Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: Kangas Kool-Aid For All!

[Koho]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: Kangas Kool-Aid For All!

We need to pick up the pace & get this thead closed so we can have some Peterson Punch!

Great article about Apple Valley's Hudson Fasching in today's Strb, he is an amazing young man.

Good article. Almost enough to really put hockey in perspective relative to things like family, etc. (At least until they start playing again.)

 

[Driftryder]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: Kangas Kool-Aid For All!

We need to pick up the pace & get this thead closed so we can have some Peterson Punch!

Great article about Apple Valley's Hudson Fasching in today's Strb, he is an amazing young man.

That is a great article indeed.

Maybe Michaelson and Fasching will play for a few years together(Gophers) after HS as well.

 

[Koho]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: Kangas Kool-Aid For All!

We need to pick up the pace & get this thead closed so we can have some Peterson Punch!

OK, I'll bite. Anyone want to comment on individual players pre-season expectations and their grade at mid-point?

I'll give a couple thoughts on Bjugstad. Besides the difficulty in remembering how to spell his name, I didn't think he started the season blazing like I had hoped. Then he seemed to disappear for several weeks where we NEVER heard his name on the ice. However, in the last couple weeks, he seems to have picked up confidence dramatically. I remember one shift against Mankato where he knocked a guy off the puck, went hard to the net with a D hanging on him but looking about as effective as a flea on a dogs back. He put a shot on net from close in that the goalie deflected into the corner to a D. Bjugstad proceeded to separate the D from the puck with a punishing check and turned and went to the net for another shot. Since then, he has had a few shifts a game where he would take guys off the puck on the boards or drive hard to the net. I am hoping that he'll be one of the exceptions, where he returns from WJC with more confidence and has a big 2nd half. I am hoping his size will prevent the second half fade sometimes seen in guys coming straight out of HS.

 

[Driftryder]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: Kangas Kool-Aid For All!

I agree, it seems Bjugstad has really picked up his game in the last few weeks the way he can keep guys off the puck reminds me of Hoeffel. I also like the play of Condon he can really move up and down the ice with speed and often beats guys to the puck when forechecking. I sure hope some of our freshmen stick around for awhile they could be a really good class with Haula and Alt mixed in as well.

 

[state of hockey]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: Kangas Kool-Aid For All!

OK, I'll bite. Anyone want to comment on individual players pre-season expectations and their grade at mid-point?

I'll give a couple thoughts on Bjugstad. Besides the difficulty in remembering how to spell his name, I didn't think he started the season blazing like I had hoped. Then he seemed to disappear for several weeks where we NEVER heard his name on the ice. However, in the last couple weeks, he seems to have picked up confidence dramatically. I remember one shift against Mankato where he knocked a guy off the puck, went hard to the net with a D hanging on him but looking about as effective as a flea on a dogs back. He put a shot on net from close in that the goalie deflected into the corner to a D. Bjugstad proceeded to separate the D from the puck with a punishing check and turned and went to the net for another shot. Since then, he has had a few shifts a game where he would take guys off the puck on the boards or drive hard to the net. I am hoping that he'll be one of the exceptions, where he returns from WJC with more confidence and has a big 2nd half. I am hoping his size will prevent the second half fade sometimes seen in guys coming straight out of HS.

I'm sure mono helped his disappearing for a bit along. I agree, he is playing like the monster he is more and more often.

The freshman I have been the most surprised by is Condon. I knew Haula would make an impact somehow, so he hasn't surprised me to the same extent. But Condon has a great point shot that lends itself to deflections very well. Alt of course just has a howitzer, which is nothing to sneeze at, but I think the forwards just try to get out of the way with those.

 

[Koho]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: Kangas Kool-Aid For All!

I'm sure mono helped his disappearing for a bit along. I agree, he is playing like the monster he is more and more often.

The freshman I have been the most surprised by is Condon. I knew Haula would make an impact somehow, so he hasn't surprised me to the same extent. But Condon has a great point shot that lends itself to deflections very well. Alt of course just has a howitzer, which is nothing to sneeze at, but I think the forwards just try to get out of the way with those.

Yeah I know he ws relying on that "mono excuse".

Condon did impress me from the beginning, given that he didn't get the build-up of some of the rest of the players. As he hopefully becomes more consistent and more confidnet, he could be very fun to watch given his speed and grit.

Alt seems to be playing better too, especially offensively. He had a few major freshman moments in some of the early series, as is typical for freshman D and as has his other D classmates. I do expect him to continue to increase as an offensive threat.

I just hope the Gophs can continue to minimize the D lapses (too many guys chasing the puck into the corner or failiing to pick up the guy on the backside) as the season progresses. It is those lapses and stretches of lacidaisical play that has been their downfall. (Only one game this year do I feel they got robbed by a hot goalie.) Of course, when the team is fired up, hitting people and racing to pucks like they believe in themselves, there tend to be less D lapses and passes are sharper. after all, the schedule doesn;t get any easier from here on out.

 

[Koho]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: Kangas Kool-Aid For All!

Holl also appears to be gaining in confidence in his offensive game, at least.

Did I miss anything on Fairchild? Do we know the injury or timeframe? I know there are a lot who don't think much of him, but I'll take his experience over the potential of the freshman D. (Although he does need to learn how to miss a defender when firing from the point on a PP.)

 

[Koho]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: Kangas Kool-Aid For All!

We need to pick up the pace & get this thead closed so we can have some Peterson Punch!

For someone who wanted the pace picked up, you don't seem to be contributing too much to my attempts. Too fast for someone of your maturity?

 

[state of hockey]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: Kangas Kool-Aid For All!

Holl also appears to be gaining in confidence in his offensive game, at least.

