WCHA Thread III

[ARM]

Re: WCHA Thread III

I probably missed whatever conversation, if any, regarding the Parizek (ND) extra penalization (is that a word?) resulting from a checking penalty at the end of the MSU series. Sorry if I missed it but please direct me to the conversation or take a minute say more about what happened there. Wow, pretty severe consequence.

I haven't seen any conversation here beyond the suspension announcement that I posted yesterday in the rivalries thread. Coach Idalski didn't mention the incident in either his postgame remarks or weekly press conference.

 

[binnyrus]

Re: WCHA Thread III

I haven't seen any conversation here beyond the suspension announcement that I posted yesterday in the rivalries thread. Coach Idalski didn't mention the incident in either his postgame remarks or weekly press conference.

Thanks ARM. I was hoping for a recap from someone at the game. Based on the box score it looks like tempers flared between her and an MSU player (O'Connor). Neither player had any other penalties in the game . . . sometimes tension building in the game comes out at the end like that.

I'm trying to recall any game in the WCHA where they've assessed an additional game suspension like what happened here. I do recall a big brawl from a few years ago - but don't recall the teams or any WCHA league action as a result. (Then again, I don't recall what I had for lunch today either!!)

 

[D2D]

Re: WCHA Thread III

I do recall a big brawl from a few years ago - but don't recall the teams or any WCHA league action as a result.

Perhaps you're referring to the melee that ARM posted a link to just a few posts above. That one also involved North Dakota. Maybe ARM remembers the outcome?

 

[ARM]

Re: WCHA Standings at a Glance

Re: WCHA Standings at a Glance

That was UND's first loss since they lost in Duluth in December. So maybe they don't like losing. Or players who score empty net goals against them. Or maybe you Bulldog fans are right, and the Fighting Sioux are as hostile and abusive as their nickname as judged by the NCAA. There may have been a suspension at the end of the first UND/UM game, but the play in question was not captured on video, so nothing for the league to review. Anyway, the brawl a couple years back was this game in Mankato.

 

[binnyrus]

Re: WCHA Thread III

Perhaps you're referring to the melee that ARM posted a link to just a few posts above. That one also involved North Dakota. Maybe ARM remembers the outcome?

D2D, yes . . . that's the incident I'm talking about. Just wandering exactly what happened! The WCHA announcement only says what the penalty(ies) were and the additional suspension. I'm curious what she did . . . that resuluted in such a severe penalty.

 

[binnyrus]

Re: WCHA Standings at a Glance

Re: WCHA Standings at a Glance

That was UND's first loss since they lost in Duluth in December. So maybe they don't like losing. Or players who score empty net goals against them. Or maybe you Bulldog fans are right, and the Fighting Sioux are as hostile and abusive as their nickname as judged by the NCAA. There may have been a suspension at the end of the first UND/UM game, but the play in question was not captured on video, so nothing for the league to review. Anyway, the brawl a couple years back was this game in Mankato.

Ahhhhh, yes. My favorite women's box score of all time!! LOL!!!!!!!!!!

 

[wmnshkyfan]

Re: WCHA Thread III

I watched the UND/MSU series via webcasts... I have never seen anything quite like it, in womens hockey. Mankato scores an empty netter with time running down. #6 was on the ice with about 45 seconds remaining... and then either off or out of camera view. It showed O'Conner puck handling behind the net as the last seconds ticked of, she slighty turned her back and was just totally jacked at the buzzer. O'Conner in no way saw it coming. And it semed #6 came directly from the bench area directly at O'Conner.. After O'Conner got up punches were thrown both ways, some bench players cleared.. the camera kinda pans away. It was the kind of thing I hate to see in the womens game. It definately could've caused serious injury and I am assuming the WCHA thought so too.

 

[JosephPSchmoe]

Re: WCHA Thread III

If I'm not mistaken, Wisconsin wrapped up the regular season league title with tonight's win, yes? With five games and 15 points remaining on the schedule, nobody can catch them. So congrats to the Badgers. Well played and well earned and we'll see you in the playoffs.

 

[CrazyDave]

Re: WCHA Thread III

If I'm not mistaken, Wisconsin wrapped up the regular season league title with tonight's win, yes? With five games and 15 points remaining on the schedule, nobody can catch them. So congrats to the Badgers. Well played and well earned and we'll see you in the playoffs.

That's correct. Wisconsin has clinched the title.

That was UND's first loss since they lost in Duluth in December. So maybe they don't like losing. Or players who score empty net goals against them. Or maybe you Bulldog fans are right, and the Fighting Sioux are as hostile and abusive as their nickname as judged by the NCAA. There may have been a suspension at the end of the first UND/UM game, but the play in question was not captured on video, so nothing for the league to review. Anyway, the brawl a couple years back was this game in Mankato.

