Minnesota Gophers 2022-23

[Still Eeyore]

That was the single worst disallowed goal I've ever seen in 40 years of watching hockey.

 

[ARM]

That was the single worst disallowed goal I've ever seen in 40 years of watching hockey.

Do you mean the second one/Hemp, that they didn't review, rather than the Ostertag "goal"? Dan was perplexed by that one. If the referees are going to screw up (what are the odds of that), I'd prefer that they do it in a case like yesterday where the scoreboard has become less relevant.

 

[FiveHoleFrenzy]

The Tunnelers put up 9 goals, 8 of which were good goals as Kaiser was in the crease and tipped in Ostertag's point shot. Hemp scored on what was a totally bungled goal by refs. I don't buy the whistle blown excuse. That was too quick as the initial shot immediately rebounded off the goalie to Hemp who backhanded a shot off the post which then went went into the back of the net off the Bemidji goalie's skate. The one ref was right there at the back of the net looking at it. Why he didn't signal goal is perplexing...

I get that it isn't as important in a game that had long been decided, but it screwed Hemp out of a second goal in the game.

 

[MinnOTB]

Do you mean the second one/Hemp, that they didn't review, rather than the Ostertag "goal"? Dan was perplexed by that one. If the referees are going to screw up (what are the odds of that), I'd prefer that they do it in a case like yesterday where the scoreboard has become less relevant.

On the second one, what appeared to happen was that with the Beavers’ Larson laying in the net Ryhorchuk couldn’t see the puck bounce off Hogenson’s skate and go in the net after it hit the post. He doesn’t see the puck in the net until well after he blew the whistle. With that being the case, the question is whether Frost wasn’t allowed to challenge or chose not to with the score already 6-0. It was clear from the replays that the puck went in well before Ryhorchuk lifted the whistle to his mouth to blow the play dead.

 

[robertearle]

On the second one, what appeared to happen was that with the Beavers’ Larson laying in the net Ryhorchuk couldn’t see the puck bounce off Hogenson’s skate and go in the net after it hit the post. He doesn’t see the puck in the net until well after he blew the whistle. With that being the case, the question is whether Frost wasn’t allowed to challenge or chose not to with the score already 6-0. It was clear from the replays that the puck went in well before Ryhorchuk lifted the whistle to his mouth to blow the play dead.

The play is 'dead' when the ref decides to blow the whistle, not when he/she actually blows it. That is, it doesn't depend on how quickly he/she manages it, or whether he/she fumbles it on the way to their mouth etc. That means there's nothing to 'challenge'; the video won't show when he decided he couldn't see the puck anymore.

 

[Still Eeyore]

The play is 'dead' when the ref decides to blow the whistle, not when he/she actually blows it. That is, it doesn't depend on how quickly he/she manages it, or whether he/she fumbles it on the way to their mouth etc. That means there's nothing to 'challenge'; the video won't show when he decided he couldn't see the puck anymore.

The problem is that the puck was never covered. If the ref lost sight of it, that means that he wasn't doing his job.

 

[robertearle]

The problem is that the puck was never covered. If the ref lost sight of it, that means that he wasn't doing his job.

Undoubtedly. But the comment was in response to the idea of Frost challenging or not challenging. It's pretty clear that the justification for the 'no goal' was the ref saying he lost sight of the puck, and that isn't challengeable.

(Also assuming that Minn still had its time-out; the graphic on the BTN video doesn't show that, one way or the other.)

Maybe hockey needs to go to an NFL sort-of "don't blow the whistle on a potential fumble, and we'll clean it up on review" process.

 

[ARM]

But the comment was in response to the idea of Frost challenging or not challenging. It's pretty clear that the justification for the 'no goal' was the ref saying he lost sight of the puck, and that isn't challengeable.

