They know which player has a short fuse and they exploit it and then go back to their bench and get a high-five from their coach. You think college players don't do the same thing?


Whatever any Gopher blogger or fan wants to say about the Sioux, you'll miss them and the energy that engulfed those games. Heck, I wish we had games that were that intense - with anyone.

You could have just laughed.

 

[mnstate0fhockey]

No doubt, but the constant smoldering hatred isn't there any more (that I can detect) between UW and Minny. Wish it was.

I realize that both teams need to be good at the same time and that we're not holding up our end of the bargain right now.

It's always been there, just smoldering under the surface.

I think it will heat up. We'll both get to renew our hatred of Michigan too

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: Minnesota Gophers 2012-2013 Part II: Mmmm, Iron City Beer!

You could have just laughed.

It seemed so hurtful though.

 

[goldy_331]

I didn't find it the least bit whiney, but I could see how a closet Whioux fan might feel differently. Oh, and you'll never see me taking sides in a topic involving your two ahole programs.

Certainly no whineyer than all the crap spouted by Whioux fans and "journalists" about the Whioux not being on the Gopher's schedule for the next few years.

 

[Tiggsy]

Re: Minnesota Gophers 2012-2013 Part II: Mmmm, Iron City Beer!

No doubt, but the constant smoldering hatred isn't there any more (that I can detect) between UW and Minny. Wish it was.

I realize that both teams need to be good at the same time and that we're not holding up our end of the bargain right now.

Don't worry I think it's still there among the fans, even if it's not so much with the teams. But we just think it's cute now when occasionally we run across a tough talking badger fan this year instead of letting it get to us.

 

[cross cheque]

Re: Minnesota Gophers 2012-2013 Part II: Mmmm, Iron City Beer!

I'd just appreciate it if he'd move this outside of this thread.

Still "policing" your own?

From the Wisc v Nodak thread..................

Just asking Dirty to back up his claims with facts like he asks everyone else to do. I'll leave it at that

What, can't prove it Dirty?

BTW - Now that's two statements you've made you can't prove.

You guys made the claim to be the "most followed" program in North America, not me. Show us the TV numbers to prove it

No, what was funny was how many UND fans that actually believed that.

The most followed team isn't televised???????

I'm sorry, I need photographic evidence to believe such actually exist.

With the Gopher bye and all, I was hoping to come in this thread and see some of Gurt's handy work.


Gurt?

Like I'm naive enough to buy gurt's photoshoping. I am naive, but not that much!

The good news is that a hockey puck slapping them in their faces couldn't make them any uglier!

Gotta love those sconnie "women"....

And Schmaltz and Gleason are pylons

If you can manage to clear the glass with a dead BADger fan, you deserve any jersey you want! Many of them go 3 bills with all that beer, brats, and cheese they consume - not mention the high calorie paint thinner.

 

[HarleyMC]

Re: Minnesota Gophers 2012-2013 Part II: Mmmm, Iron City Beer!

No problem with posting in other threads. But the discussion I was referring to did nothing but derail the thread. We call out our own for doing the same.

Lots of Gopher related stuff we could be discussing. For instance, in the interview posted above the nonsense, Haula mentioned he is 100% and probably will be centering a line when the Gophers play SCSU. Which line? I'm hesitant to move Condon back to wing because that 2nd line has been playing so well. Does Lucia move Condon back to wing and have Haula center the 2nd line, or maybe move Bjugstad to RW and have Haula center the 1st? Might get that first line really going to have a playmaking center IMO.

I agree 100%. Nate Condon's speed and full ice vision has been exceptional this season and it seems every time he touches the puck, there's big play potential. He's really fun to watch. Not sure about moving Bjugs to RW though, his faceoff skills have been outstanding (60%) and he's growing in his ability to put his big frame in front and establish a strong net presence as well. I wouldn't be surprised if Haula is sloted back on 2nd line C, and Condon on 1st line W. Given this is most likely Haula's last season with the Gophers, I'm sure he's locked, loaded and ready to make his mark now for a deep playoff run.

