Wisconsin Hockey, Vol II: Rebuild, Refresh, and Renew!

[Timothy A]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey, Vol II: Rebuild, Refresh, and Renew!

Oh yes, 8 goals and almost all were pretty one on three, great passes and just kicked the crap out of the goofers. It was fantastic to watch and the best I have ever seen the women play. Their D on Minnesota's backside breakout pass allowed one goal and almost another and needs to be corrected, but other than that it was so much fun. Crazy sign guy ran out of numbers......

He just got lazy. He's done 1 3 5 7 and 2 4 6 8 we want more. I was a little disappointed in that.

I hope Keegan is able to get a handle on his issues. That would explain why he left UW so abruptly. Best wishes to the Ford family.

 

[KaMiGo]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey, Vol II: Rebuild, Refresh, and Renew!

After a few more weekends with a pair of splits, let's see what the numbers say...

2 points in the poll, receiving votes - 29th
RPI down to 22nd
PWR down to 22nd
Team O, 3.33 - 16th
Team D, 3.25 - 43rd
PP, 18/74 24.32% - 4th
PK, 56/63 88.9% - 8th

Not the best showing against a UNO team that appeared pretty close to us in most ranking categories. Maybe the lack of band and students had an impact, maybe the presence of a full section of UNO fans had an impact too.

Going into the last matchup of the calendar year, here is where things are:
1 point in the poll, receiving votes - 30th
RPI down to 28th
PWR down to 28th
Team O, 3.36 - 17th
Team D, 3.50 - 51st
PP, 20/86 23.26% - 7th
PK, 64/72 88.9% - 5th

Looking ahead to Michigan, or Meeeeshigan, or "that team up north", or the "Ugly Helmets" or whatever you prefer to call them...
5 points in the poll, receiving votes - 25th
RPI 31st
PWR 31st
Team O, 2.50 - 43rd
Team D, 2.64 - 19th
PP, 12/59 20.34% - 16th
PK, 63/72 87.5% - 10th

When Michigan gets in a hole early, they don't dig back out of it. They are 0-3-0 when trailing after 1 (and also after 2). Michigan tends to give up 3rd period goals (not sure how many of those might be empty netters). They also tend to get outshot significantly. On the season they are 356-509 in total shots, but take that with a grain of salt...they played at PSU last week and were outshot by 52-106 on the weekend. Take away that weekend and they are still getting outshot, but by a 3:4 margin.
Michigan has also been playing 3 Goaltenders. Looks like they might have a good one in Lavigne, 3-1-0 with shutouts against Union and BU, but he hasn't played in the last 6 games, not sure what is going on there...

Bucky needs some momentum going into the semester break. They were frustratingly inconsistent against UNO, having some great periods, and having some horrible periods. When will we see this team put together 6 good periods and get a solid weekend sweep? I'd love to see it happen this weekend, but don't know that we'll get it. My money would be on MSU visiting Jan 6-7. **This statement excludes the St Lawrence/Clarkson "sweep"**

 

[WiscTJK]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey, Vol II: Rebuild, Refresh, and Renew!

Not the best showing against a UNO team that appeared pretty close to us in most ranking categories. Maybe the lack of band and students had an impact, maybe the presence of a full section of UNO fans had an impact too.

Going into the last matchup of the calendar year, here is where things are:
1 point in the poll, receiving votes - 30th
RPI down to 28th
PWR down to 28th
Team O, 3.36 - 17th
Team D, 3.50 - 51st
PP, 20/86 23.26% - 7th
PK, 64/72 88.9% - 5th

Looking ahead to Michigan, or Meeeeshigan, or "that team up north", or the "Ugly Helmets" or whatever you prefer to call them...
5 points in the poll, receiving votes - 25th
RPI 31st
PWR 31st
Team O, 2.50 - 43rd
Team D, 2.64 - 19th
PP, 12/59 20.34% - 16th
PK, 63/72 87.5% - 10th

