HarleyMC
Registered User
Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: 2014-2015
Line chemistry is certainly critical for any team and coaching staff to determine line productivity. It's noteworthy that among the three major components of line chemistry– proper position, teammate familiarity, and line mix, two are strongly relational highlighting the importance of on and off ice relationships. I recall Marshall stating after a couple losses that they needed get back to playing together as a "family"...that's chemistry.
Ideally, when college players stay together longer, line chemistry tends to increase. Which why I think most Gopher fans envisioned another NC shot with most players returning. For example, "C. Reilly/sniper, Rau/playmaker, Fasching/two-way power forward" combo should have good line chemistry and productivity.
Considering the fact that the Golden Gophers are 35th in the nation in even strength goals no doubt indicates there's some remaining line chemistry issues to resolve on this team. But IMO that's only one factor among several as to why they've stumbled at this point in the season.
All coaches at all levels are going to change line combinations until the lines are productive. Some lines may put up numbers and then have an extended slump in scoring, prompting a change in line combos. I've seen Lucia changing lines every series into Feb. and I've also seen him set lines that were obviously very productive before the second half. It all depends on productivity.
Lucia seems to use a "paired" line strategy quite a bit this season for line combos. He'll place two players that have good chemistry on a line according to their skill level and development, and float a third player until the line produces (e.g. Rau/Fasching, Kloos/Cammarata, Boyd/Ambroz, Isackson/Lettieri).
Line chemistry is certainly critical for any team and coaching staff to determine line productivity. It's noteworthy that among the three major components of line chemistry– proper position, teammate familiarity, and line mix, two are strongly relational highlighting the importance of on and off ice relationships. I recall Marshall stating after a couple losses that they needed get back to playing together as a "family"...that's chemistry.
Ideally, when college players stay together longer, line chemistry tends to increase. Which why I think most Gopher fans envisioned another NC shot with most players returning. For example, "C. Reilly/sniper, Rau/playmaker, Fasching/two-way power forward" combo should have good line chemistry and productivity.
Considering the fact that the Golden Gophers are 35th in the nation in even strength goals no doubt indicates there's some remaining line chemistry issues to resolve on this team. But IMO that's only one factor among several as to why they've stumbled at this point in the season.
All coaches at all levels are going to change line combinations until the lines are productive. Some lines may put up numbers and then have an extended slump in scoring, prompting a change in line combos. I've seen Lucia changing lines every series into Feb. and I've also seen him set lines that were obviously very productive before the second half. It all depends on productivity.
Lucia seems to use a "paired" line strategy quite a bit this season for line combos. He'll place two players that have good chemistry on a line according to their skill level and development, and float a third player until the line produces (e.g. Rau/Fasching, Kloos/Cammarata, Boyd/Ambroz, Isackson/Lettieri).