I watched the UND/MSU series via webcasts... I have never seen anything quite like it, in womens hockey. Mankato scores an empty netter with time running down. #6 was on the ice with about 45 seconds remaining... and then either off or out of camera view. It showed O'Conner puck handling behind the net as the last seconds ticked of, she slighty turned her back and was just totally jacked at the buzzer. O'Conner in no way saw it coming. And it semed #6 came directly from the bench area directly at O'Conner.. After O'Conner got up punches were thrown both ways, some bench players cleared.. the camera kinda pans away. It was the kind of thing I hate to see in the womens game. It definately could've caused serious injury and I am assuming the WCHA thought so too.

The on-ice officials made the original game disqualification call (only the second time I recall seeing that, and I had to refresh my memory of the previous time it occurred). My guess is that, because it was a DQ (and not just a game misconduct), it automatically prompted a mandatory review by the league office.

The prior brawl, on the other hand, didn't result in any game disqualifications called by the on-ice officials -- just game misconducts. For whatever reason, roughing majors were also called rather than fighting majors; if a fighting major had been called, a mandatory DQ would have also been assessed.

A similar thing happened in the 2006 scrap between Minnesota and Princeton in the NCAA Quarterfinals; a number of double-minors and two game misconducts -- but not DQs -- were assessed.

 

[thebrain]

Re: WCHA Thread III

Bemidji's new rink would work well otherwise, but it is not the most accessible for either teams or fans. Still, it would be nice if the league tried it out one time; hopefully in a year when the Beavers have a strong team and a good shot at making it to the second weekend.

The last time Duluth hosted a Frozen Four -- which they do next year -- they also had the Final Face-Off, so my guess would be that they will again next season. The problem with doing that is it kind of steals the thunder from the Frozen Four if you get many of the same teams back again two weeks later.

Wait for Bemidji to get the two new hotels that are planned near the arena. Right now, rooms can be hard to come by. Otherwise, it'd be a great location for a Frozen Four. It's not too difficult to get to...

 

[ManBehindTheCurtain]

Re: WCHA Thread III

Another note on the January 29 game at Wisconsin and the announced crowd of 10,668.

For the 8 games played this weekend the total WCHA attendance was 3,232, an average crowd of 404.

That's 952 and 1,013 at Minnesota, 286 and 313 at Ohio State, 231 and 261 at Bemidji State and 78 and 98 at Minnesota State, Mankato. While Mankato was drawing 78 on Friday night against the defending national champions about 15 miles up Highway 169 Gustavus Adolphus had 131 in attendance for a game against Concordia (Moorhead).

Renewed congratulations to UW for a job well done.

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: WCHA Thread III

Final From Saturday, February 5th
North Dakota 3
Ohio State 2

So close.

That was the storyline both games this past weekend, and perhaps the story of the conference regular season. We play the top teams so tough, but just can't quite get over the top.

I wasn't able to attend Friday night, but it must have been excruciating to lose with nine seconds left in OT. Based on the boxscore, three of the "usual suspects" probably would have earned my stars:

1. Monique Lamoureux-Kolls, UND (2 Goals, 2 Assists; including GWG)
2. Jocelyne Lamoureux, UND (1 Goal, 2 Assists, +4)
3. Laura McIntosh, OSU (1 Goal, 1 Assist)

If anyone who attended Friday has a different view, I'd certainly defer to the eyewitness.

In any event, the rematch was rather different. Although the Olympian Lams were a constant threat, they were largely held in check. In fact, they were on the ice for both Buckeye goals. Yes, they produced assists on the power play. But Saturday was a night for other stars to shine.

Three Stars of the Game: Decidedly Unofficial and Just For Fun​

Honorable Mention: Sara Dagenais, North Dakota and Kelsey Ketcher, North Dakota
The Sioux third line played a fine game overall. The linemates worked a give and go play out of traffic in the corner, culminating in Sara's short side goal. The game's opening tally set the tone; the Buckeyes were playing catch-up for much of the night.

#3 Star: Paige Semenza, Ohio State
I must be becoming a Paige Semenza fan. For the second series in row, Paige makes the list. Last time she was recognized for her work on the PK; this time she hits the scoresheet with a goal and an assist. Her goal completed a picture perfect 3 on 1 rush. Crossing the blue line, Laura McIntosh dished the puck to Kelly Wild on the left. Wild's perfect pass across the top of the crease was right on the tape. Paige drove the puck into the net, finishing the tic-tac-toe. After the shot, Semenza was essentially tackled by a Sioux defender. Fortunately the puck had "crossed the plane" so the "touchdown" stood.