When Michigan gets in a hole early, they don't dig back out of it. They are 0-3-0 when trailing after 1 (and also after 2). Michigan tends to give up 3rd period goals (not sure how many of those might be empty netters). They also tend to get outshot significantly. On the season they are 356-509 in total shots, but take that with a grain of salt...they played at PSU last week and were outshot by 52-106 on the weekend. Take away that weekend and they are still getting outshot, but by a 3:4 margin.
Michigan has also been playing 3 Goaltenders. Looks like they might have a good one in Lavigne, 3-1-0 with shutouts against Union and BU, but he hasn't played in the last 6 games, not sure what is going on there...

Bucky needs some momentum going into the semester break. They were frustratingly inconsistent against UNO, having some great periods, and having some horrible periods. When will we see this team put together 6 good periods and get a solid weekend sweep? I'd love to see it happen this weekend, but don't know that we'll get it. My money would be on MSU visiting Jan 6-7. **This statement excludes the St Lawrence/Clarkson "sweep"**

51st in defense ouch. and with little to no help on the horizon, it isn't going to get much better for several years...

 

[Timothy A]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey, Vol II: Rebuild, Refresh, and Renew!

51st in defense ouch. and with little to no help on the horizon, it isn't going to get much better for several years...

I think Berry will help shore up things a little, he seems to stop all the ones he should and makes some big saves, but even Cujo couldn't have stopped those Saturday. It would be interesting to compare the starts of Jurusik and Berry. Berry is 5% higher on save % and 1.66 lower on gaa. Saturday kinda torpedoed his stats.

 

[MadCityRich]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey, Vol II: Rebuild, Refresh, and Renew!

51st in defense ouch. and with little to no help on the horizon, it isn't going to get much better for several years...

I hope you're wrong, of course. A few posts ago I was wondering how the downfall in defensemen happened so quickly. solo pointed out about D recruiting......"It was his (Eaves') strength via Oseicki, once oz left Eaves couldn't do it alone." I agree 100% and should've realized it. I don't think it will take "several" years, but maybe a couple? *Fingers crossed*

 

[Wisko McBadgerton]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey, Vol II: Rebuild, Refresh, and Renew!

from the MTU - off season thread: "According to Mel on the WCHA preseason media teleconference, Keegan Ford is dealing with some anxiety issues and will not be on campus this fall. There is a possibility he could be added for the spring semester, but that's not guaranteed yet. Mel expressed his hope that Keegan gets healthy first."

Great family, I just hope everything works out for him. If not in hockey then I hope he finds his path in life.....

Thanks, I have been meaning to find out what was up, but I haven't been following the hockey world as diligently as of late.

Keegan can be a very good college player, but I also just hope he is able to work through any issues and be happy and well in whatever he pursues.

We did end up with Jason in the whole deal. His skates and his throwback work ethic have been a real bonus. Was really happy to see him get that goal following up in the paint Saturday.

 

[Almington]

51st in defense ouch. and with little to no help on the horizon, it isn't going to get much better for several years...

Under this staff the goal isn't going to be an under 2 GAA team like it was under Eaves. Give Greenway some more time to mature and give the rest of the players a little more time to adjust and things will get better faster than many expect. They just need to get GA to be under GF and the wins will come.

 

[bucky15]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey, Vol II: Rebuild, Refresh, and Renew!

Under this staff the goal isn't going to be an under 2 GAA team like it was under Eaves. Give Greenway some more time to mature and give the rest of the players a little more time to adjust and things will get better faster than many expect. They just need to get GA to be under GF and the wins will come.

I agree, the D core will work itself out in the coming years.

The positive thing that most are missing is this team is 7-6-1 going into Big Ten play. They are an exciting team too watch and they have the fire power up front to make a run at 2nd or 3rd in the league.

One other thing to remember, the win total for the last 2 years combined was 12. Things are improving fast. Just need to practice a little bit of patience.

