Minnesota @ Wisconsin: Secondary Rivalry, Just As Much Hatred

[ExileOnDaytonStreet]

LOL it never fails...every time Minnesota loses to Wisconsin certain (not all) Gopher fans complain about style of play. Apparently teams that play the Gophers are supposed to let them skate right into the zone without pressure or it's considered boring hockey. God forbid a team try not to get scored upon. What's even more funny is that they don't recognize their own team using similar tactics at times.

Truth. Until Minnesota fell behind, they were trying to pressure Wisconsin into mistakes in the neutral zone. Heck, they were actually doing it quite well for the first period.

Some people just have stock complaints, I guess.

 

[Gurtholfin]

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

Gurt goes to all the games. Part of his plan to become a hockey historian.

I'm writing a book, ya know!

I only go to Friday games as we have 4 Friday tix and only two for Saturday. Got a family now. Will go back to the Saturday tix when we're empty nesters or the boys no longer want to be seen in public with their parents.

 

[ExileOnDaytonStreet]

As far as the trap and defense, like Chuck mentioned, are we supposed to play a style that benefits our opponent?

I remember this mentality (the inability to understand why people would ever do anything to go against Minnesota) from a lot of gopher fans (Vikings fans too) when I was growing up in the Twin Cities.

Of course, this was in junior high, so I think I can understand why they would have been so childish about it. Not sure what excuse a fully grown adult would have.

(this actually ties in very closely with the very annoying arguments on this thread from earlier in the week, but it's probably best not to get into that)

 

[Gurtholfin]

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

(this actually ties in very closely with the very annoying arguments on this thread from earlier in the week, but it's probably best not to get into that)

 

[D2D]

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

As far as the trap and defense, like Chuck mentioned, are we supposed to play a style that benefits our opponent? This is hardly the Devils of the 90s. If your team is struggling against what we are doing, THEY need to adjust.

I agree it's up to the Gophers to adjust. As I tried to say they played right into Wisconsin's hands and let them dictate the tempo (slow) and style (boring). The Gophers do need to adjust and reverse the tables on them. Except for their loss to Vermont I've seen every one of their games and last night was by far their worst effort of the season. They did show a little spark in the third period but most of the game they were flat and looked disinterested. My guess is that you'll see a different team tonight.

 

[HoosierBBall_GopherHockey]

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

Late to the party, but my God what a dump of a game last night by the Gophers. Wisconsin completely outplayed them. My hat is off to them. Not the birthday present I was hoping for. That said, I will accept a Gopher win tonight as a belated present. Get it done Minnesota.

 

[Happy]

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

I remember this mentality (the inability to understand why people would ever do anything to go against Minnesota) from a lot of gopher fans (Vikings fans too) when I was growing up in the Twin Cities.

Of course, this was in junior high, so I think I can understand why they would have been so childish about it. Not sure what excuse a fully grown adult would have.

(this actually ties in very closely with the very annoying arguments on this thread from earlier in the week, but it's probably best not to get into that)

Most intelligent people wouldn't pay good money to watch paint-dry hockey. You might as well be a soccer fan, at least they get to goon it up in the seats, and the women take off their shirts.

 

[Chuck Schwartz]

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

Most intelligent people wouldn't pay good money to watch paint-dry hockey. You might as well be a soccer fan, at least they get to goon it up in the seats, and the women take off their shirts.

Yep...Wisconsin's numerous odd man rushes last night were SO BORING. Ugh...just like watching grass grow.

 

[burd]

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

Most intelligent people wouldn't pay good money to watch paint-dry hockey. You might as well be a soccer fan, at least they get to goon it up in the seats, and the women take off their shirts.

Hey! Sounds like Sioux hockey!!

 

[The Rube]

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

I, for one, am not complaining about WI's style. I just find it funny when someone says WI plays the trap pretty much all the time, and BADger fans go into a tizzy about it, like their mother was called a whore or something. WI plays the trap. All. The. Time. That's fine, it's their style. No need to get defensive about it, or say "but but but OTHER teams play that style sometimes, when the situation warrants it, kinda, maybe, too!"

 

[state of hockey]

LOL it never fails...every time Minnesota loses to Wisconsin certain (not all) Gopher fans complain about style of play

I complain about the style win or lose. *Yawn*

 

[WisconsinWildcard]

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

Did anyone catch the attendance numbers from last night? I know the average has been down this year in Madison but I had hoped we would be close to full for these games. It looked kind of empty for a UW-UM on the TV.

