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UMD 2010-11 Season

Re: UMD 2010-11 Season

I'm curious now about the helmet as well . . .

Freshman early takes . . .

Jaakkola and Kenyon seem to have best adatped to the speed of the game. Jaaks probably also has the advantage of international play. I too like that she's not afraid to put it on the net.

Gallop and Gillanders seem to be on a more "normal" learning curve.


Anyway . . . I think it's great that they're all getting good ice time and I hope it continues. Once they all adjust to the speed and system, I can't see why Shannon couldn't be using her full bench. It would be a very nice advantage for a change.

Anyone else going to the chalk talk tonight?
 
Re: UMD 2010-11 Season

I completely spaced out the Chalk Talk tonight, got busy doing some other stuff then forgot all about it while thinking about the Wild playing the Caps on TV tonight

As for Harss, It's really hard to make out the 'crown' you're talking about because the black straps of her helmet go through it, or snap onto it, it looks like on the picture.. I'll have to get a better shot during warmups Friday
 
Re: UMD 2010-11 Season

I was going to mention that the mascot is wearing grey on her helmet, which seems a little weird rather than a jersey..
 
Re: UMD 2010-11 Season

skatefast said:
One thing that was pointed out to me earlier when I was trying to understand the torpedo is that there are more opportunities for break-aways but there are more opportunities for the opposition to also break away. Which makes sense given it's a system that heavily favors offense. So, it's a risk. I'm sure we'll see lots of SOG if not pucks in the net from both sides. I'm hoping it's in our favor, of course!
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I've played, coached and watched a lot of hockey over the years, but I still haven't seen a detailed description of what the "torpedo" system is all about. Question: If it's really so great, which NHL teams have used it to win Stanley Cups? Conversely, if NHL teams teams do not use the torpedo, there must be a good reason why: there is an easy way to counter and exploit its weaknesses.

I'm sure Coach Frost has been evaluating all this and has prepared a good game plan to deal with it. Or, he's concluded the "torpedo" is merely a ploy, intended to throw the Gophers off their game plan, and knows the torpedo will implode and sink the dogs to the bottom of the harbor. :cool:
 
Re: UMD 2010-11 Season

D2D said:
I've played, coached and watched a lot of hockey over the years, but I still haven't seen a detailed description of what the "torpedo" system is all about.
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The highest level at which I've seen it used was Sweden's men's team at the 2002 Olympics. It was all the rage for the first week and a half or so, then Sweden lost, and that was about the last heard of it. I think the problem with it in the men's game is most of the teams on defense have enough speed and skill to exploit it.

I don't pretend to know the intricacies, such as there is an element where a wing is kept at neutral like Brown used to do for the breakout, but once the torpedo team establishes possession in the offensive zone, it is a little like a power play, except both teams are at full strength. The torpedo team will commit the 4th player down low to gain/maintain possession, and it causes a lot of pressure and turnovers. Like a full-court press in basketball, if you can beat it, it can lead to some quick scoring chances in transition.

UMD seems to like to use it in years where they are deeper at forward than they are at D. And you need to be strong in net, because some odd-man rushes will result. It definitely makes for some entertaining games. I'd very much enjoy seeing a Bulldog/Badger series. Minnesota's coaches should at least be familiar with the Bulldog implementation, because both Frost and Johnson were on staff when they used it before, and Darwitz played against it. Of course, UMD has different personnel this time around, so they may do things differently than before.
 
Re: UMD 2010-11 Season

The UConn series, they used Friddy as the forward skating D-shifts with the first line and Wong the previous weeks. Friddy didn't play a whole lot though in the UConn series, not sure what that story is, but we'll need her near full strength this series. I like Wong as a forward much better.. she seems to have a knack of finding the puck in front of the net, though Gopher fans don't have to be reminded of that :D
 
Re: UMD 2010-11 Season

dhmn said:
I like Wong as a forward much better.. she seems to have a knack of finding the puck in front of the net, though Gopher fans don't have to be reminded of that :D
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Did she score much against us? It was mostly Blais and Fridfinnson, with a token goal here or there from one of last year's frosh. Cornell fans are more likely to remember Wong.
 
Re: UMD 2010-11 Season

Nope. The only points she had were a goal and an assist in the WCHA title game. She was blanked in all the other games with you guys.
 
Re: UMD 2010-11 Season

ARM said:
The highest level at which I've seen it used was Sweden's men's team at the 2002 Olympics. It was all the rage for the first week and a half or so, then Sweden lost, and that was about the last heard of it. I think the problem with it in the men's game is most of the teams on defense have enough speed and skill to exploit it.

