Minnesota Women's Hockey 2015-2016: Confection Free

[ARM]

Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey 2015-2016: Confection Free

But there was drama as one of our favorite officials Ludwig wanted to review the goal. Live and on the brief replay offered on the scoreboard video screen I thought it clear that the deflection was OK, clearly below cross bar height, I don't know, maybe he thought contact with something other than the stick (a punch in?). No one was in the crease. 3-2.

I think that they were checking to see if the player in front (Pannek, I believe) interfered with the goalie's opportunity to play the puck. Even though it seemed like the review took forever, the referees didn't look at it that long, but the normal replay official wasn't in the house and it took some time to get the video positioned.

Empty net 5-2.

It was a very nice play by Piazza to win a puck battle, make a couple of pirouettes to evade Bulldogs, get to the center line, and hit the net. On most teams, we'd be talking about her improvement this year a ton, but because there are so many that play so well ...

 

[Eeyore]

Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey 2015-2016: Confection Free

It was a very nice play by Piazza to win a puck battle, make a couple of pirouettes to evade Bulldogs, get to the center line, and hit the net. On most teams, we'd be talking about her improvement this year a ton, but because there are so many that play so well ...

A) Piazza has been fabulous;

B) I can make a case that she's the third most improved player on her own line. I wouldn't believe that case, but that's mostly because I thought Kate Schipper was underappreciated last year. Kelly Pannek has decided to become a destroyer of worlds.

 

[FiveHoleFrenzy]

Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey 2015-2016: Confection Free

A) Piazza has been fabulous;

B) I can make a case that she's the third most improved player on her own line. I wouldn't believe that case, but that's mostly because I thought Kate Schipper was underappreciated last year. Kelly Pannek has decided to become a destroyer of worlds.

The 2nd line was their best line last night. The first line seemed a bit off last night, especially Cameranesi. In particular, a play stood out that normally finds the back of the net. Brandt took the puck near the blue line and skated wide around the defenseman and passed the puck back through the slot to the other side where Cameranesi had positioned herself. Total swing and a miss on the puck which I thought looked like a sure goal.

The player that is surprising to me is Taylor Williamson. Of the three highly touted freshmen she seems to be struggling the most to adjust to the college game. You see flashes of the skill so I think it is just a matter of time. Maybe she is pressing a bit since she hasn't scored her first goal.

 

[ne7minder]

Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey 2015-2016: Confection Free

Didn't see the game but was told by someone who was there that Rooney played very well and faced 50 shots.

Is that number accurate?

She made a couple of spectacular saves but most impressive to me was that her team did not allow many rebound chances. She saw 22 shots in the second, thats a games worth by itself. Despite giving up 4 goals I felt she could have been a 'star of the game' she is going to be a PitA for the Gophers for a few years; for you that might be the nicest thing I can say

 

[D2D]

Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey 2015-2016: Confection Free

I'm probably nitpicking a bit here, but one area that the Gophers will hopefully improve on is their penalty kill. Their opponents have capitalized on nearly a quarter (23.5%) of their power play chances, which translates to a "kill ratio" of just 76.5% (vs. 88.9% over the entire 2014-15 season). In fact of the measly 6 goals the Gophers have given up in their 7 games so far (amazing!) 4 of them have come when the Gophers have been shorthanded, including the two last night and the two in the previous game vs. Ohio State.

Yes it's early and the small sample size doesn't tell the whole story; I'm sure that as more games are played we'll see more typical averages.

P.S. At the opposite end of the spectrum, in their 7 games played the Gophers are scoring on nearly HALF (47.8%) of their power play chances. Simply devastating!

 

[CrazyDave]

Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey 2015-2016: Confection Free

It turned out I was right about the Gophers scoring on the opening PP. But there was drama as one of our favorite officials Ludwig wanted to review the goal. Live and on the brief replay offered on the scoreboard video screen I thought it clear that the deflection was OK, clearly below cross bar height, I don't know, maybe he thought contact with something other than the stick (a punch in?). No one was in the crease. 3-2.

