Minnesota hosts Boston College, 10/25 & 10/27

[mnstate0fhockey]

I was watching the game where several (what should have been) 50/50 pucks at the top of your circles ended up in excellent scoring chances for BC because your D were not quick enough to transition back and 1) keep the BC forward from the puck or 2) from taking the puck to the net (instead of forcing them to the corner) when they did get it.

Don't know how anyone could say with a straight face that BC's quickness wasn't a real issue or that Minnesota wanted to play that way - meaning so wide open that the chances were what they were.


Try to be a little objective Dubbie.

If you want to think our defensive corps is/looked slow, that's up to you. I don't know if you will find anyone else who will agree with that. This Gopher squad absolutely has it's areas where it needs to improve, but that unequivocally isn't one of them.

I think both teams needed to adjust to the team speed of the other squad. Both teams had a plethora of turnovers early.

But whatever makes you feel better after the beat down you got is fine by me.

 

[J.D.]

Re: Minnesota hosts Boston College, 10/25 & 10/27

Gurt, to me, part of what you saw is because both of these teams are confident in their own ability to play at such a frantic pace. Let me ask you, do you think there are many teams out there that would be comfortable playing that type of pace against either one of these teams? That's why I think you're making too much of the flaws you saw in this specific matchup.

 

[burd]

Re: Minnesota hosts Boston College, 10/25 & 10/27

Gurt, to me, part of what you saw is because both of these teams are confident in their own ability to play at such a frantic pace. Let me ask you, do you think there are many teams out there that would be comfortable playing that type of pace against either one of these teams? That's why I think you're making too much of the flaws you saw in this specific matchup.

UND might, but they would get beat by both these teams at this point, whichever strategy they take.

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: Minnesota hosts Boston College, 10/25 & 10/27

Gurt, to me, part of what you saw is because both of these teams are confident in their own ability to play at such a frantic pace. Let me ask you, do you think there are many teams out there that would be comfortable playing that type of pace against either one of these teams? That's why I think you're making too much of the flaws you saw in this specific matchup.

I think it's more of a philosophical thing. Most teams don't want to give up the offensive chances that it would require to play that style. Clearly BC is comfortable playing that way and has been. Who else could/would? Maybe Nodak? I don't know. Haven't seen a lot of other teams yet.

Again though, most coaches don't want to do that, whether or not they could.

I'll bet Dubbie here a bottle of Peach schnapps that the Gophers didn't want to give up those chances on 50/50 pucks in their own zone though and that they're going over film of it today with their players.

If BC doesn't tire out last night, I wonder how it ends. They definitely didn't have the same jump in their step by the 3rd that they did at the beginning. It's hard to maintain that on a big surface as the boards and corners are 10-15 feet further away than what you're used to and that will wear you out after a while.


I'm not talking about the end to end play and haven't been. I'm talking about the defensive lapses and watching the game objectively, I saw a ton. Some due to missed assignments and some due to simply getting beat by someone who's quicker.


And the only thing I'm saying about the Badgers is that we're probably not as bad as I feared after last weekend's massacre. Seeing last night's game on TV made me understand how it could have happened and what adjustments would need to be made to have a chance should we meet BC again. I'm an optimist, so shoot me.


PS - Gophers, what the heck has gotten into your football team?

 

[J.D.]

Re: Minnesota hosts Boston College, 10/25 & 10/27

I would say the same thing for BC/York in regard to watching film. They'll definitely point out the flaws and work on them. My real concern will come if the same flaws you saw show up against lesser competition. It's easier to make mistakes/miss assignments when things are moving at such a crazy pace and against an extremely talented team. I don't think you'll see the same mistakes going forward. Keep in mind, BC is the youngest team in the country. Taking that into consideration, I expect mistakes to be made.

 

[The Rube]

Re: Minnesota hosts Boston College, 10/25 & 10/27

I would say the same thing for BC/York in regard to watching film. They'll definitely point out the flaws and work on them. My real concern will come if the same flaws you saw show up against lesser competition. It's easier to make mistakes/miss assignments when things are moving at such a crazy pace and against an extremely talented team. I don't think you'll see the same mistakes going forward. Keep in mind, BC is the youngest team in the country. Taking that into consideration, I expect mistakes to be made.

And MN is the 3rd youngest. IIRC, BC is 20yrs 80~ days, and MN is 20yrs 300~ days.

 

[SanTropez]

Re: Minnesota hosts Boston College, 10/25 & 10/27

I'll bet Dubbie here a bottle of Peach schnapps that the Gophers didn't want to give up those chances on 50/50 pucks in their own zone though and that they're going over film of it today with their players.

paint thinner running low Gurt?

