Wisconsin Badgers 2020-2021

[Offsides Guy]

It was testing protocols and positive test procedures at the beginning. Then, at least for Ohio State and Wisconsin, it became as much a consequence of actual COVID positive results within the programs, leading to cancelled games; some were able to be made up, others were not.

Certainly true. ARM seemed to suggest there was some sort of strategy behind the scheduling when saying, “...are prioritizing preparedness for a possible postseason over competitive advantages for the conference season.” and that was not the case. From the very beginning due to Covid testing requirements OSU, Minnesota, and Wisconsin had much tougher schedules as, in most cases, they were scheduled to only play the other four teams once each instead of twice.

 

[robertearle]

due to Covid testing requirements OSU, Minnesota, and Wisconsin had much tougher schedules as, in most cases, they were scheduled to only play the other four teams once each instead of twice.

Except Duluth, in their role as sort of the 'swing' team between the two groups, B1G vs 'bottom three'. The actual cancellations - as best I can tell or guess - ended up wiping out a second pair of games between Duluth and Minnesota and a pair between Duluth and Wisconsin; neither series able to be made up (Minn was able to throw in an extra game vs St Cloud after one of the cancellations.). One could argue, I guess, that that benefitted Wisconsin and Minnesota in not having to face a fairly tough opponent two more times, but it definitely ended up benefitting Duluth in dropping four tough games (and opening up 'space' for an additional Mankato series?).

A messed up year. Que sera, sera. I'm happy - Knock on wood - it has all gone as well as it has.

 

[ARM]

The very unbalanced schedule was driven by nothing more than COVID testing capabilities. The Big 10 teams needed to limit their exposure to the other teams which weren’t going to be able to match the testing protocols the Big 10 requires of its teams.

That's true. But OSU and UM added a third series between their two teams, after having one washed away by Covid, when doing so compromised the possibility that either would finish atop the league. That also involves an extra flight, which is often a backbreaker for hockey games happening, even in normal times when getting on an airplane doesn't involve an additional risk of exposure. Minnesota could have instead opted to shoot for a third game against BSU or reschedule UMD's trip to Minneapolis. It still looks to me like finishing atop the regular season wasn't the priority that it would be in a normal year.

 

[robertearle]

I don't know whether it 'adds' anything to the discussion, but for the heck of it, I looked:

Wisconsin will have played 10 games against others in the 'top four', and 6 against the 'bottom 3'
Minnesota 12 vs 'top 4', and 7 vs 'bottom 3'
Ohio State 12 vs 'top 4', and 6 vs 'bottom 3'
Duluth 6 vs 'top 4', and 12 vs 'bottom 3'

 

[ARM]

I don't know whether it 'adds' anything to the discussion, ...

IMO, it is the core of the discussion in terms of UMD still being relevant in a discussion of who finishes atop the season standings. Otherwise, the Bulldogs got swept by UM, and nobody else in the top group has been swept by one of the others. Plus, UMD has a negative result to a team outside the top four. Meanwhile, UW was a bit better than the Buckeyes and two games better than the Gophers, so the Badgers are the clear best team, unless they lose the series to UMD. At which point we would need to consider the possibility that none of the WCHA teams are all that good, which could still be the case. E.g., on paper, Minnesota is better than it was last year, but on the ice, it is worse. And the Gophers were probably the third-best team in the WCHA last year.

 

[robertearle]

IMO, it is the core of the discussion ...

If COVID had not wiped out a Duluth-Wisconsin series and a Duluth-Minnesota series, it would have all looked much more balanced, with less of a scramble to add post-christmas games. So what we're left with is much more a result of circumstance and not of design.

As I said, que sera...

 

[Timothy A]

I can't believe no one asked MJ about the disputed goal from game 2. Clearly a pivotal play since UM did nor score again and neither did UW.

I have yet to watch game 2, but the report from my eldest said overall MN outplayed UW.

