WCHA Thread IV

[CrazyDave]

Re: WCHA Thread IV

Players of the Week - http://www.wcha.com/women/pres1314/201401/jan22wpw.php

Cliff notes version:

Offensive - Brittany Ammerman, Wisconsin
Defensive - Amanda Leveille, Minnesota
Rookie - Lexie Shaw, North Dakota

 

[Eeyore]

Re: WCHA Thread IV

Does anyone know why the standings page shows 20 ties in WCHA conference play (meaning 10 games) but only 8 shootout wins?

Edit: I figured it out, though that just means I have to change my question. Does anyone know why neither tonight's UND/Bemidji game nor last Sunday's OSU/UMD game have the shootout posted in the results or on the standings pages?

 

[ARM]

Does anyone know why the standings page shows 20 ties in WCHA conference play (meaning 10 games) but only 8 shootout wins?

You didn't say what site you are looking at, but I usually just look here and don't worry about any other site:

http://www.collegehockeystats.net/1314/standings/wchaw

 

[Eeyore]

Re: WCHA Thread IV

You didn't say what site you are looking at . . .

USCHO.

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: Unofficial Three Stars of the Game

Re: Unofficial Three Stars of the Game

Final From Friday, January 24th
Ohio State 3
Minnesota State 2
O.T.

Resilient Mavericks Come Back To Force Overtime, But Buckeyes Grab Win ​

This one had a little bit of everything. The first period was a cautious, tight checking affair, with each team getting only 4 shots on goal. In the middle stanza, 4 Maverick penalties opened the door for 2 Buckeye Power Play tallies. In the 3rd, a two goal outburst allowed Mankato to pull back into tie. But in O.T. the Buckeyes reclaimed the momentum; and in just 38 seconds, the game.

One somber note: Katie Matheny suffered an injury tonight, halting the game for several minutes as the medical staff took full precautions before moving her. Matheny absorbed a hard hit and an awkward fall on the play. The collision appeared to be accidental. It's important to note that the Charging Major the Mavericks took tonight occurred on a different play, and there was no injury on that one. In any event, here's to hoping Katie has a speedy and full recovery.

On a much happier note, a group of OSU students filled the bleachers at the South End, and brought a lot of energy to the Ice Rink tonight. Very nice touch by the Coaches and Players to bring the singing of Carmen Ohio down to the new found Student Section.

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

Minnesota State Honorable Mention: (tie)Nicole Germaine and Anna Fiegert
Nicole and Anna combined on the first Maverick goal early in the 3rd Period. It was notable momentum changer, getting Mankato back into the game.

Ohio State Honorable Mention: Claudia Kepler
Assisted by a Cara Zubko slapshot and a Kendall Curtis tip, Claudia got behind the defense and opened the scoring. She also took the initial shot on the GWG.


#3 Star: Shelby Moteyunas, Minnesota State
Shelby's well placed blast from the left point knotted the game at two with just 2:32 remaining in regulation time. Credit must also go to Kari Lundberg and Nicole Germaine for digging out the puck behind the endline.

#2 Star: Julia McKinnon, Ohio State
On the GWG, Julia carried the puck into the offensive zone. Dishing the puck to Kepler, McKinnon then crashed the net. When Claudia's shot arrived on time, Julia was able to shepherd the puck into the net and secure the win.

#1 Star: Ally Tarr, Ohio State
On the Buckeyes' second PP goal, Ally finished one of the nicest tic-tac-toe plays you'll ever see. Tarr was a tireless producer on offense, personally launching 10 of the Buckeyes 26 shots. She also was an absolute demon defensively, constantly disrupting the Maverick breakout. Her never-say-die hustle was inspirational. I lost track of how many times Ally caught a Maverick puck carrier from behind on second effort -- usually before the Maverick player could even cross her own blue line. An outstanding, complete game by Ally Tarr.


Next Up: Rematch With Minnesota State. Note the early Face-Off at 1:07PM.

