Minnesota Women's Hockey Off-Season 2015: #BASK

[bluffrinkrat]

Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey Off-Season 2015: #BASK

Considering the situation it was the worst goal that I've ever seen given up. Felt bad for the young man.

Although to a much, much lesser degree of importance the goal had me remembering the enigmatic Jeff Frazee. I don't remember what game it was or what team the Gophers were playing, but the play happened right at the end of a period when an opposing player took a very long shot at the Gopher net. Frazee skated out to meet the puck, put his stick down and proceeded to kick his stick into the puck, but missed and the puck slid into the net. It was not a goal since the puck crossed the line a second too late. Frazee then gave a safe sign as he skated off the ice. I looked over at the Gopher bench and if Don Lucia had had heat vision Frazee along with half the rink would have been melted on the spot. I told my wife I don't think Jeff's going to be in goal much longer and I don't think he was.

 

[FiveHoleFrenzy]

Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey Off-Season 2015: #BASK

Considering the situation it was the worst goal that I've ever seen given up. Felt bad for the young man.

Although to a much, much lesser degree of importance the goal had me remembering the enigmatic Jeff Frazee. I don't remember what game it was or what team the Gophers were playing, but the play happened right at the end of a period when an opposing player took a very long shot at the Gopher net. Frazee skated out to meet the puck, put his stick down and proceeded to kick his stick into the puck, but missed and the puck slid into the net. It was not a goal since the puck crossed the line a second too late. Frazee then gave a safe sign as he skated off the ice. I looked over at the Gopher bench and if Don Lucia had had heat vision Frazee along with half the rink would have been melted on the spot. I told my wife I don't think Jeff's going to be in goal much longer and I don't think he was.

Could be this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXMnye_8wfg

 

[bluffrinkrat]

Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey Off-Season 2015: #BASK

Nope, not the one. Classic Frazee, though, thanks for that.

 

[ne7minder]

Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey Off-Season 2015: #BASK

Considering the situation it was the worst goal that I've ever seen given up. Felt bad for the young man.

Although to a much, much lesser degree of importance the goal had me remembering the enigmatic Jeff Frazee.

The sad part is that goal will follow him the rest of his life. He could win 8 Stanley Cups (a record for a goalie) and that clip will be stuck to him like glue. I thought the gimme he provided UND was really worse, a dunderheaded move. He misplayed the puck into the crease from behind the red line & there was only a UND forward around. In my house if the goalie misplays the puck it is a "Hauser" if he feeds an incoming forward who taps it into the empty net it is a "full Adam Hauser". Adam was on 2 NCAA championship teams but he made some really memorable goofs. A goalies life is he!! in no small part because any mistake you make becomes obvious when the puck hits the twine. The forwards might have done a poor job of forechecking, the D might have hung you out to dry but its the goalie everyone heckles.

Imagine if at your job when something went wrong, your fault or not, a flashing red light went off behind your desk, a train horn sounded and 18,000 people stood up & jeered you!

 

[bluffrinkrat]

Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey Off-Season 2015: #BASK

I just received a report on the Frazee gaffe from another person who happened to be sitting next to me at the game oh so many years ago. She claims Frazee was out of the net because he was heading to the locker room a little early since the period was about to end. She also claims that after the missed kick and then the safe sign Lucia walked across the ice to the scorer's table for some unknown reason glaring at his goalie all the way. Well....she is a few years younger than me so maybe she's correct. What's worse for a goalie at the most crucial point in a game, a horrendous brain fart as in Boston or a lack of a brain as in the other case? You be the judge.

 

[bluffrinkrat]

Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey Off-Season 2015: #BASK

Just one for Hauser. Travis Weber was in goal in '03. I agree with everything else you said though. It's tough to be a goalie, especially some nights at Mariucci if you were Adam Hauser. At least he got some redemption in the Maine game. I still have his photo from the Star Tribune on the wall in the hockey room showing him throwing his stick in the air at the end of the game. Maybe as a reminder anyone can be redeemed or maybe I'm a little masochistic. He was a trial some nights.

 

[brookyone]

Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey Off-Season 2015: #BASK

Hannah Brandt, Dani Cameranesi, Brook Garzone, Maryanne Menefee, Kelly Pannek, Cara Piazza, Nina Rodgers, Kate Schipper, Sierra Smith, Tianna Gunderson, Taylor Williamson, Sarah Potomak.

In case you've had your fill of the coaching and coaching transitions discussions. If at some point come to contemplate the 2015-2016 season, The forwards and potential lines. Sierra Smith and Tianna Gunderson are completely unknown to me. I'm sure some of those with the D/F designation, in addition to Brook Garzone could be considered as well. Wolfe I would guess starts at D.

I missed the Friar men celebration. Did they follow the GWH lead with the net cutting ceremony?

After a break for enjoying some summer weather of course.

 

[ARM]

Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey Off-Season 2015: #BASK

Hannah Brandt, Dani Cameranesi, Brook Garzone, Maryanne Menefee, Kelly Pannek, Cara Piazza, Nina Rodgers, Kate Schipper, Sierra Smith, Tianna Gunderson, Taylor Williamson, Sarah Potomak.

