Ohio State @ Minnesota 10/19 - 10/20

[osualum86]

This weekend pairs the Buckeyes up with a team that has arguably been the most dominant team in the country thus far this season. If I read correctly, Minnesota has outscored its opponents 40-1. It doesn't get more dominant than that. The Gophers will present a huge challenge for our Buckeyes, not to mention first place is on the line. I will gladly take a split in this one! If the Buckeyes can get one at Ridder Arena against possibly the best team in the country right now, I will be happy with that. CrazyDave, Brookyone, other Minnesota posters, how do you guys see this series playing out? I think a series like this on the road will definitely let us know what we still need to work on! I just hope we can get one win so our kids don't lose confidence and start doubting ourselves. I think we have a shot at having a great season this year. It's amazing what a team can accomplish after losing star players when they suddenly realize that everyone has to step their games up to make up for the losses of those star players. That is precisely what appears to be happening this season ... everyone on the team is stepping it up and contributing. It's been great to watch so far. Are we as good as our ranking? Time will tell, but I really like the direction as well as the hard work by our coaching staff and kids, and I am going to enjoy the ride.

 

[Fever]

This weekend pairs the Buckeyes up with a team that has arguably been the most dominant team in the country thus far this season.

No, there is no argument... they are the most dominant team in the country.

I will gladly take a split in this one!

I sincerely wish you much luck.

I just hope we can get one win so our kids don't lose confidence and start doubting ourselves.

There should be no shame or loss of confindence in getting swept by the most dominant team in the country.

Are we as good as our ranking?

I would say yes.....

Time will tell, but I really like the direction as well as the hard work by our coaching staff and kids, and I am going to enjoy the ride.

Very happy for OSU.... Enjoy.

 

[Eeyore]

Re: Ohio State @ Minnesota 10/19 - 10/20

CrazyDave, Brookyone, other Minnesota posters, how do you guys see this series playing out?

My prediction is a Gopher sweep but the variance on that is high. I have no idea what to make of OSU at the moment. The game I saw up in Duluth this past weekend could be best described as "listless" so I don't know what to make of the Buckeyes' sweep up there. I also don't know quite how to evaluate Minnesota's two most recent opponents. While St. Cloud definitely looked better against us, particularly in the second game, than they ever did the past two years but I was still surprised to see them win too in Bemidji. And St. Lawrence has me wondering in the other direction, as I had expected a much stiffer test in Canton. I'll go out on a limb and predict the Gophers win 4-2 and 5-2.

And despite having become a Gopher fan I grew up in Ann Arbor, so I'll feel *much* more comfortable now that OSU has played the only two teams in the league I root for them to beat.

 

[Eeyore]

Re: Ohio State @ Minnesota 10/19 - 10/20

Stupid double post.

 

[D2D]

Re: Ohio State @ Minnesota 10/19 - 10/20

With first place at stake I can't see Minnesota looking past the Buckeyes, and I look for the Gophers to win both. For OSU to spring an upset I think the Gophers would have to take excessive penalties, including a couple stretches of being at a two man disadvantage. It could happen, but is not too likely IMO, as the Gophers have shown more discipline than has sometimes been the case in years past. That said, I don't see either game being as lopsided as any of the Gophers' first six games, as the Buckeyes will be the most talented team the Gophers will have faced so far. No doubt they'll come in looking to show they belong at the top of the conference, and having already taken 3 of 4 from UMD and North Dakota, they won't be lacking confidence. They'll get their opportunities, but I expect the strong Gophers forecheck and the solid defensive play they've shown thus far to result in a greater number of QUALITY chances, in the Gophers' favor.

So all things considered I'll go with an opening game score of 4-1. The second game will likely be more defensive and closer; I'll go with 3-2 (or 4-2 with an empty netter).

Go Gophers!

 

[osualum86]

Re: Ohio State @ Minnesota 10/19 - 10/20

Thanks for the thoughts everyone, and Fever, I agree with you 100% that a sweep shouldn't cause our team to doubt themselves or lose confidence. D2D, I tend to agree with you that Minnesota's defensive prowess will probably be the difference.

