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WCHA Thread III
- Thread starter brookyone
- Start date
- Status
brookyone
Deport Right Wing Nuts
Re: WCHA Thread III
Well I guess that explains it!
It certainly made Rigsby's selection a little easier for the judges, since they did not have to choose between the two goaltenders who obviously both played well.
Also it seems to me that defenders are at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to winning this award. From what I've been able to tell, when a D is selected it's because that player had a great couple of games offensively, not because of all they did defensively to help their team win. But I suppose assessing a player's defensive play (relative to other defenders) is impossible to gauge unless you're able to watch every game. Other than plus/minus (which in and of itself doesn't mean much in a two game series anyway) the only way to differentiate which defender stands out above the rest is to compare goals and assists, while also considering how meaningful those points were in determining the outcome of the two games.
Well I guess that explains it!
It certainly made Rigsby's selection a little easier for the judges, since they did not have to choose between the two goaltenders who obviously both played well. Also it seems to me that defenders are at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to winning this award. From what I've been able to tell, when a D is selected it's because that player had a great couple of games offensively, not because of all they did defensively to help their team win. But I suppose assessing a player's defensive play (relative to other defenders) is impossible to gauge unless you're able to watch every game. Other than plus/minus (which in and of itself doesn't mean much in a two game series anyway) the only way to differentiate which defender stands out above the rest is to compare goals and assists, while also considering how meaningful those points were in determining the outcome of the two games.
ARM
Fan of chipmunk-like mascots.
Re: WCHA Thread III
They also seem to give a D credit if the team had a good defensive weekend. You'll see statements like, "Held the opposing power play scoreless on eight attempts." Then you look at the box score, and the D honored had four minors for the series, and you wonder if she did a good job of encouraging her teammates from the penalty box. But I'm glad that they spread it around to the D as well, although as you say, it is hard to honor defensive D for this and other awards like the Kaz.
They also seem to give a D credit if the team had a good defensive weekend. You'll see statements like, "Held the opposing power play scoreless on eight attempts." Then you look at the box score, and the D honored had four minors for the series, and you wonder if she did a good job of encouraging her teammates from the penalty box. But I'm glad that they spread it around to the D as well, although as you say, it is hard to honor defensive D for this and other awards like the Kaz.
brookyone
Deport Right Wing Nuts
Re: WCHA Thread III
http://www.uscho.com/standings/wcha-women/2011-2012/
Next weekends schedule:
Minnesota @ Bemidji State
Ohio State @ Minnesota State
North Dakota @ Minnesota-Duluth
Robert Morris @ St. Cloud State
Boston University @ Wisconsin
The Beavers always tough for Minnesota. Gophers must play well...no hiccups!
http://www.uscho.com/standings/wcha-women/2011-2012/
Next weekends schedule:
Minnesota @ Bemidji State
Ohio State @ Minnesota State
North Dakota @ Minnesota-Duluth
Robert Morris @ St. Cloud State
Boston University @ Wisconsin
The Beavers always tough for Minnesota. Gophers must play well...no hiccups!
brookyone
Deport Right Wing Nuts
capitalist2
New member
Re: WCHA Thread III
From the WCHA press release previewing this weeks' series......
"......Minnesota travels to high-scoring Bemidji State in one of three league series...." Go Beavers!
I might be mistaken, but it could be that this is the first time in history these words have been printed, spoken, or used otherwise to describe the Lady Beavers' Hockey team.
Also noticed in the article that UND drew 3000+ to each of their games at the Ralph last weekend. So I checked and they drew 2000+ to each of their non-conference games vs. Vermont previously. Very cool to see women's hockey catching on in GF.
BSU drew 400+ and 500+ to their games last weekend vs. SCSU, which is very good for Bemidji--and the first was at 2:00pm on Friday.
UMD was just over 1300 for their games vs. Wisconsin. I'm not sure if that's good or not for the 'Dogs.
The most disappointing has to be the crowds at Ridder--1000+ and 700+ for games Thursday and Friday of MEA weekend.
From the WCHA press release previewing this weeks' series......
"......Minnesota travels to high-scoring Bemidji State in one of three league series...." Go Beavers!
I might be mistaken, but it could be that this is the first time in history these words have been printed, spoken, or used otherwise to describe the Lady Beavers' Hockey team.
Also noticed in the article that UND drew 3000+ to each of their games at the Ralph last weekend. So I checked and they drew 2000+ to each of their non-conference games vs. Vermont previously. Very cool to see women's hockey catching on in GF.
BSU drew 400+ and 500+ to their games last weekend vs. SCSU, which is very good for Bemidji--and the first was at 2:00pm on Friday.
