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Gurtholfin
Guest
Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXXVII: Waiting for the axe to fall
At women's game. Blowout but fun. Off to Greenbush bar for some za
At women's game. Blowout but fun. Off to Greenbush bar for some za
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Wisconsin Hockey XXXVII: Waiting for the axe to fall
- Thread starter gwhinwi
- Start date
IndianaBadger1995
New member
Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXXVII: Waiting for the axe to fall
I feel like we would be a good team if we had a single clue what defensive structure is supposed to look like.
I feel like we would be a good team if we had a single clue what defensive structure is supposed to look like.
Timothy A
Let's go RED!
Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXXVII: Waiting for the axe to fall
There is some scoring talent on this team for the new regime to utilize. I sure thought Strand and Bittner would help clean up D zone issues, but I was wrong.
There is some scoring talent on this team for the new regime to utilize. I sure thought Strand and Bittner would help clean up D zone issues, but I was wrong.
Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXXVII: Waiting for the axe to fall
In fairness to the new assistant coaches, the cupboard is pretty bare on D. While we have a roster of 29 players, we are somehow in a position where we are having to play forwards on D....and not because of some catastrophic rash of you are on your 3rd or 4th injury to a dman. By Wisconsin historical standards....this group is embarrassingly bad. While it is not much of an indictment to say not a single one of the current D would have sniffed a shift on the '10 team (that is probably the single best collection of dmen to play on a team ever), a telling statement would be that very few of the current group would have seen the ice on any of the Oz (and prior) recruited teams the first decade of Eaves tenure. Wisconsin teams back to the 70's have almost always had (at least) that one guy that you knew was going to be a stud pro or at the very least an All American caliber Dman. Who is that guy on this team...or even remotely close?
In fairness to the new assistant coaches, the cupboard is pretty bare on D. While we have a roster of 29 players, we are somehow in a position where we are having to play forwards on D....and not because of some catastrophic rash of you are on your 3rd or 4th injury to a dman. By Wisconsin historical standards....this group is embarrassingly bad. While it is not much of an indictment to say not a single one of the current D would have sniffed a shift on the '10 team (that is probably the single best collection of dmen to play on a team ever), a telling statement would be that very few of the current group would have seen the ice on any of the Oz (and prior) recruited teams the first decade of Eaves tenure. Wisconsin teams back to the 70's have almost always had (at least) that one guy that you knew was going to be a stud pro or at the very least an All American caliber Dman. Who is that guy on this team...or even remotely close?
Timothy A
Let's go RED!
Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXXVII: Waiting for the axe to fall
Can't sound tactics mostly cover up lack of talent?
Can't sound tactics mostly cover up lack of talent?
Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXXVII: Waiting for the axe to fall
With sound tactics you may be able to steal a game from time to time. We have neither tactics or talent, so it is a mute point.
I really thought a couple months ago that this team was capable of winning 12-15 games (still not great by no means). That clearly is not going to happen. They would be lucky to reach 8 wins.
BA appears to have his BBALL coach already, so the issue of him not being able to handle two tasks a once should be solved.
The last two years have been pitiful, I never thought 4 wins was possible. Just based on puck luck, a team should be able to win more than 4......
5 games left in the Eaves Era, it is a shame it has gotten this bad for a person who should be remembered as one of the greatest Badgers.
With sound tactics you may be able to steal a game from time to time. We have neither tactics or talent, so it is a mute point.
I really thought a couple months ago that this team was capable of winning 12-15 games (still not great by no means). That clearly is not going to happen. They would be lucky to reach 8 wins.
BA appears to have his BBALL coach already, so the issue of him not being able to handle two tasks a once should be solved.
The last two years have been pitiful, I never thought 4 wins was possible. Just based on puck luck, a team should be able to win more than 4......
5 games left in the Eaves Era, it is a shame it has gotten this bad for a person who should be remembered as one of the greatest Badgers.
Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXXVII: Waiting for the axe to fall
http://m.startribune.com/big-ten-hockey-is-a-buzzkill-for-fans-in-minnesota/370397541/
Looks like the Gophers long for the good old days as well!
http://m.startribune.com/big-ten-hockey-is-a-buzzkill-for-fans-in-minnesota/370397541/
Looks like the Gophers long for the good old days as well!
LordofBrewtown
Registered User
Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXXVII: Waiting for the axe to fall
Well, with last place all but secure, I'd give Miller a start or two in goal. At least for Senior day. I might have given him the start last night. Would give Matt a little rest before heading into the conference tournament.
Well, with last place all but secure, I'd give Miller a start or two in goal. At least for Senior day. I might have given him the start last night. Would give Matt a little rest before heading into the conference tournament.
DoorCtyBadger
New member
Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXXVII: Waiting for the axe to fall
Mike eaves will always be remembered as one of the greatest badgers......
Mike eaves will always be remembered as one of the greatest badgers......
Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXXVII: Waiting for the axe to fall
Unless we see a shocking win in the next two weeks, this team will actually be WORSE (standings-wise) in Big Ten play than they were last year when they won 2 games in conference play and 4 games overall.
There is no polishing of this turd. Barry and JK should have a form completed on the UW job openings board and just have a reminder to click the 'Finish' button on Thursday March 17th as soon as the game is done.
Unless we see a shocking win in the next two weeks, this team will actually be WORSE (standings-wise) in Big Ten play than they were last year when they won 2 games in conference play and 4 games overall.
There is no polishing of this turd. Barry and JK should have a form completed on the UW job openings board and just have a reminder to click the 'Finish' button on Thursday March 17th as soon as the game is done.
solovsfett
Registered User
The article states Minnesota was obligated to join the b10...my question Is how long are they contractually (or league rule) obligated to remain? When can they bolt? Why can't this beike football then where teams leave for greener pastures all the time?
