Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015

[Tiggsy]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015

If only our players still had reason to have arrogance. That would be double cool.

True. But I bet that is the main issue. They have the arrogance and put it on display in the locker room, just forgetting the part about dominating on the ice.

 

[D2D]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015

Pressure's on!

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/291011861.html

 

[Stauber1]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015

Probably the most complete weekend the Gophers have played since Notre Dame was in town way back in early November.

And with it comes a bit of light at the end of the tunnel...
Only 4 pts out of a first round bye and just on the right side of the PWR bubble.

Next weekend against Michigan is absolutely massive. Best case scenario, a sweep would move MN into at least a tie for 2nd in the conference and at least 13th, probably 12th in the PWR (possibly higher depending on what else happens around the country). I think asking for a sweep is a bit much, but a split is crucial and a win and a tie would be hugely beneficial as well.

It *should* be a highly entertaining Valentine's weekend at Mariucci. If the Gophers are going to have success they will have to keep their defensive house in order; we have seen what happens when teams commit turnovers against and leave space for this Michigan team.

 

[HarleyMC]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015

Probably the most complete weekend the Gophers have played since Notre Dame was in town way back in early November.

And with it comes a bit of light at the end of the tunnel...
Only 4 pts out of a first round bye and just on the right side of the PWR bubble.

Next weekend against Michigan is absolutely massive. Best case scenario, a sweep would move MN into at least a tie for 2nd in the conference and at least 13th, probably 12th in the PWR (possibly higher depending on what else happens around the country). I think asking for a sweep is a bit much, but a split is crucial and a win and a tie would be hugely beneficial as well.

It *should* be a highly entertaining Valentine's weekend at Mariucci. If the Gophers are going to have success they will have to keep their defensive house in order; we have seen what happens when teams commit turnovers against and leave space for this Michigan team.

I'd say by looking at OSU's overall team play this weekend, it's probably in worse shape than Wis. at this point. But the fundamentals did look strong for the Gophers on both sides of the puck this weekend. It looks like they had that talk and made a corporate decision to tighten up on D, go to the net and shoot with more precision. With several shocking upsets in college hockey today, a huge win tonight! Agreed, Michigan series is massive and arguably the Gophers best opportunity to get into the drivers seat in the PWR.

 

[Stauber1]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015

I also came away from the weekend thinking OSU looked below Wisconsin, which tempers the excitement a bit. But Wilcox looked solid, the team did a better job of covering individual mistakes, and that senior line of Warning-Boyd-Ambroz really stepped up which is an element the team really needed.

Great to see the PP have so much success as well, even if it was against one of the nation's worst PKs.

A much bigger test next weekend. We need to see some "play-off hockey" from here on out if the Gophers want to extend their season.

 

[HarleyMC]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015

I also came away from the weekend thinking OSU looked below Wisconsin, which tempers the excitement a bit. But Wilcox looked solid, the team did a better job of covering individual mistakes, and that senior line of Warning-Boyd-Ambroz really stepped up which is an element the team really needed.

Great to see the PP have so much success as well, even if it was against one of the nation's worst PKs.

A much bigger test next weekend. We need to see some "play-off hockey" from here on out if the Gophers want to extend their season.

Even Cammarata is showing some life lately in the dirty areas and on the walls.

 

[D2D]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015

Even Cammarata is showing some life lately in the dirty areas and on the walls.

More importantly Wilcox was really focused and sharp tonight. OSU's first goal was one of the flukiest I've seen in a while and closed the gap to 1-2, but I liked the way the Gophers responded. This game was never really in doubt, but then again the Buckeyes are not a very good hockey team right now.

Now, can the Gophers hold the Wolverines to less than a touchdown?

 

[HarleyMC]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015

More importantly Wilcox was really focused and sharp tonight. OSU's first goal was one of the flukiest I've seen in a while and closed the gap to 1-2, but I liked the way the Gophers responded. This game was never really in doubt, but then again the Buckeyes are not a very good hockey team right now.

Now, can the Gophers hold the Wolverines to less than a touchdown?

Last time they had a golden opportunity to pick up QWB points and climb in the PWR was against MSUM/UMD and the Gophers weren't ready from the puck drop. There's absolutely no more room for errors like that anymore. For whatever reason, we've been a terrible road team and mediocre on neutral ice. But I like our chances for at least a W and a T against Michigan at home.

 

[Koho]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015

My toes are no longer overhanging the edge of the ledge. If they somehow sweep MI, I might even think about stepping back inside.

 

[ScoobyDoo]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015

My toes are no longer overhanging the edge of the ledge. If they somehow sweep MI, I might even think about stepping back inside.

My lawn chair is on the same spot of the ledge it always is. I always have a view.

 

[Greyeagle]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015

My lawn chair is on the same spot of the ledge it always is. I always have a view.

But how is he glass?

 

[ScoobyDoo]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015

But how is he glass?

Still empty. Maybe I can get some liquid in it next week.

 

[D2D]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015

Last time they had a golden opportunity to pick up QWB points and climb in the PWR was against MSUM/UMD and the Gophers weren't ready from the puck drop. There's absolutely no more room for errors like that anymore. For whatever reason, we've been a terrible road team and mediocre on neutral ice. But I like our chances for at least a W and a T against Michigan at home.

I see that with the sweep over OSU the Gophers did climb several spots to a tie for #13 (with Quinnipiac) in the PWR. Michigan sits right above and all alone at #12. IF - and it's a big IF - the Gophers were to somehow sweep them this weekend, what's a realistic expectation of where they would be, assuming the other teams just above them perform about as you'd expect?
#13T Quinnipiac has home games against #17 St. Lawrence and #33 Clarkson
#11 BC plays #16 Harvard in the Beanpot tomorrow and then hosts #19 Vermont in a pair this weekend
#10 Providence travels to #34 Notre Dame for two
#9 Denver is at #2 UND
#8 Bowling Green is at #41 Ferris State
...etc. Gophers probably have no hope of climbing any higher no matter what happens...

