WCHA Playoffs '11.0

[binnyrus]

Re: WCHA Playoffs '11.0

What advantage is that? I think it is more an issue of logistics. It makes more sense to have a team use a bench that is accessible to its locker room. So the WCHA is going to control it. For some reason, issues like this never surface with Wisconsin. They just play.

I don't know what I was thinking . . . I guess that there was some advantage for the goalie returning to the bench on a delayed penalty. But . . . that's obviously not the case . . . at least I don't think it is at Ridder. I guess I just always presumed that the teams were told what bench they would have in "neutral" sites . . . like the WCHA tournament and the Frozen Four.

Any thoughts on the game at all? I for one am anxious (both excited and fearful) for the game to be played. Excited because the two teams tend to play well against each other and the outcome is rarely a given. Fearful for my 'Dogs . . . in the sense (as I said in my earlier post) that they've not had the top caliber compitition in 5 or 6 weeks. MN seems to be a different team from the first half . . . everyone's now healthy and apparently hitting their stride. But . . . so is UMD. I've been quite impressed by the Dogs better D zone play and as I said, in their net-minding. Both Santa and Harss have been "on" . . . UMD has also had a better balance in their scoring which can make them more dangerous.

 

[brookyone]

Re: WCHA Playoffs '11.0

I don't exactly think your questions are sincere in their presumed "maturity" so I'm really not inclined to engage with you as such since you're only motive is to attack. You spend a lot of time making more out of people's posts than what is really there in the interest of... well, I have no idea why you do what you do.

Nothing more than an easy, cheap and typical cop out when you have no answer. The questions were / are very sincere. You just don't care for it when I ask you to support your comments with evidence, especially when you have none...which is frequently

It's interesting that you want to call me out on maturity since you just removed your tag line on your signature... "Skatefast is the same as thinkslow", or whatever it was... not to mention that you are the person who reps me most with very "mature" statements. People in glass houses should not throw stones.

I'm perfectly comfortable calling you out on matters of maturity and your lack thereof. Anyone who reads your posts can understand that. My disapproval reps to you have been strongly deserved given the posts in question and their content. Your opinion of my reps means nothing to me.

Am I still wasting oxygen? Another example of your outstanding character...from a poster who so frequently impugns my behavior within the forum, as well as your frequent "creep" references. I guess it's acceptable for you to make personal, derogatory comments, but others are out of line for responding to you in kind. Do you find that interesting at all?

 

[skatefast]

Re: WCHA Playoffs '11.0

I don't know what I was thinking . . . I guess that there was some advantage for the goalie returning to the bench on a delayed penalty. But . . . that's obviously not the case . . . at least I don't think it is at Ridder. I guess I just always presumed that the teams were told what bench they would have in "neutral" sites . . . like the WCHA tournament and the Frozen Four.

Yeah- I'm of a similar mind. I think it's more about the mental aspect and as I stated before, most D1 athletes have a tougher mental game than that. But if it's a non-issue this year, I guess there's no need to analyze it. It certainly is not going to win or loose games.

Any thoughts on the game at all? I for one am anxious (both excited and fearful) for the game to be played. Excited because the two teams tend to play well against each other and the outcome is rarely a given. Fearful for my 'Dogs . . . in the sense (as I said in my earlier post) that they've not had the top caliber competition in 5 or 6 weeks. MN seems to be a different team from the first half . . . everyone's now healthy and apparently hitting their stride. But . . . so is UMD. I've been quite impressed by the Dogs better D zone play and as I said, in their net-minding. Both Santa and Harss have been "on" . . . UMD has also had a better balance in their scoring which can make them more dangerous.

Yes. Yes. And yes. There is no question that this should be a good game of hockey with both teams on the upswing. I guess the best thing about it is that it will help both teams prepare for great competition from the other conferences. Kessel is crazy good. Then there's Raty. AND there's cousins on the ice (Gillanders girls). UMD equally has their stars and their consistent players that are showing up every night doing exactly what they are supposed to do. I hope the house is packed.

 

[ARM]

Re: WCHA Playoffs '11.0

I don't know what I was thinking . . . I guess that there was some advantage for the goalie returning to the bench on a delayed penalty. But . . . that's obviously not the case . . . at least I don't think it is at Ridder. I guess I just always presumed that the teams were told what bench they would have in "neutral" sites . . . like the WCHA tournament and the Frozen Four.

There really isn't any advantage of one bench over the other at Ridder in terms of location relative to penalty boxes; it is pretty much symmetrical. At the DECC (and presumably at Amsoil?) the home bench is on the same side as the penalty boxes, so the home player can quickly substitute after an infraction while the visitor has to skate across the ice. The problem last year was the UMD wanted the bench near the Minnesota locker room, so the two teams then had to cross over in the hallway. Obviously the WCHA would never allow such a recipe for disaster on the men's side, and given there was some degree of ugliness between the rivals in the last meeting before the WCHA tournament last season, IMO it is an unnecessary risk.