 

[solovsfett]

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

attendance was 11,400 or thereabouts

re: the trap. whatever. that really hasn't been employed by Wisconsin over the last 4 years. if they worked it for stretches last night they must have seen something on film they could either neutralize or exploit in MN. so good for Eaves doing whatever it takes to win. and that's all that matters to me in the end, just get the W.

if this were roundball I'll take Bo Ryan's crew doing what it takes and winning w/60 points vs. the asshat Roy Williams run n' gun and lose scoring 82
.02

 

[JDUBBS1280]

LOL it never fails...every time Minnesota loses to Wisconsin certain (not all) Gopher fans complain about style of play. Apparently teams that play the Gophers are supposed to let them skate right into the zone without pressure or it's considered boring hockey. God forbid a team try not to get scored upon. What's even more funny is that they don't recognize their own team using similar tactics at times.

I agree. Can't fault a team for their style of play. If you don't like it, beat it and force them to change. If the Gophers had gotten a lead, Wisconsin would have been forced to open it up.

And everyone uses some variations of the trap. It may not be a 1-3-1 like Tampa uses in the NHL, but in certain situations, against certain opponents, everyone uses a variation.

I predicted, in this thread, that the Badgers would lean heavily on the trap, especially if they got the lead. Why wouldn't you? You're facing the #1 ranked offensive team, that is much deeper offensively than you, but is very young and inexperienced defensively. Of course your going to try and trap to slow down Minnesota's offense and put pressure on their young defensemen.

The Gophers need to make short, crisp passes, or dump and chase once they get past the red line. But that would require an energetic forecheck and the Gophers had virtually no energy until it was much too late.

You can't fault the Badgers. They executed their game plan to perfection and the Gophers looked like they were expecting to just show up and win.

It's a learning experience for a young Gophers team, and hopefully a reality check. You can't just show up and expect to win in the WCHA. Against anyone. Learn from it and bounce back tonight.

That is all.

 

[The Rube]

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

Oh, they trapped last night, or as Wooger put it, "they played a 'bubble' defense." And it IS a good style against MN. MN likes the long passes, likes to stretch the ice out. By employing the trap, you force a team to make much shorter, crisper passes, and like UND showed, MN doesn't always adjust well to that sort of game.

I expect the same sort of style tonight. I also hope MN adjusts and has a different gameplan than last night. As for my thoughts on the loss last night, and for the season? Well:

 

[Chuck Schwartz]

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

I, for one, am not complaining about WI's style. I just find it funny when someone says WI plays the trap pretty much all the time, and BADger fans go into a tizzy about it, like their mother was called a whore or something. WI plays the trap. All. The. Time. That's fine, it's their style. No need to get defensive about it, or say "but but but OTHER teams play that style sometimes, when the situation warrants it, kinda, maybe, too!"

Oh I'm not getting in a tizzy, I just find it funny because I saw the Gophers trap multiple times when Wisconsin was breaking out. It's just ironic to me.

 

[MinnesotaNorthStar]

I, for one, am not complaining about WI's style. I just find it funny when someone says WI plays the trap pretty much all the time, and BADger fans go into a tizzy about it, like their mother was called a whore or something. WI plays the trap. All. The. Time. That's fine, it's their style. No need to get defensive about it, or say "but but but OTHER teams play that style sometimes, when the situation warrants it, kinda, maybe, too!"

Of course YOU wouldn't. You're a Devil's fan. You like boring hockey. I'm surprised you're not a Cornell fan.

 

[JDUBBS1280]

Oh I'm not getting in a tizzy, I just find it funny because I saw the Gophers trap multiple times when Wisconsin was breaking out. It's just ironic to me.

Come on Chuck. The Gophers trap far less than the Badgers. I think you know what they mean.

I don't think Gopher fans should be complaining about the Badgers trapping because it worked and criticism sounds like sour grapes, but occasionally using a trap and frequently using a trap are two different things.

 

[Chuck Schwartz]

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

Come on Chuck. The Gophers trap far less than the Badgers. I think you know what they mean.

But it's such boring hockey. I can't believe you guys spend money to watch your team trap, it's like watching paint dry.

 

[JDUBBS1280]

But it's such boring hockey. I can't believe you guys spend money to watch your team trap, it's like watching paint dry.

I have no problem with it. I just think it's a poor argument to compare the Gophers use of the trap to the Badgers use of it.

I don't think you need to justify it. It worked.