In case you've had your fill of the coaching and coaching transitions discussions. If at some point come to contemplate the 2015-2016 season, The forwards and potential lines. Sierra Smith and Tianna Gunderson are completely unknown to me. I'm sure some of those with the D/F designation, in addition to Brook Garzone could be considered as well. Wolfe I would guess starts at D.

You forgot Paige Haley in your forward list. Odds are good she is in the forward mix, particularly if Sophie Skarzinski is playing defense.

Wolfe looked pretty darn good at "D" down the stretch, so somebody else likely gets some practice at center so #12 doesn't have to shift there in an emergency. After moving around during her first three years, I'd expect Garzone to skate up front this year, barring unexpected blue-line developments. When she first moved to forward this year, I thought the Gophers were going to wind up one forward short of optimal, but she settled in nicely. Also, I thought Haley did much better at forward once she was placed there on a permanent basis.

I missed the Friar men celebration. Did they follow the GWH lead with the net cutting ceremony?

They did indeed cut the nets; I don't know where they got their inspiration. PC seemed to take the entire net loose from the pipe; I assume that facilitated getting larger pieces, instead of trying to harvest them from the top shelf only.

 

[KTDC]

Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey Off-Season 2015: #BASK

Hannah Brandt, Dani Cameranesi, Brook Garzone, Maryanne Menefee, Kelly Pannek, Cara Piazza, Nina Rodgers, Kate Schipper, Sierra Smith, Tianna Gunderson, Taylor Williamson, Sarah Potomak.

In case you've had your fill of the coaching and coaching transitions discussions. If at some point come to contemplate the 2015-2016 season, The forwards and potential lines. Sierra Smith and Tianna Gunderson are completely unknown to me. I'm sure some of those with the D/F designation, in addition to Brook Garzone could be considered as well. Wolfe I would guess starts at D.

I missed the Friar men celebration. Did they follow the GWH lead with the net cutting ceremony?

After a break for enjoying some summer weather of course.

Maryanne Menefee-Hannah Brandt- Dani Cameranesi,
Kate Schipper- Kelly Pannek -Sarah Potomak
Taylor Williamson- Cara Piazza, -Nina Rodgers/Brook Garzone,
Paige Haley- Tianna Gunderson-Sierra Smith

Are we loaded for bear?

Tonight is the Golden Goldys-GWH should at least win Best Women's Team!
And I want Hannah over Amanda ZB (actually anyone)

 

[kwhrs1]

Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey Off-Season 2015: #BASK

Just testing my regained ability to post, please ignore.

 

[bluffrinkrat]

Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey Off-Season 2015: #BASK

Okay, I for one have had my fill of coaching discussions. Does practice start soon?

I have perhaps a somewhat irrational concern about the Gophers possible decline in their defensive corps height in the next two years. For going on 10 years now they have had at least one player on defense that was 6 feet tall and usually a couple that were close to that. As a rather nervous fan, it has been comforting to see those tall defenders looming behind the Gopher net or towering over their opponents in the corners and then taking those long strides down the ice. I know, I know. Probably the best defensive player the Gophers ever had was 5-9, so maybe it shouldn't be a concern. I was pleased to see on the USA hockey website that 5-8 Sophie Skarzinski lists as one of her role models Megan Bozek. Good choice.

The other concern for me is getting more scoring from their 2nd and 3rd lines than was exhibited toward the end of this past season.

 

[ne7minder]

Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey Off-Season 2015: #BASK

Okay, I for one have had my fill of coaching discussions. Does practice start soon?

I have perhaps a somewhat irrational concern about the Gophers possible decline in their defensive corps height in the next two years. For going on 10 years now they have had at least one player on defense that was 6 feet tall and usually a couple that were close to that.
. . .
The other concern for me is getting more scoring from their 2nd and 3rd lines than was exhibited toward the end of this past season.

Heh, a couple of years ago I thought they had one of those amusement park signs, "YOU MUST BE THIS TALL TO PLAY D FOR GWH" that was 5'10" high. It was fun while it lasted.

If predictions are right next years 2nd line could give the 1st line a run to see who gets more points. The 3rd has potential for sure but I don't know anything about Gunderson & Smith so I can't hazard a guess how the 4th with play.

 

[ARM]

Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey Off-Season 2015: #BASK

Probably the best defensive player the Gophers ever had was 5-9, so maybe it shouldn't be a concern.

Winny Brodt was listed at 5' 5". While height is a nice starting point for a prototypical defenseman, if she can skate well enough, a lack of height doesn't matter all that much. Winny's lack of size seemed to hinder her a bit in games versus Canada, but it never seemed to be that much of an issue in the college game. Melanie Gagnon was also 5' 5" and was WCHA DPotY as a senior. IMO, height is trumped by attributes such as decision making, puck-handling ability, mobility, and strength on skates. Height is kind of like a booming slap shot -- very nice to have, but there are other ways to get the job done. Neither Stecklein nor Baldwin unload too many slappers, but they both have excellent wrist shots, and one sees far fewer whiffs on wristers.