I think that they were checking to see if the player in front (Pannek, I believe) interfered with the goalie's opportunity to play the puck. Even though it seemed like the review took forever, the referees didn't look at it that long, but the normal replay official wasn't in the house and it took some time to get the video positioned.

They were definitely checking stick height. I saw referee Hanrahan signal to Coach Frost, before the subsequent faceoff, that that's what they had been looking at.

Two other thoughts:

(1) While there weren't any of the cheap or dirty plays we've seen in the past from the team from the north, my gut feel was that there was still a fair amount of clutching and grabbing that went uncalled and made life more difficult for the Gopher offense, forcing them to take many shots from distance in the first 30 minutes instead of getting anything closer to the goal. It's what has stymied the Gophers in the past (a la against Bemidji and UND).

(2) I'd like to see a count of shot attempts UMD blocked. It seemed quite high. It, too, is Bemidji-like and the Gophers (well, really, any teams) struggle when their opponent puts out a defensive effort like that. The fact that Minnesota still got 48 shots through to goal speaks to their offensive capability.

 

[brookyone]

Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey 2015-2016: Confection Free

And 40 of those 48 were in the first two periods.

Well...you know...those "soft and merciful Gophers."

 

[play-by-play guy]

Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey 2015-2016: Confection Free

(2) I'd like to see a count of shot attempts UMD blocked. It seemed quite high. It, too, is Bemidji-like and the Gophers (well, really, any teams) struggle when their opponent puts out a defensive effort like that. The fact that Minnesota still got 48 shots through to goal speaks to their offensive capability.

They only blocked 14 shots out of 80 attempts. What I thought they did do well was get their sticks into the passing lanes -- especially the first period and-a-half.
The Gophers used their depth to just plain wear them down IMO.

 

[Eeyore]

Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey 2015-2016: Confection Free

On the second, Kelsey Cline tried to tie up the puck along the half boards, and when she lost it, had no chance to get back into the play.

Having seen replays of this play, I need to take this back. What I missed live was that the puck was free, several feet from the Duluth player. I thought she had it and Cline went all the way out to the boards to contest, but since it was a loose puck, trying to get it was certainly a defensible choice, and probably the right one. There were some breakdowns on the play, but they aren't really on Cline's plate.

I'm happy about that, because I really like the way that Cline plays. She's not going to produce a lot of offense and, if you aren't paying attention, you can completely miss her, but she's the kind of defenseman who adds value by keeping things from happening and preventing exciting plays.

 

[CrazyDave]

Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey 2015-2016: Confection Free

While Hannah Brandt couldn't find her 100th goal this weekend, she did pick up 2 assists today and three in the series. Looking at her other career stats, she's now at 140 assists (Natalie Darwitz has the program record of 144) and 239 points (Darwitz at 246).

Kelly Pannek had 6-point weekend with 3 goals and 3 assists.

 

[ne7minder]

Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey 2015-2016: Confection Free

While Hannah Brandt couldn't find her 100th goal this weekend

We blame you Dave

 

[D2D]

Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey 2015-2016: Confection Free

I was hoping Taylor Williamson would score her first today. Toward the end of the game the coaches had her centering Cameranesi and Potomak, so it's something they wanted to see as well. She came very close, making a great move to the net and getting in close, but unfortunately her shot went right into the goalie's mid-section. Had to be a little frustrating for her, but she's been playing better and hopefully that first goal will come soon.

Also, it was nice to see Anna Barlow score her first of the season. She and Nina Rodgers, who fed her the puck in close, were pretty excited!

 

[KTDC]

Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey 2015-2016: Confection Free

Also, it was nice to see Anna Barlow score her first of the season. She and Nina Rodgers, who fed her the puck in close, were pretty excited!

Players on the bench looked pretty excited for Anna and her linemates as well!

Also, coach Muzzerall was missing from the bench yesterday.

 

[5mn_Major]

Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey 2015-2016: Confection Free

Kelly Pannek has decided to become a destroyer of worlds.

Don't think its possible to give her enough props. You knew when she was ms. soccer with her hockey pedigree that she would be a superstar. But what makes it even more stunning is that she's doing it as a sophomore without wings named Cameranesi or Potomak.

