Gophers #1
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it here. just a reminder Friday night game will most likely be on FS North Alt channel, due to a Wild game on the main FS North channel.
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WCHA first round: UAA @ Minnesota
- Thread starter Gophers #1
- Start date
state of hockey
He fixes the cable?
Re: WCHA first round: UAA @ Minnesota
Arrowed!
Arrowed!
uaafanblog
AKA - "Drop The Puck"
Re: WCHA first round: UAA @ Minnesota
I would assume they came/are coming home and the plan is to stay there next week between this series and their Final Five games.
I would assume they came/are coming home and the plan is to stay there next week between this series and their Final Five games.
Jimjamesak
Already insane, UAA making it worse
Re: WCHA first round: UAA @ Minnesota
3 game series. UAA wins in 3.
3 game series. UAA wins in 3.
Slap Shot
I got nothing
state of hockey
He fixes the cable?
Re: WCHA first round: UAA @ Minnesota
Evidently beating the crap out of a Mankato team that gave up two weeks ago gives people a lot of confidence.
Evidently beating the crap out of a Mankato team that gave up two weeks ago gives people a lot of confidence.
Fighting Sioux 23
New member
Re: WCHA first round: UAA @ Minnesota
This will definitely be an interesting series. I think Anchorage is solid enough to keep the games close, and I wouldn't be surprised if this went three, or even if Anchorage pulled the upset. That being said, I think Minnesota is playing significantly better over the past month or so. If Patterson keeps up his play, I could definitely see Minnesota making a Stalock like run all the way through the Final Five. Even if he doesn't, I think Minnesota has enough firepower to take this series. I think Minnesota wins in two, but both games are close.
This will definitely be an interesting series. I think Anchorage is solid enough to keep the games close, and I wouldn't be surprised if this went three, or even if Anchorage pulled the upset. That being said, I think Minnesota is playing significantly better over the past month or so. If Patterson keeps up his play, I could definitely see Minnesota making a Stalock like run all the way through the Final Five. Even if he doesn't, I think Minnesota has enough firepower to take this series. I think Minnesota wins in two, but both games are close.
state of hockey
He fixes the cable?
Re: WCHA first round: UAA @ Minnesota
I wouldn't really be terribly surprised by any outcome. Even with the Gophers' play being much better of late, I can't forget what was happening earlier in the season. Plus, I remember Anchorage being a pretty physical team, the Gophers showed this last weekend that they don't respond to that very well.
I wouldn't really be terribly surprised by any outcome. Even with the Gophers' play being much better of late, I can't forget what was happening earlier in the season. Plus, I remember Anchorage being a pretty physical team, the Gophers showed this last weekend that they don't respond to that very well.
Jimjamesak
Already insane, UAA making it worse
Re: WCHA first round: UAA @ Minnesota
No but a team playing well with a goaltender playing well playing a team they've already beaten once on the road does give people a lot of confidence.Evidently beating the crap out of a Mankato team that gave up two weeks ago gives people a lot of confidence.
Slap Shot
I got nothing
Re: WCHA first round: UAA @ Minnesota
What does a team playing well with a goaltender playing well playing a team they've already beaten once and getting them at home do for confidence?
What does a team playing well with a goaltender playing well playing a team they've already beaten once and getting them at home do for confidence?
uaafanblog
AKA - "Drop The Puck"
Re: WCHA first round: UAA @ Minnesota
state of hockey,
Gophers 8-4-4 in 2011.
Seawolves 9-7 in 2011.
I would think that should give the team some measure of confidence yes. Not just beating Mankato. The knowledge that they beat the Gophers at the end of January should buoy them a bit as well. It lets them know they're capable of beating the Gophers on their home ice. Being the first WCHA team to win a game against the Gophers at The John in the WCHA Playoffs a couple of years ago should also help with a positive mindset about the series.
