Minnesota @ Wisconsin: Secondary Rivalry, Just As Much Hatred

[JDUBBS1280]

Now maybe you know how I feel reading through these threads about crap that I don't want to read instead of talking about the series at hand....

All I ask is that you just move the argument back on track instead of just making comments about it. I apologize if it annoys you that we were off topic, but we weren't doing it intentionally to upset people (at least I wasn't). The discussion just gravitated there. Always does when the 7>5 and 6>5 discussion pops up.

 

[JDUBBS1280]

JDubbs, that's enough, man. Give it a rest.

Is it not a valid question? They are a young team, but there are plenty of young teams in college hockey right now.

 

[mariucci]

Re: Minnesota @ Wisconsin: Secondary Rivalry, Just As Much Hatred

Secondary rivalry my ***.

It gets nasty eh

And to think this rivalry has room to grow!! Imagine the looming Big 10 days ahead!!

 

[gopher wes]

Re: Minnesota @ Wisconsin: Secondary Rivalry, Just As Much Hatred

All I ask is that you just move the argument back on track instead of just making comments about it. I apologize if it annoys you that we were off topic, but we weren't doing it intentionally to upset people (at least I wasn't). The discussion just gravitated there. Always does when the 7>5 and 6>5 discussion pops up.

Dude, you know I appreciate your insight and we are usually in agreement about most things Gopher Hockey and its cool that you are so passionate about the history of hockey in Minnesota, but it seems like it gets injected into every thread. I made two comments about wanting to get back on track(they were kind of snotty, yes, but I did just the same) and you guys continued. Maybe you need to learn to tune out the idiots because they will never give up.

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: Minnesota @ Wisconsin: Secondary Rivalry, Just As Much Hatred

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe you have 21 underclassmen and we have 19. When does youth and inexperience stop being an excuse?

Your season isn't complete yet. Let's see where you are in 20 games before you crow too much, eh?

 

[firstpusk]

Re: Minnesota @ Wisconsin: Secondary Rivalry, Just As Much Hatred

Secondary rivalry my ***.

On that single point, you are correct, sir.

 

[McMac]

Re: Minnesota @ Wisconsin: Secondary Rivalry, Just As Much Hatred

Is it not a valid question? They are a young team, but there are plenty of young teams in college hockey right now.

He wasn't making excuses, he's merely pointing out what we all know about young teams, including ours. They are prone to mistakes. Our younger guys seem to have taken hold of college play quicker is all.

These hockey rivalries go much better when you're at least respectful to some degree.

 

[milzie]

Re: Minnesota @ Wisconsin: Secondary Rivalry, Just As Much Hatred

Is it not a valid question? They are a young team, but there are plenty of young teams in college hockey right now.

The gophs have experience where it matters the most...between the pipes. UW lost Murray, Gardiner and Craig Smith to the pros. If they could have kept 2 out of those 3 players, I don't think you'd hear any talk about youth.

 

[JDUBBS1280]

Dude, you know I appreciate your insight and we are usually in agreement about most things Gopher Hockey and its cool that you are so passionate about the history of hockey in Minnesota, but it seems like it gets injected into every thread. I made two comments about wanting to get back on track(they were kind of snotty, yes, but I did just the same) and you guys continued. Maybe you need to learn to tone out the idiots because they will never give up.

Point taken. I apologize for snapping at you. Seriously though, I never start out with intentions of going there. Just happens. I'll work on it

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: Minnesota @ Wisconsin: Secondary Rivalry, Just As Much Hatred

Rebounds are going to be huge for Rumpel. Our guys have been very good around the net (especially Rau).

Two young teams will be interesting to watch.

And to be honest, we haven't seemed all that strong around our own net. Clearing out etc...

 

[McMac]

Re: Minnesota @ Wisconsin: Secondary Rivalry, Just As Much Hatred

And to be honest, we haven't seemed all that strong around our own net. Clearing out etc...

This pleases me...

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: Minnesota @ Wisconsin: Secondary Rivalry, Just As Much Hatred

The gophs have experience where it matters the most...between the pipes. UW lost Murray, Gardiner and Craig Smith to the pros. If they could have kept 2 out of those 3 players, I don't think you'd hear any talk about youth.

You are correct. Other than in net which we knew was gonna be a concern even before the defections.

Obviously you know about defections just as much as us.

 

[gopher wes]

Re: Minnesota @ Wisconsin: Secondary Rivalry, Just As Much Hatred

Your season isn't complete yet. Let's see where you are in 20 games before you crow too much, eh?

