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Wisconsin Badgers 2014-2015

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Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2014-2015

CrazyDave said:
Not knowing anything about how the game in Madison actually played out, the word "escaped" pops into my mind in describing the result.
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I would have used "escape" if Bemiji had outplayed UW, but that was not the case. Had UW won Friday when the game was more even that word may have came to mind.

I might make a little 8 x 11 sign honoring Duggan and since we sit behind the opposing team's bench I'm hoping she will acknowledge it. Hopefully the PA announcer somehow acknowledges her as well. She's a UW legend.
 
Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2014-2015

I'm sure the team isn't too happy with how the Badgers power play has been performing. It may be time to shake things up a bit on special teams. Maybe switch things up and change a few of the players around or add a forward that hasn't been on the power play? Just an idea but, a team with this much talent should have a power play that operates at about 30% and not 16%! Coach Johnson threw out a number of different line combinations in the third period of Saturdays game when the score was 1-1 just trying to get someone to score! The entire game felt like the Badgers were winning 5-0 with the amount of shots (63!) they threw at the net and with the amount of time they spent in Bemidji States zone. We just have to start putting the puck in! Hopefully some puck luck will come the Badgers way this weekend vs. Clarkson!
Timothy A said:
It was a pins and needles kind of game. I was not too worried when they scored first, though allowing that player to walk in from the boards and shoot sure p/oed me. Bemiji missed a wide open net on a Ryan gaff and ARD had an amazing backside rebound save, or it would have been 3-1 at the end of 2. I was worried the whole 3rd period somehow UW would not win the game outright and what impact that would have, but they pulled it out in OT.

Nurse had a great game and ARD was much more steady. I still don't like their pp where they go dot to dot across the slot, then back to the point. When they go dot to dot, the pass catcher needs to shoot off the pass instead of going back to the point. Even my non-hardcore hockey wife pointed that out on her own today.

Facinating match-up w/Clarkson coming up. I am looking forward to it.
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Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2014-2015

rangersrule said:
I'm sure the team isn't too happy with how the Badgers power play has been performing. It may be time to shake things up a bit on special teams. Maybe switch things up and change a few of the players around or add a forward that hasn't been on the power play? Just an idea but, a team with this much talent should have a power play that operates at about 30% and not 16%! Coach Johnson threw out a number of different line combinations in the third period of Saturdays game when the score was 1-1 just trying to get someone to score! The entire game felt like the Badgers were winning 5-0 with the amount of shots (63!) they threw at the net and with the amount of time they spent in Bemidji States zone. We just have to start putting the puck in! Hopefully some puck luck will come the Badgers way this weekend vs. Clarkson!
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They did go to an umbrella powerplay at times Saturday. I think getting some back door chances would help also.

As I look at the wcha stats, it's disappointing UW does not have a more dominant scorer or 2, which we were hoping would develop. Without that, I'm just not sure UW can crack the code of the final 4.
 
Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2014-2015

This team has had pretty balanced scoring throughout the first 3 lines and I really believe that will be a strength come March. They have very good goaltending and a great penalty kill -- 2 things you NEED to have to win in the end. I also think it benefits UW to be the chaser rather than the chased! The pressure is on BC and Minnesota. If the Badgers keep putting 35-45 pucks to the net each game they will eventually find scoring success. This team was scoring in bunches earlier in the season. Sometimes all you need is to get one cheap power play goal -- a bounce or a deflection-- and the flood gates open up! This weekend will be a good test against Clarkson -- should be a fun series!
Timothy A said:
They did go to an umbrella powerplay at times Saturday. I think getting some back door chances would help also.

As I look at the wcha stats, it's disappointing UW does not have a more dominant scorer or 2, which we were hoping would develop. Without that, I'm just not sure UW can crack the code of the final 4.
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Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2014-2015

Timothy A said:
They did go to an umbrella powerplay at times Saturday. I think getting some back door chances would help also.

As I look at the wcha stats, it's disappointing UW does not have a more dominant scorer or 2, which we were hoping would develop. Without that, I'm just not sure UW can crack the code of the final 4.
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I disagree. I think the fact that their scoring is balanced makes them more powerful. Other teams can not mark a couple of players & feel confidant they can prevent goals. They will be scary in the NCAA tourney. I'd love a UM/UW final as I know that would be a great game. I have no real idea how good BC is but I know those other two teams put on one heck of a shw 4 times this year.
 
Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2014-2015

ne7minder said:
I have no real idea how good BC is but I know those other two teams put on one heck of a shw 4 times this year.
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BC will put on a good show in the NCAA Tournament. They play a very entertaining style of hockey and are very fast and skilled.
 
Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2014-2015

ne7minder said:
I disagree. I think the fact that their scoring is balanced makes them more powerful. Other teams can not mark a couple of players & feel confidant they can prevent goals. They will be scary in the NCAA tourney. I'd love a UM/UW final as I know that would be a great game. I have no real idea how good BC is but I know those other two teams put on one heck of a shw 4 times this year.
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We'll agree to disagree on the depth issue. When you play the tough teams, they also have depth, so it's a little negated. Also, with single elimination games, depth is even less meaningful.

Actually, when you look at scoring stats, UM has more scoring depth than UW and 2 F who are better than anyone on UW's roster (and more impactful D), playing against roughly the same competition. Maybe (I know) I'm still bummed about the Packers, but UW's light is dimming when you look at the stats. The equalizer is D and G, but in a tight one and done game it's great to have a couple players that you know can make the amazing play to win.
 
Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2014-2015

Timothy A said:
We'll agree to disagree on the depth issue. When you play the tough teams, they also have depth, so it's a little negated. Also, with single elimination games, depth is even less meaningful.

Actually, when you look at scoring stats, UM has more scoring depth than UW and 2 F who are better than anyone on UW's roster (and more impactful D), playing against roughly the same competition. Maybe (I know) I'm still bummed about the Packers, but UW's light is dimming when you look at the stats. The equalizer is D and G, but in a tight one and done game it's great to have a couple players that you know can make the amazing play to win.
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I have not seen a team with a better 3rd line except one & that is still a pretty small difference. A few years ago it seemed to me that UM had a better team on paper but failed when they played UW. I don't think the situation is exactly reversed but I do think UW is pretty darn close. I do hope one of us gets a shot at BC this year.
 
Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2014-2015

ne7minder said:
I have not seen a team with a better 3rd line except one & that is still a pretty small difference. A few years ago it seemed to me that UM had a better team on paper but failed when they played UW. I don't think the situation is exactly reversed but I do think UW is pretty darn close. I do hope one of us gets a shot at BC this year.
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It would suck if UM and UW end up the 2/3 seeds. I'd like to see a path for BC to play UMD/Bemiji, then have to face UW/UM, then face the remaining UW/UM in the final if they (BC) gets that far.

UW can make a huge statement (or could Clarkson) this weekend. I really like these N/C games, it's fun to play a different opponent with the big mystery being how they react to eachother. UW better come out like a house of fire.
 
Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2014-2015

Timothy A said:
It would suck if UM and UW end up the 2/3 seeds. I'd like to see a path for BC to play UMD/Bemiji, then have to face UW/UM, then face the remaining UW/UM in the final if they (BC) gets that far.
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You'll never see a bracket where BC has to play three WCHA teams, because the committee will pair everyone from the West together in the first round to save flights. What will suck be than UM/UW winding up the 2/3 or 1/4 seeds is if either drops out of the top four and they are the only two WCHA teams in the field. I'm afraid that if one of them is No. 1 or No. 2 and the other is fifth, they would still match them together for the quarterfinal.
 
ARM said:
You'll never see a bracket where BC has to play three WCHA teams, because the committee will pair everyone from the West together in the first round to save flights. What will suck be than UM/UW winding up the 2/3 or 1/4 seeds is if either drops out of the top four and they are the only two WCHA teams in the field. I'm afraid that if one of them is No. 1 or No. 2 and the other is fifth, they would still match them together for the quarterfinal.
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Unfortunately that's exactly what would happen. The selection criteria leaves no ambiguity with regard to minimizing flights.

Fortunately I cannot possibly imagine 1) UW falls to 5th, 2) UMD drops to 8th, *AND* 3) OSU doesn't fill that gap. Two of those might happen, but all three would blow my mind.

