Minnesota Gophers 2022-23

[ARM]

It was interesting listening to the audio broadcast on Friday against Penn State as Dan mentioned #14 (Nicholson) and #17 (Dunne) being along on the trip for this tournament. The fact that #21 was taking shifts on defense makes me wonder That if either of those 2 players were healthy, why weren't they playing? It was not mentioned about injuries for either player so I have no idea what to think.

My guesses: a) they want to redshirt at least one of them, and the only way they are going to play is if it looks like the D corps will be depleted for the long term; b) they aren't available to play due to injury, but Frost wanted them to share in the Las Vegas trip experience. I'd think that a) is more likely, but I guess it could be a) for one and b) for the other. Or, as with most things, I have no idea.

 

[D2D]

Or, as with most things, I have no idea.

ARM: Here's your opportunity for redemption. Other than "Yale in the desert" when was the last game both Heise and Zumwinkle had zero points?
(no need to comb through box scores, just take your best guess!)

 

[ARM]

ARM: Here's your opportunity for redemption. Other than "Yale in the desert" when was the last game both Heise and Zumwinkle had zero points?
(no need to comb through box scores, just take your best guess!)

I don't think it has happened this year, because in the games where they only scored once, Heise scored the goal. Zumwinkle wasn't on the roster last year, so with the way you phrased the question, all of those games are out. Thus, it has to be the Covid year. I don't think either had a point in the second game in Columbus, so that would be my guess (1/30/201).

 

[D2D]

I don't think it has happened this year, because in the games where they only scored once, Heise scored the goal. Zumwinkle wasn't on the roster last year, so with the way you phrased the question, all of those games are out. Thus, it has to be the Covid year. I don't think either had a point in the second game in Columbus, so that would be my guess (1/30/201).

I did a brief search of all the games this year, and the game just played vs. Yale was the first game this season when Heise and Zumwinkle were both held scoreless. Just another way to show the impact these two have had on the team's offense.

 

[ManBehindTheCurtain]

Heise, Skaja, and Boreen back together on a game starting line. Boreen scored two goals although the first was a power play but still, that line looked good.

Murphy and Zumwinkle need a center and Huber does not look even the slightest bit out of place with the two Olympians. The problem comes on the third line where Hemp no longer has Huber and no longer has Bouveng. Instead she was out with Kaiser and Norcross. Three forwards from different lines, it isn't meshing very well. And there really isn't a fourth line anymore despite the fact that AWethington scored a humbdinger of a goal.

No Conner, still no Laitinen. What at the start of the season looked like a very solid lineup now seems curiously jumbled and out of sorts.

An entertaining game, Mankato got the first goal and until it was 3-1 I personally felt like they still had a shot. In the end the Gophers had too many, too good.

 

[ARM]

The problem comes on the third line where Hemp no longer has Huber and no longer has Bouveng. ...

No Conner, still no Laitinen. What at the start of the season looked like a very solid lineup now seems curiously jumbled and out of sorts.

Per Frost in the pregame, Conner is out long term. I guess that isn't a surprise from the way Dan described her injury at the time. Bouveng is apparently out due to illness, as was Boreen before returning last night.

To me, Laitinen is the key. Oden has done okay as a D, in that we aren't constantly talking about games lost because she messed up plays. However, I think that her absence at center has been huge, because it causes a trickle down impact through the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th lines. None of those units are as effective as when Oden was up front. Oden is a bit of a enigma for me, in that she has great hands on faceoffs, but not so much when it comes to handling the puck otherwise. She's a big asset to the 2nd line defensively, but she's not really a playmaker. In any case, I think they are better with her at center than not. It sounds like Laitinen is expected back after the break, so barring further losses on the blue line, it should mean #21 will be back up front.

 

[ManBehindTheCurtain]

The way it is going so far today it looks like the Mavericks should decline the next penalty.

 

[FiveHoleFrenzy]

The way it is going so far today it looks like the Mavericks should decline the next penalty.

True...2 shorthanded goals plus 2 power play goals. Special teams (especially penalty kill) have been getting better. I thought #31 in net looked real solid when called upon today. Good to see her get some confidence back. I think there was a #14 sighting as it looked like she got a couple of shifts. Was #13 out of the lineup today? I don't recall seeing her on the ice.

