Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XVIII - Belief in a Better Tomorrow

[Badgers1]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XVIII - Belief in a Better Tomorrow

I wonder if there's any chance of a left handed forward moving up to take McCabe's spot on the Power Play? I know Springer had an assist on the Power Play, but really hasn't shown much offense in his career. Daly I noticed got 1 PP shift for sure and maybe will get a shot. I only saw Saturday's game on record and didn't seem like he played much at all. LaBate? Navin? Pretty risky having a forward at the point yet alone a Freshman.

 

[MadCityRich]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XVIII - Belief in a Better Tomorrow

Eaves makes it official today. Jake McCabe will be out 5-8 weeks with what is believed to be a hand injury. He will for sure miss series against UNO, SCSU, MINN & CC.

I was afraid of that, Chuck. Especially when I saw the "Bittersweet...." post. Sucks for the youngster.

 

[Chuck Schwartz]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XVIII - Belief in a Better Tomorrow

I wonder if there's any chance of a left handed forward moving up to take McCabe's spot on the Power Play? I know Springer had an assist on the Power Play, but really hasn't shown much offense in his career. Daly I noticed got 1 PP shift for sure and maybe will get a shot. I only saw Saturday's game on record and didn't seem like he played much at all. LaBate? Navin? Pretty risky having a forward at the point yet alone a Freshman.

I mean I guess it's possible but I think the likely choice is going to be Springer for a few reasons.

A) He'll likely be partnered with Schultz even strength so it's an easy match.
B) Eaves talked after the game Friday about how even before McCabe's injury they wanted Springer to get reps on the PP.
C) He's not going to give up short handed odd man rushes.
D) If LaBate or Navin are going to be on the PP they are best used down low, in front of the net right now. I just don't trust them out on the point yet.

 

[burd]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XVIII - Belief in a Better Tomorrow

Just a comment, then I'll go back where I belong. Fun game to watch Saturday. Not the intense atmosphere we've grown accustomed to between these two teams, but fun. But man, when you look at the changes coming in two years, each game between these two is to be savored, no matter who wins.

And it is going to be very interesting to see these two young teams develop over the season. Best case would be to see one of them bump the gophers out of the line sometime in March.

 

[NMH]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XVIII - Belief in a Better Tomorrow

Making it to our first game this Saturday. Can't wait to see the guys in action, especially after this weekend. Hope they can keep it up.

Seriously considering doing the womens/mens doubleheader, since the women are home against Boston University at 2 pm on Saturday.

 

[Chuck Schwartz]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XVIII - Belief in a Better Tomorrow

Making it to our first game this Saturday. Can't wait to see the guys in action, especially after this weekend. Hope they can keep it up.

Seriously considering doing the womens/mens doubleheader, since the women are home against Boston University at 2 pm on Saturday.

I don't follow the women's team as much as others but I know this is a big series for them. They played for the Natty title last year and it's a match up of two top five teams this year. Should be a fun series to watch.

 

[solovsfett]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XVIII - Belief in a Better Tomorrow

Just a comment, then I'll go back where I belong. Fun game to watch Saturday. Not the intense atmosphere we've grown accustomed to between these two teams, but fun. But man, when you look at the changes coming in two years, each game between these two is to be savored, no matter who wins.

And it is going to be very interesting to see these two young teams develop over the season. Best case would be to see one of them bump the gophers out of the line sometime in March.

yes! I'll definitely be savoring each UW vs. Nodak game more then usual from here out. I know NCHC seems to have their teams limited to 6 OOC games if 2 vs. UW and 2 vs. Minn that's awesome but I'd prefer 4 annually vs. Nodak.

maybe the can do a tournament w/these 3 and for the eff of it thrown in Denver or Michigan Tech so there's the 4 of the traditional powers from the old WCHA (yes, it's been a while for Tech but they WERE a power)

 

[Chuck Schwartz]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XVIII - Belief in a Better Tomorrow

yes! I'll definitely be savoring each UW vs. Nodak game more then usual from here out. I know NCHC seems to have their teams limited to 6 OOC games if 2 vs. UW and 2 vs. Minn that's awesome but I'd prefer 4 annually vs. Nodak.

maybe the can do a tournament w/these 3 and for the eff of it thrown in Denver or Michigan Tech so there's the 4 of the traditional powers from the old WCHA (yes, it's been a while for Tech but they WERE a power)

I'm guessing something with CC is significantly more likely than Michigan Tech.

 

[JDUBBS1280]

yes! I'll definitely be savoring each UW vs. Nodak game more then usual from here out. I know NCHC seems to have their teams limited to 6 OOC games if 2 vs. UW and 2 vs. Minn that's awesome but I'd prefer 4 annually vs. Nodak.

maybe the can do a tournament w/these 3 and for the eff of it thrown in Denver or Michigan Tech so there's the 4 of the traditional powers from the old WCHA (yes, it's been a while for Tech but they WERE a power)

I don't think Minnesota will be playing North Dakota on an annual basis after the realignment. They have signaled a commitment to keep playing the other MN teams and have also discussed an all-MN holiday tournament.

 

[solovsfett]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XVIII - Belief in a Better Tomorrow

I don't think Minnesota will be playing North Dakota on an annual basis after the realignment. They have signaled a commitment to keep playing the other MN teams and have also discussed an all-MN holiday tournament.

wow. that's pretty surprising to me. the triumvirate of hate a thing of the past w/only wisconsin playing nodak annually?

ugh

 

[JDUBBS1280]

wow. that's pretty surprising to me. the triumvirate of hate a thing of the past w/only wisconsin playing nodak annually?

ugh

Yeah, it sucks that our rivalry with NoDak is more than likely going to die, but I am glad that the UMN is making a commitment to support the smaller MN schools.

