Minnesota @ Wisconsin: Secondary Rivalry, Just As Much Hatred

[Gurtholfin]

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

Who else? The fighting Canuck fanbase? Its the only 2 fanbases that would.

When the Gophs remove that banner from the rafters we'll talk the Gophs only have 5 until then its simply a fantasy for you Badger folk.. Or just a matter of an inability to count to 6.

Believe whatever it is that you need to to get through the day.

 

[JDUBBS1280]

I've been a Packer fan for at least 32 of my 42 years and NEVER have I encountered a Packer fan who talks about the Packer titles of the 30s and 60s as anything other than something that happened a LONG time ago. The 60s may still have some relevance as many of the now legendary players of the NFL played in that era, but even my dad just sees those as happy memories.

Maybe you're thinking of Cub fans who talk about 1908?

See, the thing is that we can just take the Super Bowl era along with our 25 years of crappiness that was in there and still have a great legacy. Remember...


4 > 0

Sorry. Hockey was played before 1948, and we're proud of that history and tradition (something your program values little because you have little of it). Excuse me if I count championship won just 8 years prior to the NCAA and including opponents we still see on the schedule today.

Maybe you guys shouldn't have dropped your program for 30 years.

 

[JDUBBS1280]

Believe whatever it is that you need to to get through the day.

Being a Minnesota hockey fan is all I need to get myself through the day

 

[mariucci]

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

So why is it the the U hasn't made better use of this hotbed and their position as the destination.

Are you debating the fact that Minnesota has produced the most D1, pro and NHL players by a landslide? (big difference between pro and NHL players in this particular discussion)..

To answer your question you'd have to pay attention to the history of the sport. There are many many years they should have. A great example would be 1980 when Herbie left the program to coach the 1980' US Olympics after winning 3 national titles, bringing with him 4 Gophers to play in said Olympics. The Woog era is identical to the Current Sioux era in which they fielded many of the best teams of that era only to fall short in the final game.

Back on topic and before this gets out of hand. The Badgers have a good program and imo getting better with the in state recruiting. Which btw "Badger" Bob Johnson (Minnesotan) did your program no favors by jumping on the CJ's like a beotch in heat..

 

[ExileOnDaytonStreet]

It's an argument that will never die in all sports - would you rather have a team that wins more national titles but is less competitive during the title droughts, or would you rather have slightly fewer national titles and a team that is in the national tournament far more often than not with a chance to win the whole thing?

Personally, I'm glad my team is often really good, even if it does come up just short at the end a few more times than most.

I'm also glad that my team owns a substantial edge in the head to head meetings of this rivalry.

I will say this, our lack of WCHA hardware is a serious shortcoming at UW.

 

[JDUBBS1280]

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

I know people outside of Minnesota don't place nearly as much emphasis on this, and maybe it's just because I'm a hockey history geek and Minnesota Hockey rube, but you have to admit that the fact that the Gophers were the first program to win a championship with an All-American roster and are still the only program to win a championship using only in-state players (and they did that twice) is pretty fricking cool. To do something that no other program has been able to do, and to do it twice, is pretty amazing.

 

[ExileOnDaytonStreet]

Are you debating the fact that Minnesota has produced the most D1, pro and NHL players by a landslide? (big difference between pro and NHL players in this particular discussion).. .

Not very relevant when the question was why Minny hasn't made more of their bountiful resources. No one denies the rich history, culture and talent pool in Minnesota (the state), but thats only relevant to Minnesota (the university) for the select percentage that actually wear the maroon and gold.

It really is getting obnoxious to see gopher fans (you in particular) trying to co-opt all of the rich hockey tradition of Minnesota into the gophers. Hockey in MN is far too deep to attribute it to a college hockey program.

 

[firstpusk]

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

...1980 when Herbie left the program to coach the 1980' US Olympics after winning 3 national titles, bringing with him 4 Gophers to play in said Olympics..

