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Minnesota Women's Hockey 2015-2016: Confection Free
- Thread starter brookyone
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ARM
Fan of chipmunk-like mascots.
Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey 2015-2016: Confection Free
Thanks. Next I'll wonder if the UND Finnish players are already gone as well.
Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey 2015-2016: Confection Free
I agree and was saying that. The problem is I think that first line functioned better with 14 than it has with 26 so far. and the 'so far' is key there. Potomac is too big a talent to misuse and I believe they will work together better as time goes on. But then what do you do with Menefee? I know she is not in the same class as Brandt, Cameranesi and Potomak but she is very talented and clicks with that first line exceedingly well (I happen to think she gets less respect than she deserves because she is not as flashy as her linemates but they love her, that ought to tell you something). I'd weight about 50 pounds & having psychotic episode from lack of sleep if I had to answer those questions.
I agree and was saying that. The problem is I think that first line functioned better with 14 than it has with 26 so far. and the 'so far' is key there. Potomac is too big a talent to misuse and I believe they will work together better as time goes on. But then what do you do with Menefee? I know she is not in the same class as Brandt, Cameranesi and Potomak but she is very talented and clicks with that first line exceedingly well (I happen to think she gets less respect than she deserves because she is not as flashy as her linemates but they love her, that ought to tell you something). I'd weight about 50 pounds & having psychotic episode from lack of sleep if I had to answer those questions.
ARM
Fan of chipmunk-like mascots.
Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey 2015-2016: Confection Free
The fact that they are three of the top five scorers in the country and yet we are all harping on how the top line isn't clicking tells you just what potential that trio has. Let's see what happens in this series with Potomak moved beyond the 3rd line and all the way to Sweden.
ManBehindTheCurtain
Great and powerful wizard
Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey 2015-2016: Confection Free
The game was on cable TV but only in standard definition. I pretty clearly remember when I first saw a hockey game on TV in high definition. Of all the things I watched back then hockey was the thing that was most improved by HD. I could actually see the puck.
So today hockey in SD is a pretty major back down from the NHL in HD, or for that matter, the Gopher men in HD.
But even in SD hockey on TV seemed to me to be a quite significant upgrade from most (but not all) of the video streams for which I routinely pay $15-20 or more on lots of weekends.
Today the game on Comcast 263 didn't cost me anything more above what I already pay, the video was an upgrade, the Gophers dominated and won, I am having a hard time thinking any negative thoughts.
OK, maybe Hannah should go ahead and get that milestone goal.
Go Gophers.
The game was on cable TV but only in standard definition. I pretty clearly remember when I first saw a hockey game on TV in high definition. Of all the things I watched back then hockey was the thing that was most improved by HD. I could actually see the puck.
So today hockey in SD is a pretty major back down from the NHL in HD, or for that matter, the Gopher men in HD.
But even in SD hockey on TV seemed to me to be a quite significant upgrade from most (but not all) of the video streams for which I routinely pay $15-20 or more on lots of weekends.
Today the game on Comcast 263 didn't cost me anything more above what I already pay, the video was an upgrade, the Gophers dominated and won, I am having a hard time thinking any negative thoughts.
OK, maybe Hannah should go ahead and get that milestone goal.
Go Gophers.
ARM
Fan of chipmunk-like mascots.
Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey 2015-2016: Confection Free
I thought it was a pretty convincing start for playing on the road against a ranked opponent, and having three of the four lines reconfigured. It's October! If your team looks like it is March, then you know you're playing a cupcake.
Good, because Eeyore had me convinced I was watching the wrong game.
I thought it was a pretty convincing start for playing on the road against a ranked opponent, and having three of the four lines reconfigured. It's October! If your team looks like it is March, then you know you're playing a cupcake.
Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey 2015-2016: Confection Free
I thought the Gophers looked good, especially in the offensive zone. Part of my reaction is that I thought the UND finishing was terrible, and there were several occasions when they should have had good chances but fiddled around until they fizzled. I also thought North Dakota looked slow, but maybe that was just the TV and the Gophers being really fast. UND may be a top ten opponent, but I think the gap between the top four and everyone else is particularly large this year.
I thought the Gophers looked good, especially in the offensive zone. Part of my reaction is that I thought the UND finishing was terrible, and there were several occasions when they should have had good chances but fiddled around until they fizzled. I also thought North Dakota looked slow, but maybe that was just the TV and the Gophers being really fast. UND may be a top ten opponent, but I think the gap between the top four and everyone else is particularly large this year.
Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey 2015-2016: Confection Free
I get that & didn't mean to sound like I was complaining. These are nice problems to have.
As far as actual worry it looks to me like this years D corp is not yet up to the standard of the last few years. Given the fire power available (including #26!) I don't think that is going to be a problem for most of the year. But what I am reading about Wisconsin makes me think any drop off on D could be costly for the Gophers. I saw UND play BSU and was unimpressed, they couldn't finish against the Beavers, looked slow and without play makers. Its true I always need something to worry about, this year its our D.
EDIT: I also freely admit that I am spoiled to death! I am so used to seeing the very best of the very best that my mind sees things that look like a dropoff. A few years ago I was worried about how they would replace the scoring that was graduating and the team promptly scored more goals that year than the year before. It is my nature to look for areas to worry about, I get nervous if things are going too smoothly.
The fact that they are three of the top five scorers in the country and yet we are all harping on how the top line isn't clicking tells you just what potential that trio has. Let's see what happens in this series with Potomak moved beyond the 3rd line and all the way to Sweden.
I get that & didn't mean to sound like I was complaining. These are nice problems to have.