 

[mnstate0fhockey]

Re: Minnesota hosts Boston College, 10/25 & 10/27

You'll get no disagreement from me that the Gophers didn't want to give up odd-man rushes. I doubt BC wanted to give up the ones the Gophers had either. What I do vehemently disagree with you is that the speed of our defenders was the issue.

This whole "BC was too fast until they got tired at the end" thing is laughable. Minnesota played with 5 defenders the second half of the game. You don't think they were tired too?

Minnesota and BC both gave up more odd man rushes and breaks than they were probably comfortable with, but it wasn't because either team's defenders couldn't skate with the other team's forwards. Both teams played far too loosely offensively to start the game, which resulted in defenders getting caught in deep and out of position.

Both teams made adjustments in the second period and those breaks became far less frequent, though the pace of the game remained enjoyably quick.

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: Minnesota hosts Boston College, 10/25 & 10/27

You'll get no disagreement from me that the Gophers didn't want to give up odd-man rushes. I doubt BC wanted to give up the ones the Gophers had either. What I do vehemently disagree with you is that the speed of our defenders was the issue.

This whole "BC was too fast until they got tired at the end" thing is laughable. Minnesota played with 5 defenders the second half of the game. You don't think they were tired too?

Minnesota and BC both gave up more odd man rushes and breaks than they were probably comfortable with, but it wasn't because either team's defenders couldn't skate with the other team's forwards. Both teams played far too loosely offensively to start the game, which resulted in defenders getting caught in deep and out of position.

Both teams made adjustments in the second period and those breaks became far less frequent, though the pace of the game remained enjoyably quick.

Not speed of your defenders Dubbie, quickness. There's a difference.

And I'm not talking about your defenders getting caught in the offensive zone. They were beat in their own zone numerous times by the BC players who appeared to beat them because they were quicker.

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: Minnesota hosts Boston College, 10/25 & 10/27

paint thinner running low Gurt?

Dubbie likes schnapps. Just trying to be the nice guy.

 

[mnstate0fhockey]

Not speed of your defenders Dubbie, quickness. There's a difference.

And I'm not talking about your defenders getting caught in the offensive zone. They were beat in their own zone numerous times by the BC players who appeared to beat them because they were quicker.

I know what you meant, you've explained it numerous times now. I just whole-heartedly disagree. You're whole "BC looked quicker until they got tired at the end" position is baffling to me. Minnesota was skating 5 defenders for the majority of the game, yet the only reason Minnesota carried play at the end is because BC was the tired team ???

I don't care if you're talking about straight-line speed, quickness, etc..., Brady Skjei, Mike Reilly, Ben Marshall, etc... are some of the best skating defenders in college hockey. Skjei had arguably his best game as a Gopher last night.

You're entitled to your opinions, I just couldn't disagree more.

 

[mnstate0fhockey]

Re: Minnesota hosts Boston College, 10/25 & 10/27

Now, if you want to talk about the quickness of decision making, you might have a point. But the whole angle of Minnesota only carrying the play because BC got tired is pure crap.

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: Minnesota hosts Boston College, 10/25 & 10/27

Now, if you want to talk about the quickness of decision making, you might have a point. But the whole angle of Minnesota only carrying the play because BC got tired is pure crap.

Which I never actually said. I believe it contributed, but the Gophers are good enough that at points, they'll impose their will just like BC did. Momentum will swing, especially with two top end teams playing each other. Just didn't seem like BC had the energy to grab it back in the 3rd and the Gophers looked great.

What saved your butts though was the play of Wilcox when BC was buzzing for an extended period. Game coulda easily been 4-2 or 5-2.


I've missed you Dubbie. Must be hard to carry this other persona when you know you want to be that other guy at times.

How's "Milwaukee?"


Okay, how's this...

I'm gonna move on now.

 

[MinnesotaNorthStar]

Re: Minnesota hosts Boston College, 10/25 & 10/27

I thought it was sloppy play defensively, and great play offensively for the first half of the first period. That's why there were 5 goals scored. BC was completely gassed in the 3rd. The Gopher forwards took full advantage of being seemingly better conditioned and maintained puck possession in the offensive zone for large stretches. When BC could break the puck out, they didn't have anymore energy to do anything other than dump it in and change. I have no doubt the 5 MN D were tired, but they didn't look as tired as BC, most likely due to their conditioning.

 

[The Rube]

Re: Minnesota hosts Boston College, 10/25 & 10/27

I thought it was sloppy play defensively, and great play offensively for the first half of the first period. That's why there were 5 goals scored. BC was completely gassed in the 3rd. The Gopher forwards took full advantage of being seemingly better conditioned and maintained puck possession in the offensive zone for large stretches. When BC could break the puck out, they didn't have anymore energy to do anything other than dump it in and change. I have no doubt the 5 MN D were tired, but they didn't look as tired as BC, most likely due to their conditioning.

