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Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015
- Thread starter Driftryder
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Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015
Before this weekend, the club had only been held to under 3 goals once. If we score 3 goals a night, most games we are going to win. I am not really concerned about scoring consistency. I do think Boyd's presence is missed more than expected. His presence in the lineup gives us three legit scoring lines. When he's out, we seem to be a two line team.
Even though I don't expect them to provide much offense, the 4th line has been a disappointment thus far. I don't think there is any question about that. A few of those guys are John Hill era gaffes. Ugh.
I'm not really sure I buy into any questions about player leadership. Rau has shown he is perfectly capable of that role and Ambroz/Marshall are respected in the locker room. Hell, the Wild went through a rough stretch but nobody questions the leadership ability of guys like Koivu, Suter, etc. If a team implodes and really falls apart, I can understand pointing toward leadership. But we are talking about a team that had 1 loss entering the weekend.
I do agree that every team has to find its own identity and you can't automatically assume anything on identity based on the previous season.
Before this weekend, the club had only been held to under 3 goals once. If we score 3 goals a night, most games we are going to win. I am not really concerned about scoring consistency. I do think Boyd's presence is missed more than expected. His presence in the lineup gives us three legit scoring lines. When he's out, we seem to be a two line team.
Even though I don't expect them to provide much offense, the 4th line has been a disappointment thus far. I don't think there is any question about that. A few of those guys are John Hill era gaffes. Ugh.
I'm not really sure I buy into any questions about player leadership. Rau has shown he is perfectly capable of that role and Ambroz/Marshall are respected in the locker room. Hell, the Wild went through a rough stretch but nobody questions the leadership ability of guys like Koivu, Suter, etc. If a team implodes and really falls apart, I can understand pointing toward leadership. But we are talking about a team that had 1 loss entering the weekend.
I do agree that every team has to find its own identity and you can't automatically assume anything on identity based on the previous season.
Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015
As much as I enjoyed Tommy's effort level, it mainly comes down to what your top guys bring to the table for performance/intensity. Not to mention, Serratore played in games where the team laid an egg too.
I do think the energy/intensity has lacked a bit in the two series we had with SCSU and UMD. The opponent played like they saw it as a rivalry and brought that kind of energy to the table... while the Gophers mostly played like it was an exhibition. That's really the thing that bothered me. I can handle a loss if we play hard/intense and just happen to lose. But I don't like it at all when we don't bring the intensity.
As much as I enjoyed Tommy's effort level, it mainly comes down to what your top guys bring to the table for performance/intensity. Not to mention, Serratore played in games where the team laid an egg too.
I do think the energy/intensity has lacked a bit in the two series we had with SCSU and UMD. The opponent played like they saw it as a rivalry and brought that kind of energy to the table... while the Gophers mostly played like it was an exhibition. That's really the thing that bothered me. I can handle a loss if we play hard/intense and just happen to lose. But I don't like it at all when we don't bring the intensity.
Slap Shot
I got nothing
Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015
How anyone can say they question the leadership and team chemistry already at this point in the season?
I agree things haven't been ideal, but let's see how they're doing after the break before assuming too much.
How anyone can say they question the leadership and team chemistry already at this point in the season?
I agree things haven't been ideal, but let's see how they're doing after the break before assuming too much.
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Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015
Couldn't agree more with these sentiments.
Couldn't agree more with these sentiments.
Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015
For those of you who seem to interpret what I am saying as the sky is falling (or maybe you are just responding to Harley), that is not it at all. Just that coming into the season, Gophs seemed the favorites for an NC. Now I would just put them in a group of teams. And the point is what Hammy says here. I didn't expect them to win all their games. I just expected them to compete better than they did in those two weekends. It is disconcerting to see. Losing when you hit a hot goalie and an unlucky bounce is easier than your team not showing up. But my point is that I remember at this point last year saying to myself after an occasional intensely played period, " Wow, these guys are as good or better than anyone when they play this way. Just need to get consistent." Haven't had that type of moment yet this year where they blew me away. That is why some are wondering if they are as good as people expected (questioning chemistry). We are all aware of UND's history of performing poorly early and ramping up near playoffs, but that hasn't typically been UM's MO. And besides, if we aren't going to discuss concerns about our team at this point in the season, what is the point of having a message board?
