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Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015
- Thread starter Driftryder
- Start date
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Go4PuckFan2.0
The Dude Abides
Good News:
Bucky isn't playing at home.
Bad News:
Gophers making a habit of playing to the level of their competition.
Wisko McBadgerton
Teaching you how to Bucky.
Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015
FYP.
Monday morning of Goofy v. Bucky week, no series thread, fan bases in a tizzy... Maybe they should consider switching this series to Ritter?
FYP.
Monday morning of Goofy v. Bucky week, no series thread, fan bases in a tizzy... Maybe they should consider switching this series to Ritter?
gopher wes
Dammit, Gorilla!!
Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015
I agree. This should be a sweepable series being at home but the way this team is playing I pretty much expect a split (or worse).
Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015
I am expecting a sweep, mostly because the Gophers' biggest issue has been defense, and Bucky is a pretty offensively challenged team.
I don't think the performance on the ice this past weekend was as bad as a lot of folks seem to think. The results were bad and could have been avoided, but there were actually some good things about their play.
A number of 5x5 goals. The 3rd line finally woke up offensively. The 4th line scored on Sat, were really unlucky not to have scored on Fri, and now have 2 goals in the past 3 games (would have been 3 in 3 if Racine hadn't had such a loosey-goosey trailing leg on Michaelson's well-executed chance).
Mn didn't get swept because their offense couldn't produce, and they didn't loose because of effort. They lost because of bad defensive play and some uncharacteristic bad goaltending.
This team needs to get better defensively. The offense had been sputtering a bit but I think we all know the talent is there for them to produce and score, and this past weekend we did see that. Yet in the past 5 games they have given up at least 3 goals every game. Even if their offense kicks it up a gear to compensate, that may be enough to put them in the national tournament, but it won't be enough once they start playing the more disciplined and defensively stout teams (that also have offensive punch) like they will see in the NCAAs.
I am expecting a sweep, mostly because the Gophers' biggest issue has been defense, and Bucky is a pretty offensively challenged team.
I don't think the performance on the ice this past weekend was as bad as a lot of folks seem to think. The results were bad and could have been avoided, but there were actually some good things about their play.
A number of 5x5 goals. The 3rd line finally woke up offensively. The 4th line scored on Sat, were really unlucky not to have scored on Fri, and now have 2 goals in the past 3 games (would have been 3 in 3 if Racine hadn't had such a loosey-goosey trailing leg on Michaelson's well-executed chance).
Mn didn't get swept because their offense couldn't produce, and they didn't loose because of effort. They lost because of bad defensive play and some uncharacteristic bad goaltending.
This team needs to get better defensively. The offense had been sputtering a bit but I think we all know the talent is there for them to produce and score, and this past weekend we did see that. Yet in the past 5 games they have given up at least 3 goals every game. Even if their offense kicks it up a gear to compensate, that may be enough to put them in the national tournament, but it won't be enough once they start playing the more disciplined and defensively stout teams (that also have offensive punch) like they will see in the NCAAs.
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Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015
I also wanted to bring up for discussion some coaching decisions I didn't quite understand and see what other folks have to say about them.
First is the personnel decision when MI scored the OT winner on Friday. I think I remember, please correct me if I am wrong, that those players were put on the ice for a defensive zone faceoff where the Gophers had the opportunity for a line change; meaning they could change and select who they wanted on the ice for the faceoff. I don't understand the combination. especially 4th liner Lettieri, and C Reilly, who (while very good offensively) has been a bit of a defensive liability all year. For a defensive zone faceoff in OT that just doesn't make sense to me.
Second is the lineup changes on defense for Saturday. I can understand wanting the young guys to get in and experience the atmosphere, and I can understand Collins taking a seat given he has been playing a lot of hockey and had just over the flu, in addition to him still being probably the #6 dman out of the group on Friday. But inserting 2 freshmen who are outside your top 5, in an important game against a very offensively talented team, again doesn't make a lot of sense to me.
I also wanted to bring up for discussion some coaching decisions I didn't quite understand and see what other folks have to say about them.