Did I miss anything on Fairchild? Do we know the injury or timeframe? I know there are a lot who don't think much of him, but I'll take his experience over the potential of the freshman D. (Although he does need to learn how to miss a defender when firing from the point on a PP.)

I haven't heard anything on Fairchild either. I have liked Parenteau, though. He doesn't look like a freshman defenseman to me often.

 

[Greyeagle]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: Kangas Kool-Aid For All!

For someone who wanted the pace picked up, you don't seem to be contributing too much to my attempts. Too fast for someone of your maturity?

LOL

I thought I read on GPL that Fairchild has a shoulder issue? Can't remember for sure.....given my advanced age and all.

Agreed on Condon and I would add I really like the energy Serratore brings to the ice.

 

[Koho]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: Kangas Kool-Aid For All!

I haven't heard anything on Fairchild either. I have liked Parenteau, though. He doesn't look like a freshman defenseman to me often.

I can't remember spcifics, but I do remember his first series he looked solid. Then he had one where there were a few freshman mistakes (did he play in CC?). He looked good on Sunday again. I think having a couple extra D who aren't scary will allow Lucia to rest a freshman for a game here and there, which should stave off some of the late season fade for the true freshmen.

And when talking about freshman D, it isn't just a missed cover or a bad turn-over on a poor choice for a pass, it is also how well they do in the corners. When there have been 2 freshmen D out, it can get tough to clear if the forwards aren't helping out fully. That is something that always seems to improve with experience, even if other aspects don't. Learning the little things to win the battles on the boards. For example, I always defended Fischer as being better than a lot gave him credit for last year. While he made some obvious mistakes on passes or holding on too long, he rarely lost the puck along the boards and regularily was able to get a take away in the corner. This goes a long ways towards taking away chances for the other team. There are a lot of times where the Goph freshman D have gone into the corner with an older player from the opposition, and the older player came away with the puck. This is an area I really hope to see continued improvement yet this year (although I realize this is only partly due to skill, and also due to strength).

 

[Koho]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: Kangas Kool-Aid For All!

LOL

I thought I read on GPL that Fairchild has a shoulder issue? Can't remember for sure.....given my advanced age and all.

Agreed on Condon and I would add I really like the energy Serratore brings to the ice.

I had speculated on here it was a dislocation and Harley added a more thourough medical description of a similar speculation, but don't remember seeing anything official. Haven't looked on GPL lately.

(Glad to see I didn't catch you during one of your frequent naps!)

 

[Slap Shot]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: Kangas Kool-Aid For All!

This F class seems to be doing better across the board as time goes by, moreso than many others of recent memory. Whether or not it bodes well enough for the rest of the season remains to be seen, but imho we haven't seen the wicked lows nor wicked highs of the F progression that cause too many fans to jerk their knees in reaction. If they can maintain their steady play, if the team can find a way to improve the overall team D play and figure out the PK and PP the entire team may feel confident enough to give a full on effort the rest of the way. I know I get tired of watching a PP that refuses to do anything other than pass along the outside while no one cyles to get open and imho it's a significant reason why the PP has been stagnant. We may not have seen the full on improvement so many of us desired to date, there remain reasons for optimism despite the long road ahead.

 

[Gophernation]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: Kangas Kool-Aid For All!

The Gophs will come around in the second half, Cant wait til I get to go to Gay Forks and watch the gophers sweep the SUE!!!!

 

[4four4]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: Kangas Kool-Aid For All!

Look for Casey Hankinson to do color for the UND series.

 

[Bakunin]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: Kangas Kool-Aid For All!

I agree, it seems Bjugstad has really picked up his game in the last few weeks the way he can keep guys off the puck reminds me of Hoeffel.

If he plays with the edge I saw in the Mankato series, he could become MN's most effective forward outside the usual suspects (Cepis, Barriball, Hoeffel). This team has needed a bruising forward that can separate guys from the puck and drive to the net. He fits that bill.

 

[state of hockey]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: Kangas Kool-Aid For All!

If he plays with the edge I saw in the Mankato series, he could become MN's most effective forward outside the usual suspects (Cepis, Barriball, Hoeffel). This team has needed a bruising forward that can separate guys from the puck and drive to the net. He fits that bill.

What is unfortunate is that Budish started to fit that bill as well. I hope he heals well.

 

[HarleyMC]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: Kangas Kool-Aid For All!

Nick Bjugstad has certainly shown more prowess lately, but he's been a non factor as a scoring threat so far with 2Gs in 13G. By way of comparison, Ryan Stoa, similar is size to Bjugstad, was also 18 years old in his freshman year with the Gophers and finished with 3 pts. for the first half of the 2005-06 season. He went on to finish 10-15-25. He had a slightly more talented supporting cast though too (Ryan Potulny).

 

[wasmania]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: Kangas Kool-Aid For All!

The Gophs will come around in the second half, Cant wait til I get to go to Gay Forks and watch the gophers sweep the SUE!!!!

Good to see the new gopher fan acquisition strategy is paying off.

 

[HarleyMC]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Season Thread: Kangas Kool-Aid For All!

I noticed CC beat UNO last night. They're certainly a different team now than the team the Gophers swept earlier this season. They've won 8/10 games (46 GF!!, 22 GA) recently and have been quietly climbing up the standings. That leaves the Gophers tied for 6th with Wisconsin at .500 to close the first half. Unfortunately Wisconsin's second half SOS is not as tough as the Gophers. CC has the toughest SOS but IF they continue playing well that might not be a factor. Granted anything can happen in WCHA play, but all things considered the Gophers bid for home ice just got statistically a little more challenging. The Gophers are going to need some big wins against top teams or they're on the road for sure.