WCHA Thread V

[brookyone]

Re: WCHA Thread V

I see more upside potential. But admittedly it's tough to move up when the top teams are so entrenched. Note that this is true with many college sports, not just Women's Hockey.

Whether one is satisfied with, or optimistic about the current regime in Columbus I've been quite impressed with the difference and improvement under Handrahan vs. what was pretty typical under his predecessor. From the get go honestly. It's not likely to ever get any easier competing with UW and the U per recruiting the depth of talent to battle for titles in the conference. The question I always have is who would / could do better that would also be interested in the job? Not unlike the same challenge elsewhere in the WCHA.

Same time I have long wondered why a school like OSU hasn't fared better than they have in recruiting.

Also, I think the Buckeyes are going to be a handful for anyone in the conference tournament. Dangerous.

 

[ne7minder]

Re: WCHA Thread V

Same time I have long wondered why a school like OSU hasn't fared better than they have in recruiting.

Also, I think the Buckeyes are going to be a handful for anyone in the conference tournament. Dangerous.

Mentioned before I talked to the EP recruit going there next year & they see the crappy facilities and second rate treatment as a positive. Can't say I understand that.
Yeah OSU could make real problems for whomever they face in the tourney, They could injure 4-5 players & destroy a teams chance of moving on - dangerous.

 

[ne7minder]

Re: WCHA Thread V

Including me.

You are not alone. She is the sort of talent that could make a team a contender.

 

[ne7minder]

Re: WCHA Thread V

Bottom Line? I really like our 8 team league as it is, and hope it continues on for the foreseeable future.

That was sort of my starting point too. I would not want to lose OSU unless there were a comparable replacement nearby & there isn't. I think OSU would lose out if they left too so staus quo it is. But then I don't think anyone at the school is suggesting otherwise this is just fan scuttlebutt.

A Big 14 league might be fun on the face of it but I know with the men I hate losing UMD, UND the CO schools. But I am old enough to remember being ****ed to lose UM and MSU so I know that rivalries will appear as needed.

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: WCHA Thread V

Final Score From Friday, February 13th
Wisconsin 2
Ohio State 0

The Defense Never Rests​

If you came to the OSU Ice Rink expecting to see offensive fireworks, Friday the 13th was indeed unlucky. But if you like good 'D' you rather enjoyed the proceedings. Yes, the Badger Captain broke through twice. Otherwise, the two defenses largely controlled the game. Not a huge surprise, but impressive nevertheless.

The 3 Stars of the Game: Decidedly Unofficial and Just For Fun​

Honorable Mention: (tie) Ann-Renee Desbiens, Wisconsin; and Kassidy Sauve, Ohio State
Each goalie faced 24 shots. Each made some quality stops. And each had tons of help from their 'D' Corps. OK, it wasn't a tie in the strict sense of the word. Ann-Renee had a shutout; that speaks for itself. But both goalies played well.


#3 Star: (tie) Dani Sadek, Ohio State; and Kari Schmitt, Ohio State
The pairing of #8 & #20 had no goals against. I'll admit that I've been looking for an excuse to give Dani a mention. She's truly blossomed as a player as her Freshman year has evolved. Great to see. As for the Senior in the pairing, Kari gave her usual stellar performance: strong on the puck; tough in the slot and corners; dangerous from the point and mobile.

#2 Star: (tie) Melllisa Channell, Wisconsin; and Jenny Ryan, Wisconsin
While all 6 of the Badger 'D' were excellent, the combination of Channell and Ryan really stood out for me. They certainly aren't the biggest players on the ice; the program lists both players at 5 feet 4 inches. But they're quick; disciplined; relentless and smart. It's very difficult to sustain an attack against those two.

#1 Star: Blayre Turnbull, Wisconsin
Blayre is the WCHA's reigning offensive player of the week. She certainly kept that momentum going Friday night by netting both goals. On the initial tally, Turnbull took a breakout pass from Maddie Rolfes and bull rushed the puck into the Buckeye zone. She finished the job off a feed from Katy Josephs.

The power play goal was a different character, coming off of sustained Badger pressure in the Buckeye end. Receiving the puck at the right point, Blayre pressed forward for a better quality shot. The aggressiveness certainly didn't hurt as Turnbull buried the puck in the lower left-hand corner of the net.


Next Up: The Saturday Afternoon Rematch. Face-Off at 4:07 PM EST.

Postscript: During tonight's game the Buckeyes took 4 minor penalties for a total of eight minutes. Not the slightest whiff of a major. The Badgers had 5 minors for ten minutes. Nothing unusual there either.