 

[ARM]

One somber note: Katie Matheny suffered an injury tonight, halting the game for several minutes as the medical staff took full precautions before moving her. Matheny absorbed a hard hit and an awkward fall on the play.

Prayers that she will be okay.

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: WCHA Thread IV

Prayers that she will be okay.

Much appreciated.

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: Unofficial Three Stars of the Game

Re: Unofficial Three Stars of the Game

Final From Saturday, January 25th
Ohio State 4
Minnesota State 2

Buckeyes Complete Satisfying Sweep​

Last weekend the Mankato Women and the Ohio State Men played on outdoor ice at the Hockey City Classic. With 4 fresh inches of snow in Columbus, much of it falling during the game, I couldn't help but wonder what today's contest would have been like had we played outside. But you know what? The game plans probably wouldn't have been all that different. Both teams kept things simple and focused on getting the puck deep. Most of the scoring was destined to come on turnovers. It played out that way. In the end, the Buckeye forecheck was more effective in creating turnovers, and that was the decisive factor.

The sweep constitutes a satisfying reversal of last Fall's series, when Minnesota State won a pair of games on its home ice.

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

Minnesota State Honorable Mention: Danielle Butters
While Danielle won't be happy with giving up 4 goals, she did record 38 saves, many of the spectacular variety. Gotta respect that glove hand. For the second straight game, she shut down an Ally Tarr breakaway. At the end of two periods, the shot count stood at 33-12 in favor of the Buckeyes; and yet the score was only 3-2. Ultimately all that wasn't enough, but Butters kept the Mavs in the game until the end.

Ohio State Honorable Mention: (tie)Julia McKinnon and Ally Tarr
Julia forced a turnover that led to the first Buckeye goal; Ally forced a turnover that led to the third Buckeye goal. The importance of the Buckeye forecheck should not be underestimated. But Tarr and McKinnon were my first two Stars yesterday, so we'll go with Honorable Mentions today and say they're well blessed. In the language of the Board, "Must Spread."


#3 Star: (tie)Kendall Curtis, Ohio State and Kari Lundberg, Minnesota State
Kendall thrilled the crowd by sharpshooting the puck into the upper left hand corner of the net, putting the Buckeyes in the lead for good. You also had to love Curtis' performance in the face-off circle. Kendall won 12 of 18 draws; many of them a battle of the #26s. Now about #26 for the Mavericks. That would Kari Lundberg, who had a fine night of her own, bagging a shorthanded goal and a primary assist.

#2 Star: Melanie Moylan, Ohio State
Melanie had a very unselfish assist on the opening tally, backhanding a little pass into the slot to give a teammate an even better scoring chance. She was also gritty and effective along the walls, winning more than her share of 1 on 1 battles. It seemed that she was going back to the bench disheveled after most every shift. Frankly, she was still adjusting her equipment in the post-game skate. Now I don't mean to be Petty, but there ain't no easy way out. Moylan has the answer; She Won't. Back. Down. (For younger readers not catching the classic rock reference, don't be Heartbroken. Just ask your parents to explain it.)

#1 Star: Claudia Kepler, Ohio State
Claudia landed on the scoresheet early, middle and late; thus earning status as today's top difference-maker. In the 1st period, Kepler received Moylan's pass and blasted the puck into the upper right hand corner of the Maverick net. In the 2nd, Claudia's feed earned the primary assist on the Kendall Curtis goal. Her shorthanded goal in the 3rd gave OSU some much appreciated insurance. On the shortie: Claudia intercepted a pass in the defensive zone, carried the puck the length of the ice, and attempted a cross-slot pass. Mankato's #13 did a great job taking a way a Grade A scoring chance by blocking that pass. Unluckily for the Mavs, #13's block wound up sneaking into the net, just inside the left post. Luckily for OSU, it restored a two goal margin -- and gave Claudia a three point night.

Next Up: Road Trip to St. Cloud State.