Slap Shot,
Nothing about saying they'd come home before this playoff series is "cute". What would you do? Assume you're going to lose your road playoff series? I'm sure as Gopher fans you don't think there's much of a chance that the Seawolves will make it to the Final Five. Nevertheless, it's something that needs to be considered. I did say I "assumed" the team would travel back to Alaska because there is that consideration that they may indeed need to be in Minneapolis in two weeks. In any case, I could be wrong and perhaps they're staying. I know Spring Break for the Anchorage School District is this week. I cannot recall exactly which week UAA takes it's spring break so perhaps that will be a factor in the choice of whether they come back or stay.
Your characterization of my (clearly stated) assumptive answer to the question is the only "cute" thing I've read in this thread. Nice first post "Francis".
state of hockey,
Gophers 8-4-4 in 2011.
Seawolves 9-7 in 2011.
I would think that should give the team some measure of confidence yes. Not just beating Mankato. The knowledge that they beat the Gophers at the end of January should buoy them a bit as well. It lets them know they're capable of beating the Gophers on their home ice. Being the first WCHA team to win a game against the Gophers at The John in the WCHA Playoffs a couple of years ago should also help with a positive mindset about the series.
Slap Shot,
Nothing about saying they'd come home before this playoff series is "cute". What would you do? Assume you're going to lose your road playoff series? I'm sure as Gopher fans you don't think there's much of a chance that the Seawolves will make it to the Final Five. Nevertheless, it's something that needs to be considered. I did say I "assumed" the team would travel back to Alaska because there is that consideration that they may indeed need to be in Minneapolis in two weeks. In any case, I could be wrong and perhaps they're staying. I know Spring Break for the Anchorage School District is this week. I cannot recall exactly which week UAA takes it's spring break so perhaps that will be a factor in the choice of whether they come back or stay.
Your characterization of my (clearly stated) assumptive answer to the question is the only "cute" thing I've read in this thread. Nice first post "Francis".
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Suze
New member
Re: WCHA first round: UAA @ Minnesota
You guys need to talk to Slap Shot like he's a two year old. He seems to have a hard time in reading comprehension.
You guys need to talk to Slap Shot like he's a two year old. He seems to have a hard time in reading comprehension.
Re: WCHA first round: UAA @ Minnesota
I don't think that's accurate.
MN wasn't prepared for a physical game in Bemidji this Friday, but they have shown on numerous occasions over the second half that they can play and win physical hockey games.
They dealt with UND's physicality in Grand Forks.
They controlled both games against UAA, which I assume you are saying were physical (I actually don't remember them being so).
The series in Duluth was one of the most physical I have seen in a long while, with both teams dishing it out.
The Wisconsin series was also a very physical one with a good outcome for MN.
And while the Gophers weren't prepared for the physicality in the first game this past weekend, they came out on Saturday and matched BSU's physicality and edged out a win despite missing 2 staples of their line-up, with no chance to prepare lines/D combos without those two.
I'm not in the least concerned about an inability to play hard physical hockey, or to deal with it from the competition. My biggest concern is whether Ness will be back. He is a huge part of MN's ability to transition the puck and maintain control. Not having him in the line-up this weekend would be a huge blow.
I don't think that's accurate.
MN wasn't prepared for a physical game in Bemidji this Friday, but they have shown on numerous occasions over the second half that they can play and win physical hockey games.
They dealt with UND's physicality in Grand Forks.
They controlled both games against UAA, which I assume you are saying were physical (I actually don't remember them being so).
The series in Duluth was one of the most physical I have seen in a long while, with both teams dishing it out.
The Wisconsin series was also a very physical one with a good outcome for MN.
And while the Gophers weren't prepared for the physicality in the first game this past weekend, they came out on Saturday and matched BSU's physicality and edged out a win despite missing 2 staples of their line-up, with no chance to prepare lines/D combos without those two.
