Wisconsin Badgers 2010-2011, The next generation.

[Chuck Schwartz]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2010-2011, The next generation.

Couldn't agree more. This team has far outpaced my expectations. I was expecting lots of frustration following a young team this year, but they've grown up pretty quickly.

I also have a bit of fear about the recruiting, but this team playing as well as it is, with as many freshman as it has may just put that to rest. There could be a little lull as a result of Oz's early recruiting success this year, but I don't think it'll last too long.

Sanger's stock is definitely rising this year, but the true test for him comes next season. He'll have a walk on & a true freshman to work with (unless Coach Eaves was just trying to put his competition off the scent with his comments earlier this year), and from the looks of it, a lot of talent up front that could become disgruntled if the goaltending is sub par. Here's hoping that Rumpel & Mitch can pick up where Goody leaves off.

I think you're a little too pessimistic about the remaining games. I see a sweep at Tech, and I'm hopeful that we can do better than 4 splits at UNO, home vs. Rodents, at St. Cloud St. and home vs. CC. I'm hopeful we'll go 8-2 with the other two sweeps at home, but I'll predict 7-3.

I'm really enjoying this season, but I must admit that my mind keeps drifting to the question of this summer's early defections to the pros. Has anybody heard any chatter yet? It seems to me that we have 3 defensemen at risk in Schultz, Gardiner & Ramage, and at least 2 forwards in Smith & Murray, and it's not impossible we could lose a talented frosh like Zengerle. Do we have the recruits in the pipeline to replace these guys if they go? Am I just gun shy because of last season?

Thanks be to Bucky for another great weekend. Let's keep it rolling!

Ramange and Zengerle are virtual locks to come back we don't have to worry about that. Unfortunately I think Schultz and Gardiner are both gone even though both could use that extra year. Anaheim sent Scott Neidermayer, yes that Scott Neidermayer to watch Ducks draft picks Schultz and Gardiner last weekend.

Normally I would say that Smith is probably gone but we've got three huge factors going for us. 1, he's a Madison boy. 2, Nashville doesn't rush their draft picks, they let blake stay all four years. 3, All he has to do is look at what Blake did as a Nashville draft pick by staying and winning the Hobey.

Murray is probably gone. He was reportedly close to going over seas last year. He's good buddies with Stepan and Gards and with both of them most likely gone (obvs Steps is already gone) I think Jordy goes too.

 

[Timothy A]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2010-2011, The next generation.

I think you're a little too pessimistic about the remaining games. I see a sweep at Tech, and I'm hopeful that we can do better than 4 splits at UNO, home vs. Rodents, at St. Cloud St. and home vs. CC. I'm hopeful we'll go 8-2 with the other two sweeps at home, but I'll predict 7-3.

Let's keep it rolling!

I know 6-4 is pessimistic, here's what is inside my head: CC may need to win to get in at the end, so they might have the better motive in those games. St. Cl may start to heat up finally, UNO did just split w/the sue, and the rodents are better w/Patterson vs Kangass. UW's 5 on 5 play offensively has been less than average; they've been living on the pp all year. I'd much rather have you right vs me. Sometimes it's good to be wrong.

 

[Chuck Schwartz]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2010-2011, The next generation.

I know 6-4 is pessimistic, here's what is inside my head: CC may need to win to get in at the end, so they might have the better motive in those games. St. Cl may start to heat up finally, UNO did just split w/the sue, and the rodents are better w/Patterson vs Kangass. UW's 5 on 5 play offensively has been less than average; they've been living on the pp all year. I'd much rather have you right vs me. Sometimes it's good to be wrong.

I don't think 6-4 down the stretch is pessemistic at all. Yeah we've been winning but we haven't been playing the Soviets of the 70's lately. We have some hungry teams to face coming up and it's not going to be a cake walk by any means. I'll say 5-3-2.

As for the 5 on 5 scoring...I think of it like the Packers running game. Yeah it would be nice if we could get it going, but we can still win a lot of ***** games the way we're getting scoring now. If our PP wasn't so good I'd be more concerned.

