The 2018 Frozen 4

[shelfit]

Possession time is a much more complicated concept in hockey than it is in soccer, because possession changes so rapidly and because there are extended stretches in which puck possession is contested. Hockey analytics gave up on trying to measure it directly and found that the number of shots taken (which is not just shots on goal, but also those that miss the net and those that are blocked) is an effective proxy for possession (which it is not in soccer, given that far more of ball possession takes place far from the goal). So this is what is used in stats like Corsi.

Which is why battle drills, small space drills/competitions, odd number drills/competitions, keep away type drills, and any drills that create competition for puck possession are so important in hockey. Coaches that fail to realize and do those types of drills in practice everyday are missing the boat. All your standard individual skills are embedded within all those drills. You get good at those drills and you become a better hockey player and the bonus is your Hockey IQ improves at the same time and you don't even realize it.

 

[Blackbeard]

Re: The 2018 Frozen 4

Which is why battle drills, small space drills/competitions, odd number drills/competitions, keep away type drills, and any drills that create competition for puck possession are so important in hockey. Coaches that fail to realize and do those types of drills in practice everyday are missing the boat. All your standard individual skills are embedded within all those drills. You get good at those drills and you become a better hockey player and the bonus is your Hockey IQ improves at the same time and you don't even realize it.

A life lesson that is not so easy to see or to conceptualize prior to its implementation and experiencing its results first hand and which applies to virtually everything in life including what you just pointed out, is this:

When you constantly strive to do simple things perfectly you automatically strengthen your ability to do difficult things easily.

 

[Timothy A]

Re: The 2018 Frozen 4

I'll reiterate my opinion that Wisconsin doesn't have an especially good offense.

This is accurate, and they score about 1 less on the road than at home, so it's a double whammy. Of course last year they had 2 Olympians F's and 1 almost Olympian F and scored 1 goal the weekend. Let's play the games and see what happens.

It was interesting that one of UW's pp plans against MN was get it down low next to the net, throw it on goal and just keep hacking at rebounds. Maybe they saw something on film, who knows.

 

[FiveHoleFrenzy]

Re: The 2018 Frozen 4

Wisconsin had the most complete team last year and didn't get the job done. They are the most talented team again this year on paper. I think they do pretty well at Ridder and win it all this year.

 

[Timothy A]

Re: The 2018 Frozen 4

Wisconsin had the most complete team last year and didn't get the job done. They are the most talented team again this year on paper. I think they do pretty well at Ridder and win it all this year.

I think Clarkson has more talent @ F, but WI plays as a team better. I have to do some more learning about Colgate, but they are slightly better on special teams, better on scoring offense, UW is better on scoring D. Add in complete unfamiliarity as well. Last year Clarkson and UW played twice during the regular season (and the season before), so each team had an idea of how to deal with each other based on game play and not film. It's a fascinating scenario (for both games).

 

[Puckdrop14]

This is accurate, and they score about 1 less on the road than at home, so it's a double whammy. Of course last year they had 2 Olympians F's and 1 almost Olympian F and scored 1 goal the weekend. Let's play the games and see what happens.

It was interesting that one of UW's pp plans against MN was get it down low next to the net, throw it on goal and just keep hacking at rebounds. Maybe they saw something on film, who knows.

In both of SP’a games the weekend before last, I noticed that she struggled at securing the puck when it was in close and down low. Good catch by the Wisco staff as I did notice the pressure they were exerting on her during those types of plays and it paid off.

 

[Timothy A]

Re: The 2018 Frozen 4

In both of SP’a games the weekend before last, I noticed that she struggled at securing the puck when it was in close and down low. Good catch by the Wisco staff as I did notice the pressure they were exerting on her during those types of plays and it paid off.

Great catch by you noticing that. What UW was doing was definitely intentional with the tight plays on the pp. I know I often times do not take into account all the nuances and subtleties of coaching at the D1 level of women's hockey, I doubt they leave any stone unturned.

 

[shelfit]

A life lesson that is not so easy to see or to conceptualize prior to its implementation and experiencing its results first hand and which applies to virtually everything in life including what you just pointed out, is this:

When you constantly strive to do simple things perfectly you automatically strengthen your ability to do difficult things easily.

For whatever reason you reminded me of the expression, "The harder I work, the luckier I get."

 

[rochnycsc]

Re: The 2018 Frozen 4

Repeat of the ECAC final, in the national championship game. UW is so desperate to get revenge on Clarkson I think they might be looking past Colgate. Clarkson's experience in Tiley & Harmon and explosive top line will win it for Tech.

 

[Puckdrop14]

Repeat of the ECAC final, in the national championship game. UW is so desperate to get revenge on Clarkson I think they might be looking past Colgate. Clarkson's experience in Tiley & Harmon and explosive top line will win it for Tech.

Are you looking past OSU? As for Wisco, I would guess that they are not looking past any team. Don’t let comments on this forum influence you in any way. MJ is certainly not posting on this site so don’t assume anything about how the team is approaching or estimating opponents. This is a fan forum.

 

[vicb]

Re: The 2018 Frozen 4

Are you looking looking past OSU? .......

This is a fan forum.

Most certainly not. Clarkson is gonna have to play better than they did against Mercyhurst to beat TOSU based on what I observed on the TOSU-BC game. Speaking of that game I have not seen a post from Grant in a long time. Another disappointing end to BC season must have him really bummed.