 

[D2D]

Re: Ohio State @ Minnesota 10/19 - 10/20

Gopher preview of the series:

No. 1 Gophers Host No. 6/7 Ohio State for Weekend Series

http://www.gophersports.com/sports/w-hockey/spec-rel/101712aaa.html

 

[osualum86]

Re: Ohio State @ Minnesota 10/19 - 10/20

Gopher preview of the series:

No. 1 Gophers Host No. 6/7 Ohio State for Weekend Series

http://www.gophersports.com/sports/w-hockey/spec-rel/101712aaa.html

Excuse me while I pinch myself on that "No. 6/7 Ohio State." We've never been ranked that high and it's just surreal to this longtime fan. Hope our kids can continue to play at that level. Good luck to both teams and here's to an injury-free weekend for both!

 

[CrazyDave]

Re: Ohio State @ Minnesota 10/19 - 10/20

Being a goaltender, Noora normally needs to have a short memory, but she might want a little redemption after giving up four goals in the wild second game last February in Columbus (despite getting the win). And I'm not sure what to make of Ms. Knapp's sudden improvement so far this season; I'll say that she'll do better keeping the Gophers off the board, but not thatgood. So my picks are a Gopher sweep, but only 3-1 and 4-1.

 

[ARM]

Re: Ohio State @ Minnesota 10/19 - 10/20

Ohio State game notes say that the Buckeyes are off to the best start in program history:
http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/w-hockey/spec-rel/101712aac.html

 

[brookyone]

Re: Ohio State @ Minnesota 10/19 - 10/20

I pretty much expect the Buckeyes to be loose and play with confidence. Sweeping at Duluth has to provide a boost to the squad for subsequent road series no matter where. The Gophers task is to approach the series in a typical WCHA battle / workmanship manner...all out. Full throttle. I expect the toughest series to date for Minnesota. I'll be completely happy with two narrow margin victories. I must agree with osualum86 regarding the impact of the new coaching staff and expect the type of effort and competition from the Buckeyes I'm used to seeing from Bemidji vs. Minnesota.

Will WCHFan and the good folks from Hudson WI...and former CDH fans be attending?

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: Ohio State @ Minnesota 10/19 - 10/20

Of course we're going to be a huge underdog this weekend. The Gophers should plan on playing at half-speed. Lots of pizza and ice cream right before face-off. Better yet, franks and beans...

OK, to be a little serious, I see both teams bringing their 'A' game this weekend. Truly wish I could be there. While I'm going to refrain from making any specific predictions, I also foresee relatively low scoring games. From a Buckeye point of view, that's a must. I don't expect that anybody in the nation will put big numbers against a defense led by Bozek, Ramsey & Raty.

The formula? Play hard, play smart, get a couple of bounces, maybe get some points. Just as importantly, use the series as a measuring stick. A return trip or two to Mpls. next March would be beyond awesome. This weekend, we find out what it will take.

 

[osualum86]

Re: Ohio State @ Minnesota 10/19 - 10/20

Being a goaltender, Noora normally needs to have a short memory, but she might want a little redemption after giving up four goals in the wild second game last February in Columbus (despite getting the win). And I'm not sure what to make of Ms. Knapp's sudden improvement so far this season; I'll say that she'll do better keeping the Gophers off the board, but not thatgood. So my picks are a Gopher sweep, but only 3-1 and 4-1.

Chelsea is actually a redshirt junior so she has been in the program for four seasons now. If I am not mistaken, she was injured a couple seasons ago and was redshirted that season (2010-2011). She actually started her freshman season in 2009-2010, which was the first time a freshman had started in net for Ohio State since the inaugural season of 1999-2000. I guess what I am trying to say is I am not surprised with her improvement. Another factor might be the play in front of her. All our defensemen are a year older and more experienced as we only lost two defenders to graduation last season (Brittany Carlson and Kelly Wild).

 

[brookyone]

Re: Ohio State @ Minnesota 10/19 - 10/20

Of course we're going to be a huge underdog this weekend. The Gophers should plan on playing at half-speed. Lots of pizza and ice cream right before face-off. Better yet, franks and beans...

Sounds like a fine pregame ritual for a fan...I like it.

I guess I wasn't paying proper attention...but 1:00PM start on Saturday?! That's crap, making the rematch very unlikely for me. What's next for crissakes...9:00AM?

 

[Golden Tuuk]

Re: Ohio State @ Minnesota 10/19 - 10/20

What's wrong with 1pm? Big Ten football starts at 11am.

 

[ARM]

Re: Ohio State @ Minnesota 10/19 - 10/20

What's wrong with 1pm? Big Ten football starts at 11am.