#2 Star: Jordan Slavin, North Dakota
Jordan plays good D, but on this night her production on the power play earned her a star. Her big shot found the back of the net for the second Sioux goal, and she had the lead assist on the game-winner. Those two conversions made the Sioux 2 for 4 on the power play, which obviously had a huge impact on the overall result.

#1 Star: Stephanie Roy, North Dakota
Bag the GWG in a 3-2 win, and you'll inevitably be a candidate for the stars list. But in this case, a play that doesn't appear on the scoresheet was just as important. There's no such thing as a "third assist." But Stephanie certainly deserved one on the Dagenais goal. First she disrupted a potential Buckeye breakout, keeping the play alive. Then she hustled to the left post, uncovered and in perfect position for a goal mouth pass. I'm just guessing, but I've got to believe the Buckeye goalie was cheating to her right just a touch, anticipating a pass to Roy. That left Dagenais with just enough room on the short side to finish the job.

Dagenais and Ketcher certainly earned their mentions. But without Roy's hustle and smarts, the first goal doesn't happen and maybe it's a different game.

Up Next Up: Minnesota-Duluth; Final Home Series of the Regular Season on Feb. 11 & 12

 

[ARM]

Re: WCHA Thread III

WCHA Standings at a Glance

This is the current picture with all teams having four games remaining and the top half of the league all coming off of sweeps which made them the likely hosts in the first round:

1st Wisconsin (64 points) -- the Badgers have clinched the regular season crown.

2nd Minnesota (48 points) -- the Gophers have clinched home ice for their WCHA quarterfinal series. Remaining series are vs BSU and @UND.

3rd North Dakota (47 points) -- the Sioux also control their fate in the fight for second, but they head to Madison before hosting the Gophs.

4th Minnesota-Duluth (45 points) -- the 'Dogs look destined to finish 2nd or 3rd; remaining series are @OSU and vs SCSU.

5th Bemidji State (35 points) -- the Beavers went 0-4 while Tomcikova was away, although they had some tough losses. Bemidji State closes @UM and vs OSU.

6th Ohio State (28 points) -- most likely stuck in the 6th spot at this point. The Buckeyes' remaining series are vs UMD and @BSU.

7th Minnesota State (19 points) -- odds are very likely that the Mavericks get the 7th seed. MSU's remaining series are @SCSU and vs UW.

8th St. Cloud State (2 points) -- the Huskies' best chance to remove the goose egg from their record comes this weekend as they host MSU. After that, they'll wrap things up in Duluth before the unenviable series in Madison.

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: WCHA Thread III

WCHA Standings at a Glance...

5th Bemidji State (35 points) -- the Beavers went 0-4 while Tomcikova was away, although they had some tough losses. Bemidji State closes @UM and vs OSU.

6th Ohio State (28 points) -- most likely stuck in the 6th spot at this point. The Buckeyes' remaining series are vs UMD and @BSU...

I'm hoping that we'll be in position to overtake BSU with a sweep in the head-to-head series. To have a shot, we need a net gain of one point beforehand. With the Buckeyes at home and the Beavers on the road next weekend, it's certainly within the realm of possibility.


EDIT: Good analysis of the standings; both here and previously. Thanks!

 

[osualum86]

Re: WCHA Thread III

I'm hoping that we'll be in position to overtake BSU with a sweep in the head-to-head series. To have a shot, we need a net gain of one point beforehand. With the Buckeyes at home and the Beavers on the road next weekend, it's certainly within the realm of possibility.


EDIT: Good analysis of the standings; both here and previously. Thanks!

Pgb-ohio ... Thorooughly enjoy your analyses of these games. I was at both games and Friday's was definitely more disheartening than Saturday's game. We took a 3-2 lead with 1:29 left in the game on a beautiful shot by I believe Shannon Reilly, only to give up the tying goal a scant 22 seconds later at the 1:07 mark. UND then won in OT. As you alluded to, that's been the story of this season. Our kids have worked so hard and have been close but have just not been able to get over the hump against the upper echelon teams in the WCHA. We will be there for Friday's game against UMD, but will miss Saturday's game. We're heading up to Michigan Saturday, suburban Detroit, to watch my cousin play for his HS team. It will be nice if we can get one of these games and pick up three points. Otherwise, I think we will be stuck in 6th place. Unfortunately, there is just not enough season to move up unless we pick up a win this weekend. Bemidji will be tough to sweep up at their place, so we can't rightly set here and assume a sweep there, although a win this weekend and a sweep next weekend will be what it will take to move past them. If we would end up tied with Bemidji, what would be the tiebreaker? Head to Head? I think we swept them in Columbus.