 

[bucky15]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey, Vol II: Rebuild, Refresh, and Renew!

The excitement around here for the start of the Big Ten regular season is breathtaking.

 

[WiscTJK]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey, Vol II: Rebuild, Refresh, and Renew!

Are the games on TV this weekend? If so please post. I generally like the gameday app, but it would be nice if every game had TV and Radio schedules shown.

 

[gwhinwi]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey, Vol II: Rebuild, Refresh, and Renew!

Are the games on TV this weekend? If so please post. I generally like the gameday app, but it would be nice if every game had TV and Radio schedules shown.

Tomorrow's game is on ESPNews for some reason.

Saturday is on BTN Plus.

I agree with you in regards to the schedule stuff. I end up scanning Fox Sports Go's site along with the BTN2Go page weekly to figure it out.

 

[MadCityRich]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey, Vol II: Rebuild, Refresh, and Renew!

The excitement around here for the start of the Big Ten regular season is breathtaking.

Yeah, I know. Other than the team itself, I can't get fired up about a 6 team league. It's almost like the entire year is a round robin 6 team minor tourney. If it was the ol' WCHA (WI, NoDak, MN, MN-Duluth, da yoopers, CC, DU, the MN "state" schools, etc), now THAT was a league to look forward to. Right now, 3 Bi6 teams are in the top 20 and 2 receiving a few votes outside the top 20. I'm starting to wonder if some recruits are looking at the Bi6 as a red-headed step-child. No offense if you have a red headed step child.

NoDak, DU, UMD, and the MN state schools are consistently ranked. As most of us thought (and by the reaction of the crowd at the WI Hockey Backers banquet when the Bi6 was mentioned), this was/is a mistake and we have nobody to thank but BTN and their udder sucking minions.

 

[WiscDC]

The excitement around here for the start of the Big Ten regular season is breathtaking.

I'm pretty psyched about it, but that doesn't mean I have anything interesting to say. What would I say? "Hey, this could happen. That could happen. Do you think X will happen? Or do you think Y will happen?" Those kinds of fan conversations rarely interest me, but the season really gets going in a new gear now, and I'm happy about that.

Apologies to the older fans horrified that I'm not wallowing in memories of one of the recent forms of the WCHA...

(And apologies to you if I misinterpreted the tone of your comment.)

 

[MadCityRich]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey, Vol II: Rebuild, Refresh, and Renew!

I'm pretty psyched about it, but that doesn't mean I have anything interesting to say. What would I say? "Hey, this could happen. That could happen. Do you think X will happen? Or do you think Y will happen?" Those kinds of fan conversations rarely interest me, but the season really gets going in a new gear now, and I'm happy about that.

Apologies to the older fans horrified that I'm not wallowing in memories of one of the recent forms of the WCHA...

(And apologies to you if I misinterpreted the tone of your comment.)

Not at all, brother; no reason to apologize for a post. I enjoy reading your takes. We "old schoolers" bring it up often because it meant so much to us, and it is not the same. Being not the same isn't a bad thing, but although the Badgers WILL be better, college hockey is losing very important rivalries with upper midwest schools vs western schools. I would feel much different if the Bi6 was a 10-12 team solid conference, but I can't see the Bi6 EVER become a ten team league.

 

[WiscDC]

Yeah, I know. Other than the team itself, I can't get fired up about a 6 team league. It's almost like the entire year is a round robin 6 team minor tourney. If it was the ol' WCHA (WI, NoDak, MN, MN-Duluth, da yoopers, CC, DU, the MN "state" schools, etc), now THAT was a league to look forward to. Right now, 3 Bi6 teams are in the top 20 and 2 receiving a few votes outside the top 20. I'm starting to wonder if some recruits are looking at the Bi6 as a red-headed step-child. No offense if you have a red headed step child.