Not to nitpick, but there were nine gophers on that roster with three more Minnesotans that played for UMD and UND.

 

[Driftryder]

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

Gopher fans heading East should keep a watchful eye this weekend, the deer are in rut which makes paint thinner nation very frisky. That's not just roadkill laying in the ditch it's someones date as well.

 

[JDUBBS1280]

Not to nitpick, but there were nine gophers on that roster with three more Minnesotans that played for UMD and UND.

There were 12 Minnesota-born players (out of 20 total), and eleven who lived in Minnesota up until college. However, while there were eight Gophers on the team (Janaszak, Baker, Ramsey, Broten, McClanahan, Schneider, Strobel, and Verchota), I believe only Strobel, McClanahan, Broten, and Baker had NCAA eligibility left.

 

[mariucci]

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

Not to nitpick, but there were nine gophers on that roster with three more Minnesotans that played for UMD and UND.

I believe the 9 you're talking about included current and former. What I was getting at which really means little to nothing was that the Gophs in that Herb era was collecting championships and very well could have had he not left. And i'm quoting something I read the other day concerning the 4 Gophs that would have remained on the Goph roster with Herbie...

 

[ExileOnDaytonStreet]

I know people outside of Minnesota don't place nearly as much emphasis on this, and maybe it's just because I'm a hockey history geek and Minnesota Hockey rube, but you have to admit that the fact that the Gophers were the first program to win a championship with an All-American roster and are still the only program to win a championship using only in-state players (and they did that twice) is pretty fricking cool. To do something that no other program has been able to do, and to do it twice, is pretty amazing.

A feather in the cap for the local talent pool, no doubt.

It's still an issue of cultural pride more than anything, though. I tend to not believe people who say that they wouldn't want the best players that they can get, regardless of where they're from.

While its great to have both (and more often than not, you rightfully do), pride in your program and pride in your local culture are different things.

 

[JDUBBS1280]

Not very relevant when the question was why Minny hasn't made more of their bountiful resources. No one denies the rich history, culture and talent pool in Minnesota (the state), but thats only relevant to Minnesota (the university) for the select percentage that actually wear the maroon and gold.

It really is getting obnoxious to see gopher fans (you in particular) trying to co-opt all of the rich hockey tradition of Minnesota into the gophers. Hockey in MN is far too deep to attribute it to a college hockey program.

If it were that easy to win championships with All-American teams, much less all in-state teams, more teams would have done so.

Minnesota is the hockey hotbed it is today because guys like John Mariucci gave players a place to play after high school, which grew the sport in-state. And guys like Herb Brooks and Doug Woog profited from the early struggles associated with doing that. If having a few less championships is the price we paid for getting Minnesota Hockey to where it is today, then I am more than fine with that.

 

[mariucci]

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

A feather in the cap for the local talent pool, no doubt.

It's still an issue of cultural pride more than anything, though. I tend to not believe people who say that they wouldn't want the best players that they can get, regardless of where they're from.
While its great to have both (and more often than not, you rightfully do), pride in your program and pride in your local culture are different things.

There would be an outcry in Minnesota if the program stopped recruiting instate and started leaning on Canada or elsewhere.. As it stands Minnesota is easily at 90+% local kids and I think the fanbase is cool with that.. Its a tradition in Minnesota, and one very valued by the fans.

 

[JDUBBS1280]

A feather in the cap for the local talent pool, no doubt.

It's still an issue of cultural pride more than anything, though. I tend to not believe people who say that they wouldn't want the best players that they can get, regardless of where they're from.

While its great to have both (and more often than not, you rightfully do), pride in your program and pride in your local culture are different things.

I wouldn't trade a few more championships in the early days for the hockey culture we have now as a result of some of our traditions. I think the days of using only in-state recruits has come and gone as the rest of the country is starting to produce more talent, and in regions where talent never came from before. However, we are in the position of having such a big recruiting advantage today because of how we recruited in the past.