 

[bucky15]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2010-2011, The next generation.

Ryan Mcdonagh has been logging huge minutes for the Rangers lately. I don't think he will be leaving the Rangers anytime soon. Glad to see another Badger making the jump to the big show.

 

[Crainer]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2010-2011, The next generation.

Anyone headed to Houghton for the games this weekend? Just wondering if there was going to be a "Badger Friendly" bar.

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2010-2011, The next generation.

Anyone headed to Houghton for the games this weekend? Just wondering if there was going to be a "Badger Friendly" bar.

If by "Badger Friendly," you mean Great Beer on tap, go to the Keewenaw Brewing Company or the "KBC."

Very good micro-brewery/bar. Can't guarantee that the locals will be friendly though...

 

[GoBucky36]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2010-2011, The next generation.

http://www.uwbadgers.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/012511aac.html

Veteran goaltender Scott Gudmandson of the University of Wisconsin, who stopped 71 of 74 shots on goal for a .959 saves percentage and surrendered just two even-strength goals while helping the Badgers to a two-game conference sweep over visiting Minnesota State, has been named the Red Baron® WCHA Defensive Player of the Week for Jan. 25, 2011.

A 5-10, 185-pound senior from Sherwood Park, Alberta, set a career high last Friday (Jan. 21) for saves in a win with 37, including 16 in the third period, as Wisconsin prevailed 3-2 over the Mavericks at the Kohl Center. One of the two goals he surrendered came on a first period power-play as the Badgers were outshot 39-30 for the game. Then in last Saturday’s (Jan. 22) 2-1 UW victory, Gudmandson stopped 34 of 35 Maverick shots, again stopping 16 of 17 shots in the third period. The Badgers were outshot 35-29 for the game and 17-4 in the third period. In addition, Gudmandson also helped Wisconsin hold MSU to one power-play goal in nine opportunities for the weekend.

Through 21 games and 1223:55 minutes played this season, Gudmandson leads all WCHA goaltenders with a 1.76 goals-against average and .935 save percentage in all games, ranking second and fourth in the nation, respectively. In league games, his 1.94 GAA is second while his .933 save percentage is first. He also boasts four shutouts on the year.

 

[Gandalf the Red]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2010-2011, The next generation.

Goody getting DPOW is much deserved. He is quietly having one of the best seasons in UW history. A .933 save % in WCHA games is amazing.

 

[aktick]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2010-2011, The next generation.

If you take into account games played (throwing out the Princeton goalie who's played 7 games), he's basically 1st in GAA and tied for 1st in save %, plus tied for the lead in shutouts.

If they keep it up, UW will surely have 2 in the Hobey top 10 once again, with Goody and Schultz. Neither will win it, but that would be pretty cool having 2 finalists 2 years in a row (and neither a repeat).

 

[Badgers1]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2010-2011, The next generation.

Looks like the non-conference games are set for next year. All 6 games will be at home with the opening weekend against Northern Michigan. Thanksgiving weekend against Mercyhurst and after the new year against RIT. No road series in Alaska next year so will be only these 6 games.

 

[aktick]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2010-2011, The next generation.

Looks like the non-conference games are set for next year. All 6 games will be at home with the opening weekend against Northern Michigan. Thanksgiving weekend against Mercyhurst and after the new year against RIT. No road series in Alaska next year so will be only these 6 games.

Hopefully after the New Year? I thought they stopped having the Showdown because attendance with games on New Year's Eve were terrible, but apparently not.

Anyways, I'm not renewing my season tickets next year, sick of driving 2.5 hours each way and trying to find people to go with (and the sterilized/overly PC environment).

I forget what the policy is on transferring season tickets to others, but I thought you could do so? If that's a possibility and anybody would be interested, shoot me a PM. I have Saturday night tickets, 201 row A seats 1-4 (right behind the Badger net periods 1 and 3).

 

[Badger Booster]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2010-2011, The next generation.