UMD was just over 1300 for their games vs. Wisconsin. I'm not sure if that's good or not for the 'Dogs.
The most disappointing has to be the crowds at Ridder--1000+ and 700+ for games Thursday and Friday of MEA weekend.
play-by-play guy
New member
Re: WCHA Thread III
I actuall think the 700 at Ridder on Friday wasn't all that bad considering that the men's team started at the exact same time and that the band was tied up with the homecoming parade. I was there (obviously) and it was a legit 700.
Nice to see large numbers for attendence at other places, but I take it with a grain of salt since the two crowds at Madison when the Gophers were there were listed as 2000+, when in fact MAYBE 400-500 actually showed on both days.
I actuall think the 700 at Ridder on Friday wasn't all that bad considering that the men's team started at the exact same time and that the band was tied up with the homecoming parade. I was there (obviously) and it was a legit 700.
Nice to see large numbers for attendence at other places, but I take it with a grain of salt since the two crowds at Madison when the Gophers were there were listed as 2000+, when in fact MAYBE 400-500 actually showed on both days.
fantasticfrito
Registered User
Re: WCHA Thread III
Always take attendance figures with a grain of salt. I know that both WI and ND count their box seats in the attendance figures regardless of if anyone was in them or not.
Always take attendance figures with a grain of salt. I know that both WI and ND count their box seats in the attendance figures regardless of if anyone was in them or not.
Re: WCHA Thread III
Friday at Ridder you had a funky 6:07 start time -- apparently also due to the homecoming parade. When your school is located in a metropolitan area, fans have trouble getting to the rink by 7:00, let alone 6:00. No doubt that cost you a few fans.
Friday at Ridder you had a funky 6:07 start time -- apparently also due to the homecoming parade. When your school is located in a metropolitan area, fans have trouble getting to the rink by 7:00, let alone 6:00. No doubt that cost you a few fans.
ARM
Fan of chipmunk-like mascots.
Re: WCHA Thread III
The 6:07 Friday starts have never drawn well for the reason you state, and this year it is even worse because of all of the road construction. They move it up an hour when men's hockey plays the same night to avoid having all the fans arrive at the same time, but last week, the men's start was 6:07 as well to avoid the HC parade. The rare times when an early Friday game does draw, then they arrive late and many are stuck at the ticket windows when the puck drops. They draw a little better with Saturday/Sunday series, but Coach Frost doesn't like to play Sunday, so smaller crowds result. The Thursday crowd was decent, and if we could get that every time, it would at least be tolerable.
brookyone
Deport Right Wing Nuts
Re: WCHA Thread III
GO GOPHERS!
Hope they can do better than 500 per game this weekend. I anticipate a very entertaining six periods of hockey...maybe more.
GO GOPHERS!
capitalist2
New member
Re: WCHA Thread III
I wasn't aware that crowd-fudging was a problem in the Women's WCHA.
But I'd say the counts from the BREC this weekend were definitely legit. In fact, the Friday game was a surprisingly good crowd for Bemidji on a beautiful fall afternoon at 2:00pm. My first thought was that they even short-changed it a bit.
I wasn't aware that crowd-fudging was a problem in the Women's WCHA.
But I'd say the counts from the BREC this weekend were definitely legit. In fact, the Friday game was a surprisingly good crowd for Bemidji on a beautiful fall afternoon at 2:00pm. My first thought was that they even short-changed it a bit.
Re: WCHA Thread III
At OSU, this has been a bit of problem over the years. The current season has three head-to-head Fridays. That's not too bad, but there are certainly years when it's been worse. On Saturdays duirng conflict weekends, the Women generally face-off at 4:07 PM, with the Men getting under way at 7:05 PM. A tight connection, but doable.
I will say we don't really have a parking issue since the rinks are on opposite sides of the Olentangy River. Now the Olentangy will never be mistaken for the Mississippi, but there's enough distance involved that there's very little overlap in parking patterns.
Given that virtually every OSU activity tries to avoid Home Football Saturdays, the powers-that-be actually do pretty well with the scheduling. Still, the conflict weekends are tough on those of us who support both teams.
Just out of curiosity, how often do the two Minnesota programs go head-to-head?
At OSU, this has been a bit of problem over the years. The current season has three head-to-head Fridays. That's not too bad, but there are certainly years when it's been worse. On Saturdays duirng conflict weekends, the Women generally face-off at 4:07 PM, with the Men getting under way at 7:05 PM. A tight connection, but doable.
I will say we don't really have a parking issue since the rinks are on opposite sides of the Olentangy River. Now the Olentangy will never be mistaken for the Mississippi, but there's enough distance involved that there's very little overlap in parking patterns.
