Re: Minnesota vs Jan Brady State (home and home) Nov 18th-19th
No no, THIS is priceless.
Not to derail this from the quality hockey talk already taking place but honest question, do the gophers plan on Patterson playing every minute of the year? He's obviously playing at a high level right now but has Lucia talked about getting their backup any playing time? Would be difficult to justify sitting Patterson at this point but just curious. From what I've seen Haula and Rau have been impressive, how about some other "players to watch for" this weekend?
Have not read anywhere about Lucia saying he is going to play anyone other than Patterson. I think the Gophers are going to go with Patty until he breaks down, which I pray does not happen come March. As for other players to watch for, Bjugstad, Nate Schmidt, and Ben Marshall come to mind.
Our PP has definitely tailed off the past couple of series, but Schmidt is (maybe was now) the second leading 'D' scorer in the WCHA after Schultz of Wisconsin, mainly because of his great quarterbacking of the PP. I feel completely comfortable when Nate Schmidt is breaking our team out of our own zone as well. I have no idea how this kid did not play more last year.
Bjugstad is a beast. It looks like he is gliding half the time and yet he still gets by opposing 'D' men with ease. I think he needs to use his body more than he already is, but he is one hell of a player. I hope he stays another year, but I do not see it happening.
I have been down on Ben Marshall for most of the year because of his unwillingness to take the body in our 'D' zone, but when he is taking the puck up the ice, there is no one better on our team. The kid can flat out make plays. He is already better than Aaron Ness, which I realize is not saying much, but it makes Ness not missed nearly as much.
I am sure someone with a better hockey mind can give you more "in-depth" information than I can. Who should the Gophers look out for on SCSU's roster?
Edit: Looks like about 60 people beat me to your question.
