National Semi-Final: Minnesota vs. North Dakota

[Dirty]

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

As I said, overly broad definition. Homegrown talent is obviously players who are from the city where the University is located, of which Minnesota has zero.

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

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

Kind of scary how similar they are. I think the game will hinge on the 3rd and 4th lines of Minnesota, wall play/forecheck, and the Gophers shutting down Grimaldi. Against OSU they allowed Ohio State to be too comfortable in their defensive zone and gave Dzingel a chance to steal the game. That can't be allowed to happen against any of the teams in the Frozen Four if Minnesota wants a title.

The difference between Grimaldi and Dzingel though is that Dzingel can do it all on his own. Grimaldi has a solid shot and he can generate a lot of offense, but is probably a better setup man than a true goal scorer. I think Grimaldi is probably similar to Mark Zengerle, with slightly better scoring ability, and not quite as good of passing. North Dakota doesn't really have a guy that can take a game over on his own.

I think the game will come down to special teams and defense. If North Dakota can stay out of the box, maybe score a powerplay goal, limit the Gophers to the outside, and get a good game out of Gothberg, they'll have a good chance to advance. If not, I think it would take a poor showing from Minnesota (or an insane amount of luck going against them) for the Sioux to skate for 8.

 

[mnstate0fhockey]

Kind of scary how similar they are. I think the game will hinge on the 3rd and 4th lines of Minnesota, wall play/forecheck, and the Gophers shutting down Grimaldi. Against OSU they allowed Ohio State to be too comfortable in their defensive zone and gave Dzingel a chance to steal the game. That can't be allowed to happen against any of the teams in the Frozen Four if Minnesota wants a title.

Well said Scooby. I agree with you. If we play like we did on Sunday, I think we have a good chance. We play like we did against Ohio State in the B1G Tourney, we'll get bounced in the first game.

 

[gopher wes]

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

The difference between Grimaldi and Dzingel though is that Dzingel can do it all on his own. Grimaldi has a solid shot and he can generate a lot of offense, but is probably a better setup man than a true goal scorer. I think Grimaldi is probably similar to Mark Zengerle, with slightly better scoring ability, and not quite as good of passing. North Dakota doesn't really have a guy that can take a game over on his own.

I think the game will come down to special teams and defense. If North Dakota can stay out of the box, maybe score a powerplay goal, limit the Gophers to the outside, and get a good game out of Gothberg, they'll have a good chance to advance. If not, I think it would take a poor showing from Minnesota (or an insane amount of luck going against them) for the Sioux to skate for 8.

Bold/underlined portion is true of the Gophers this year as well. It's been scoring by committee for sure and Wilcox has stolen a couple games this season that the Gophers in all reality probably didn't deserve to win.

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

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

Bold/underlined portion is true of the Gophers this year as well. It's been scoring by committee for sure and Wilcox has stolen a couple games this season that the Gophers in all reality probably didn't deserve to win.

Yeah, the teams really do mirror each other (as I said before, both teams try to win the same way, but Minnesota is just better at it than North Dakota...at least over the course of the season). They are both certainly front runners, so the first goal will be key (I think I saw a stat where the Gophers have won something like 15 in a row when scoring first?). Minnesota won't have to worry about any 3 goal comebacks in this game.

Given that, I do think that if either team can get up by 2 goals, that probably marks the end of the game. However, if one team is going to comeback from down a couple, it is almost certainly Minnesota.

 

[gopher wes]

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

Yeah, the teams really do mirror each other (as I said before, both teams try to win the same way, but Minnesota is just better at it than North Dakota...at least over the course of the season). They are both certainly front runners, so the first goal will be key (I think I saw a stat where the Gophers have won something like 15 in a row when scoring first?). Minnesota won't have to worry about any 3 goal comebacks in this game.

Given that, I do think that if either team can get up by 2 goals, that probably marks the end of the game. However, if one team is going to comeback from down a couple, it is almost certainly Minnesota.

First of all......good gosh I hope not! Unless they are doing the coming back, of course. But I agree with you, if one of these teams gets a 2+ goal lead it is likely over.

I didn't realize how statistically even these teams were until you posted those comparisons. Should be a fun one! Don't know how I am going to make it through the next week of work.....

 

[Bonin21]

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

As I said, overly broad definition. Homegrown talent is obviously players who are from the city where the University is located, of which Minnesota has zero.

Lol sorry that we have more than four inhabitable cities in our state

 

[GrinCDXX]

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

As I said, overly broad definition. Homegrown talent is obviously players who are from the city where the University is located, of which Minnesota has zero.

I find your definition overly broad. Homegrown should be reserved only for players who were homeless growing up and slept in a dark corner in the sub basement of a university owned building.

 

[Bonin21]

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

I find your definition overly broad. Homegrown should be reserved only for players who were homeless growing up and slept in a dark corner in the sub basement of a university owned building.

UND loses out on most of these prospects to the Third Reich.

 

[Dirty]

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

Lol sorry that we have more than four inhabitable cities in our state

Quite alright. There's no need to apologize that Minnesota has less homegrown talent than North Dakota.

 

[cross cheque]

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

I find your definition overly broad. Homegrown should be reserved only for players who were homeless growing up and slept in a dark corner in the sub basement of a university owned building.

I believe this is the most legitimate argument posed so far.

 

[Happy]

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

Quite alright. There's no need to apologize that Minnesota has less homegrown talent than North Dakota.

you have to stop hitting that sugarbeet vodka so early in the morning.

 

[mnturkey]

As I said, overly broad definition. Homegrown talent is obviously players who are from the city where the University is located, of which Minnesota has zero.

A Golden Gophers hockey tradition is to stock the roster almost exclusively (sometimes completely) with Minnesota natives.
The wikepidea definition says that all the campusus are combined to form the University system.
Home Grown Made in Minnesota.

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

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

A Golden Gophers hockey tradition is to stock the roster almost exclusively (sometimes completely) with Minnesota natives.
The wikepidea definition says that all the campusus are combined to form the University system.
Home Grown Made in Minnesota.

How long before the Gophers hang a banner for Duluth's 2011 National Championship?

(Assuming one isn't already there...haven't been to Mariucci since 2008)

 

[gopher wes]

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

How long before the Gophers hang a banner for Duluth's 2011 National Championship?

(Assuming one isn't already there...haven't been to Mariucci since 2008)

I'd assume after this year. They will get a discount for ordering more than one banner.

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

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

I'd assume after this year. They will get a discount for ordering more than one banner.

well played

The Bulldog will look real nice next to their B1G Championship Banner.

 

[SanTropez]

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

Have the wagons left the prairie to Philly yet?

Have they packed plenty of cut-off t-shirts and snuff for the long trip?

 

[gopher wes]

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

well played

The Bulldog will look real nice next to their B1G Championship Banner.

I knew someone would fire back with that. lol!!

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

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

Have the wagons left the prairie to Philly yet?

Have they packed plenty of cut-off t-shirts and snuff for the long trip?

Please...most of the state is still waiting for pony express to come to deliver the results of the NCHC Tournament.

 

[Tiggsy]

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

Quite alright. There's no need to apologize that Minnesota has less homegrown talent than North Dakota.

I think the most suprising thing here is that there are people willing to admit they are from North Dakota. Must be because they simply don't know any better and have been trapped there. Maybe living homeless in a university building's basement as GrinCDXX suggested.