This. Although in OT, BC looked to be a little recharged.

 

[Hammy]

Re: Minnesota hosts Boston College, 10/25 & 10/27

Fair enough. You have a very valid point there. I still don't think Boyd is second line material. There is far more that goes into playing the position than just face-offs and shots taken.

That's the funny thing to me. The coaches put guys where they did because they know who brings what to the table better than anybody else. Obviously you want guys to do well in all facets but the reality is the key factor for a player in a top 6 forward role is how much offense do you create for yourself and your linemates. You put your dynamic playmakers in those spots. I mean, duh... that's how every coach puts together his team.

Kloos is by far a more dangerous player with the puck and he creates a tremendous amount of space based on his speed and elusiveness. Something Boyd really doesn't do. Kloos might make some mistakes based on inexperience but the reality is a coaching staff is trying to build something over the course of the season. You live with the occasional mistakes because the goal is to develop for later (which is what we saw when they stuck with Skjei so much last year). Boyd is a lunch pail guy with some decent skills. Unless there are injuries, he's exactly where he belongs on the line chart.

 

[mnstate0fhockey]

That's the funny thing to me. The coaches put guys where they did because they know who brings what to the table better than anybody else. Obviously you want guys to do well in all facets but the reality is the key factor for a player in a top 6 forward role is how much offense do you create for yourself and your linemates. You put your dynamic playmakers in those spots. I mean, duh... that's how every coach puts together his team.

Kloos is by far a more dangerous player with the puck and he creates a tremendous amount of space based on his speed and elusiveness. Something Boyd really doesn't do. Kloos might make some mistakes based on inexperience but the reality is a coaching staff is trying to build something over the course of the season. You live with the occasional mistakes because the goal is to develop for later (which is what we saw when they stuck with Skjei so much last year). Boyd is a lunch pail guy with some decent skills. Unless there are injuries, he's exactly where he belongs on the line chart.

Well said.

 

[poisondart]

Re: Minnesota hosts Boston College, 10/25 & 10/27

Kind of a rush to judgement on Kloos isn't it?

I'll be the first to agree he needs to be better in the circle but my gosh....5 games into his college career and he's 8th in the nation in scoring and hasn't been on the ice for an opponents goal. Last night he set up the tying goal and drew the penalty that resulted in the gophers second. If Hayes doesn't trip him the gophers are out 3 on 1. As for cute drop passes, I remember 1 from last night and while it looked pretty feeble did you happen to notice where his winger chose to go as Kloos cut across the zone from left to right? He headed for the boards back and to the right of the dot. If he goes to the net like he is suppose to the puck is laying right there for him. Remember its not like he and Condon have played together for years. Maybe they move him maybe they don't but I felt Kloos was a little tight in the first and played well the rest of the way.

 

[Slap Shot]

Re: Minnesota hosts Boston College, 10/25 & 10/27

Gurt, I find it curious you reference the UW pasting by BC to make the argument UM won't want to play that style very often. The season is not completed nor competed in one 60 minute session. Also their opponent won't have the horses to match far more often than not, the D settled in for much of that game, but also they showed they could play sound defensively the four games prior. And while it's true BC missed some chances, you're ignoring that the Gophers also left plenty of scoring opportunities on the ice including a post, a crossbar, a Cammarmata breakaway, the D save of the game and the Warning shot over the net at the end. Pretty disingenuous to say the score could have gone south for them given that, but also to argue Wilcox saved the Gophers despite BC being outshot. Perhaps you're trying to get a rise of of msoh and I should drop out, because you're smarter than your argument.

 

[mnstate0fhockey]

I thought it was sloppy play defensively, and great play offensively for the first half of the first period. That's why there were 5 goals scored. BC was completely gassed in the 3rd. The Gopher forwards took full advantage of being seemingly better conditioned and maintained puck possession in the offensive zone for large stretches. When BC could break the puck out, they didn't have anymore energy to do anything other than dump it in and change. I have no doubt the 5 MN D were tired, but they didn't look as tired as BC, most likely due to their conditioning.

Could be. I think Minnesota stepped up the physicality in the 3rd period and really started establishing their fore check. Any team, regardless of how well conditioned they are, won't be able to do more than dump the puck after breaking out after they've spent 1-2 straight minutes chasing in their defensive zone. It's just as easy to argue that BC looked tired in the 3rd because Minnesota's forecheck wore them down.

I'm guessing it was a bit of both. Either way, if you ask either team after that game I'm sure they'd say it was a pretty evenly played, hard fought game.