 

[mnstate0fhockey]

I agree 100%. Nate Condon's speed and full ice vision has been exceptional this season and it seems every time he touches the puck, there's big play potential. He's really fun to watch. Not sure about moving Bjugs to RW though, his faceoff skills have been outstanding (60%) and he's growing in his ability to put his big frame in front and establish a strong net presence as well. I wouldn't be surprised if Haula is sloted back on 2nd line C, and Condon on 1st line W. Given this is most likely Haula's last season with the Gophers, I'm sure he's locked, loaded and ready to make his mark now for a deep playoff run.

Good thoughts. Agree on all accounts.

 

[Koho]

Re: Minnesota Gophers 2012-2013 Part II: Mmmm, Iron City Beer!

731

Bye weeks are tough.
Was hoping for a good showing from the beavers, but they were scored upon often before the first period was over. Taking a pounding.

 

[Greyeagle]

Re: Minnesota Gophers 2012-2013 Part II: Mmmm, Iron City Beer!

I wouldn't be surprised if Haula is sloted back on 2nd line C, and Condon on 1st line W. Given this is most likely Haula's last season with the Gophers, I'm sure he's locked, loaded and ready to make his mark now for a deep playoff run.

I suspect you're correct.

And I may be in the minority but I've started to consider the Buddish-Haula-Warning line MN's first line. Unfortunately every time they seem to really bgin to click the get hit with a weird injury (Warning early, Haula recently) and hopefully they can regain their mojo. I also think Bjugstad & Rau are complemented by Condon, they just seemed more comfortable with him at their wing. I don't mind Isackson as the wing with Rau/Bjugstad but I really like him (Isackson) on the 4th line, gives them someone who can control the puck.

 

[state of hockey]

Re: Minnesota Gophers 2012-2013 Part II: Mmmm, Iron City Beer!

Let's put Parenteau on the first line!

 

[Slap Shot]

Re: Minnesota Gophers 2012-2013 Part II: Mmmm, Iron City Beer!

And I may be in the minority but I've started to consider the Buddish-Haula-Warning line MN's first line. Unfortunately every time they seem to really bgin to click the get hit with a weird injury (Warning early, Haula recently) and hopefully they can regain their mojo. I also think Bjugstad & Rau are complemented by Condon, they just seemed more comfortable with him at their wing. I don't mind Isackson as the wing with Rau/Bjugstad but I really like him (Isackson) on the 4th line, gives them someone who can control the puck.

They really have been the top line effort wise, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. It really forces the opposing coach to consider his matchups which is never a bad thing. My one 'complaint' with the above is that Condon imho belongs at C despite his obvious speed component. He really excels at the position both on faceoffs but in getting open for the feed from the cycle. Not saying they sacrifice line integrity just to place him there, but all things being equal I want Condon at center.

 

[mnstate0fhockey]

They really have been the top line effort wise, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. It really forces the opposing coach to consider his matchups which is never a bad thing. My one 'complaint' with the above is that Condon imho belongs at C despite his obvious speed component. He really excels at the position both on faceoffs but in getting open for the feed from the cycle. Not saying they sacrifice line integrity just to place him there, but all things being equal I want Condon at center.

It certainly is an intriguing situation. Three guys (four if you include Rau, whose natural position is center as well) who can play a top two center roll.

I'd like to see Condon stay at center too, but not sure I want to move Bjugstad to RW and Haula is the best playmaker we have. Will be interesting to see what tDon does.

 

[Koho]

Re: Minnesota Gophers 2012-2013 Part II: Mmmm, Iron City Beer!

It certainly is an intriguing situation. Three guys (four if you include Rau, whose natural position is center as well) who can play a top two center roll.

I'd like to see Condon stay at center too, but not sure I want to move Bjugstad to RW and Haula is the best playmaker we have. Will be interesting to see what tDon does.