 

[Lindsay]

I hope you don't mind me sharing this on the Wisconsin page, wanted to share a 40minute podcast episode featuring Brianna Decker. She talks about PW, training during Covid times, and more. I am impressed to hear her talk about the endowment she created devoted to Wisconsin girls hockey. It is reminiscent of the Lamoureux twins devotion to North Dakota and their commitment there. Impressive people.

edit: not sure why it takes you to the patreon page when you click the link. click on episodes and then the pic of Decker if you wish to listen!

 

[Timothy A]

I have to admit I am a bit underwhelmed by the play of the Webster/O'Brien combo. Certainly on the score sheet they are not really producing and being essentially the 2nd line they see a ton of ice time. I just think it would be interesting to flip SS or Watts onto that line, both those players top end play makers who could get up the other 2 and the one who bounced up to the 1st line would also get a lot more chances. I do know that part of it is not seeing them in person, it's hard to get a great feel for the types of opportunities they are producing. The eye test told us that SS and Roque were special when they were Fr.

 

[FiveHoleFrenzy]

I have to admit I am a bit underwhelmed by the play of the Webster/O'Brien combo.

Wait...I thought these players were part of the bestest recruiting class evah. LOL

Actually I have been a little bit more impressed with O'Brien compared to Webster when I've had the chance to watch the Sinners. And Eden may be the best of the 4 freshmen.

 

[Timothy A]

Wait...I thought these players were part of the bestest recruiting class evah. LOL Actually I have been a little bit more impressed with O'Brien compared to Webster when I've had the chance to watch the Sinners. And Eden may be the best of the 4 freshmen.

I know right! The bestest evah! I think the eye test will tell me alot more when I get to see them next yea when they still are Fr.

Eden from what I have seen is the best, I think her size is a big asset when compared to the other 2.

 

[robertearle]

The Duluth-Mankato series for this weekend has been cancelled, due to COVID within the Mankato program. For the time being, the Duluth-Mankato series for next weekend - Feb 19 and 20 - is still on the schedule. But that obviously could change.

Fewer Duluth wins means a lower percentage of 'standings points won', so this hurts Duluth's chance of catch UW, but as it stands right now, UW still needs to beat St Cloud and not get swept at Duluth in two weeks. And i think that remains the case, even if Duluth-Mankato gets wiped out next week, though in that case even one standings point for Wisconsin would likely be good enough to win the conference.

Here's hoping the folks in Mankato are OK.

 

[robertearle]

The Duluth-Mankato series for this weekend has been cancelled, due to COVID within the Mankato program. For the time being, the Duluth-Mankato series for next weekend - Feb 19 and 20 - is still on the schedule. But that obviously could change.

What are the chances that if Mankato vs Duluth gets cancelled for Feb 19 and 20, Duluth at Wisconsin gets added for Feb 19 and 20?

 

[Timothy A]

What are the chances that if Mankato vs Duluth gets cancelled for Feb 19 and 20, Duluth at Wisconsin gets added for Feb 19 and 20?

That would be awesome. More games is better and I don't care who they play. I hope the wwcha has enough brains to do that. I'm not sure at this point how flexible they are able to be. They don't seem to be able to think on their feet very well.

I love the line changes! Eden/Drake/Curl created a lot of chances. Drake showed some great moxy on the Curl goal. Curl is more of a finisher than a digger and Drake is a better digger, and so is Eden, than O'B and Web. Schneider/O'B and Web also looked good, they were clicking and Web scored one.

The PP's were interesting with an all Fr F one O'B/Web/Eden and a 4 F one Curl SS Watts Pettet. They could have been like that last week, I only saw the first rodent game and who was on the pp was trumped by watching the puck and not necessarily the players.

I think MJ is still taking it easy on Buchbinder wit her being on the 3rd pair. Kotlowski continues to impress by not being noticeable, which is exactly what you want out of a D.

Of course it's only BSU, but their talent level is better than the amount of shots they had indicated. I was impressed with their overall speed. DeGeorge seemingly was never off the ice and she was constantly putting the puck on her teammates' sticks. That is still an area where UW struggles a bit, just making clean passes in the D zone to transition out.