 

[Eeyore]

Re: Unofficial Three Stars of the Game

Re: Unofficial Three Stars of the Game

I'll say here what I've said elsewhere, though it doesn't have anything to do with this series specifically: Minnesota State has talent; they play hard; but they have no plan whatsoever. I really think that this team shouldn't be perpetually fighting to stay out of the WCHA cellar. With what I see every so often from the skaters and Danielle Butters' obvious abilities as a goaltender there should be something here. But the sum is far less than the total of its parts.

When the going gets tough, the Purple Cows start playing like a bunch of individuals. I'm amazed that Eric Means is able to recruit the players he does given the quality of the facilities he has to work with (unless the interior of the Mavericks' dressing room is vastly at odds with the rest of the warming hut they play in) but what I see on the ice ends up being a lot less impressive than it ought to be. That's easy for me to say since I wasn't a big fan of Means when he was a Gopher*, but other than having the best place to watch a game in the WCHA I'm not quite sure what MSU-Mankato is doing.

*When your claim to fame is that you were the guy brought in because that was the way to get Doug Zmolek to commit somewhere you know that the bar is low.

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: Unofficial Three Stars of the Game

Re: Unofficial Three Stars of the Game

I'll say here what I've said elsewhere, though it doesn't have anything to do with this series specifically: Minnesota State has talent; they play hard; but they have no plan whatsoever. I really think that this team shouldn't be perpetually fighting to stay out of the WCHA cellar. With what I see every so often from the skaters and Danielle Butters' obvious abilities as a goaltender there should be something here. But the sum is far less than the total of its parts.

Appreciate the interesting thoughts.

I will say that the Mavs displayed a clear pattern of dump-ins and quick changes. It seemed to be the product of a plan, however rudimentary. Or, maybe the Buckeye defense simply took away all other options. The latter is a nice thought, but I do think there was evidence of a design.

Agreed, there's talent among the Maverick skaters that displays itself when they get some open ice. As just one example, on Kari Lundberg's shorthanded breakaway, she drilled the upper right hand corner with a shot anyone in the league would have been proud of. Back in the Mankato net, yes, it's easy to agree on Butters. So there's definitely potential on that team.

When the going gets tough, the Purple Cows start playing like a bunch of individuals.

I don't mean to reopen the conversation of the recent past, but I have to wonder if your vantage point is influencing your views -- a problem all of us must confront. Don't know your hockey viewing habits beyond the Gophers. But if your opinions on Mankato are based mostly on Gopher/Maverick games, that can be a pretty misleading sample. The current Gopher squad can make any other team look bad.

I'm amazed that Eric Means is able to recruit the players he does given the quality of the facilities he has to work with (unless the interior of the Mavericks' dressing room is vastly at odds with the rest of the warming hut they play in) but what I see on the ice ends up being a lot less impressive than it ought to be. That's easy for me to say since I wasn't a big fan of Means when he was a Gopher*, but other than having the best place to watch a game in the WCHA I'm not quite sure what MSU-Mankato is doing.

*When your claim to fame is that you were the guy brought in because that was the way to get Doug Zmolek to commit somewhere you know that the bar is low.

I'm going to hold off on passing judgment on Coach Means.

But at the conceptual level, I'm going disagree with the notion that the last guy on the bench lacks the potential to be a good coach. If anything, the reverse is true. The star player, the guy who finds the game easy, often has a terrible time trying to teach. In contrast, the guy who had to work hard at every step up the ladder may be better equipped to break things down into their component parts, and to convey that message to the players. Whether any of that applies to Coach Means, I'll leave for others to decide.

 

[Eeyore]

Re: Unofficial Three Stars of the Game

Re: Unofficial Three Stars of the Game

I don't mean to reopen the conversation of the recent past, but I have to wonder if your vantage point is influencing your views -- a problem all of us must confront. Don't know your hockey viewing habits beyond the Gophers. But if your opinions on Mankato are based mostly on Gopher/Maverick games, that can be a pretty misleading sample. The current Gopher squad can make any other team look bad.

That's certainly possible though Bemidji makes an interesting contrast. I think the Beavers have less physical talent than the Mavericks by a significant margin but they do more with it, both in terms of results and in they way they go about it. The Gophers don't consistently make Bemidji look bad in the way that they do Mankato.

