Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXII: No Where To Go But Up!

[drop_the_puck]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXII: No Where To Go But Up!

Somebody had mentioned in one of the threads that they wondered how the players may be taking the losing. Maybe a transfer is why they're not saying much or putting him on the ice. I sincerely hope not because he looked like a bright spot on the team. Just an idiotic thought as to why they might not be saying anything, because it is really weird.

 

[Chuck Schwartz]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXII: No Where To Go But Up!

Dipped my toes into the advanced stats department today. LINK

Spoiler alert: The numbers say the Badgers still suck.

 

[Wisko McBadgerton]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXII: No Where To Go But Up!

Somebody had mentioned in one of the threads that they wondered how the players may be taking the losing. Maybe a transfer is why they're not saying much or putting him on the ice. I sincerely hope not because he looked like a bright spot on the team. Just an idiotic thought as to why they might not be saying anything, because it is really weird.

Anything is possible, of course. There was one brief comment before the first game he missed referring to a foot injury sustained in practice. I think it's more likely that nobody has asked about him. At the presser this week Baggot asked about Besse, of course, but he or Posick or anybody have never asked about Ustaski as far as I've heard or read. It's probably a foot injury, but you'd think someone would ask for an update by now.

 

[Wisko McBadgerton]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXII: No Where To Go But Up!

Maybe he wasn't happy that his coach called fans idiots and is now in a russian gulag?

Man, things have changed. Back in the day being with the Russians was a good thing on Sunday afternoons.


Honestly though I doubt the players are phased much by that. I think Red Freak referred to a post game interview a few weeks ago where Shuchuk made the same or very similar comment which may or may not be the source for Baggot. It's exactly what I thought of when reading the article. At that time the context was essentially in reference to some fans calling out the team as being a bunch of quitters. At that time I thought it was natural for him to refute that premise and I'd certainly expect him to have the team's back there.

Don't know the exact context of the quote, but if the context was the same I don't personally have an issue with what he meant beyond it being a terrible choice of words and a poor way to communicate it. Of course I doubt that sentence was the only thing he said. And I suppose I consider that even as near perfection as I am, I have found myself recently apologizing for something I said out of frustration on this very board. A few others here have done the same recently. It's regrettable but it happens. No doubt that's unpopular opinion, so I'll just leave it there.

 

[Wisko McBadgerton]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXII: No Where To Go But Up!

How so?

I don't actually have a kidney stone to pass this weekend. Or at least I hope I don't...

You dropped your tix before this terrible season started. You can do something else besides cry yourself to sleep on Fridays and Saturdays like the rest of us if you wish.

 

[Chuck Schwartz]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXII: No Where To Go But Up!

Honestly though I doubt the players are phased much by that. I think Red Freak referred to a post game interview a few weeks ago where Shuchuk made the same or very similar comment which may or may not be the source for Baggot. It's exactly what I thought of when reading the article. At that time the context was essentially in reference to some fans calling out the team as being a bunch of quitters. At that time I thought it was natural for him to refute that premise and I'd certainly expect him to have the team's back there.

Don't know the exact context of the quote, but if the context was the same I don't personally have an issue with what he meant beyond it being a terrible choice of words and a poor way to communicate it. Of course I doubt that sentence was the only thing he said. And I suppose I consider that even as near perfection as I am, I have found myself recently apologizing for something I said out of frustration on this very board. A few others here have done the same recently. It's regrettable but it happens. No doubt that's unpopular opinion, so I'll just leave it there.

The radio interview was not the source of the quote.

 

[WiscDC]

There hasn't been talk of not re upping next year in our group, but the poor attendance sure is a topic of conversation.

I hope the powers that be realize that further messing with the Fri/Sat series schedule will exacerbate the situation. Hockey ain't basketball.

If the Badgers play a home game at a time other than Friday or Saturday night, it's because of the Big Ten, not the athletic department trying to shake things up.

Edit: Or an extraordinarily rare situation like the commencememt conflict in December of 2012.

 

[NEWI Badger Fan]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXII: No Where To Go But Up!

Things are a bit greener on the Gopher side, but our expectations are not being met either so who are we to talk smack. I disagree with the post below. The gophers won't suck next year. A perennial contender as WI should be too. Kids leave and new ones come in and hopefully make their mark, and other guys continue to improve.

From an outside prospective I do believe Eaves is a good coach, but maybe a new direction is in order for a well deserved and proud program. Idiots? Nah, just passionate fans that won't let a bad season just go. Keep your tickets gang, the Badgers will be back. I'm sure Barry will ask about a plan to even up the classes and such. There is talent, some might have underachieved but don't expect that to continue. I'll stick to the gopher thread now.

Disagree. (1) Eaves is not a good NCAA coach. He is better suited for Pro (NHL) hockey. Good NHL Hockey coach (asst coach) going forward. (2) Barry Alvarez is not a good AD. Barry Alvarez is to NCAA AD as Mike Holmgren is to NFL GM...not very good.

BA needs to retire....soon Great coach; not a good AD.

Richter hired Bo Ryan..... Until BA retires, UW athletics will be average or below average.

My $.02

 

[RedFreak]

If the Badgers play a home game at a time other than Friday or Saturday night, it's because of the Big Ten, not the athletic department trying to shake things up.

Understood, but the schools have some say in scheduling (the six schools "are" the Big Ten Hockey Conference, after all). A lot of ticket holders I talk to say they will bolt if we start having, for example, Tues/Wed series. People don't like the Big Ten conference in the first place. Mid-week series would be the last straw.

 

[Wisko McBadgerton]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXII: No Where To Go But Up!

UW athletics will be average or below average.