As far as actual worry it looks to me like this years D corp is not yet up to the standard of the last few years. Given the fire power available (including #26!) I don't think that is going to be a problem for most of the year. But what I am reading about Wisconsin makes me think any drop off on D could be costly for the Gophers. I saw UND play BSU and was unimpressed, they couldn't finish against the Beavers, looked slow and without play makers. Its true I always need something to worry about, this year its our D.
EDIT: I also freely admit that I am spoiled to death! I am so used to seeing the very best of the very best that my mind sees things that look like a dropoff. A few years ago I was worried about how they would replace the scoring that was graduating and the team promptly scored more goals that year than the year before. It is my nature to look for areas to worry about, I get nervous if things are going too smoothly.
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brookyone
Deport Right Wing Nuts
Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey 2015-2016: Confection Free
http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci...key-unleashes-freshman-sarah-potomak-and-star
http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_29045874/womens-hockey-top-ranked-minnesota-improves-9-0
TGI Wreck the Ralph F!
http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci...key-unleashes-freshman-sarah-potomak-and-star
http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_29045874/womens-hockey-top-ranked-minnesota-improves-9-0
TGI Wreck the Ralph F!
brookyone
Deport Right Wing Nuts
Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey 2015-2016: Confection Free
http://www.undsports.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=13500&id=4607898
Highlights...and a look at those jerseys.
http://www.undsports.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=13500&id=4607898
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ARM
Fan of chipmunk-like mascots.
Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey 2015-2016: Confection Free
You're remembering two years ago better than it really was. They had to replace three people, the coaches rotated eight D into January, and the blue line was one of the problem areas at the Frozen Four. The team survived it because the forwards were so strong and they played Gillanders, Ramsey, and McMillen a ton. This year, they're only breaking in one new D, Skarzynski, and she's far ahead of where everyone but the top three were in October of 2013. I thought they'd miss Ramsey most on the PP; maybe they will, but the numbers haven't shown it yet. Last night, I thought one of the secrets to Minnesota's strong first period was how quickly the blue line transitioned the puck to the forwards. Did the D have some problems defending the rush? Yes, but that was never Ramsey's strength either. If there is a better blue line in the country, I'm wondering where that is. Quinnipiac has a very nice contingent, but it doesn't possess nearly the offensive capability that the Gophers' corps does. A team of Stecklein's would be very tough to score against, but McMillen, Wolfe, and Baldwin (and I think soon, Skarzynski) are lethal for opponents to try to defend.
I was very impressed by Kohler, Dufault played well against UM as she always does, and they have people like Menke that are very fast. BSU is very good at making teams look unimpressive -- the Gophers included. UND looked pretty good the last couple periods, considering it was playing w/o its top D, but I thought UM was a little better even then.
They'd switch to a high camera shot at neutral ice, and the way the light would reflect off the ice and the jerseys, it was tough to tell which team was which. They should have had the Goph's wear white if they wanted to wear those eyesores. I'm hoping they don't subject the "Pack the Ralph" guests to those beauties.
Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey 2015-2016: Confection Free
I think I should clarify what my concerns are. I'm not talking about the transition defense, which has been fine other than a defenseman who has gotten caught up ice too often in some games. Where I'm worried is the defense played after the other team gets set up in the zone. Too often, they end up running around and break down somewhere. I don't even think the defensemen have been the biggest part of the problem; it's the forwards that seem to end up scrambling around.
I think I should clarify what my concerns are. I'm not talking about the transition defense, which has been fine other than a defenseman who has gotten caught up ice too often in some games. Where I'm worried is the defense played after the other team gets set up in the zone. Too often, they end up running around and break down somewhere. I don't even think the defensemen have been the biggest part of the problem; it's the forwards that seem to end up scrambling around.
omahasioux1
Well-known member
That may be but I don't remember seeing the D get beaten in games as much as this year. That may be a factor in their being very aggressive on the offensive side, that will get you beaten at times. Also I was including more than 2 years ago. Aggressive D is a trade off, you score more often and it puts extra pressure on the other team but it increases the chance of getting beaten up ice. It's a good choice with the firepower they have on the blue line but it can also causes heart palpations at moments.
I'm gonna go ahead and assume Frost just might know better than I do
so they are doing fine but I'm still going to be holding my breath sometimes.Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey 2015-2016: Confection Free
I've done that myself about a half-dozen times this evening!
mnpokecheck
Drinking the Koolaid
Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey 2015-2016: Confection Free
MN defense bringing up puck and trying to beat 1 or 2 forecheckers....
MN defense bringing up puck and trying to beat 1 or 2 forecheckers....
Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey 2015-2016: Confection Free
It was better, but still not great until the last five minutes. Again, some of that has to do with how well UND was playing, but not all of it. Letting Amy Menke lead a 2-0 break a minute after closing the game to one was a killer.
That said, I don't find tonight's game to be all that discouraging. Unlike the defensive zone issues, there hasn't been any sort of pattern that this game fits into; it was just one of those nights. While you don't like to see those against North Dakota, I don't think that a single instance of just having a flat out bad night is an indication that the Gophers are that likely to do the same in a big game.
Besides, North Dakota wears green, so you have to expect these things.
It was better, but still not great until the last five minutes. Again, some of that has to do with how well UND was playing, but not all of it. Letting Amy Menke lead a 2-0 break a minute after closing the game to one was a killer.
That said, I don't find tonight's game to be all that discouraging. Unlike the defensive zone issues, there hasn't been any sort of pattern that this game fits into; it was just one of those nights. While you don't like to see those against North Dakota, I don't think that a single instance of just having a flat out bad night is an indication that the Gophers are that likely to do the same in a big game.
Besides, North Dakota wears green, so you have to expect these things.
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