I believe the issue here is that the puck was in long before the ref thought it was. If the problem is that the ref is thinking, "The goalie has the puck covered so I can't see it and I'll blow the whistle," the coach should be able to challenge if the contention is that you can't see it because it was already in the net. In the college game, a timeout gets used on the first unsuccessful challenge. You can still challenge if you don't have a TO, but it is a penalty if you're wrong, like it is in the NHL. Regardless, I think that UM had its TO.

 

[MinnOTB]

I believe the issue here is that the puck was in long before the ref thought it was. If the problem is that the ref is thinking, "The goalie has the puck covered so I can't see it and I'll blow the whistle," the coach should be able to challenge if the contention is that you can't see it because it was already in the net. In the college game, a timeout gets used on the first unsuccessful challenge. You can still challenge if you don't have a TO, but it is a penalty if you're wrong, like it is in the NHL. Regardless, I think that UM had its TO.

Exactly. I suspect the issue was that nobody on the Gophers knew that the puck went in the net when it did either so they chose not to challenge with the game already a blowout. Hemp was the first player to react, well after the whistle was blown. Ideally, the ref would initiate a video review on his own since his view was blocked when the puck entered the net, but I suspect with the new rules on video reviews the refs are instructed to make the coaches initiate the challenge unless there is a difference of opinion between the refs themselves. Because he didn’t see the puck behind the goal line until after he blew the whistle (or intended to if it was earlier than that), the ref wasn’t going to rule it a goal without a video review.

 

[Still Eeyore]

There's no such thing as a bad weekend of hockey, especially if your team wins two games, but this was a mediocre weekend of hockey. Friday's game was boring, by hockey standards, except in the wrong ways. Minnesota didn't play all that well. Bemidji was dreadful, looking very much like a team that has one conference win in twenty tries. They couldn't successfully do anything except slew-foot and cross-check. They gooned up the second half of the game. Catie Skaja finally started a fight (only roughing minors were assessed, but that was an undercall) after the Beavers twice cheapshotted Taylor Heise.

The usual suspect was on her worst behavior, picking up three minor penalties. That's a hat trick of sorts, I guess. If there is a scrum in a Gopher game, it's probably be fair for the refs to think Murphy caused it, and send her to the box, even if she was on the bench at the time.

Saturday's game was better, if only marginally. Bemidji played harder and wasn't as bad, but they still weren't good, or any sort of approximation of it. They kept the score close without it ever feeling like they actually had a chance to win. The Gophers first goal came on possibly the worst defensive zone turnover I've ever seen. (I realize that this is the second thing I've described as "the worst that I have ever seen." It was that kind of weekend.) The Beavers weren't out there trying to hurt people. Murphy was still agitating and could have been called for infractions, but wasn't. Taylor Heise was held to a single point, which doesn't happen often.

Next week, the Gophers travel to Duluth for what should be a more invigorating series against the Bulldogs. The WCHA regular season title could be decided in two weeks when the Buckeyes visit Ridder, but Minnesota needs to take care of business against UMD first.

The biggest positive takeaway is that Skyler Vetter has been tremendous. She is already the best goalie Minnesota has had since Amanda Leveille, and could pass her over the next two years. I can't remember her allowing a goal on a breakaway or 2-on-1. Earlier in the season, she struggled in scrums around the crease, but has dramatically improved on that. Over the next three weeks, we'll get a chance to find out how much of that improvement is the result of playing bad teams for the last ten game.

 

[D2D]

All well said, Still Eeyore, except I would add that the teams' overall play in periods 1 and 2 were not what we as fans and boosters of the program have come to expect from this team. Thankfully, there was a distinct and obvious improvement in the team's play in all three zones which led to the decisive win that overcame such a lackluster effort in the first two periods. The quality of the opposition ramps up 'huge' beginning next Friday. Hopefully the team will be ready and playing their best from the opening first puck drop.

 

[ARM]

Earlier in the season, she struggled in scrums around the crease, but has dramatically improved on that.