Yes, but they don't have a game that ends after 9 p.m. the night before. It is a very quick turnaround, but I think OSU likes these so that they can return home after the game rather than staying over another night.

 

[ManBehindTheCurtain]

Re: Ohio State @ Minnesota 10/19 - 10/20

Sounds like a fine pregame ritual for a fan...I like it.

Um, which part, the pizza or the beans?

I guess I wasn't paying proper attention...but 1:00PM start on Saturday?! That's crap, making the rematch very unlikely for me. What's next for crissakes...9:00AM?

I agree with you brooky. However, taking a contrarion view that these are college students, the early start on Saturday is good as it allows the students more time to get back to academic normality in time for Monday.

This contrarion viewpoint would say that the real problem is with the Friday start time. For purposes of assuring optimal athletic performance while also assuring optimal academic performance the Friday time should be moved up to 1pm or so as well.

But I agree with you mostly, I am definitely NOT in favor of Friday afternoon games and I approve of early Saturday afternoon games in about the same degree. I say leave those Friday afternoon start times to the folks in Madison.

 

[brookyone]

Re: Ohio State @ Minnesota 10/19 - 10/20

Um, which part, the pizza or the beans?

I agree with you brooky. However, taking a contrarion view that these are college students, the early start on Saturday is good as it allows the students more time to get back to academic normality in time for Monday.

This contrarion viewpoint would say that the real problem is with the Friday start time. For purposes of assuring optimal athletic performance while also assuring optimal academic performance the Friday time should be moved up to 1pm or so as well.

But I agree with you mostly, I am definitely NOT in favor of Friday afternoon games and I approve of early Saturday afternoon games in about the same degree. I say leave those Friday afternoon start times to the folks in Madison.

I can live with 4:00PM on Saturdays though I liked 6:00PM better. My reasons are partly selfish as I'm committed every Sat. until after 1:00PM, but I'm not sure that's optimal time for increasing attendance either. I also think it's to quick of a turnaround for the athletes for best performance as ARM pointed out. If it's desirable for the student athletes per travel and studies then that's the way it should be. As long as it's not just convenience for other campus events.

So I'm forced to renew my Gold Zone subscription. I did that anyway a couple weeks ago.

Oh yeah...the pizza for sure!

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: Ohio State @ Minnesota 10/19 - 10/20

Yes, but they don't have a game that ends after 9 p.m. the night before. It is a very quick turnaround, but I think OSU likes these so that they can return home after the game rather than staying over another night.

I honestly don't know what the official OSU position is, or if the Saturday start time stems from an OSU request. I would gently note that "budgetmaker likes" and "player likes" might be two different things.

As for Big Ten Football, I personally don't like the 12:00 Noon Eastern/11:00 AM Central start time. Back in the day, FB kicked off at 1:30 PM during Daylight Time or 1:00 Standard Time -- regardless of Time Zone IIRC. That was a much better timeslot. I'm also fine with 2:30/3:30/4:30. I know television is going to prevent us from returning to 1:30 PM. But I really wish the number of early starts could be kept to a minimum. This year's OSU home football schedule has had one night game, and all the rest have started at Noon. The night game against Nebraska was a blast. At the other games, the atmosphere paled by comparison. Granted, Neb. was the most attractive opponent of the group. But even taking the opponents into account, the timeslot still matters. Noon is just too early, and 11:00 is awful, IMHO. Based on the telecast of the MN/Syracuse night game, I'm guessing many Gopher fans agree.

Back to college hockey: Indoor hockey should be played in the evening. But I understand that at the current stage of development, compromises must be made. I'll allow that it's very helpful if the two varsity hockey teams don't go head-to-head. That's tough on those of us who support both programs; and it's one reason for the 4:00 Saturday starts in Columbus. Travel considerations also matter. So if a 1:00 or 2:00 start is occasionally necessary to make the travel work, I'm good with it. But other things being equal, those times are too early if a game has been played the previous evening.

 

[CrazyDave]

Re: Ohio State @ Minnesota 10/19 - 10/20

As long as it's not just convenience for other campus events.

This actually looks like one of those times it's actually not. There are a couple other events on campus, but they're going on at the same time and don't exactly draw large crowds (softball & men's tennis). The only late event is a Gopher volleyball team home match vs. Purdue, which doesn't start until 7 p.m.