NoDak, DU, UMD, and the MN state schools are consistently ranked. As most of us thought (and by the reaction of the crowd at the WI Hockey Backers banquet when the Bi6 was mentioned), this was/is a mistake and we have nobody to thank but BTN and their udder sucking minions.

Personally, a league where everyone plays everyone 4 times each is more appealing than the WCHA I saw when I first came to UW. In the long run, it will only get better, just like your favorite version of the WCHA did.

When half the league is ranked, that's a good thing. If a player can't figure out that math, let them go to a lower tier school. Throw in future affiliate member Notre Dame, and the current rankings picture is even better. Having bigger followings/crowds on average than most of college hockey makes the league even further from being a "red-headed stepchild." PSU found their groove, and we're only one recruiting cycle into the Big Ten.

A generation ago, I bet people were complaining that Michigan and Michigan State were awful for messing up the WCHA, bolting for the CCHA. (Speaking of Michigan, their very first matchup with UW in the new conference felt and looked like an old rivalry.)

This topic is so tired, and in the context of UW's current situation, it's ESPECIALLY tired, because the future bulk of the fan base includes tons of high schoolers, and even current students, who know ****-all about college hockey, especially college hockey 4-7 years ago and before.

 

[Timothy A]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey, Vol II: Rebuild, Refresh, and Renew!

I liked the old wcha, not the new (Kato, UNO, BSU, St. Cloud). I look forward to UW playing Um and Um, not so much the other 3. I'm looking forward to the other UND joining the league.

 

[Crainer]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey, Vol II: Rebuild, Refresh, and Renew!

I hope you're wrong, of course. A few posts ago I was wondering how the downfall in defensemen happened so quickly. solo pointed out about D recruiting......"It was his (Eaves') strength via Oseicki, once oz left Eaves couldn't do it alone." I agree 100% and should've realized it. I don't think it will take "several" years, but maybe a couple? *Fingers crossed*

Butters was a plant by the stinking rodents!!

 

[WiscDC]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey, Vol II: Rebuild, Refresh, and Renew!

I liked the old wcha, not the new (Kato, UNO, BSU, St. Cloud). I look forward to UW playing Um and Um, not so much the other 3. I'm looking forward to the other UND joining the league.

I look forward to UW playing the other three. OSU is probably the only one that I only really find significant because of the conference standings on the line. As for the rest:

Minnesota is obvious. Michigan is a historic power, has been very good in recent years, and has an awesome looking and sounding rink. Michigan state hasn't been good recently, but "Michigan State Hockey" does have an aura about it, thanks to their history. (I guess it's kind of like Maine in Hockey East...by the way, another terrible league that destroyed an already existing conference.) Penn State is the other side of MSU's coin - no history, but a very competitive program currently. That factor, the uniforms, the arena, and their crowds all make that program look to me like a traditional power. They aren't, but it sure feels that way. Notre Dame is similar to what I said about Penn State, but with a smaller arena and the fact that they were in D-I for a long time before they became a relevant program.

It's a neat league we've got.

"It's not bad at all, really. Maybe it just needs a little love." - Linus Van Pelt

Edit: ^That quote can also apply to the Badgers men's hockey program right now, too.

 

[solovsfett]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey, Vol II: Rebuild, Refresh, and Renew!

I haven't warmed up to the b6.

Penn State is like the Jaguars, Panthers and Titans in the nfl. No matter how good they are in certain years I just can't get excited for the packers to play them ever.

TOsu has been historically mediocre and I just don't care about them either.

Eventually I can see myself warming up to a rivalry with Michigan and/or Notre Dame but I don't foresee those rivalries generating the hate/love of Minnesota, North Dakota, Duluth, Denver, CC, NMU and MTU.

But hey I'm a middle aged badger fan who pines for the old cheers, blue line club and student signs like Canadian club so maybe I'm stuck in the 80'a

 

[Crainer]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey, Vol II: Rebuild, Refresh, and Renew!

Gameday!