Part of the struggles/improvement can be attributed to her, but the D playing in front of her gets some of the blame/credit. Vetter is similar to Leveille, in that she isn't the biggest goalie but she moves and competes well. That's great on odd-player rushes, but such goalies benefit greatly when their D can keep the net front reasonably clean. Leveille played behind such a D. Whatever their flaws, the current Gopher blue line features four fifth-year players plus another senior among the seven playing of late. By now, they should be familiar with the NCAA battles around the net (although Oden is new to D, she has been at center for awhile, and in the UM system, a center is like a third D at times when defending the net.) If you're forcing your goaltender to make tough saves, she isn't always going to control where the puck goes, so you'd better help clear rebounds or tie up those looking for them.

 

[FiveHoleFrenzy]

Here is a look at a future Gopher (2024) who just so happens to wear #9 in a maroon and gold uniform. She is having a very good season with Northfield.

Granted these are highlights but you can really see that she is an excellent skater...Really uses her edges well. Nice shot and is willing to pass the puck to her teammates.

https://www.hudl.com/profile/14189171/ayla-puppe

 

[ARM]

The Gophers first goal came on possibly the worst defensive zone turnover I've ever seen.

Last night, I finally got around to watching the telecast of Saturday's game. Up until then, I'd only seen this goal on a Twitter highlight on my phone, where it looked similar to how you described it. Seeing the entire play develop, it wasn't all on the Bemidji defender. The Gophers dump the puck into the zone and make the Bemidji defense turn and chase it. For some reason, the Bemidji right wing decides to remain at center ice with the other two BSU forwards, rather than coming back to support a breakout, leaving her behind Bouveng. All three Minnesota forwards join the forecheck. The Bemidji D wants to transition quickly, so after gaining control of the puck while skating towards her own goal line, she tries to make a 180-degree turn and simultaneously hit her right wing on the breakout. Only, that wing isn't there; Bouveng is. It looked like that as she turned and realized this, she tried to call off the launch of the pass (I remember trying to do something similar when making a throw in rec-league softball, with similarly disastrous result). She who hesitates is lost. Had she committed to trying to elevate the puck over Bouveng's stick in the instant, the odds are good that the puck at least goes for an icing. As it was, she took something off it and Bouveng made a good shot, which is within her skillset.

Murphy was still agitating and could have been called for infractions, but wasn't. Taylor Heise was held to a single point, which doesn't happen often.

Murphy also made a great backhand for the second goal, hustled to win a race to the puck and get it to Grace for the final goal, and drew three penalties. The glass isn't as empty as you describe it. Heise wasn't shut down for lack of opportunities. Not sure what happened on her chance at the end of the second period; it looked like she had a shot at the net with the goalie out, but perhaps it hit the Beaver laying in the crease. The camera in Bemidji was doing something flakey where it would totally lose focus at inopportune times. Heise's single point was certainly highlight-worthy.

The WCHA regular season title could be decided in two weeks when the Buckeyes visit Ridder, but Minnesota needs to take care of business against UMD first.

UMD will take points this weekend. The Bulldogs are the best defensive team that I've watched this season. I'd make the Gophers a very slight favorite at best.

 

[Still Eeyore]

Murphy also made a great backhand for the second goal, hustled to win a race to the puck and get it to Grace for the final goal, and drew three penalties. The glass isn't as empty as you describe it.

I've never claimed that Murphy isn't a very good hockey player. She is, and will continue to make great plays. What I have said is that, based upon the way she does everything else, I simply cannot enjoy watching her. We're going to disagree on that. As far as I am concerned, being a Gopher does not absolve one from the need for sportsmanship, and a continual inability to exhibit it will cause me to root for her. I didn't like Amy Potomak the last couple of years, and consider her decision not to return for a fifth season addition by subtraction. Milica McMillen improved over the course of her career, but I never really warmed to her. Right now, Murphy is worse than either of them ever was.

Drawing three penalties because you've been taking cheap shots and taunting to the point that players on the other team respond is not a positive attribute.