Any thoughts on the game at all?

Of late, these games tend to be a race to three goals, and this one probably will be as well. Minnesota isn't fully healthy, just as healthy as they are going to be, because West and Grogan haven't dressed in months. UMD didn't genrerate much offense in January, so I expect improvement in that area to be the big change from the last series. It's hard to evaluate your goaltending, because you've mostly been playing the less-potent offenses in the league. Overall though, I'd say it has been the most consistent area for the dogs this season, so I'm sure it will be very good to outstanding. Against good teams not named Wisconsin, I think the Gophers are a flip-a-coin team right now, so no outcome would surprise me. I hope it is settled in regulation, but who knows.

 

[brookyone]

Re: WCHA Playoffs '11.0

For the record, it looks like it's the Badgers & Sioux at 4:00PM, the Gophers and Bulldogs follow at 7:00PM. I hope the crowds are better by a large margin than the first round at Ridder. UW is usually fairly well represented. New experience for the Sioux fan, I'd think that will mean a fairly good turnout for their fans also. Regarding that match up...it would be great to see UND give Wisconsin a good challenge.

 

[JosephPSchmoe]

Re: WCHA Playoffs '11.0

At the DECC (and presumably at Amsoil?) the home bench is on the same side as the penalty boxes, so the home player can quickly substitute after an infraction while the visitor has to skate across the ice.

At Amsoil the benches are side-by-side opposite the penalty boxes.

 

[Blackbeard]

Re: WCHA Playoffs '11.0

For the record, it looks like it's the Badgers & Sioux at 4:00PM, the Gophers and Bulldogs follow at 7:00PM.

Does anyone know if these games will be broadcasted live over the internet? Just checked the WCHA site and didn't see anything there, (yet). Seem to recall that they do though...no?

 

[brookyone]

Re: WCHA Playoffs '11.0

Does anyone know if these games will be broadcasted live over the internet? Just checked the WCHA site and didn't see anything there, (yet). Seem to recall that they do though...no?

I wish I had a definitive answer for ya. I don't. It's always been noted / indicated on the Gopher Women's Hockey page "schedule" at the Gophersports.com website when game video is available. There is no indication on that schedule that there will be video available. That's the best indicator I know of, but again, not definitive...and it's possible that could change.

 

[JosephPSchmoe]

Re: WCHA Playoffs '11.0

I don't have an answer. Anything I say will be of absolutely no help to you. I just thought it was vitally important that I post something because I like to post a lot.

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: WCHA Playoffs '11.0

There really isn't any advantage of one bench over the other at Ridder in terms of location relative to penalty boxes; it is pretty much symmetrical. At the DECC (and presumably at Amsoil?) the home bench is on the same side as the penalty boxes, so the home player can quickly substitute after an infraction while the visitor has to skate across the ice. The problem last year was the UMD wanted the bench near the Minnesota locker room, so the two teams then had to cross over in the hallway. Obviously the WCHA would never allow such a recipe for disaster on the men's side, and given there was some degree of ugliness between the rivals in the last meeting before the WCHA tournament last season, IMO it is an unnecessary risk.

Agree with everything you say here, with the obvious exception of the additional info on Amsoil provided by Mr. Schmoe.

That said, trying to "commandeer" the home team's bench or locker room during tournament play is clearly a psychological ploy. Back in the day, certain teams came back from intermission very late, so that the opposing team would have skate in circles for several minutes by themselves. In both cases the objective is to get into the other team's heads; to knock them out of their comfort zone. Reasonable people can differ as to whether such ploys are legitimate tactics.

If I was defending a demand for the home bench, I'd argue that I was only asking for what I earned. I might also add that I was trying to neutralize an unearned home ice ice advantage. Having one's home locker room and bench does allow for a familiar routine and a certain comfort level. Having to change such routines can be a small distraction.

Agreed, most D-1 athletes can rise above such distractions with relative ease. And yet, players do care about these things. Back when OSU hosted the Men's Frozen Four, it became something of a battle cry for the Buckeyes to defend their room. If they qualified for the FF, they had first call on their usual quarters. Failure to qualify for the field meant the space had to be lent out. History shows that the call to arms didn't yield the desired result. But the point of my story is that the players were bothered, at least a little, by the thought of another team using their space.

I tend toward the view that "musical benches" is a needless complication, and the conference was correct to put an end to it. The risky cross-over probably made the decision fairly easy. Still, I don't blame UMD for asking. They were just looking for an edge. But ultimately keeping the focus on the ice -- and away from locker rooms and benches -- is the way to go.