Given that virtually every OSU activity tries to avoid Home Football Saturdays, the powers-that-be actually do pretty well with the scheduling. Still, the conflict weekends are tough on those of us who support both teams.
ARM
Fan of chipmunk-like mascots.
Re: WCHA Thread III
There are five Friday night games where the women's and men's games overlap. There is also one Saturday (Jan. 21) where the women are playing at 4:07 and the men start at 5:07. My guess would be that this is part of Hockey Day Minnesota, so the men start at that odd time to facilitate TV coverage. The Gopher women have an added problem this year with only three home series in the second half, and that is typically when they have drawn better crowds. There is the likelihood of an additional weekend for the WCHA quarters, but no WCHA Final Face-Off this season at Ridder.
Re: WCHA Thread III
So a full third of the regular season schedule. Yikes. We've had years like that, and the conflicts get irritating quickly. Hang tough.
I will say that head-to-head conflicts on Saturdays are rare at OSU. If anything, when the Men's Team is on TV their face-off is pushed later, meaning there's some additional time between games.
Like MN, we also experience an uptick in attendance after the holidays. In absolute terms, the increase is more noticeable on the Men's side. But there are definitely more people and more energy in both buildings during the second half of the season. Not that this a major new flash; I'd think that most Women's WCHA members would have a similar experience.
So a full third of the regular season schedule. Yikes. We've had years like that, and the conflicts get irritating quickly. Hang tough.
I will say that head-to-head conflicts on Saturdays are rare at OSU. If anything, when the Men's Team is on TV their face-off is pushed later, meaning there's some additional time between games.
Like MN, we also experience an uptick in attendance after the holidays. In absolute terms, the increase is more noticeable on the Men's side. But there are definitely more people and more energy in both buildings during the second half of the season. Not that this a major new flash; I'd think that most Women's WCHA members would have a similar experience.
brookyone
Deport Right Wing Nuts
brookyone
Deport Right Wing Nuts
Re: WCHA Thread III
Final From Friday, November 4th
Wisconsin 3
Ohio State 1
I'm still baffled by the scores from a couple of weeks ago at UND. But whatever happened in Grand Forks, it didn't happen last night in Columbus. A hard working Buckeye squad gave the Badgers all they could handle. The game remained tied 1-1 deep into the third period. The Badgers finally broke through for a couple of goals to settle the issue.
Separate from the game itself, there was a difficult moment when one of Badger players collapsed at the Vistors' Bench. According to a hopeful rumor, the player involved was more or less back to normal by the time she got to the hospital. Truly hope that's the case.
Ohio State Honorable Mention: Lisa Steffes
Lisa weathered a first period storm of 16 Badger shots, yielding only one goal to keep the Buckeyes in the game. She was consistently solid and occasionally spectacular as she frustrated the Badgers throughout the contest. Ultimately it wasn't enough. But that doesn't detract from a fine performance.
Wisconsin Honorable Mention: Hilary Knight and Brooke Ammerman
Hilary scored the GWG, and Brook had the 2nd Assist. Top honors went to others, but recognizing all three of the players involved in the crucial scoring play was a must. Further details below.
#3 Star: Blayre Turnbull, Wisconsin
The Badger offense certainly deserves its sterling reputation. But for over 50 minutes, the Buckeyes largely shut down the stars. It was a third line center, working on the PK, who got the Badgers on the scoreboard first. Pressuring the Buckeye defenders on the forecheck, Blayre induced one of the Buckeyes to cough up the puck. Gaining possession, she split the defense. Then Turnbull beat Steffes with a move that would have looked good in any shootout. At the moment of the goal, it seemed the floodgates might be opening. Instead, the Buckeyes settled down, and actually controlled the action during a good portion of the game. Hard to say where the Badgers would have been without the Turnbull goal. But because of Blayre's great individual effort, the Badgers never trailed in the contest. It should also be noted that Turnbull was an impressive 9 of 13 in the face-off circle.
#2 Star: Danielle Gagne, Ohio State
The Buckeye forwards had a great deal of success disrupting the Badger break-out. Possession changed frequently; every loose puck was hotly contested. All three lines excelled in this regard. Quite honestly if I had put all of the forwards names in a hat and simply drawn one, I couldn't have gone seriously wrong. But on this night Danielle did stand out from the others. She led all Buckeye shooters with 5 shots on goal. Gagne also started the Buckeyes' scoring play, bagging the second assist.
#1 Star: Brianna Decker, Wisconsin
At 5'4", Brianna is one of the smaller players on ice. But that doesn't stop her from being one of the most effective two-way players in Women's D-1. Decker both settles the defense and ignites the offense, often on the same shift. Tonight Wisconsin needed her on both ends of the ice, and she delivered. Brianna had the primary assist on both the GWG and the insurance tally.