 

[ne7minder]

Re: WCHA Thread V

Congratulations to the Minnesota Gophers on their 3rd straight WCHA regular season championship. Looks like the last week of the season will decide #4-6 as only 2 point separate the three teams with 4UMD playing 6OSU so they pretty much get to decide their own fate with BSU facing the Gophers, whom they took 5 points from earlier this year so nothing is assured. UMD could theoretically move up to third if they swept OSU and MSU swept UND But that would be a pretty large upset.

 

[shelfit]

Re: WCHA Thread V

Will the Huskies finally get their first and only win of the second half against the Mavs or will they continue to sing "Tell me why I don't like Mondays" having been outscored 10-1 on Mondays so far at the hands of the Gophers and the Mavs. The 29 point gap in the standings between them and OSU is ridiculous and really shows the recruiting shortcomings of the former coaching staff. The new coaching staff needs to get a bunch of bona fide D1 players and quick but unfortunately I don't think they'll be able to make that happen anytime soon. No offense to any of the players but once you get past the top 4-5 players the rest are very replaceable and 3 of those top 5 are graduating and so is Friend!

 

[ne7minder]

Re: WCHA Thread V

The 29 point gap in the standings between them and OSU is ridiculous and really shows the recruiting shortcomings of the former coaching staff.

We need more young girls starting in with hockey to generate the numbers of D-I players needed to staff all these teams. Right now I think there are only a handful of teams that sweep up the very best and that creates the inequity. As much as I am enjoying the Gophers current run I don't think it is good for womens hockey so I really, honestly, wish the best of luck to St. Cloud and Mankato. It will be an uphill battle but Ohio seems to have overcome second-rate facilities and time in the bottom half & now has the foundation of a real contender. MSU as like a dozen frosh that play very hard and could pay off. UMD is on the cusp and could go either way depending on their new coach.

 

[BigSandy]

Will the Huskies finally get their first and only win of the second half against the Mavs or will they continue to sing "Tell me why I don't like Mondays" having been outscored 10-1 on Mondays so far at the hands of the Gophers and the Mavs. The 29 point gap in the standings between them and OSU is ridiculous and really shows the recruiting shortcomings of the former coaching staff. The new coaching staff needs to get a bunch of bona fide D1 players and quick but unfortunately I don't think they'll be able to make that happen anytime soon. No offense to any of the players but once you get past the top 4-5 players the rest are very replaceable and 3 of those top 5 are graduating and so is Friend!

They will miss Hamner , Ness and ,Friend, (luckily they still have Fitzgerald in net) The new coaches recruits next year will be very important, I believe they are all forwards that will need to contribute. Last years forwards class did contribute as freshman, and all though they might have equalled their points total (I think) they failed to improve offensively this year, whose fault if anyone's is that? Not sure.

 

[osualum86]

Re: WCHA Thread V

We need more young girls starting in with hockey to generate the numbers of D-I players needed to staff all these teams. Right now I think there are only a handful of teams that sweep up the very best and that creates the inequity. As much as I am enjoying the Gophers current run I don't think it is good for womens hockey so I really, honestly, wish the best of luck to St. Cloud and Mankato. It will be an uphill battle but Ohio seems to have overcome second-rate facilities and time in the bottom half & now has the foundation of a real contender. MSU as like a dozen frosh that play very hard and could pay off. UMD is on the cusp and could go either way depending on their new coach.

Don't get me started on our facilities! Despite the facility, which is now officially the worst in the league since Minnesota State's women are moving into the Verizon Wireless Center, I think Coach Nate Handrahan is doing a great job with the program. He is bringing in some great recruits, girls who are coming in and contributing right away, and that is saying something when you play in the WCHA (best league in the country). Maybe one of these years we will crack the top four and get home ice in the playoffs. Mathematically, we could crack the top four this season, but that is a tall task. We would have to get at least five points in Duluth next weekend. Regardless of what happens this weekend and next in the WCHA Playoffs, I believe Coach Nate has this program moving in the right direction. I am really looking forward to seeing Jincy Dunne and Dana Rasmussen in Scarlet & Gray next season, not to mention our other recruits. It really opened my eyes regarding Rasmussen when I read that she is a top five finalist for Miss Hockey in Minnesota!