 

[robertearle]

What are the chances that if Mankato vs Duluth gets cancelled for Feb 19 and 20, Duluth at Wisconsin gets added for Feb 19 and 20?

The caveat here is "unless they add two games vs Duluth..." (and "if I did this all correctly!")

Even if Ohio State or Minn win both of their remaining games, and Wisconsin loses both of their remaining games to Duluth, neither can catch Wisconsin in the conference standings.

If Duluth plays and wins vs Mankato next weekend, and then sweeps Wisconsin, Duluth wins the championship.

If Duluth plays and wins vs Mankato next weekend, and Wisconsin gets at least two standings points vs Duluth, Wisconsin wins the championship.

If Duluth plays and wins vs Mankato next weekend, and Wisconsin gets only one point, they would end in a flat-footed tie, and Duluth would win the championship by virtue of head-to-head.

If Duluth does not play at all next weekend, they would have to sweep Wisconsin to win the championship; if Wisconsin got even one point, Wisconsin wins.

 

[Timothy A]

Taking care of business type of weekend. I can't ever remember after a game to be able to chant..."more goals than shots" LOL. That would have been killer to be able to chant that in person behind their bench yesterday. Awesome to see GS and Drake score. GS had a Pavelski type tip in goal, that was a wow goal. Awesome to see Wheeler get a couple apples. The BSU effort on the Eden goal was purely embarrassing. No one even tried to close on her and the goalie just pretended to be a folding chair. There was a goal Friday where a "backchecking" player made zero effort to close on the shooter prior to the goal though with some effort she may have made a difference.

Hopefully I'll have time in the next weeks to do a little write-up on the Sr's. All the players deserve some ink and it's fun to do.

 

[Offsides Guy]

Taking care of business type of weekend. I can't ever remember after a game to be able to chant..."more goals than shots" LOL. That would have been killer to be able to chant that in person behind their bench yesterday. Awesome to see GS and Drake score. GS had a Pavelski type tip in goal, that was a wow goal. Awesome to see Wheeler get a couple apples. The BSU effort on the Eden goal was purely embarrassing. No one even tried to close on her and the goalie just pretended to be a folding chair. There was a goal Friday where a "backchecking" player made zero effort to close on the shooter prior to the goal though with some effort she may have made a difference.

Hopefully I'll have time in the next weeks to do a little write-up on the Sr's. All the players deserve some ink and it's fun to do.

Tough weekend for the Beavs in a very tough season. They’ve had injuries to key players throughout the season (this weekend missing a top D and one of the top scoring F’s) such that I don’t recall the last time they played with their predicted starting lineup. Add in the WCHA’s unconscionable slap in the face of not inviting all 7 teams to the conference tournament and it has to be tough for the players these last few series.

 

[Timothy A]

Add in the WCHA’s unconscionable slap in the face of not inviting all 7 teams to the conference tournament and it has to be tough for the players these last few series.

It is completely unacceptable not to invite all 7 teams to the wwcha tourney. In a single elimination event like that anything can happen. Every team has a chance. It's really sad that the yare only taking the top 4.

 

[Offsides Guy]

It is completely unacceptable not to invite all 7 teams to the wwcha tourney. In a single elimination event like that anything can happen. Every team has a chance. It's really sad that the yare only taking the top 4.

And that “anything can happen”-type upset would go a long way to taking the sting out of a tough season for the three teams not invited.

 

[robertearle]

Well, the regular season championship got easier to figure, because we know Wisconsin and Duluth will end up playing the same number of games. So we can forget the percentages - at least for those two teams - and go back to regular standings points.

Wisconsin has 34, Duluth has 30.

A Duluth sweep would make it Duluth 36, Wisconsin 34.

A Wisconsin win in either game would make it Wisconsin 37, Duluth 33.

If Duluth were to get five of the six points, it would be tied at 35, and Duluth would win the tie-breaker.

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Last year one of the games in Duluth was televised by a channel called "My-9" in Duluth, and their broadcast was picked up by a Madison station (WKOW, if I recall). The Saturday game this year is currently on the My-9 schedule. So here's hoping Madison TV can pick that up again.