 

[ARM]

Drawing three penalties because you've been taking cheap shots and taunting to the point that players on the other team respond is not a positive attribute.

At least two of them in this particular game were more of a case of her being dangerous with the puck and forcing the defense to try to stop her. However, it would be fair to say that she can fall rather easily at times. I agree with you in that she would be better served to skate away rather than instigate or respond. Talented players need to learn that they can't help their team from the penalty box.

 

[ManBehindTheCurtain]

UMD will take points this weekend. The Bulldogs are the best defensive team that I've watched this season. I'd make the Gophers a very slight favorite at best.

When I first showed up here ARM was already here, as was brookyone and some others. But I still see Arlan so I know that there is at least this one other observer who remembers that a split in Duluth is a good result.

Of course, the UMD coach at that time had a more over the top wardrobe than the current Bulldog coach. The current coach certainly has established that she knows her stuff but the lady in the sequined jacket and with the gatorade splash on the ice and the late night hotel confrontation does have those national championships.

Three weekends, six games, how good are these Gophers, how good are the others?

18 points up for grabs, I say that 13 should be enough to repeat as regular season champions and retain that trophy currently on display behind the seats at the entrance end of the arena.

An average of 4 out of 6 in each series plus 1 more thrown by winning a shootout along the way, I think that should be enough.

So as in times of yore, a split on the road this weekend would be good enough provided the Gophers can avoid being swept at home in the following two weekends.

If they can take care of business on home ice they will be champions and deserving champions.

Bring it on, this should be fun.

 

[FiveHoleFrenzy]

I may have missed some information about it but does anyone know the status of #26? Sick, Injured, or...

Brookyone...Whatever happened with B1? There certainly was some clashes with a certain other poster (PC) who is also no longer here.

 

[ARM]

I may have missed some information about it but does anyone know the status of #26? Sick, Injured, or...

In the pregame before Friday's contest it was described as an injury in practice that wasn't expected to keep her out long term. There was hope that she could return this week. She's been playing well, and it definitely helps the line depth if Huber can go.

 

[Still Eeyore]

Huber played, and looked good. All 15 Gophers that got regular ice time today looked good. The fourth line had a couple of shifts in the first period, then vanished. Lizi Norton did the same about halfway through the second. Frost was obviously taking advantage of the TV timeouts to shorten the bench.

3-1 was about the right score for this game. The Gophers were really good. Soderberg stood on her head, or the score could have been a lot worse. Heise hit a post and you probably heard it in Minneapolis. G. Zumwinkle was snakebit, producing outstanding saves, shanked shots, and missed nets. Heise had no points, but had a great game. She's a ferocious backchecker and a steady hand to bring thepuck up the ice.

M. Wethington had one of her best games. The shot she took that Skaja tipped in for the first goal was gorgeous. She set up the Bulldog in front of her perfectly, using her as a screen and nutmegging her. Soderberg never had a chance. She was also a valuable player for carrying the puck up ice.

The forecheck was a nightmare for Duluth in the first period, and they never really did figure out how to beat it consistently. The Gophers forced Bulldog turnovers and converted them into chances regularly. UMD's forecheck had moments where they kept the puck pinned in the Gophers' defensive zone, but wasn't nearly as effective at getting good opportunities.

Mostly, it felt like Duluth's only real hope of scoring was counting on Minnesota defensive lapses, and there just weren't very many of them. Their only goal came on a deflected pass that turned into a bad turnover into acres of empty space that allowed Taylor Stewart to just walk into the slot. Even then, Vetter should have made the save, but let it bounce off her glove. If you need that sequence of defensive breakdowns to get the puck into the net, you're probably going to struggle to score. Even with the score tied, I never really felt that nervous.

If the Gophers play like they did today over the next five games, they're going to run away with the WCHA regular season title. There are reasons to be skeptical that they actually can play that well for six straight games, but they were really good.