 

[ne7minder]

Re: WCHA Thread V

Don't get me started on our facilities! Despite the facility, which is now officially the worst in the league since Minnesota State's women are moving into the Verizon Wireless Center, I think Coach Nate Handrahan is doing a great job with the program. He is bringing in some great recruits, girls who are coming in and contributing right away, and that is saying something when you play in the WCHA (best league in the country). Maybe one of these years we will crack the top four and get home ice in the playoffs. Mathematically, we could crack the top four this season, but that is a tall task. We would have to get at least five points in Duluth next weekend. Regardless of what happens this weekend and next in the WCHA Playoffs, I believe Coach Nate has this program moving in the right direction. I am really looking forward to seeing Jincy Dunne and Dana Rasmussen in Scarlet & Gray next season, not to mention our other recruits. It really opened my eyes regarding Rasmussen when I read that she is a top five finalist for Miss Hockey in Minnesota!

Yup! I also give him tons of extra credit given the sales job he must have to do. They have gotten some very good players in the last few years. I hope some day the women don't have to walk across the parking lot to get from their locker to the ice.

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: WCHA Thread V

Final Score From Saturday, February 14th
Ohio State 4
Wisconsin 3

A Senior Moment For The Ages​

Defensive zone face-off. A long minute left in regulation time. Five Buckeye Seniors, supported by a Junior Goalie, circled the wagons against six of college hockey's best players. It was like staring down the barrel of a gun. And winning.

The Buckeyes came somewhat close to finding the empty net. The Badgers came somewhat close to scoring an equalizer. But neither was meant to be. A two goal victory would have been misleading. Anything less than a Buckeye victory would have been unjust. In perhaps the best Senior Night Game I've ever seen, the Buckeye Seniors simply refused to lose.

Sources tell me that in the moments before opening face-off, one the players was exhorting her teammates by singing along with the PA system: Right Here! Right Now! Clearly these Women were Ready to Rock The Ice Rink. A short time later, Senior Kayla Sullivan was slamming home a rebound off a frisky shot from Melani Moylan. In the second period, Melani had a goal of her own, with assists from Seniors Kari & Sara Schmitt.

As the tense contest played out, the talented Badgers kept matching the Buckeye output. At the end of two periods, the score was tied 2-2. Third period scoring is detailed below.

Writer's Note: Before this game was played, I had an entirely different theme in mind for this post. But those darn Seniors insisted on writing their own script! And I couldn't be happier to leave the original idea on the shelf.

The 3 Stars of the Game: Decidedly Unofficial and Just For Fun​

Honorable Mention: Annie Pankowski, Wisconsin
The Badger freshman phenom didn't disappoint; and in fact bagged an extra attacker goal that made the last 1:28 really, really interesting.

#3 Star: (tie) Claudia Kepler, Ohio State; and Julia McKinnon, Ohio State
Kepler's gigantic short-handed goal gave the Buckeyes a 3-2 lead 6:00 minutes into the third period. With the face-off in the Badger end, Julia won the draw cleanly back to Claudia. Kepler's stiff shot seemed to handcuff the Badger goalie, and the Pep Band-Fueled Ice Rink exploded with joy. While there was much drama to come, this was really the turning point of the game. The potent Badger power play had already dented the Buckeyes once, and seemed poised to do it again until the Kepler/McKinnon heroics.

#2 Star: (tie) Kara Gust, Ohio State; Kari Schmitt, Ohio State; and Sara Schmitt, Ohio State
The Senior 'D' in numerical order. (It's a Buckeye thing.) Kara and D partner Alexa Ranahan were strong all game long. Both were +2 for the game, leading all players. As for the Schmitt Twins, they were pillars of strength on the blue line, as they've consistently been for the last four years. On the offensive side of the ledger, Kari had two assists tonight; Sara one.

#1 Star: (tie) Taylor Kuehl, Ohio State; Kayla Sullivan, Ohio State; and Danielle Gagne, Ohio State
The Senior Forwards in numerical order. As noted above, Kayla's goal set the table. Danielle provided the GWG. On the decisive offensive play, Kari Schmitt sent the puck deep into one of the Badger corners. The hard-charging Kuehl grabbed possession of the puck and fired a centering pass to Gagne. Danielle powered the puck into the net. It proved to be a vitally important insurance goal, to say the least.


Next Up: The Quest For Home Ice Continues as the Regular Season Concludes in Duluth. It'll be a huge challenge, but if the Buckeyes play like they did on Senior Night they can beat anybody anywhere.

 

[D2D]

Re: WCHA Thread V

Next Up: The Quest For Home Ice Continues as the Regular Season Concludes in Duluth. It'll be a huge challenge, but if the Buckeyes play like they did on Senior Night they can beat anybody anywhere.