 

[Blackbeard]

Re: WCHA Playoffs '11.0

For those interested...the Final Four playoff games this weekend will be streamed over the internet with audio commentary...the link will appear on the WCHA site in due course.

 

[dave1381]

Re: WCHA Playoffs '11.0

For those interested...the Final Four playoff games this weekend will be streamed over the internet with audio commentary...the link will appear on the WCHA site in due course.

free?

 

[Blackbeard]

Re: WCHA Playoffs '11.0

free?

I assumed so but that's no guarantee. It appears to be free...the link is now up and there is no mention of a fee payable, yet. You're a statistician...what are the odds that the WCHA would charge for these games?

 

[dave1381]

I assumed so but that's no guarantee. It appears to be free...the link is now up and there is no mention of a fee payable, yet. You're a statistician...what are the odds that the WCHA would charge for these games?

Been free in the past. Don't think the pricing rule would change much

 

[ithrewthebroom]

Re: WCHA Playoffs '11.0

Agree with everything you say here, with the obvious exception of the additional info on Amsoil provided by Mr. Schmoe.

That said, trying to "commandeer" the home team's bench or locker room during tournament play is clearly a psychological ploy. Back in the day, certain teams came back from intermission very late, so that the opposing team would have skate in circles for several minutes by themselves. In both cases the objective is to get into the other team's heads; to knock them out of their comfort zone. Reasonable people can differ as to whether such ploys are legitimate tactics.

If I was defending a demand for the home bench, I'd argue that I was only asking for what I earned. I might also add that I was trying to neutralize an unearned home ice ice advantage. Having one's home locker room and bench does allow for a familiar routine and a certain comfort level. Having to change such routines can be a small distraction.

Agreed, most D-1 athletes can rise above such distractions with relative ease. And yet, players do care about these things. Back when OSU hosted the Men's Frozen Four, it became something of a battle cry for the Buckeyes to defend their room. If they qualified for the FF, they had first call on their usual quarters. Failure to qualify for the field meant the space had to be lent out. History shows that the call to arms didn't yield the desired result. But the point of my story is that the players were bothered, at least a little, by the thought of another team using their space.

I tend toward the view that "musical benches" is a needless complication, and the conference was correct to put an end to it. The risky cross-over probably made the decision fairly easy. Still, I don't blame UMD for asking. They were just looking for an edge. But ultimately keeping the focus on the ice -- and away from locker rooms and benches -- is the way to go.

i was going to post something explaining the same point from my own personal experience, but no need to now, thank you for posting a reply from the other POV

 

[binnyrus]

Re: WCHA Playoffs '11.0

Ticket question: I bought mine on-line and will pick up at will-call . . . do they (Gophersports.com) usually send a confirmation e-mail? I did print out the confirmation at the time I purchased but most of the time I also get an e-mail . . . Anyone??

 

[ManBehindTheCurtain]

Re: WCHA Playoffs '11.0

Ticket question: I bought mine on-line and will pick up at will-call . . . do they (Gophersports.com) usually send a confirmation e-mail? I did print out the confirmation at the time I purchased but most of the time I also get an e-mail . . . Anyone??

I do several transactions with the Gopher ticket office each season (season tickets, WCHA finals, NCAA first rounders, etc.).

I have NEVER received e-mail confirmation of any of the transactions.

I have also NEVER been stiffed by the ticket office. The tickets that are supposed to be mailed are, in fact, always mailed. If I am supposed to pick them up at will call they are always at will call.

That's my experience. I hope that your results do NOT vary.

 

[binnyrus]

Re: WCHA Playoffs '11.0

I do several transactions with the Gopher ticket office each season (season tickets, WCHA finals, NCAA first rounders, etc.).

I have NEVER received e-mail confirmation of any of the transactions.

I have also NEVER been stiffed by the ticket office. The tickets that are supposed to be mailed are, in fact, always mailed. If I am supposed to pick them up at will call they are always at will call.

That's my experience. I hope that your results do NOT vary.

Thanks Man . . . I feel better . . . and too hope that the results do not vary.

 

[AncientOne]

Re: WCHA Playoffs '11.0

I have NEVER received e-mail confirmation of any of the transactions.

I have also NEVER been stiffed by the ticket office. The tickets that are supposed to be mailed are, in fact, always mailed. If I am supposed to pick them up at will call they are always at will call.

That's also been my experience for both hockey and football. Cheers!

 

[brookyone]

Re: WCHA Playoffs '11.0

Some good reads at the WCHA site on the Final Face Off, plus the link to the video coverage at right:

http://www.wcha.com/women/index.php