On the GWG, Brooke Ammerman arced into the high slot with the puck, then dished it to a wide open Decker on the right side of the goal mouth. Brianna could have shot, but instead delivered a cross crease pass to Hilary Knight. Knight appeared to knock the puck out of the air and into the net. A brief video review confirmed that the puck had been legally directed in.
On the insurance goal, Decker grabbed posssion of a loose puck at neutral ice and charged into the Buckeye zone. While Steffes was able to make the initial save on Decker, she couldn't control the rebound. Smartly crashing the slot, Karley Sylvester found the puck and deposited it into the net in one spinning motion. That sealed the deal.
Up Next: OSU/UW Rematch, 7:07 PM at the Ice Rink. Note that the later-than-usual start time is due to Saturday's Ohio State/Indiana Football Game.
Final From Friday, November 4th
Wisconsin 3
Ohio State 1
I'm still baffled by the scores from a couple of weeks ago at UND. But whatever happened in Grand Forks, it didn't happen last night in Columbus. A hard working Buckeye squad gave the Badgers all they could handle. The game remained tied 1-1 deep into the third period. The Badgers finally broke through for a couple of goals to settle the issue.
Separate from the game itself, there was a difficult moment when one of Badger players collapsed at the Vistors' Bench. According to a hopeful rumor, the player involved was more or less back to normal by the time she got to the hospital. Truly hope that's the case.
3 Stars of the Game: Decidedly Unofficial and Just For Fun
Ohio State Honorable Mention: Lisa Steffes
Lisa weathered a first period storm of 16 Badger shots, yielding only one goal to keep the Buckeyes in the game. She was consistently solid and occasionally spectacular as she frustrated the Badgers throughout the contest. Ultimately it wasn't enough. But that doesn't detract from a fine performance.
Wisconsin Honorable Mention: Hilary Knight and Brooke Ammerman
Hilary scored the GWG, and Brook had the 2nd Assist. Top honors went to others, but recognizing all three of the players involved in the crucial scoring play was a must. Further details below.
#3 Star: Blayre Turnbull, Wisconsin
The Badger offense certainly deserves its sterling reputation. But for over 50 minutes, the Buckeyes largely shut down the stars. It was a third line center, working on the PK, who got the Badgers on the scoreboard first. Pressuring the Buckeye defenders on the forecheck, Blayre induced one of the Buckeyes to cough up the puck. Gaining possession, she split the defense. Then Turnbull beat Steffes with a move that would have looked good in any shootout. At the moment of the goal, it seemed the floodgates might be opening. Instead, the Buckeyes settled down, and actually controlled the action during a good portion of the game. Hard to say where the Badgers would have been without the Turnbull goal. But because of Blayre's great individual effort, the Badgers never trailed in the contest. It should also be noted that Turnbull was an impressive 9 of 13 in the face-off circle.
#2 Star: Danielle Gagne, Ohio State
The Buckeye forwards had a great deal of success disrupting the Badger break-out. Possession changed frequently; every loose puck was hotly contested. All three lines excelled in this regard. Quite honestly if I had put all of the forwards names in a hat and simply drawn one, I couldn't have gone seriously wrong. But on this night Danielle did stand out from the others. She led all Buckeye shooters with 5 shots on goal. Gagne also started the Buckeyes' scoring play, bagging the second assist.
#1 Star: Brianna Decker, Wisconsin
At 5'4", Brianna is one of the smaller players on ice. But that doesn't stop her from being one of the most effective two-way players in Women's D-1. Decker both settles the defense and ignites the offense, often on the same shift. Tonight Wisconsin needed her on both ends of the ice, and she delivered. Brianna had the primary assist on both the GWG and the insurance tally.
On the GWG, Brooke Ammerman arced into the high slot with the puck, then dished it to a wide open Decker on the right side of the goal mouth. Brianna could have shot, but instead delivered a cross crease pass to Hilary Knight. Knight appeared to knock the puck out of the air and into the net. A brief video review confirmed that the puck had been legally directed in.
On the insurance goal, Decker grabbed posssion of a loose puck at neutral ice and charged into the Buckeye zone. While Steffes was able to make the initial save on Decker, she couldn't control the rebound. Smartly crashing the slot, Karley Sylvester found the puck and deposited it into the net in one spinning motion. That sealed the deal.
Up Next: OSU/UW Rematch, 7:07 PM at the Ice Rink. Note that the later-than-usual start time is due to Saturday's Ohio State/Indiana Football Game.
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