I believe UW is currently 8th in the Director's Cup. (it combines results across multiple NCAA sports) UW has been in the top 10 after the fall and winter sports seasons 8 of the last 10 years. (out of 212 schools) That's not bad.

Mid-week series would be the last straw.

This is extremely unlikely. We may have the odd Thurs. or Sunday game occasionally. But not many.

 

[WiscDC]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXII: No Where To Go But Up!

I believe UW is currently 8th in the Director's Cup. (it combines results across multiple NCAA sports) UW has been in the top 10 after the fall and winter sports seasons 8 of the last 10 years. (out of 212 schools) That's not bad.

Is that the thing that Stanford wins every single year? If so, I question how they win it every single year. Of course, Wisconsin Athletics is definitely above average.

This is extremely unlikely. We may have the odd Thurs. or Sunday game occasionally. But not many.

This is the impression that I have had.

 

[RedFreak]

This is extremely unlikely. We may have the odd Thurs. or Sunday game occasionally. But not many.

Pre-season this year, Eaves made a point of touting the fact that they had been able to keep the traditional schedule. Implicit in that comment is that it's under discussion.

 

[Wisko McBadgerton]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXII: No Where To Go But Up!

Pre-season this year, Eaves made a point of touting the fact that they had been able to keep the traditional schedule. Implicit in that comment is that it's under discussion.

Someplace on this site there's a discussion of this very topic, but I honestly can't remember where it is or all the details, but the gist of it is that a Thursday or Sunday game is possible but they should be minimal and that's about it. Perhaps someone else will come along with the details.

I understand, but obviously everything is always available to be discussed at anytime. As far as I know there's no indication anywhere from anyone who should know of B1G Hockey wanting to move to a basketball style schedule or regular weekday games or break up the 2 game series.

 

[Wisko McBadgerton]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXII: No Where To Go But Up!

Is that the thing that Stanford wins every single year? If so, I question how they win it every single year. Of course, Wisconsin Athletics is definitely above average.

Not every year. North Carolina won it the first year. Stanford has only won the last 28 years.

I think they win because they have a ton of sports that they are very good at. The cup only uses 10 men's and 10 women's sports but I think you can use your 10 best.

 

[WiscDC]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXII: No Where To Go But Up!

Someplace on this site there's a discussion of this very topic, but I honestly can't remember where it is or all the details, but the gist of it is that a Thursday or Sunday game is possible but they should be minimal and that's about it. Perhaps someone else will come along with the details.

I understand, but obviously everything is always available to be discussed at anytime. As far as I know there's no indication anywhere from anyone who should know of B1G Hockey wanting to move to a basketball style schedule or regular weekday games or break up the 2 game series.

I don't have links/quotes to back this up, but I remember the Big Ten saying that they wanted some Thursday/Sunday games for TV, but they didn't want to blow it up and abandon the weekend structure (and they did want to stick to Friday/Saturday for the most part). Wisconsin got lucky this year (ha!) by getting no games on non-Fridays/Saturdays. It was my understanding that there will usually be a few (less than a bunch).

 

[The Rube]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXII: No Where To Go But Up!

Rick Pizzo (B1G guy) is on GPL. Has been more than open in taking feedback and giving out info.

"Minimum" is basically meaning "when we cannot show something more profitable than college hockey." If bouncy ball is on, hockey is booted. College football? Hockey is booted.

 

[Wisko McBadgerton]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXII: No Where To Go But Up!

Listened to the Wisconsin Hockey Hour podcast and they did finally mention Ustaski. He was on the ice skating with Besse yesterday. (on their own) So it sounds like Besse has a chance to play this weekend and although they didn't say it, perhaps Ustaski will be available before the end of the year as well.

They talked about Seniors too of course and I thought I'd mention I voted Matt Paape for the Jim Santulli award. Partly because he was a Senior but more so because he was given a job to do this year and out of all the players on the team I thought that he's the one guy that showed up every shift all year with great consistency and great effort no matter the circumstances. Can't think of a time he had a let down in that regard.

 

[UWisco]

Listened to the Wisconsin Hockey Hour podcast and they did finally mention Ustaski. He was on the ice skating with Besse yesterday. (on their own) So it sounds like Besse has a chance to play this weekend and although they didn't say it, perhaps Ustaski will be available before the end of the year as well.

They talked about Seniors too of course and I thought I'd mention I voted Matt Paape for the Jim Santulli award. Partly because he was a Senior but more so because he was given a job to do this year and out of all the players on the team I thought that he's the one guy that showed up every shift all year with great consistency and great effort no matter the circumstances. Can't think of a time he had a let down in that regard.

I like the effort Paape puts forth. However, he struggles to clear the puck on the PK and has close to zero offensive upside.

 

[Wisko McBadgerton]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXII: No Where To Go But Up!

I like the effort Paape puts forth. However, he struggles to clear the puck on the PK and has close to zero offensive upside.

That's not really the point.

Jim Santulli award: Vote for the Wisconsin men's hockey player you believe gives his all on the ice and best represents the Badger trademarks of good sportsmanship, integrity and team spirit.

I think he's the guy that has most consistently shown up and done his job every single night. He has the right attitude every day and has been the go to guy on the bench when things are falling apart on the ice that has helped steady the ship. He's a fantastic teammate and his demonstrated mental toughness is a very valuable intangible asset that hopefully the rest of the team takes away from this season. If the returning players learn nothing else but mental toughness and the iron will it takes to persevere through difficult times from this year, I think that will serve them individually, and Badger hockey as a whole, very well in the future.

Edit: There are other guys too of course. I mean K. Schulze is playing a ridiculous 30 minutes a game.

 

[bucky15]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXII: No Where To Go But Up!

I have a feeling that the next month will be a great one for Badger hockey.