Would also mention that #16 played a pretty solid game today as well.

 

[ARM]

I didn't see Hengler today, and the only boxscore I can find thus far (Gophersports) lists everyone and it isn't clear who played and who didn't. Franco played, as did Nicholson, for the first time I remember this season other than exhibitions. Of the seven D today, three weren't playing at that position for the start of the season, although we were only playing six D then.

The story of the day was that the reunited Heise line provided a lot of credibility to Eeyore's opinion that splitting them up was something that should never have been contemplated in the first place. Or if you prefer, UM won the special teams battle.

 

[FiveHoleFrenzy]

The story of the day was that the reunited Heise line provided a lot of credibility to Eeyore's opinion that splitting them up was something that should never have been contemplated in the first place. Or if you prefer, UM won the special teams battle.

You know the latter was a big reason why today was pretty good for the Tunnelers. No fault in trying some different combinations, especially this time of year.

 

[ARM]

You know the latter was a big reason why today was pretty good for the Tunnelers. No fault in trying some different combinations, especially this time of year.

In the boxscore, it was due to special teams. To the eye, it is obvious that 3/9/22 has more chemistry than 3/9/12. You can try them, but don't be stubborn when your unbeaten team suddenly can't win. (and yeah, Boreen wasn't available for all of those, and the Gopher staff knows hockey far better than I)

 

[ManBehindTheCurtain]

The line chart they published on Twitter did not include Hengler, she did not play.

 

[ManBehindTheCurtain]

The story of the day was that the reunited Heise line provided a lot of credibility to Eeyore's opinion that splitting them up was something that should never have been contemplated in the first place.

I enthusiastically and completely second this opinion.

 

[FiveHoleFrenzy]

and the Gopher staff knows hockey far better than I

See there ya go...

 

[D2D]

What a weekend for Gopher sports!
Women's hockey easily sweep Minnesota State
Men's hockey easily sweep Michigan State
Women's volleyball easily win both NCAA playoff games and advance

 

[joecct]

Found out tonight that next year's D1 in DC will have
Minnesota
St. Thomas
Cornell
Harvard

Games played at the Capitals practice facility in Ballston, VA Thanksgiving weekend.

See you there!

 

[ARM]

According to Dan, it looks like Hengler (as well as Conner), may be done for the year. Bouveng back, but Skaja and Nicholson are ill.

 

[ManBehindTheCurtain]

According to Dan, it looks like Hengler (as well as Conner), may be done for the year. Bouveng back, but Skaja and Nicholson are ill.

The disruption to the D is going to continue to be a problem. Franco plus Oden does not equal Hengler plus Laitinen. On the forward lines I thought Hemp was good replacing Skaja.

Saint Cloud again went very conservative on offense, usually sending in only one forward on the forecheck, obviously hoping to get ahead and then squeeze the life out of the game. Didn't work this time.

 

[D2D]

According to Dan, it looks like Hengler (as well as Conner), may be done for the year. Bouveng back, but Skaja and Nicholson are ill.

Hengler and Conner were both listed under "Scratches" in today's line chart. Doubtful this would have been the case if they were in fact done for the entire 2022-23 season (I sure hope not!). Particularly Hengler who as of late has been so solid defensively and has shown a needed (and willingness) to get more involved offensively of late. Never especially "fancy" with the puck, but way more often than not makes the right decision. Losing her for the second half would be a major loss, IMO.

 

[Still Eeyore]

Hengler and Conner were both listed under "Scratches" in today's line chart. Doubtful this would have been the case if they were in fact done for the entire 2022-23 season (I sure hope not!). Particularly Hengler who as of late has been so solid defensively and has shown a needed (and willingness) to get more involved offensively of late. Never especially "fancy" with the puck, but way more often than not makes the right decision. Losing her for the second half would be a major loss, IMO.

Ostertag was listed as a scratch for all of last year, so Hengler's presence on the line chart isn't indicative of anything.

Speaking of Ostertag, I don't remember seeing her during the third period yesterday.