First is the personnel decision when MI scored the OT winner on Friday. I think I remember, please correct me if I am wrong, that those players were put on the ice for a defensive zone faceoff where the Gophers had the opportunity for a line change; meaning they could change and select who they wanted on the ice for the faceoff. I don't understand the combination. especially 4th liner Lettieri, and C Reilly, who (while very good offensively) has been a bit of a defensive liability all year. For a defensive zone faceoff in OT that just doesn't make sense to me.
Second is the lineup changes on defense for Saturday. I can understand wanting the young guys to get in and experience the atmosphere, and I can understand Collins taking a seat given he has been playing a lot of hockey and had just over the flu, in addition to him still being probably the #6 dman out of the group on Friday. But inserting 2 freshmen who are outside your top 5, in an important game against a very offensively talented team, again doesn't make a lot of sense to me.
Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015
Agreed on both points. The first (Letteri, etc being on the ice for an extraordinarily long shift and taking an OT face off in our end) was not good. I saw him on the ice the better part of a minute earlier hoping that the fourth line would get off asap. And yes. We have struggled with giving our freshmen (outside of Collins and Bristedt) solid playing time...but for one of the most important road games of the year? I still think too much lineup roulette also and taking the U18 game off by sitting Wilcox gave some lacksidasical messages. Coaching staff did a very good job getting the guys ready to play at the start of the season as usual, but this year has not been the coaching staff's best.
Agreed on both points. The first (Letteri, etc being on the ice for an extraordinarily long shift and taking an OT face off in our end) was not good. I saw him on the ice the better part of a minute earlier hoping that the fourth line would get off asap. And yes. We have struggled with giving our freshmen (outside of Collins and Bristedt) solid playing time...but for one of the most important road games of the year? I still think too much lineup roulette also and taking the U18 game off by sitting Wilcox gave some lacksidasical messages. Coaching staff did a very good job getting the guys ready to play at the start of the season as usual, but this year has not been the coaching staff's best.
Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015
I think the only difference I can see is that Johnson, IMO, has been the least "turrible" freshman defenseman this year. Granted he hasn't been playing that much, but I think he has been a little more consistent on D than Glover, for sure, and even a little bit more than Collins. Regardless, it is a little sad to see that this late in the year, tDon is still being forced to experiment with lines and pairings. Things should be locked down by now and barring injury, shouldn't have to be changed.
I think the only difference I can see is that Johnson, IMO, has been the least "turrible" freshman defenseman this year. Granted he hasn't been playing that much, but I think he has been a little more consistent on D than Glover, for sure, and even a little bit more than Collins. Regardless, it is a little sad to see that this late in the year, tDon is still being forced to experiment with lines and pairings. Things should be locked down by now and barring injury, shouldn't have to be changed.
Driftryder
Gopher Hockey
Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015
I think it's pretty common for freshman D to struggle during their first year playing college puck. The other D need to step it up though.
Wilcox hasn't been the same this year either, it's not just all on the D.
I think it's pretty common for freshman D to struggle during their first year playing college puck. The other D need to step it up though.
Wilcox hasn't been the same this year either, it's not just all on the D.
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Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015
Yeah, the lineup testing been a peeve of mine for well over a month. This should be locked down by the B1G start. And if they were getting changes after a few losses...what does that mean after a weekend sweep like we just had. Let the guys get used to playing with regular teammates.
Yeah, the lineup testing been a peeve of mine for well over a month. This should be locked down by the B1G start. And if they were getting changes after a few losses...what does that mean after a weekend sweep like we just had. Let the guys get used to playing with regular teammates.
Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015
Agreed. But I don't think he has been terrible (outside of this past Saturday). Wilcox has been "good enough" if the team were better defensively. He clearly hasn't been as good as last year, but I think that speaks more to how important he was last year and less to him playing badly this year.
Agreed. But I don't think he has been terrible (outside of this past Saturday). Wilcox has been "good enough" if the team were better defensively. He clearly hasn't been as good as last year, but I think that speaks more to how important he was last year and less to him playing badly this year.
Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015
Stop being the voice of reason. Yes, MN actually probably deserved to win Friday. Yes, Wilcox had just one bad game. But we don't want to hear that from the ledge.
Stop being the voice of reason. Yes, MN actually probably deserved to win Friday. Yes, Wilcox had just one bad game. But we don't want to hear that from the ledge.
Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015
The whole Team seems to being a poorer job of back-checking and covering for each other. Not enough hustle resulting in not enough battles won. They also seem to have less puck possession, which is also a form of D. And on D, they lost two of the defensive specialists they had last year, and replaced them with freshman. (Don't know why Bischoff didn't play Sunday.)
As for coaching, those calling for Lucia to possibly be replaced if things (on GPL) don't improve have already jumped off the ledge and hit their heads. Not that coaches aren't part to blame, but who is going to replace him? Also, this theory that it Lucia is riding Guentzel's coattails is a bit extreme. The guy has done well with many assistant coaches at other places (look what he did at CC). And while I am sure Hill had a big part in the recent bad stretch, you can't think that Lucia's illness didn't also play a part. Things just aren't as black and white as some see it. This team is way under-performing, but still could turn it around. North Dakota has had several seasons that started this poorly then came on gangbusters. Some of the early Lucia Gopher teams had poor stretches (2003-4) seem like they had like seven losses in first nine games, but went on a tear after that 9just couldn't beat UMD that year...) I want to think things will turn, given all the talent. Just want to get past Bucky with 2 victories or I will have really tough time getting sober before the work week starts.
The whole Team seems to being a poorer job of back-checking and covering for each other. Not enough hustle resulting in not enough battles won. They also seem to have less puck possession, which is also a form of D. And on D, they lost two of the defensive specialists they had last year, and replaced them with freshman. (Don't know why Bischoff didn't play Sunday.)
As for coaching, those calling for Lucia to possibly be replaced if things (on GPL) don't improve have already jumped off the ledge and hit their heads. Not that coaches aren't part to blame, but who is going to replace him? Also, this theory that it Lucia is riding Guentzel's coattails is a bit extreme. The guy has done well with many assistant coaches at other places (look what he did at CC). And while I am sure Hill had a big part in the recent bad stretch, you can't think that Lucia's illness didn't also play a part. Things just aren't as black and white as some see it. This team is way under-performing, but still could turn it around. North Dakota has had several seasons that started this poorly then came on gangbusters. Some of the early Lucia Gopher teams had poor stretches (2003-4) seem like they had like seven losses in first nine games, but went on a tear after that 9just couldn't beat UMD that year...) I want to think things will turn, given all the talent. Just want to get past Bucky with 2 victories or I will have really tough time getting sober before the work week starts.
Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015
Agreed on coaching Koho. Although I am firmly in the camp that there have been a handful of missteps in coaching decisions this year (and what appears to be a number of issues with chemistry), it will take a couple of losing seasons plus losing out on a large number of key recruits in order to consider a change. Lucia and company is one of the best and smartest coaching teams in the country, the brand of hockey he employs (fast forward, puck control) is very entertaining/successful and there are huge costs and time involved in making a change in this regard.
Agreed on coaching Koho. Although I am firmly in the camp that there have been a handful of missteps in coaching decisions this year (and what appears to be a number of issues with chemistry), it will take a couple of losing seasons plus losing out on a large number of key recruits in order to consider a change. Lucia and company is one of the best and smartest coaching teams in the country, the brand of hockey he employs (fast forward, puck control) is very entertaining/successful and there are huge costs and time involved in making a change in this regard.
Slap Shot
I got nothing
Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015
Lineup changes are not the issue - Lucia has notoriously tinkered with lines since I can recall even this late into the season. Heart, effort and desire are the soup du jour right now.
Lineup changes are not the issue - Lucia has notoriously tinkered with lines since I can recall even this late into the season. Heart, effort and desire are the soup du jour right now.
Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015
Very insightful.
What percentage of coaches in the college or pros thinks that continually rotating lines is best for ongoing team performance?
Very insightful.
What percentage of coaches in the college or pros thinks that continually rotating lines is best for ongoing team performance?
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