I know this is the mens thread, but wanted to give a quick plug for the Badger women (#1 in the country) hosting Minnesota Friday and Saturday night at the Kohl Center. Saturday night is Fill the Bowl with $1 admission (UW students free) and most of the surrounding lot parking is free. For those who haven't seen the Wisconsin womens team play, it's better hockey than you probably think it is.

I would recommend to those planning on going to get your tickets in advance if possible. Sometimes there is a bottleneck issue at the ticket office when they have games with relatively larger crowds.

Overall, it's a pretty fun experience at a really good price (normal price is only $5).

 

[UWisco]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2010-2011, The next generation.

My predictions for this week:
Friday UW 5 MTU 1
Saturday UW 7 MTU 2
Keep up the good work Badgers.

 

[GoBucky36]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2010-2011, The next generation.

I know this is the mens thread, but wanted to give a quick plug for the Badger women (#1 in the country) hosting Minnesota Friday and Saturday night at the Kohl Center. Saturday night is Fill the Bowl with $1 admission (UW students free) and most of the surrounding lot parking is free. For those who haven't seen the Wisconsin womens team play, it's better hockey than you probably think it is.

Very true. As long as you can get past the fact that theres no checking, it is great hockey. Its pretty insane just how good some of our girls are in terms of skating and shooting ability.
Hopefully there is a huge turnout and they set a new record for indoor attendance. I was planning to attend, but decided to go to the Milwaukee vs Rockford AHL game instead. Going to an Admirals game and an Icehogs game has been on my to-do list and I figured this weekend would be a good time to kill 2 birds with 1 stone.

 

[GoBucky36]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2010-2011, The next generation.

My predictions for this week:
Friday UW 5 MTU 1
Saturday UW 7 MTU 2
Keep up the good work Badgers.

I dont know about that, Tech is no pushover and the Badgers dont have the high-powered offensive explosion that we are used to seeing.
IMO, it will be closer to:
Friday UW 4, MTU 2
Saturday UW 3, MTU 1

 

[Chuck Schwartz]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2010-2011, The next generation.

I dont know about that, Tech is no pushover and the Badgers dont have the high-powered offensive explosion that we are used to seeing.
IMO, it will be closer to:
Friday UW 4, MTU 2
Saturday UW 3, MTU 1

Tech defines pushover.

 

[WeWantMore]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2010-2011, The next generation.

Tech defines pushover.

I'm worried though. They have to be due at some point right?

 

[Chuck Schwartz]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2010-2011, The next generation.

I'm worried though. They have to be due at some point right?

I don't know. They are pretty bad. Additionally they are terrible on the penalty kill, which is a good match up since we like to score on the PP.

 

[geezer]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2010-2011, The next generation.

Tech defines pushover.

I had to drop by to agree with this analysis. Even as a diehard, ever-optimistic MTU booster, I have to sadly agree that the team is in a complete shambles. The best 5 forwards on an already crappy team have been out most of the season, and last week a number of our starting should-be benchwarmers got beat up as well. They're skating cripples. They literally haven't scored a goal, let alone come close to a win, in weeks. And it's getting worse. It would be preferable to watch girls jr. high basketball this weekend to this series- and the jr. high girls team could probably beat Tech right now.

The Badgers won't even break a sweat.

 

[Timothy A]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2010-2011, The next generation.

Very true. As long as you can get past the fact that theres no checking...

I was shocked at how much hitting there was when I went to the UMD game after Txgiving. Maybe the ref's let a lot go that game, I don't know. The only other women's game I saw was RPI in the first game of the yr, but UW was so much better, they constantly controlled the puck, so there was really no need to muscle any RPI gals off the puck. I am seriously condisering getting 4 season tickets for the UW gals next year, but wifey poo is a bit against it. She doesn't think women should play hockey; it's a man's sport. 4 tickets will be enough for me and the kids to go, but I ponder the consequences of such a purchase. I'd like to keep enjoying married life.

Tech....Don't underestimate even the most aweful team, you never know. A sieve of thier's might play the game of his life; of course then it would still be a 0-0 tie.

Eaves can't let the boys take it easy tonight. Kato won 2 of 4 periods last weekend and it took Goody to bring home the bacon for the Badgers in the 3rd periods.