 

[D2D]

Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey 2015-2016: Confection Free

But what makes it even more stunning is that she's doing it as a sophomore without wings named Cameranesi or Potomak.

While that is true you also can't discount how well Piazza and Schipper have been playing. I think they've each taken major steps forward this season and together with Pannek they are very difficult for other teams to defend against...what a great ONE-TWO punch the Gophers have offensively.

 

[KTDC]

Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey 2015-2016: Confection Free

A Couple thoughts............

Early signs are that Kelsey Cline is taking over from Rachael Bona as Gopher's enforcer...........

I'm thinking most likely spot for Maryanne Menefee is Cara Piazza'a on the line with Pannek and Schipper. I think her vision and passing ability could make Kelly Pannek even more dangerous. This should not be interpreted as any kind of criticism of Cara Piazza. I think that line has been playing fantastic. But Maryanne Menefee has been 3 year first line player after all and I'm still assuming she will be back at some point.

 

[ARM]

Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey 2015-2016: Confection Free

I'm thinking most likely spot for Maryanne Menefee is Cara Piazza'a on the line with Pannek and Schipper. I think her vision and passing ability could make Kelly Pannek even more dangerous. This should not be interpreted as any kind of criticism of Cara Piazza. I think that line has been playing fantastic. But Maryanne Menefee has been 3 year first line player after all and I'm still assuming she will be back at some point.

Earlier I'd have been more likely to agree, but Piazza does things that Menefee can't do as well. Right now, Pannek benefits from having a couple of greyhounds on her wings that forecheck and backcheck both aggressively and quickly. Menefee has better vision, but they both have good hands, and Piazza has the better wheels.

I think Brandt is missing Menefee. The two played together all three years, and despite the ability #26 has, the chemistry doesn't appear overnight. The ceiling is higher for the top line as presently configured, but in the short term, I believe Brandt would have been more comfortable early on with Menefee on her left.

As for where Menefee will wind up if she returns, who knows. I think it depends on when that would be and how things are going for the top three lines at the time. Reilly got the start on the 3rd line for both games versus UMD, so it would appear that at least for now, she's made the top nine.

 

[D2D]

Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey 2015-2016: Confection Free

A Couple thoughts............

Early signs are that Kelsey Cline is taking over from Rachael Bona as Gopher's enforcer...........

Curious how you came to this conclusion? Bona never drew a major penalty in her whole career at the U, and in fact averaged less than 10 minor penalties per season. And Cline has taken just two minors in her first 8 games this year. So far no one on the team has taken a major, and nationally Minnesota is just 28th in PEN/MIN per game (6.25).

I'm thinking most likely spot for Maryanne Menefee is Cara Piazza'a on the line with Pannek and Schipper. I think her vision and passing ability could make Kelly Pannek even more dangerous. This should not be interpreted as any kind of criticism of Cara Piazza. I think that line has been playing fantastic. But Maryanne Menefee has been 3 year first line player after all and I'm still assuming she will be back at some point.

I think there are too many unknowns to speculate what might happen if Menefee does return to the lineup at some point. Best to leave it at that, I think.

 

[KTDC]

Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey 2015-2016: Confection Free

Curious how you came to this conclusion? Bona never drew a major penalty in her whole career at the U, and in fact averaged less than 10 minor penalties per season. And Cline has taken just two minors in her first 8 games this year. So far no one on the team has taken a major, and nationally Minnesota is just 28th in PEN/MIN per game (6.25)..

I just thought Bona was most apt to respond when play got chippy around the net and opponents kept up after the whistle. And I thought I've seen at least two instances of Kelsey Cline doing the same thing. I didn't mean to imply any sort of NHL definition of 'enforcer' or that they are instigators or dirty players.

 

[ARM]

Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey 2015-2016: Confection Free

I just thought Bona was most apt to respond when play got chippy around the net and opponents kept up after the whistle.

Bona was the Gopher most likely to get in a skirmish in front of the other team's goalie, and then be yapping at the other player the whole time they were skating to the penalty box. Lorence was more likely to put some muscle behind her enforcing. On the current roster, Cameranesi is the forward most likely to give a shove when one is required, with Schipper a close second, and Milica would have to be the team enforcer.