 

[ExileOnDaytonStreet]

If it were that easy to win championships with All-American teams, much less all in-state teams, more teams would have done so.

Minnesota is the hockey hotbed it is today because guys like John Mariucci gave players a place to play after high school, which grew the sport in-state. And guys like Herb Brooks and Doug Woog profited from the early struggles associated with doing that. If having a few less championships is the price we paid for getting Minnesota Hockey to where it is today, then I am more than fine with that.

The gophers play a role in Minnesota's hockey culture, but some of you guys take it to such weird extremes. As if the gophers are responsible for the local culture and not the other way around. I don't know if I can disagree with that strongly enough without getting hyperbolic.

 

[mariucci]

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

I wouldn't trade a few more championships in the early days for the hockey culture we have now as a result of some of our traditions. I think the days of using only in-state recruits has come and gone as the rest of the country is starting to produce more talent, and in regions where talent never came from before. However, we are in the position of having such a big recruiting advantage today because of how we recruited in the past.

Much like I know **** well a Packer fan would never trade the rich tradition or history that club has for a couple more 'championships or sb's" Gopher fans feel the same way. I(we) enjoy watching OUR kids play hockey. Which is why the State HS Hockey Championship week is the only HS sports attraction comparable to that of Texas football.

"Pride On Ice"

One reason I think the Sioux/Gopher rivalry is alot different than the Gopher/Badger rivalry is that the Sioux fans for the most part respect that Gopher tradition, where as most Badger fans do not. Being an ole' time Goph fan that knows many many Sioux fans I say this with conviction, theres alot more respect between the Goph/Sioux rivalry.

I am actually surprised a Badger fan would even question the talent pool in Minnesota. You'd have to have blinders on or be so unnerved by the facts you're in denial.

Minnesotans are fans of Minnesotan hockey players, as a Wild fan, every single Minnesota born Wild fan will tell you each and every (not exclusive to the Gophs) which player on the opposing team is Minnesota born.. It is a pride thing among Minnesota Hockey fans. I dont care if theie college team is St Cloud or the Badgers, Minnesota Hockey fans are proud of Minnesota Hockey players, that does transfer over to the Gophers.. Only Gopher haters roll their eyes at that fact.

 

[JDUBBS1280]

The gophers play a role in Minnesota's hockey culture, but some of you guys take it to such weird extremes. As if the gophers are responsible for the local culture and not the other way around. I don't know if I can disagree with that strongly enough without getting hyperbolic.

Read <A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/Herb-Brooks-Inside-Hockey-Mastermind/dp/076033241X">This Book</A> and you'll understand. The Gopher's in-state recruiting philosophies had a very big part in making Minnesota Hockey what it is today.

 

[mariucci]

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

The gophers play a role in Minnesota's hockey culture, but some of you guys take it to such weird extremes. As if the gophers are responsible for the local culture and not the other way around. I don't know if I can disagree with that strongly enough without getting hyperbolic.

Really? You actually believe the Gophers weren't the engine that drove the entire hockey culture in Minnesota? How much money are you willing to wager?

I abslutely guarantee you that it was, and am willing to put money on it (Edit)

 

[firstpusk]

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

The gophers play a role in Minnesota's hockey culture, but some of you guys take it to such weird extremes. As if the gophers are responsible for the local culture and not the other way around. I don't know if I can disagree with that strongly enough without getting hyperbolic.

[rant]I come from the Iron Range. We were hockey culture before the rest of Minnesota knew what the sport was. John Mariucci was one of us. He is more responsible for the hockey culture in Minnesota than any other single person. He, as coach at Minnesota, worked tirelessly to develop organization, coaching and talent throughout the state. He has been recognized by the Hockey Hall of Fame in Canada and the US for his roll. He even had a hand in getting your sorry program back off the ground. Next time you sing Varsity after a game at the Kohl Center, you might want to give thanks for John Mariucci caring so much for hockey as a game because he is part of the reason you are able to do that there.[/rant]