This is the first women's Frozen 4 that I can remember since following the sport in 2002 where each of the teams has a very good shot at taking the title.

Yes this is a fan forum and sometimes those fans will be fans and the hockey gods have had enough and put them and their team on the wrong end of the score.

 

[shelfit]

Most certainly not. Clarkson is gonna have to play better than they did against Mercyhurst to beat TOSU based on what I observed on the TOSU-BC game. Speaking of that game I have not seen a post from Grant in a long time. Another disappointing end to BC season must have him really bummed.

This is the first women's Frozen 4 that I can remember since following the sport in 2002 where each of the teams has a very good shot at taking the title.

Yes this is a fan forum and sometimes those fans will be fans and the hockey gods have had enough and put them and their team on the wrong end of the score.

Yes sometimes the hockey Gods show you the 'Gate!

 

[ARM]

Re: The 2018 Frozen 4

This is the first women's Frozen 4 that I can remember since following the sport in 2002 where each of the teams has a very good shot at taking the title.

We may not have thought so at the time, but in hindsight the 2016 Frozen Four was very balanced; Clarkson was just undervalued, as always seems to be the case.

The 2015 FF was one where heading into it, people thought that any of the teams could win it all. Harvard was very hot heading into the tourney, and on the Thursday before the semis, the Crimson practice was the most impressive.

I think there were other years, like 2008 or 2010, where things wouldn't have had to play out much differently to change both semifinals.

 

[Blackbeard]

Re: The 2018 Frozen 4

For whatever reason you reminded me of the expression, "The harder I work, the luckier I get."

That's different but no less true.

You're just bending the odds in your favour by being in more of the right places at more of the right times. But to the outsider it just looks like dumb luck but you are actually creating your own favourable conditions for increased success.

Men of action are favoured by the goddess of good luck.

 

[bluffrinkrat]

Re: The 2018 Frozen 4

I think there were other years, like 2008 or 2010, where things wouldn't have had to play out much differently to change both semifinals.

Maybe with just a little more rest for Noora coming back from the Oylmpics or just wishful thinking on my part?

 

[Blackbeard]

Re: The 2018 Frozen 4

I think there were other years, like 2008 or 2010, where things wouldn't have had to play out much differently to change both semifinals.

Yeah, the '08 humdinger between UNH and UMD is right. The 'Dogs performed a miracle in that semi while pretty much being suffocated by UNH's seriously talented roster. One of the best games I have ever seen. Heavy entertainment value.

Remember the kerfuffle caused by UNH's coach's comment afterwards uttered from his state of shock and disbelief??

But, (and I've mentioned this before here several years ago) the final between UW and UMD was very strange and extremely disappointing. The first period was competitive but something happened in the UW dressing room after the first period. They came out in the second period a completely different team...looked like they just wanted to go home and wanted nothing to do with UMD or with the rest of that Championship Game. It was tangible. The last two periods were pretty much no contest...relative to the first period. Could never understand that.

 

[Timothy A]

Re: The 2018 Frozen 4

Repeat of the ECAC final, in the national championship game. UW is so desperate to get revenge on Clarkson I think they might be looking past Colgate. Clarkson's experience in Tiley & Harmon and explosive top line will win it for Tech.

UW is a much different team than last year, 10 new players on the roster and they are not as potent as last year's team. I doubt they are looking past anyone seeing they are a weaker team on the road than at home both in scoring and scoring d, and revenge isn't a big factor to 10 players nor to the coaches.

 

[ARM]

Re: The 2018 Frozen 4

I doubt they are looking past anyone seeing they are a weaker team on the road than at home both in scoring and scoring d, and revenge isn't a big factor to 10 players nor to the coaches.

I was going to ask how they are on neutral ice, but given they lost to Northeastern, their record can't be great...

 

[drewkal]

Re: The 2018 Frozen 4

Now who will end up victorious on Sunday at Ridder?

Muzzy, Milica, and OSU! No more Clarkson Green, and definitely no Badgers, especially not at Ridder. I'll be there for OSU, hard for a guy who grew up in Michigan, but somebody's got to do it!

 

[Nowheresville]

Re: The 2018 Frozen 4

Interesting that people are acting like this will be a road game for Wisconsin or that playing at Ridder will be a disadvantage for them. This seems like as close to a home Frozen Four as the Badgers are likely to ever get.

Ridder is a place where this Badger team has done remarkably well and seems to be very comfortable. Other than the Gophers, there's no team that's got nearly the experience or success playing in there - They've played twice as many games as even the Buckeyes over the past 3 season, and prior to losing to the Gophers in this years WCHA Final, they were undefeated in their previous 9 games in the building, winning 2 WCHA Tournament titles in the process.

This is also the first time the Badgers will have played in a Frozen Four in Minneapolis where the Gophers won't also be there, so I have to imagine the crowd will very much be on their side with a pretty large crowd coming up from Madison.

Although I am curious what the crowds will actually look like - I see most of the seats are sold, it looks like there are only scattered singles left - but with Minnesota out of it, how many people will sell or simply not use their tickets. The last time Ridder hosted without the Gophers, it was a very small crowd even with UMD in the final, but with the previous 2 sellouts, obviously a lot of people bought tickets early, before the field was known.