As for BC avoiding one of a 2/3 seeded UW/UM -- well, it's kind of a special case this year with three real breakaway teams, but avoiding one of the 2/3 teams is the reward for finishing 1st.
 
Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2014-2015

I await this weekends Clarkson- Wisconsin games with excitement and dread. I have seen Clarkson play in person 3 times and I have watched all of their home games (except I missed the Cornell game) over the internet. I have not seen Wisconsin play.

When I look at the statistics I would have to favor Wisconsin to take both games. Wisconsin has played one more game than Clarkson. Goal scoring favors Wisconsin (86/72). Defensively Wisconsin has given up 30G to Clarkson’s 39G. SOG/game avg. it’s Wisconsin’s 42/20 vs Clarkson’s 32/21. Both teams average about the same number of penalties/ game Clarkson’s 7 vs Wisconsin’s 6.83. The power play success does favor Clarkson 22.4% to Wisconsin’s 15.4% however Wisconsin’s penalty kill is an outstanding 95.9% vs Clarkson’s 89.7% and could negate Clarkson’s advantage on the PP.

My biggest issue is Clarkson has only 2 ties (Cornell and Harvard) to show against teams I would consider to be NC$$ Tournament worthy. They have lost 2 times to Quinnipiac and BU and once to Cornell. More disturbing is BU hung a 5 spot on them at home and Cornell torched them at home for 8 goals. They have beaten who they should beat but do not have a quality win on their resume.

The top 3 scorers on each squad appear to be pretty even. MacAulay, Mercer and Bannon with 37G/42A vs Sylvester, Ammerman and Pankowski with 29G/50A. It is with the rest of the forwards that Wisconsin holds a decided advantage over Clarkson. Howe, Lambert, Bellerive, Titus, Gillham, Fournier and Lefler with 20G compared to McKibbon, Turnbull, Nurse, Josephs, Clark, Wellhausen and Sowchuk with 46G.

Clarkson depends on 3 of their defensemen (Ambrose, Harmon and Fast) to help generate offense as I have seen in the games I watched more so than I would say Wisconsin’s defense looking at their stats. Renata Fast is the quickest and best skater on the Clarkson squad. She can absolutely fly and has been used on and off as a forward to try to help generate more goal scoring. Other than her, I would not consider the Clarkson team to be really quick skaters and the games I have seen, quick skating teams cause Clarkson trouble.

I do think Clarkson plays tough defensively and will be able to hold the score down. Freshman Shea Tiley in the nets is good but will give up rebounds and a soft goal every now and then.

I believe you will not see any highlite reel goals from Clarkson. Most of their goals are generated by winning the battles in the corners and behind the net, circling out of the corners to get the puck to the point or in front then hard work down low looking for rebounds on the initial shot. Every now and then a blast from the point by usually Ambrose or Harmon gets through for a score.

Erin Ambrose is not scoring at the rate she did last year but she has made some really slick passes to set up scoring by the forwards. Unfortunately Rattray, Big Sister Carly Mercer and Gagnon are no longer available and the forwards are not taking advantage of her passes like last year. Ambrose is solid defensively and will block a lot of shots as will all of the Clarkson defensemen.

Anyway that is my take from a Clarkson fans perspective. Of coarse my take on the National Championship game last year was the same with me taking Minny. I guess that is why they play the games. ;)
My scores:
Wisconsin 4 Clarkson 1
Wisconsin 3 Clarkson 2
 
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Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2014-2015

KTDC said:
Great summary, vicb, thanks!

Much appreciated.
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I concur, a fantastic preview.

So it looks like UW's depth will be a clear advantage in this series. I wonder how tight of D in front Clarkson plays to clean up the rebounds. It can't be more suffocating than Bemiji.

At some point UW's pp slump has to be broken. Like I stated earlier, they had switched to the umbrella, but I do think they have had backdoor chances if the backdoor person looks to shoot rather than pass to the point.
 
Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2014-2015

vicb said:
I await this weekends Clarkson- Wisconsin games with excitement and dread. I have seen Clarkson play in person 3 times and I have watched all of their home games (except I missed the Cornell game) over the internet. I have not seen Wisconsin play.
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Any chance that either of these games will be streamed on the net? Would like to see them if possible.
 
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