For those of you who seem to interpret what I am saying as the sky is falling (or maybe you are just responding to Harley), that is not it at all. Just that coming into the season, Gophs seemed the favorites for an NC. Now I would just put them in a group of teams. And the point is what Hammy says here. I didn't expect them to win all their games. I just expected them to compete better than they did in those two weekends. It is disconcerting to see. Losing when you hit a hot goalie and an unlucky bounce is easier than your team not showing up. But my point is that I remember at this point last year saying to myself after an occasional intensely played period, " Wow, these guys are as good or better than anyone when they play this way. Just need to get consistent." Haven't had that type of moment yet this year where they blew me away. That is why some are wondering if they are as good as people expected (questioning chemistry). We are all aware of UND's history of performing poorly early and ramping up near playoffs, but that hasn't typically been UM's MO. And besides, if we aren't going to discuss concerns about our team at this point in the season, what is the point of having a message board?
Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015
I guess I always saw the Gophers as a small group of major contenders. I never saw them as head and shoulders above the rest.
I think fans generally tend to react too negatively to the occasional speed bump over the course of a season. It is such a long season that I don't know how anybody can really expect to avoid a few lulls. I do want to point out that I am realistic about the fact that a team isn't going to bring it's best effort every single game. Not over the course of a season as spread out as college hockey is. Even our national title teams of recent lore laid the occasional egg so it would be unfair of me to expect that this group shouldn't ever do the same. That doesn't mean I have to like it when it happens.
It was pointed out earlier that every team has to find it's own identity each year so I am not sure why we should focus on what our team (or any other team's) typical past MO is. Each team has to find its own way and can't rely on past MO.
We can look at things different ways. A lot of times we see teams that play really well in the first half and don't sustain it. Not that it is impossible to sustain it but it is pretty difficult these days. If anything, the way I look at it is we know what this team has for ability and I don't think we haven't reached it yet. A very good goaltender (that I don't think is playing his best yet), some pretty talented D (our young guys will improve with MG), and three lines that can score (when healthy). I'd be far more concerned if the upside wasn't there.
I guess I always saw the Gophers as a small group of major contenders. I never saw them as head and shoulders above the rest.
I think fans generally tend to react too negatively to the occasional speed bump over the course of a season. It is such a long season that I don't know how anybody can really expect to avoid a few lulls. I do want to point out that I am realistic about the fact that a team isn't going to bring it's best effort every single game. Not over the course of a season as spread out as college hockey is. Even our national title teams of recent lore laid the occasional egg so it would be unfair of me to expect that this group shouldn't ever do the same. That doesn't mean I have to like it when it happens.
It was pointed out earlier that every team has to find it's own identity each year so I am not sure why we should focus on what our team (or any other team's) typical past MO is. Each team has to find its own way and can't rely on past MO.
We can look at things different ways. A lot of times we see teams that play really well in the first half and don't sustain it. Not that it is impossible to sustain it but it is pretty difficult these days. If anything, the way I look at it is we know what this team has for ability and I don't think we haven't reached it yet. A very good goaltender (that I don't think is playing his best yet), some pretty talented D (our young guys will improve with MG), and three lines that can score (when healthy). I'd be far more concerned if the upside wasn't there.
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Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015
Since we won't get a game thread, I'm pumped to see Auston Matthews Friday. Potential first overall, and should for sure be the highest draft pick in Mariucci since JVR.
Student section should get some Auston Matthews chants going, and maybe make a sign with his last name written with the M and some jersey photoshopping.
Since we won't get a game thread, I'm pumped to see Auston Matthews Friday. Potential first overall, and should for sure be the highest draft pick in Mariucci since JVR.
Student section should get some Auston Matthews chants going, and maybe make a sign with his last name written with the M and some jersey photoshopping.
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Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015
Too bad his narrowed-down college choices don't include Minnesota!
Too bad his narrowed-down college choices don't include Minnesota!
Slap Shot
I got nothing
Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015
Definitely not you, sir. I question his assessment of the team chemistry/leadership not only this early in the season, but so suddenly after a rough weekend whereas he was nowhere to be found previously. Heck, I'm surprised the lack of leadership/chemistry didn't get in the way more often already.
Definitely not you, sir. I question his assessment of the team chemistry/leadership not only this early in the season, but so suddenly after a rough weekend whereas he was nowhere to be found previously. Heck, I'm surprised the lack of leadership/chemistry didn't get in the way more often already.
Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015
But, but, but.... I was assured in the off-season that our D were going to step in and look as good or better than last year's D corp??
But, but, but.... I was assured in the off-season that our D were going to step in and look as good or better than last year's D corp??
Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015
You're likely taking things out of context.
But, but, but.... I was assured in the off-season that our D were going to step in and look as good or better than last year's D corp??
You're likely taking things out of context.
Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015
I knew #2 going down was going to hurt, but not as much as it has, especially defensively. Hopefully the added experience that Johnson, Glover and Collins are all getting will serve the team well in the long run...but right now there are some obvious growing pains. Still, you can't pin too much blame on the defense - last I heard you also have to score some goals to win.
But, but, but.... I was assured in the off-season that our D were going to step in and look as good or better than last year's D corp??
I knew #2 going down was going to hurt, but not as much as it has, especially defensively. Hopefully the added experience that Johnson, Glover and Collins are all getting will serve the team well in the long run...but right now there are some obvious growing pains. Still, you can't pin too much blame on the defense - last I heard you also have to score some goals to win.
Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015
This weekend exposed our problems. 1) Our lack of depth. We knew all along that our forwards towards the bottom were weak. Our fourth line is...well...a fourth line. Nobody ever expected Isackson, Michaelson, R Reilly, or Hoglund to do that much. Just because Lettieri was tried on the third doesn't mean we should have expected him to save it (same with Isackson). The problem is we did expect big things from our third line. Boyd has delivered. IMO Ambroz has been exposed as a fourth liner which is in large part is hurting our third. 2) Scoring. Our old nemesis, lack of scoring, is looming its head. This team loses, full stop, when it doesn't score. This year its doubly true with a very solid d corp and hobey finalist in goal.
There has been nothing in our play that would lead someone to believe that we are in for a swoon. This is likely a typical tough weekend in the first half. And UMD is a great team which always plays us hard...think last year when they shellacked us and we went on to an NC game. This year who knows...but we have to fix the third line...and ensure the top two keep putting the goal in the net. And if so, this can turn into the test we needed.
This weekend exposed our problems. 1) Our lack of depth. We knew all along that our forwards towards the bottom were weak. Our fourth line is...well...a fourth line. Nobody ever expected Isackson, Michaelson, R Reilly, or Hoglund to do that much. Just because Lettieri was tried on the third doesn't mean we should have expected him to save it (same with Isackson). The problem is we did expect big things from our third line. Boyd has delivered. IMO Ambroz has been exposed as a fourth liner which is in large part is hurting our third. 2) Scoring. Our old nemesis, lack of scoring, is looming its head. This team loses, full stop, when it doesn't score. This year its doubly true with a very solid d corp and hobey finalist in goal.
There has been nothing in our play that would lead someone to believe that we are in for a swoon. This is likely a typical tough weekend in the first half. And UMD is a great team which always plays us hard...think last year when they shellacked us and we went on to an NC game. This year who knows...but we have to fix the third line...and ensure the top two keep putting the goal in the net. And if so, this can turn into the test we needed.
Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015
Not sure I agree on Ambroz. Getting a 10+ goal, 20 pts. season like he did last year tells me he is more than the 4th line type. However, he certainly isn't the type that is going to create offense for himself. So he does need a center that can make things happen.
I think the worrying about scoring is awfully premature. Prior to this weekend, we had 3 or more goals in every game but one.
Not sure I agree on Ambroz. Getting a 10+ goal, 20 pts. season like he did last year tells me he is more than the 4th line type. However, he certainly isn't the type that is going to create offense for himself. So he does need a center that can make things happen.
I think the worrying about scoring is awfully premature. Prior to this weekend, we had 3 or more goals in every game but one.
Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015
Ambroz hasn't done a thing without Boyd. In fact, Boyd had 3 goals/1 assist in his 5 games when he was not with Amboz (which was very hard to do as he was paired with him). And 1 assist when he was with him. Also, I can't speak for Saturday as I missed UMD's scoring (except I saw Ambroz cough it up on our last scoring chance in the remaining seconds with our goalie being pulled)...but Friday night this senior was a solid -2 on the two goals that mattered. Our third hasn't done anything since Boyd went down...and this weekend it was our worst line and maybe the worst overall line on the ice.
When this team loses, its a lack of scoring that is the most typical cause. Was it a one weekend issue? I would guess so, but we'll see.
Ambroz hasn't done a thing without Boyd. In fact, Boyd had 3 goals/1 assist in his 5 games when he was not with Amboz (which was very hard to do as he was paired with him). And 1 assist when he was with him. Also, I can't speak for Saturday as I missed UMD's scoring (except I saw Ambroz cough it up on our last scoring chance in the remaining seconds with our goalie being pulled)...but Friday night this senior was a solid -2 on the two goals that mattered. Our third hasn't done anything since Boyd went down...and this weekend it was our worst line and maybe the worst overall line on the ice.
When this team loses, its a lack of scoring that is the most typical cause. Was it a one weekend issue? I would guess so, but we'll see.
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