But at the conceptual level, I'm going disagree with the notion that the last guy on the bench lacks the potential to be a good coach. If anything, the reverse is true. The star player, the guy who finds the game easy, often has a terrible time trying to teach. In contrast, the guy who had to work hard at every step up the ladder may be better equipped to break things down into their component parts, and to convey that message to the players. Whether any of that applies to Coach Means, I'll leave for others to decide.

I agree with this. My comment is meant about him specifically rather than as a general statement. And it's kind of a cheap shot that arose mostly because I like typing the word "Zmolek".

 

[D2D]

Re: Unofficial Three Stars of the Game

Re: Unofficial Three Stars of the Game

The Gophers don't consistently make Bemidji look bad in the way that they do Mankato.

I see where the Beavers gave UND all they wanted this weekend also. Maybe UND was looking ahead a wee bit to next weekend?

 

[brookyone]

Re: Unofficial Three Stars of the Game

Re: Unofficial Three Stars of the Game

I see where the Beavers gave UND all they wanted this weekend also. Maybe UND was looking ahead a wee bit to next weekend?

"B" squad?

Just suggesting it may be an additional consideration.

 

[D2D]

Re: Unofficial Three Stars of the Game

Re: Unofficial Three Stars of the Game

"B" squad?

Just suggesting it may be an additional consideration.

Definitely not their A squad. Then again, the Gophers have been missing Stecklein and Kessel ALL SEASON!

 

[brookyone]

Re: Unofficial Three Stars of the Game

Re: Unofficial Three Stars of the Game

Definitely not their A squad. Then again, the Gophers have been missing Stecklein and Kessel ALL SEASON!

Reiterates the thought I've had previously...this season in particular. Personally I'd much rather have your lineup / roster set from the get go...same as it's going to be throughout the season as opposed to having your potential Olympians with you for the first half then disappearing at critical times later in the season. Give the players that are going to be there during those critical stretches of your schedule the time to slide into the bigger roles they'll need to play. Obviously that option is affected by the different approaches of national team organizations.

 

[The Boomer]

Re: Unofficial Three Stars of the Game

Re: Unofficial Three Stars of the Game

I agree with this. My comment is meant about him specifically rather than as a general statement. And it's kind of a cheap shot that arose mostly because I like typing the word "Zmolek".

Priceless!!

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: Unofficial Three Stars of the Game

Re: Unofficial Three Stars of the Game

That's certainly possible though Bemidji makes an interesting contrast. I think the Beavers have less physical talent than the Mavericks by a significant margin but they do more with it, both in terms of results and in they way they go about it. The Gophers don't consistently make Bemidji look bad in the way that they do Mankato.

Agreed that if any team in the league has earned the title of overachievers, it's Bemidji.

I agree with this. My comment is meant about him specifically rather than as a general statement. And it's kind of a cheap shot that arose mostly because I like typing the word "Zmolek".

Priceless!!

Oh, recruiting Zmolek -- and by golly that is fun to type -- was a worthwhile end. But this raises the age old question: Does the end justify the Means?

 

[pokechecker]

Re: Unofficial Three Stars of the Game

Re: Unofficial Three Stars of the Game

Agreed that if any team in the league has earned the title of overachievers, it's Bemidji.

that's not saying much considering the rest of the league

Ohio State & UMD= champion underachievers

the problem with Mankato is their offense, in particular their anemic PP

IMO, the Beavers have broken out of the bottom tier, and with their young team, they will stay out, at least for the next couple of years

 

[brookyone]

Re: WCHA Thread IV

Regional FOX Sports channel is showing a BSU vs. UND replay right now...started at 10:30. In case anyone is interested in watching.

 

[DC78-82]

Re: WCHA Thread IV

Regional FOX Sports channel is showing a BSU vs. UND replay right now...started at 10:30. In case anyone is interested in watching.

They are showing it out here too. I DVR'd it a few days ago. I always check to see what hockey is on. It's generally not live, but we do get a smattering of WCHA games to watch that way.