I don't pretend to know the intricacies, such as there is an element where a wing is kept at neutral like Brown used to do for the breakout, but once the torpedo team establishes possession in the offensive zone, it is a little like a power play, except both teams are at full strength. The torpedo team will commit the 4th player down low to gain/maintain possession, and it causes a lot of pressure and turnovers. Like a full-court press in basketball, if you can beat it, it can lead to some quick scoring chances in transition.
Click to expand...

I can see why - with 4 attacking down low in the offensive zone you are going to give up a lot of odd-man breaks. Just chip it off the glass on the other side of the ice where the lone D is not positioned. Highly skilled teams are going to take advantage of the 2 on 1's, 1 on O's, etc. more often than not.

ARM said:
UMD seems to like to use it in years where they are deeper at forward than they are at D. And you need to be strong in net, because some odd-man rushes will result. It definitely makes for some entertaining games. I'd very much enjoy seeing a Bulldog/Badger series. Minnesota's coaches should at least be familiar with the Bulldog implementation, because both Frost and Johnson were on staff when they used it before, and Darwitz played against it. Of course, UMD has different personnel this time around, so they may do things differently than before.
Click to expand...

Assuming Duluth tries to employ it this weekend I'd love to be there in person - could be a fun chess match to witness and see how Frost and Darwitz counterstrike. Then, just like what happened to the 2002 Swedish Olympic team, this will hopefully be the last we hear about the torpedo.
 
Re: UMD 2010-11 Season

ARM said:
Did she score much against us? It was mostly Blais and Fridfinnson, with a token goal here or there from one of last year's frosh. Cornell fans are more likely to remember Wong.
Click to expand...

I certainly do!
 
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Re: UMD 2010-11 Season

D2D said:
I can see why - with 4 attacking down low in the offensive zone you are going to give up a lot of odd-man breaks.
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They don't always commit the 4th player, and as with more convential systems, I'm sure there is a rotational responsibility to cover for the pinching D. The differences I saw were that UMD would tend to use an offensive forward at D, like a team would on the PP, that player would be willing to come all the way down below the goal line and remain there, and there would be a greater emphasis on looking for those opportunities, rather than having them naturally evolve on rare occasions. Because teams have little experience playing against it, the torpedo can wreak havoc with the opponent's breakout.
 
Re: UMD 2010-11 Season

D2D said:
Assuming Duluth tries to employ it this weekend I'd love to be there in person - could be a fun chess match to witness and see how Frost and Darwitz counterstrike. Then, just like what happened to the 2002 Swedish Olympic team, this will hopefully be the last we hear about the torpedo.
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There is no question that UMD will "employ" it this weekend . . .they've played it all year . . . it's being used this season because the personnel allow for it's use. Speedy forwards that can control the puck, good defenders and excellent goal tending. It's a system to employ when you believe you have the skill set on your team to make it work. This is only the second season coach Miller's used it and if the talent doesn't call for it in future seasons she won't use it. It's also the case that when/if they are ahead and protecting the lead late in a game they will employ a more traditional 2D-3F style.

ARM is correct in saying there is a responsibility in the Forward's rotation to "fill" in (be aware of) that 2nd defender position. It's a system where the players really need to be moving . . . and when they don't bad things can happen (like the 1st period in game one against MSU). I'd also say that the casual fan wouldn't really even notice the difference. It can be very exciting to watch and I'd guess that this weekend's series againt the Gophers will put it to it's most rigourous test to date.
 
Re: UMD 2010-11 Season

UMD's speed won this game.. they were flying when they got the zone, cycling and creating chances.. Jessica Wong continues to be on fire (maybe NOW the Gopher fans will notice her..) since the playoffs started last year she's gotten better and better on the offensive end of the ice. She was a solid player before, but this is better than that. Go Dogs, Sweep on Saturday!
 
Re: UMD 2010-11 Season

skatefast said:
Hint: They often call Jenny, "Princess".
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Okay, I get it now. And Kim's helmet has had a bit of customizing, too. Her Bulldog is wearing something appropriate to her, but I'm guessing you already know that. If not, say so and I'll post a pic...it's kind of funny.

helmet.jpg
 
Re: UMD 2010-11 Season

Harss' helmet is different than the one I got pictures of last week.. even the back is a different color now.. I like the bigger lift bridge on this one. I think we all know about Kim Martin having the Santa cap on her helmet ;)
 
Re: UMD 2010-11 Season

Tiara....I like the fist sword, and the bridge that holds the the team together better. Well, maybe..............
 
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