Tremendous win for sure, but let's not get too carried away there, pgb!

 

[96IllinoisDad]

Re: WCHA Thread V

Don't get me started on our facilities! Despite the facility, which is now officially the worst in the league since Minnesota State's women are moving into the Verizon Wireless Center, I think Coach Nate Handrahan is doing a great job with the program. He is bringing in some great recruits, girls who are coming in and contributing right away, and that is saying something when you play in the WCHA (best league in the country). Maybe one of these years we will crack the top four and get home ice in the playoffs. Mathematically, we could crack the top four this season, but that is a tall task. We would have to get at least five points in Duluth next weekend. Regardless of what happens this weekend and next in the WCHA Playoffs, I believe Coach Nate has this program moving in the right direction. I am really looking forward to seeing Jincy Dunne and Dana Rasmussen in Scarlet & Gray next season, not to mention our other recruits. It really opened my eyes regarding Rasmussen when I read that she is a top five finalist for Miss Hockey in Minnesota!

You guys always seem to overlook Gardner. Handrahan got her commitment in the summer before he Sophomore year. She has been a top defenseman with the Chicago Mission for the past 3 years and was just on Team USA U18. Having Dunne and Gardner coming in the same year is quite the coup for Handrahan.

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: WCHA Thread V

...I hope some day the women don't have to walk across the parking lot to get from their locker to the ice.

OK, slow down. The distance between St. John Arena and the Ice Rink is the size of a hallway, not a parking lot. And it's a covered breezeway. Unorthodox, but it works. No question that our facility is humble in other respects as well. But size-wise it's a good fit. The fan base, as it currently exists, fills a good percentage of the seating. The atmosphere is usually quite good. With the Pep Band present, it's great. The situation at the Ice Rink isn't just making the best of things. There are real advantages.

EDIT: And just to be crystal clear, I'm talking about walking ACROSS a hallway, not down it lengthwise! Haven't measured; don't intend to. But maybe we're talking 10-15 feet.

Tremendous win for sure, but let's not get too carried away there, pgb!

Hey now, you weren't at the game. But yes, on further review, the Blackhawks or Kings might be a little too much handle.

 

[D2D]

Re: WCHA Thread V

Hey now, you weren't at the game. But yes, on further review, the Blackhawks or Kings might be a little too much handle.

And I bet Boston College might even give your Buckeyes a good game, as long as Keller was playing, of course.

 

[osualum86]

Re: WCHA Thread V

Yup! I also give him tons of extra credit given the sales job he must have to do. They have gotten some very good players in the last few years. I hope some day the women don't have to walk across the parking lot to get from their locker to the ice.

Yeah, Coach Nate does a nice job getting good players here. I totally agree with you it will be a nice day when our girls aren't walking outside to get from their locker room to the ice arena! And the fans won't have to walk outside to get from the ice arena to the restroom or concession stand!

 

[osualum86]

Re: WCHA Thread V

You guys always seem to overlook Gardner. Handrahan got her commitment in the summer before he Sophomore year. She has been a top defenseman with the Chicago Mission for the past 3 years and was just on Team USA U18. Having Dunne and Gardner coming in the same year is quite the coup for Handrahan.

I totally agree on Gardner and sorry I didn't mention her. I am sure she will be a great defenseman for our Bucks, and I am looking forward to seeing her and all the new signees in Scarlet & Gray next season.

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: WCHA Thread V

And I bet Boston College might even give your Buckeyes a good game, as long as Keller was playing, of course.

Nah, they're not even in the WCHA. (ducks for cover)

Not that anyone is in the slightest doubt about this, but: The serious answer is that any D-1 team can give any D-1 opponent "a good game." The Buckeyes certainly aren't exempt. (cautiously emerges from cover)

 

[brookyone]

Re: WCHA Thread V

Tonight the Mavericks take on the Huskies in St. Cloud, then the regular season wraps up Friday through Sunday with:

Minnesota @ Bemidji State

Ohio State @ Minnesota-Duluth

Minnesota State @ North Dakota

St. Cloud State @ Wisconsin

Significant points at stake for a few combatants. Don't see anyone supplanting NoDak for 3rd when the dust settles. Buckeyes and Bulldogs should be doozies.

Gophers @ Beavers another I'd expect to be intense...with all things considered. Gophers obviously want to maintain / sustain momentum. No doubt motivated to reverse the results of the prior meeting. Beavers highly motivated for their best chances at home ice in the first round...and their frequent habit of giving Minnesota titanic battles.