While I don't love the idea of Bjugstad not taking face-offs, he has a power forward body and should do well at wing if he can get himself to use his size to just push to the net more. Yes, he has the hands to be a play-making center too, but if he learns to start bombing the net regularly, dragging D'men with, or leaving them in his path, he would be right there with Goudreau in the conversation for best player in the nation. Not that he can't make those plays at center (a la Ryan Stoa), but it frees him from some of the playmaking/defending responsibilities. I'm fine with Condon at center on that line.

And while I didn't think Isackson did poorly on that line like some posters, I do think he has a few times a game where he holds the puck too long. Often times his hands get him out of the close situation, but that 1st line center needs to be able to get the puck on Bjugs and Rau's sticks ASAP when necessary, and Condon with his experience can react more quickly in those situations.

 

[mnstate0fhockey]

While I don't love the idea of Bjugstad not taking face-offs, he has a power forward body and should do well at wing if he can get himself to use his size to just push to the net more. Yes, he has the hands to be a play-making center too, but if he learns to start bombing the net regularly, dragging D'men with, or leaving them in his path, he would be right there with Goudreau in the conversation for best player in the nation. Not that he can't make those plays at center (a la Ryan Stoa), but it frees him from some of the playmaking/defending responsibilities. I'm fine with Condon at center on that line.

And while I didn't think Isackson did poorly on that line like some posters, I do think he has a few times a game where he holds the puck too long. Often times his hands get him out of the close situation, but that 1st line center needs to be able to get the puck on Bjugs and Rau's sticks ASAP when necessary, and Condon with his experience can react more quickly in those situations.

Well said. You make a good argument.

 

[Koho]

Re: Minnesota Gophers 2012-2013 Part II: Mmmm, Iron City Beer!

While I don't love the idea of Bjugstad not taking face-offs, he has a power forward body and should do well at wing if he can get himself to use his size to just push to the net more. Yes, he has the hands to be a play-making center too, but if he learns to start bombing the net regularly, dragging D'men with, or leaving them in his path, he would be right there with Goudreau in the conversation for best player in the nation. Not that he can't make those plays at center (a la Ryan Stoa), but it frees him from some of the playmaking/defending responsibilities. I'm fine with Condon at center on that line.

And while I didn't think Isackson did poorly on that line like some posters, I do think he has a few times a game where he holds the puck too long. Often times his hands get him out of the close situation, but that 1st line center needs to be able to get the puck on Bjugs and Rau's sticks ASAP when necessary, and Condon with his experience can react more quickly in those situations.

I forgot to add, while I am confident Don reads my posts for advice, I'm fine with whatever route he takes. (Just wanted to take the pressure off him of trying to please me.)

 

[Koho]

Re: Minnesota Gophers 2012-2013 Part II: Mmmm, Iron City Beer!

Women are on BTN right now. Trailed UMD after 1, 1-0. But now lead 2-1 going into 3rd.

 

[captain beefheart]

Re: Minnesota Gophers 2012-2013 Part II: Mmmm, Iron City Beer!

Women are on BTN right now. Trailed UMD after 1, 1-0. But now lead 2-1 going into 3rd.

Now 5-2 UM with about 7 to go. Hearing the goal ( audio feed at work ) I am all the more happy that Mariucci does NOT have one of those foghorns to announce a goal. I find them to be so very unnecessary.

 

[state of hockey]

Re: Minnesota Gophers 2012-2013 Part II: Mmmm, Iron City Beer!

6-2 final. These girls are incredible.

 

[Stauber1]

Re: Minnesota Gophers 2012-2013 Part II: Mmmm, Iron City Beer!

Well, this coming weekend is the biggest of the season for our Gophers.
My feeling is that MN need at minimum 3 pts to have a shot at the conference title. With the Gophers' remaining schedule and SCSU's remaining schedule, it's hard to see a split as being good enough to give the Gophers a chance to catch the Huskies.

The saving grace may be SCSU's consistent inconsistency, but the way they have been playing the past 4 weeks makes me believe it would be foolish to expect them to slip back into that perennial pattern.

The Concrete Garden should be rocking next week. I hope I can make it there for Saturday's game.