Trust me, I don't think Gopher fans are getting ahead of themselves. Most Gopher fans didn't want to be #1....yet. But seriously, I am keeping this team on a week to week basis. Are they "back"? I don't know. Some people sure seem to think so, but I'm not going to get ahead of myself. Sweeping sue was awesome, but that doesn't guarantee they will sweep becky too. This team will have a letdown(s) at some point. I just hope it isn't like the collapse they had a few years ago after attaining the #1 ranking early in the season and eventually ending up missing the tournament.

 

[JDUBBS1280]

The gophs have experience where it matters the most...between the pipes. UW lost Murray, Gardiner and Craig Smith to the pros. If they could have kept 2 out of those 3 players, I don't think you'd hear any talk about youth.

That is a good point. However, at defense they have no seniors and only one Junior. Especially early this season, that is where they struggled most (breaking the puck out, giving up their blue line too easily, and turning the puck over in the face of a strong forecheck).

Since giving up 50 shots in each game in Duluth, I believe they have held opponents to under 30 shots in each game since. Their defensemen are working better together to get the puck out and up the ice, and we haven't seen nearly as many turnovers.

Point is, we've seen improvement. Have the Badgers seen improvement in their areas of concern early?

 

[firstpusk]

Re: Minnesota @ Wisconsin: Secondary Rivalry, Just As Much Hatred

And to be honest, we haven't seemed all that strong around our own net. Clearing out etc...

From what I've seen so far this year, I like you defense. I bet your guys are thankful that MSUM is in the league.

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: Minnesota @ Wisconsin: Secondary Rivalry, Just As Much Hatred

Trust me, I don't think Gopher fans are getting ahead of themselves. Most Gopher fans didn't want to be #1....yet. But seriously, I am keeping this team on a week to week basis. Are they "back"? I don't know. Some people sure seem to think so, but I'm not going to get ahead of myself. Sweeping sue was awesome, but that doesn't guarantee they will sweep becky too. This team will have a letdown(s) at some point. I just hope it isn't like the collapse they had a few years ago after attaining the #1 ranking early in the season and eventually ending up missing the tournament.

That's my point and I don't use the youth of our team as an excuse, just a fact.

We'll see how it goes as the season unfolds.

Thanks for the "idiot" blast!

 

[mariucci]

Re: Minnesota @ Wisconsin: Secondary Rivalry, Just As Much Hatred

Trust me, I don't think Gopher fans are getting ahead of themselves. Most Gopher fans didn't want to be #1....yet. But seriously, I am keeping this team on a week to week basis. Are they "back"? I don't know. Some people sure seem to think so, but I'm not going to get ahead of myself. Sweeping sue was awesome, but that doesn't guarantee they will sweep becky too. This team will have a letdown(s) at some point. I just hope it isn't like the collapse they had a few years ago after attaining the #1 ranking early in the season and eventually ending up missing the tournament.

Well spoken,

I think they're "back" in regards to being competitive, now and in the future (so long as Guentzel sticks around).. Being #1 is "cute" for the time being, I think BC, MI, UMD, UND, UW etc could all have something to say about that cutesie #1 ranking... Just like mentioned many times, its a young team and its a young season. I never saw a dismanteling of a solid team to convince me of that cute #1 ranking... Loving the return thus far tho.

 

[JDUBBS1280]

Re: Minnesota @ Wisconsin: Secondary Rivalry, Just As Much Hatred

I fear the letdown this weekend as well. That's where strong leadership on and off the ice comes into play. Hoping for a sweep, but expecting a split. This is a rivalry series, so you know the intensity level is going to be up.

 

[Tiggsy]

Re: Minnesota @ Wisconsin: Secondary Rivalry, Just As Much Hatred

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe you have 21 underclassmen and we have 19. When does youth and inexperience stop being an excuse?

It stops being an excuse once your team is ranked in the top 10, so the badgers will get to continue to use this for many years to come.

I've heard lots of talk about splits, but the only way I see that happening is if the Gophers hand it to them or collapse. If Patterson stays sharp and d lapses are few, I have no clue how bucky could do well in these games. The only problem I see is the Gophers have already made some average goalies look pretty good. That could be the only issue but once the offense solves that, it will be smooth sailing.

 

[JDUBBS1280]

It stops being an excuse once your team is ranked in the top 10, so the badgers will get to continue to use this for many years to come.

I've heard lots of talk about splits, but the only way I see that happening is if the Gophers hand it to them or collapse. If Patterson stays sharp and d lapses are few, I have no clue how bucky could do well in these games. The only problem I see is the Gophers have already made some average goalies look pretty good. That could be the only issue but once the offense solves that, it will be smooth sailing.

Big difference between this Gophers team and recent teams is they have shown the ability to score dirty as well as pretty. I think Anchorage's announcers summed their play up best when they said that they haven't seen a Gopher team this "tenacious" and "relentless" recently.