The main thing is for the Gophers to take care of their own business, but it would certainly help their cause if in addition to that:
Quinnipiac loses to Clarkson
Notre Dame sweeps Providence
UND sweeps Denver
Ferris State sweeps Bowling Green

We can always hope...

 

[Stauber1]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015

I see that with the sweep over OSU the Gophers did climb several spots to a tie for #13 (with Quinnipiac) in the PWR. Michigan sits right above and all alone at #12. IF - and it's a big IF - the Gophers were to somehow sweep them this weekend, what's a realistic expectation of where they would be, assuming the other teams just above them perform about as you'd expect?
#13T Quinnipiac has home games against #17 St. Lawrence and #33 Clarkson
#11 BC plays #16 Harvard in the Beanpot tomorrow and then hosts #19 Vermont in a pair this weekend
#10 Providence travels to #34 Notre Dame for two
#9 Denver is at #2 UND
#8 Bowling Green is at #41 Ferris State
...etc. Gophers probably have no hope of climbing any higher no matter what happens...

The main thing is for the Gophers to take care of their own business, but it would certainly help their cause if in addition to that:
Quinnipiac loses to Clarkson
Notre Dame sweeps Providence
UND sweeps Denver
Ferris State sweeps Bowling Green

We can always hope...

MN is tied for 13 in comparisons won, but for all intents and purposes are 14 as RPI is used to break ties.

With the TUC component eliminated in the Pairwise, it really comes down to RPI. Currently the top 25 are all ranked in order of RPI, with 2 exceptions (12 Michigan and 13 Qunnipiac would switch, and 15 Lowell and 16 Harvard would switch).

I think #10 is about as high as they can climb in the foreseeable future. #10-22 all play each other in some combinations, meaning they can't all win. That gives MN the opportunity to make up some ground. Denver at 9 doesn't play any of those teams, and that is also the spot where there is a fairly significant jump in RPI.

Of course, if MN doesn't continue on their mini-unbeaten streak it won't matter. There are a lot of games in the next few weeks with important implications for MN, but it's hard to know at this point exactly what outcomes will be best. For example, Harvard plays BC on Monday. Harvard sits just below MN, so we could say that we want them to lose as a win over BC would probably jump them ahead of the Gophers. On the flip side, if MN continues to win, a BC loss on Monday means the Gophers will have an easier time overtaking them in RPI.

 

[D2D]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015

There are a lot of games in the next few weeks with important implications for MN, but it's hard to know at this point exactly what outcomes will be best. For example, Harvard plays BC on Monday. Harvard sits just below MN, so we could say that we want them to lose as a win over BC would probably jump them ahead of the Gophers. On the flip side, if MN continues to win, a BC loss on Monday means the Gophers will have an easier time overtaking them in RPI.

Yes, that's why I just listed the obvious ones played this weekend only.

 

[5mn_Major]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015

The Michigan series will be interesting. They are a buzzsaw and the team to beat in the B1G. But a couple of aspects that can make one hopeful.

1) The Gophers rise to meet the biggest opponents at home. Just ask BC (who has been the team to beat the last several years). 2) In general, the Gophers' style lines up well against that of Michigan. Michigan plays a wide open individual effort game. The Gophers puck control. While UW is designed to counter our style...Michigan is to throw the kitchen sink at you. They often seem unprepared for the Gopher brand of hockey. 3) Several key Gophers appear to be in the process of elevating their game. Boyd has been playing out of his mind...this has helped Ambroz who also is back on track and indeed, has helped make the new second line much more dangerous. Bristedt has finally started to acclimate to college and has turned from being a development project to being a play making catalyst on the first...while Fasching had a bulldozer of a weekend, equaling the ND MVP weekend as his best of the year...these plus Rau will make the first very tough. Even, the fourth looked dominant...which takes pressure off Kloos/Cammarata. With what is not far off a hobey finalist season for M. Reilly and Skjei improving every game, we'll see if they've started to turn the offensive corner here.

While I"ve been pessimistic in prior weeks, I expect at least a split...and what seems to be against the odds, believe we have a 50/50 chance at a sweep. And that would put us in the hunt for another B1G title.

 

[gopher wes]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015

I know tOSU is not that good but....could this be a corner turned for this team?










Please?!

 

[mnstate0fhockey]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015

It was a confidence building weekend and confidence was something this team was severely lacking.

 

[5mn_Major]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015

It was a confidence building weekend and confidence was something this team was severely lacking.

They've sure been lacking something. But with Boyd, Ambroz, Bistedt, Fasching, etc. appearing to take a half step up...talent might make that stumbling block irrelevant. Even so, they still need to win out to get the PWR auto bid, win the conference or win the tourney (and those three are all long shots).

 

[Stauber1]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015

Yes, that's why I just listed the obvious ones played this weekend only.

I didn't mean to critique your post, more to riff off of it

BC is an interesting situation this upcoming week. They are a team MN could theoretically catch in the PWR that is playing 2 other teams that could theoretically catch MN in the PWR.

It seems to me if MN can go 9-1 over these last 10 RS games then we want to see the teams ahead of us in the PWR lose at the expense of the teams right below us. But if the Gophers go 7-3 or worse, we need those teams right behind us to lose even if it means the teams ahead of us extend their RPI advantage.

My guess is that if MN can go 8-2 (with the losses to either Mich or PSU) then the Gophers will head into the Big10 Tourney in position for an at-large bid. Anything less and I think they will need results out east to really break in their favor.