 

[Badgers1]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XVIII - Belief in a Better Tomorrow

yes! I'll definitely be savoring each UW vs. Nodak game more then usual from here out. I know NCHC seems to have their teams limited to 6 OOC games if 2 vs. UW and 2 vs. Minn that's awesome but I'd prefer 4 annually vs. Nodak.

maybe the can do a tournament w/these 3 and for the eff of it thrown in Denver or Michigan Tech so there's the 4 of the traditional powers from the old WCHA (yes, it's been a while for Tech but they WERE a power)

I don't see a tournament happening. It sounds like they want to try to continue one series a year with North Dakota. I would think Michigan Tech could be an option, with maybe a deal of 2 series in Madison and 1 "road series" in Green Bay over a 3 or 4 year span.

 

[burd]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XVIII - Belief in a Better Tomorrow

On this rivalry void, it seems likely that Michigan might replace the NoDak rivalry fairly quickly, much as I hate to say it. You already have the football rivalry and Yost will be a great venue to watch games. As to roadtrips, I'm sure no sane person would say Ann Arbor is a better place to spend a weekend than Grand Forks, but the rink environment at Yost will certainly add fuel to the fire. What you won't get from Michigan is as sophisticated, informed, fair minded, intelligent, humorous, and generally good-looking a fan base as you get with Nodak. But you can always get therapy to cope with that loss.

 

[Timothy A]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XVIII - Belief in a Better Tomorrow

On this rivalry void, it seems likely that Michigan might replace the NoDak rivalry fairly quickly, much as I hate to say it. You already have the football rivalry and Yost will be a great venue to watch games. As to roadtrips, I'm sure no sane person would say Ann Arbor is a better place to spend a weekend than Grand Forks, but the rink environment at Yost will certainly add fuel to the fire. What you won't get from Michigan is as sophisticated, informed, fair minded, intelligent, humorous, and generally good-looking a fan base as you get with Nodak. But you can always get therapy to cope with that loss.

Key word there, HUMOROUS!

Eaves is a bit wierd the way he handles players. Springer goes from riding the pine playing behind fr D to playing d on the #1 PP unit. UW needs scorers, and Clark (who has a history of scoring in the USHL) rides the pine in favor of 2 fr right out of HS. It really seems like every year he favors the new faces over more experienced guys. I'd love to see Clark get the chance to play on Lee's or Zee's lines.

 

[Chuck Schwartz]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XVIII - Belief in a Better Tomorrow

Key word there, HUMOROUS!

Eaves is a bit wierd the way he handles players. Springer goes from riding the pine playing behind fr D to playing d on the #1 PP unit. UW needs scorers, and Clark (who has a history of scoring in the USHL) rides the pine in favor of 2 fr right out of HS. It really seems like every year he favors the new faces over more experienced guys. I'd love to see Clark get the chance to play on Lee's or Zee's lines.

Clark was a Shattuck kid.

 

[solovsfett]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XVIII - Belief in a Better Tomorrow

Clark was a Shattuck kid.

any word on him? is he still a walking wounded or is he ready to play?

 

[Chuck Schwartz]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XVIII - Belief in a Better Tomorrow

any word on him? is he still a walking wounded or is he ready to play?

He's ready to play, just needs to earn his spot. He warmed up on Friday in case Dahl couldn't go with his shoulder problem.

I'm guessing he'll get a shot soon.

Edit: That shot could be coming real soon, as Baggot reports tonight that Ryan Little is injured and could be out an extended period of time.

 

[ExileOnDaytonStreet]

wow. that's pretty surprising to me. the triumvirate of hate a thing of the past w/only wisconsin playing nodak annually?

ugh

The writings been on the wall for this ever since Penn St got a team.

Personally I don't even think we'll be seeing NoDak annually either.

In other words: BOOOOOOOO! In terms of suckiness, losing NoDak as a rival is second only to the inevitability of shoot outs in the BTHC.

 

[Chuck Schwartz]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey: Vol. XVIII - Belief in a Better Tomorrow

The writings been on the wall for this ever since Penn St got a team.

Personally I don't even think we'll be seeing NoDak annually either.

In other words: BOOOOOOOO! In terms of suckiness, losing NoDak as a rival is second only to the inevitability of shoot outs in the BTHC.

Exile, I'm not sure if you saw my post in the other thread but I've heard that a yearly series with UND is likely.

THIS note from Baggot seems to confirm that.

 

[ExileOnDaytonStreet]

Exile, I'm not sure if you saw my post in the other thread but I've heard that a yearly series with UND is likely.

THIS note from Baggot seems to confirm that.

I'm probably being too cynical for my own good, but "having discussions" is not the same thing as an agreement. The whole thing could still fall apart if we tell UND to pound sand if they want too many return games at the Ralph or if UND tells us to pound sand if we won't have enough trips to the Ralph.

And that's before you factor in the fact that Eaves is acknowledging that we don't even have parameters set in place for scheduling non-conference games through the Big Ten. Or the money angle. Or the whole "Native American mascot" issue that isn't yet resolved.

Maybe when the Big Ten issues are out of the way and Baggott reports actual negotiations, I'll be optimistic. But there are still too many obstacles in the way before I think we can think that we'll be getting something.