 

[D2D]

Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey Off-Season 2015: #BASK

Winny Brodt was listed at 5' 5". While height is a nice starting point for a prototypical defenseman, if she can skate well enough, a lack of height doesn't matter all that much. Winny's lack of size seemed to hinder her a bit in games versus Canada, but it never seemed to be that much of an issue in the college game.

It does seem, though, that the women's game has gotten quite a bit more physical, even as compared to six or seven years ago when I started to watch in earnest. I agree with all your other points, but would add that height also gives those who have it extra reach, which comes in very handy when knocking the puck off of forwards sticks from several feet away. But as you note players of average height who possess all of those other skills can still be top players.

 

[OldDave]

Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey Off-Season 2015: #BASK

Brad as coach of the year and hockey as women's team of the year at the Goldys.

 

[bluffrinkrat]

Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey Off-Season 2015: #BASK

Yes, Brodt and Gagnon were both great players defensively and still would be today. We'd get a kick out of Melanie showing up at The Hole a couple hours after the game to pick up a pizza to go. "Great game Melanie" was always the shout out. My wife says I liked her partly because I enjoyed pronouncing her name. True.

But to D2D's point that the game has gotten a lot more physical since the days of Winny Brodt and it's nice to have all those other attributes mentioned and size and reach as well. Mira was especially adept at poke checking the puck away with her long reach.

It's an obviously faulty comparison but height challenged Mick Tinglehoff and Fran Tarkington both had great decision making, ball-handling ability, mobility and strength on cleats, but all that was trumped by a giant Pittsburgh defensive line that left Mick sucking air on the sidelines and Fran getting his passes batted down in the Super Bowl.

 

[bluffrinkrat]

Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey Off-Season 2015: #BASK

Congratulations Coach Frost and Gopher players!! Well deserved.

 

[Hux]

Maryanne Menefee-Hannah Brandt- Dani Cameranesi,
Kate Schipper- Kelly Pannek -Sarah Potomak
Taylor Williamson- Cara Piazza, -Nina Rodgers/Brook Garzone,
Paige Haley- Tianna Gunderson-Sierra Smith

Are we loaded for bear?

Tonight is the Golden Goldys-GWH should at least win Best Women's Team!
And I want Hannah over Amanda ZB (actually anyone)

Hmmm, has Miss Kessell been written off?

 

[pokechecker]

Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey Off-Season 2015: #BASK

Hmmm, has Miss Kessell been written off?

do you mean Amanda Kessel?
c'mon, you'll get them using the Dynasty word again


Height allows the blueliner to give the offensive player more room which gives them more time to react and also make the play with their longer reach. It also allows them to carry the puck farther from their body making it difficult for the opponent to poke it away. How many time last year did you see Stecklein carrying the puck from behind the Gopher net with an opponent in hot pursuit who could not get at the puck? If I had to pick a single reason for their success over the last four year it would be their D, and more specifically tall skilled defenders.

Consequently, the big loss IMO is Ramsey, but with Stecklein & McMillen the Gophers have an excellent foundation (perhaps an understatement given they are both All-Americans), and unless it is a requirement of “The Process” I am looking forward to an entire season at D from Wolfe. With a year of experience behind Baldwin, and two for Cline, it is not like they will be hurting back at the blue line.

It will be interesting to see what the lineup of forwards will eventually be next year. There is reason to be optimistic the scoring won’t be so dependant on the 1st line next year. For most of the season when Garzone gained possession of the puck she looked to pass, over the last half dozen games she started to take the puck to the net and showed some impressive moves, hopefully she’ll continue that next fall and through the rest of the year. IMO, it is as much for the Gopher coaches and team mates to figure out how to utilze Schipper’s speed as it is for Kate. She could be a real scoring machine. And obviously Piazza & Pannek had impressive freshman years. It will be interesting to see where they take it next year.

 

[brookyone]

Re: Minnesota Women's Hockey Off-Season 2015: #BASK

do you mean Amanda Kessel?
c'mon, you'll get them using the Dynasty word again


Height allows the blueliner to give the offensive player more room which gives them more time to react and also make the play with their longer reach. It also allows them to carry the puck farther from their body making it difficult for the opponent to poke it away. How many time last year did you see Stecklein carrying the puck from behind the Gopher net with an opponent in hot pursuit who could not get at the puck? If I had to pick a single reason for their success over the last four year it would be their D, and more specifically tall skilled defenders.

Agree with this 100% and with the sentiments regarding the significance of that advantage per the impact on the teams success throughout the last four years. I made the very same observation to fellow GWH fan at the championship game. Reach is a huge advantage when it comes to gathering up passes that aren't right on the mark as well. Particularly valuable at / near the blueline on offense.

I went looking briefly, but couldn't find any physical / height info for Marshall or Robinson. The discussion made me curious about their stature.