BTW, we would love to say hello. You gonna be there Friday? I'll be wearing my white OSU hockey sweater. Mrs 86 informs me she will be sporting an OSU hoodie.

 

[xwildfan]

Re: WCHA Thread III

Re OSU v ND series. Pretty frustrating to watch. The Lams were involved in six out of seven goals for the weekend. It looked like there was no strategy on the OSU part to at least try to shut them down. Sometimes they were out against the Spooner line; then the McIntosh line; sometimes against the third line. Sometimes the top defenders were against them as well as the third set. Obviously, no team is going to totally shut them down; they are too good. But wouldn't a designated checking line make sense against them? At least the Spooner and McIntosh lines wouldn't have to deal with them. Maybe they don't play checking lines in women's hockey. Do any of the other WCHA teams try to deal with the Lams with a designated line?

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: WCHA Thread III

...I was at both games and Friday's was definitely more disheartening than Saturday's game. We took a 3-2 lead with 1:29 left in the game on a beautiful shot by I believe Shannon Reilly, only to give up the tying goal a scant 22 seconds later at the 1:07 mark.

Correct on Shannon. Probably should have included her as an Honorable Mention on the quick list I deduced from the scoresheet.

It will be nice if we can get one of these games and pick up three points. Otherwise, I think we will be stuck in 6th place. Unfortunately, there is just not enough season to move up unless we pick up a win this weekend.

It really takes just one point, meaning a shootout loss, to open the door. Keep reading...

Bemidji will be tough to sweep up at their place, so we can't rightly set here and assume a sweep there...

Clearly correct. Winning one game will be a nice challenge, let alone two. But it would be great to go up to Bemidji with 5th Place actually on the line, as opposed to being locked in 6th. To be adequately positioned, we need to be behind by 6 points or less.

Just as importantly, we can't assume that Bemidji will go pointless this weekend. Yes the Gophers sit higher in the standings; and yes the games are in Minneapolis. So a Gopher sweep is a real possibility. But I also wouldn't be surprised to see Bemidji get some points out of the series, which of course would increase the difficulty of our task.

Example: Suppose the Gophers and Beavers split, with neither game going to a shootout. We would then need 4 points against UMD to keep the battle for 5th alive. Again, it's a net gain of 1 point that keeps us in the hunt.

... although a win this weekend and a sweep next weekend will be what it will take to move past them. If we end up tied with Bemidji, what would be the tiebreaker? Head to Head? I think we swept them in Columbus.

Head-to-Head competition is the first tiebreaker. We got five of the six possible points against BSU in Columbus;that was just after Thanksgiving. No matter what happens this weekend, we'll be a minimum of one point behind Bemidji going into the last series. So even in the most favorable scenario, we'd need at least 4 points in Bemidji to pull even or pass them in the standings. 3 points for each team can't work. Put another way, we need a minimum of 9 of the 12 head-to-head points, no matter what else happens. The bottom line is that IF the tiebreaker becomes relevant, we've got it. Follow?

BTW, we would love to say hello. You gonna be there Friday? I'll be wearing my white OSU hockey sweater. Mrs 86 informs me she will be sporting an OSU hoodie.

Not sure about Friday. Will keep eyes open if the opportunity arises.

 

[WCHFan]

Re: WCHA Thread III

I was also surprised that OSU didn't try to match up better against the twins on home ice and felt it could have been worse as they just missed on several other occasions. Also I was surprised to see OSU put spooner out on D shorthanded. You'd think she would help more covering the D at the point and possible to score shorthanded. Most other teams do match up there checking lines against the twins. OSU also seems very small at D which doesn't help them against the stronger teams. Wild is small and an amazing player but I think they have 3 D starters that are 5'3 or less? Hard to win in the WCHA.

I think it will finish:

Wisconsin
ND (yes maybe 4th but would rather finish here?)
Minny
UMD
BSU
OSU
MSU
SCSU

 

[xwildfan]

Re: WCHA Thread III

OSU also has Wild park in front of the opposing goalie on the pp; where she has to put up with the usual slashes, etc. that this position on pp endures. You would think that they would put Spooner with her size and strength in front. Some fans were saying that Wild is the only one with the grit to do that job. Pretty ironic since she is the smallest player on the pp or on the team for that matter.

 

[WCHFan]

Re: WCHA Thread III

Good point. Agree Spooner would be perfect out front or on the left side. They put her down low which is where I would put Mcintosh she seems crafty with Wild up top in the umbrella. Have they given up many shorty's with a forward up top?