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National Semi-Final: Minnesota vs. North Dakota

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Re: National Semi-Final: Minnesota vs. North Dakota

mnstate0fhockey said:
We don't have any elite "finishers" this season either. Hence why neither team has a 20 goal scorer. And hence why MN has gone thru stretches where they have struggled to score. In fact, amongst both teams, doesn't Grimaldi have the most goals? Haven't looked it up, but thought I remember him having more than anyone on MN.


EDIT: Grimaldi has 17 goals this year, which is more than any player on the Gopher's roster has.
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I guess both programs are used to having elite goal scorers, so someone like Grimaldi (or Rau) does not fit the usual bill. Grimaldi is exciting to watch, and gets in position with his quickness and hands, but he has missed an ungodly number of prime scoring chances. Not a criticism. His goals will increase next year, especially if he is paired with some high level skill.

What are Rau's numbers?
 
Re: National Semi-Final: Minnesota vs. North Dakota

Fighting Sioux 23 said:
Fair enough. North Dakota has a very young blue line. We can make some really stupid plays in our own end as a result The Gophers definitely have more experience back there. I haven't really watched Minnesota play all that much this year, but from what I've seen I was quite impressed with how Minnesota's defensemen played sound positionally, did a great job of limiting chances, clearing out rebounds, and were very effective at getting the puck up ice and transitioning from defense to offense.
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MN defense are very aggressive. M Reilly has absolutely transformed and can literally take over a game like few D that I've seen. Skjei is learning and starting to do this as well. Watch #5.

Our forwards are very talented and can usually keep the puck deep for extended periods. But they can get stonewalled. We had stretches where if we could get two goals from our forwards we would win...and we didn't get them. Two goals from our forwards and I like our chances.
 
burd said:
I guess both programs are used to having elite goal scorers, so someone like Grimaldi (or Rau) does not fit the usual bill. Grimaldi is exciting to watch, and gets in position with his quickness and hands, but he has missed an ungodly number of prime scoring chances. Not a criticism. His goals will increase next year, especially if he is paired with some high level skill.

What are Rau's numbers?
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Rau has put up 14-23-37. They moved him to center this season, so his defensive responsibilities were increased significantly, especially with so many young forwards in the lineup nightly.

He's turned it on recently though. Hope he can keep that hot streak going.
 
Fighting Sioux 23 said:
I don't think SOS is really all that different over the last 10.

Both teams played SCSU, so that's equal. The other 9? Using KRACH Rankings (which I'm assuming you used to get their SOS)...
North Dakota - Ferris State (6), Wisconsin (7), Western x3 (21), Miami (30), CC x3 (43)
Minnesota - Michigan x3 (17), Ohio State x3 (22), Penn State x2 (49), Robert Morris (50)

Western and Ohio State essentially cancel each other out (although, Western slightly more difficult). CC and PSU/RMU essentially cancel each other out (although, CC slightly more difficult). And the combination of Ferris/Wisconsin/Miami (average of about 14 based on pure ranking, or if you add up points and average, they would be ranked 12th) essentially cancels out Michigan (although Ferris/Wisconsin/Miami slightly more difficult). Over the last 10 games, North Dakota has had a slightly more difficult schedule.

Also, over the last 10, Minnesota has allowed 29 powerplays...North Dakota has allowed 30.

Over the course of the season? I'll agree with you (Minnesota played a more difficult schedule and took far fewer penalties). However, over the last 10 games, the two teams have been remarkably similar in so many different ways.
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Fair enough. How about if you drop the latest Michigan game were Shibby was playing, the lines were shifted and a couple forward big guns were "rested"...I'd be curious to see what it would be if you dropped that game and added the other Michigan game instead.
 
Re: National Semi-Final: Minnesota vs. North Dakota

ShotFromThePoint said:
Fair enough. How about if you drop the latest Michigan game were Shibby was playing, the lines were shifted and a couple forward big guns were "rested"...I'd be curious to see what it would be if you dropped that game and added the other Michigan game instead.
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Well then the gopher's SOS would be so much higher you couldn't even measure it.:rolleyes:
You should have considered stopping when you were behind.
 
Re: National Semi-Final: Minnesota vs. North Dakota

There's not enough on the line. We need a wager.

If the refs let UND win, mnstate0fhockey will stop posting.

What are Whioux fans willing to wager? :D
 
willythekid said:
Well then the gopher's SOS would be so much higher you couldn't even measure it.:rolleyes:
You should have considered stopping when you were behind.
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I was talking about what the stats for the last 10 games would look like dumbass.

I guess I forgot that unless my posts matched the caliber of your posts I shouldn't have replied. I mean you've brought SO much to the table.
 
Re: National Semi-Final: Minnesota vs. North Dakota

Interesting <a href="http://www.uscho.com/2014/04/08/analysis-quick-minnesota-offense-matches-up-with-tough-north-dakota-defense/">USCHO Article</a> on Mike Eaves' (UW played both teams) perspective on this matchup.
 
Re: National Semi-Final: Minnesota vs. North Dakota

mnstate0fhockey said:
Interesting <a href="http://www.uscho.com/2014/04/08/analysis-quick-minnesota-offense-matches-up-with-tough-north-dakota-defense/">USCHO Article</a> on Mike Eaves' (UW played both teams) perspective on this matchup.
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I kind of agree with him on this point.

Eaves had one last crucial bit of advice for opponents of the Gophers.

“You have to grind them out,” said Eaves. “You cannot let them wheel.”

Read more: http://www.uscho.com/2014/04/08/ana...ith-tough-north-dakota-defense/#ixzz2yQ5A2Ybs
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However, Minnesota is great on the wall and if they win the wall war it's Minnesota who will be grinding the opposition out. Not the other way around.
 
Re: National Semi-Final: Minnesota vs. North Dakota

mnstate0fhockey said:
Interesting <a href="http://www.uscho.com/2014/04/08/analysis-quick-minnesota-offense-matches-up-with-tough-north-dakota-defense/">USCHO Article</a> on Mike Eaves' (UW played both teams) perspective on this matchup.
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Yeah, because I always want as many "Mike Eaves" perspectives as possible, like, which tissue is the softest and why are the refs being so mean.:rolleyes:
 
ScoobyDoo said:
I kind of agree with him on this point.



However, Minnesota is great on the wall and if they win the wall war it's Minnesota who will be grinding the opposition out. Not the other way around.
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I agree. Gophers have gotten much better at playing a physical, grind type of game as the season has wore on.
 
Re: National Semi-Final: Minnesota vs. North Dakota

Based on the Rau-Grimaldi discussion, I anticipate Rau will run Grimaldi into the boards getting a major and misconduct and gopher fans will rant about Grimaldi diving as the stretcher bearers carry him off the ice.:o :p :rolleyes:
 
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