I'm not in the least concerned about an inability to play hard physical hockey, or to deal with it from the competition. My biggest concern is whether Ness will be back. He is a huge part of MN's ability to transition the puck and maintain control. Not having him in the line-up this weekend would be a huge blow.
uaafanblog
AKA - "Drop The Puck"
Re: WCHA first round: UAA @ Minnesota
Winning won't be complicated (and no Slap Shot .. that doesn't mean easy .. it means simple and simple doesn't mean easy ... not "complicated" means there aren't complicated elements to UAA's game plan ... got that "FRANCIS"?) for the Seawolves. Here's how they'll win.
With defense first. . Every player on the ice will play defense first when Minnesota has the puck. That'll start in the Gophers high zone. Then UAA will try to impose itself in the neutral zone by trapping. They'll block shots and clog passing/shooting lanes in their own zone and they'll be responsible about getting to loose pucks. And they'll get good goaltending. They also have a pretty **** good PK percentage (especially in the 2nd half where it is some crazy high number).
Playing a "physical game" is at times part of that overall strategy but it is by no means a primary focus of this years squad. UAA's major drop in penalty minutes from last year to this year is evidence of the change in focus.
That's what they've done throughout the 2nd half with a couple of exceptions where they learned their lessons about not playing like that. One of those lessons was in the Friday night game against the Gophers.
On offense, the Seawolves will depend on getting something on the power play. Depending on which line is out they can be very effective in transition and have some speed up front. They're are also threats from the blueline in transition.
If the Seawolves execute their usual game plan well there is every reason for Seawolves fans to hope for a Final Five trip. It will be no small task though. It might take three games ... but it could happen in two also.
Winning won't be complicated (and no Slap Shot .. that doesn't mean easy .. it means simple and simple doesn't mean easy ... not "complicated" means there aren't complicated elements to UAA's game plan ... got that "FRANCIS"?) for the Seawolves. Here's how they'll win.
With defense first. . Every player on the ice will play defense first when Minnesota has the puck. That'll start in the Gophers high zone. Then UAA will try to impose itself in the neutral zone by trapping. They'll block shots and clog passing/shooting lanes in their own zone and they'll be responsible about getting to loose pucks. And they'll get good goaltending. They also have a pretty **** good PK percentage (especially in the 2nd half where it is some crazy high number).
Playing a "physical game" is at times part of that overall strategy but it is by no means a primary focus of this years squad. UAA's major drop in penalty minutes from last year to this year is evidence of the change in focus.
That's what they've done throughout the 2nd half with a couple of exceptions where they learned their lessons about not playing like that. One of those lessons was in the Friday night game against the Gophers.
On offense, the Seawolves will depend on getting something on the power play. Depending on which line is out they can be very effective in transition and have some speed up front. They're are also threats from the blueline in transition.
If the Seawolves execute their usual game plan well there is every reason for Seawolves fans to hope for a Final Five trip. It will be no small task though. It might take three games ... but it could happen in two also.
Skeeterman
Bob is making me nervous
It will be nice to see Alaska at the Final 5.
ScoobyDoo
NPC
Re: WCHA first round: UAA @ Minnesota
The math reports indicate that Minnesota could still get an at large berth if they manage to sweep UAA. So, it sounds like there is added pressure on the Gophers cause they not only need the 2 out of 3 playoff win but they also need to do it in two games.
Going to be frustrating against a team that only sends one forechecker and stacks the blueline like UAA does. Expect the Hoeffel/Bjugstad combo will be the barometer of the series. They get skunked in a game and the Seawolves will win. Seawolves can't contain those two and they're in for a short weekend.
The math reports indicate that Minnesota could still get an at large berth if they manage to sweep UAA. So, it sounds like there is added pressure on the Gophers cause they not only need the 2 out of 3 playoff win but they also need to do it in two games.
Going to be frustrating against a team that only sends one forechecker and stacks the blueline like UAA does. Expect the Hoeffel/Bjugstad combo will be the barometer of the series. They get skunked in a game and the Seawolves will win. Seawolves can't contain those two and they're in for a short weekend.
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