Also, I'm belaboring the point but I think many of us saw this result coming.
I'll align with gopher fans on this. I couldn't care less about Michigan, msu, osu or psu
DoorCtyBadger
New member
Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXXVII: Waiting for the axe to fall
This by far has to be the most useless group of defenseman in the history of our program. If there was a way we could throw all of them off the team we should do it. Hell they cant play defene can't score and most of them keep tripping over the blue blue line other ythan that they are pretty good hockey players.
This by far has to be the most useless group of defenseman in the history of our program. If there was a way we could throw all of them off the team we should do it. Hell they cant play defene can't score and most of them keep tripping over the blue blue line other ythan that they are pretty good hockey players.
When teams bolt for greener pastures in football, they're also doing it in all their other sports...unless you are suggesting that Minnesota might leave the Big Ten all because of hockey.
MadCityRich
20 Years and Counting
G
Gurtholfin
Guest
Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXXVII: Waiting for the axe to fall
Agreed.
I enjoyed the non-con games against the Michigans, but B1G hockey sucks so hard.
Had people over last night and we had the SCSU/UMD game on in the background and everyone there was lamenting the old conference too.
I believe that most Badger fans feel this way.
From that article:
"The Big Ten tournament returns to Xcel this season, with little apparent buzz. Tickets are not being sold for the upper deck, indicating limited interest."
Not surprising, but... Ouch.
Agreed.
I enjoyed the non-con games against the Michigans, but B1G hockey sucks so hard.
Had people over last night and we had the SCSU/UMD game on in the background and everyone there was lamenting the old conference too.
I believe that most Badger fans feel this way.
From that article:
"The Big Ten tournament returns to Xcel this season, with little apparent buzz. Tickets are not being sold for the upper deck, indicating limited interest."
Not surprising, but... Ouch.
MadCityRich
20 Years and Counting
Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXXVII: Waiting for the axe to fall
I agree 100% and I'm sure anybody with time & patience could find our posts, pre Big 6 hockey conference.
I'd also like to comment on the players; if you are parents who's son had no offers to play anywhere, would you turn down a schooly offer from UW? Hell no. Even though (in my opinion) there are a lot players on this team who are not D-1 material, they were offered and accepted. I do not blame them.
As a fan, I am more embarrassed in the administration and coaching staff, rather than the players.
I agree 100% and I'm sure anybody with time & patience could find our posts, pre Big 6 hockey conference.
I'd also like to comment on the players; if you are parents who's son had no offers to play anywhere, would you turn down a schooly offer from UW? Hell no. Even though (in my opinion) there are a lot players on this team who are not D-1 material, they were offered and accepted. I do not blame them.
As a fan, I am more embarrassed in the administration and coaching staff, rather than the players.
Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXXVII: Waiting for the axe to fall
I still maintain that the Big Ten hockey conference can be a good one. (I also said I'd wait about 8 years - 2 recruiting cycles - before making up my mind about where the conference stands in college hockey, overall.) The ****show surrounding the Badgers in the last couple of years goes well beyond any issues they may have with realignment. As far as fans are concerned, I know that it's virtually irrelevant to the student section shrinking. (I say "virtually" to account for the maybe 5 students who lost interest due to realignment.) I also know that it's way different for the "old people." If the Badgers-specific nonsense can get figured out, then I don't see why, over time, people wouldn't be able to embrace it. As was mentioned in the article, Michigan and Michigan State are old WCHA opponents. However, I've never seen anyone say the CCHA ruined college hockey by poaching teams from the WCHA.
Then again, I've never fully understood why some fans (in all sports) are so thoroughly obsessed with the opponents of the Badgers. I understand the difference between a football game versus Troy and a game against a Big Ten team, but I find it silly how many fans are so obsessed with Ohio State that they find it difficult to enjoy a season in which the Buckeyes don't come to town. Meanwhile, I go to cheer on the Badgers. It's not that I don't care at all about the opponent, but it certainly isn't a major factor in my enjoyment of attending games. It really isn't. In men's hockey specifically, I can't honestly look at the 2011-2013 schedules and say "yup, those were way better than the most recent three seasons."
As far as hockey goes, we're 3 years in and I'm already just as able to get excited for a matchup versus MSU as I am for a matchup against SCSU. While their D-I hockey history is incredibly short, I like watching games against PSU. They're a relevant program now. And Michigan? I shouldn't even have to bring them up. They recruit well despite being in the awful, horrible Big Ten. They're a "brand name" program. That first Big Ten series between the Badgers and Wolverines looked more like an old rivalry than any game I had been to in the prior two years, except matchups against Minnesota. (And if you completely ignore logos, colors, and the fans in the stands, that series could easily top them all since 2011.)
The conference tournament wasn't going to be great. The teams are too far apart. I am disappointed that BTN gave up on hockey so soon. I liked the regular Friday doubleheaders in 2013-14. I like when casual fans have a >0% chance of watching, and that's what BTN games are. The reduction in BTN broadcasts isn't like the talent level of the league - I don't have to wait a couple of recruiting cycles to hate it. (If you want to get me on the "B1G Mistake" side of things, TV is the way to do it.)
In any case, I'll keep going to games. I know most people who will see this post will think I'm a moron for not thinking that realignment was the worst thing ever. Maybe in the rest of my spare time, I can learn to hate Colorado College and Minnesota State.
I still maintain that the Big Ten hockey conference can be a good one. (I also said I'd wait about 8 years - 2 recruiting cycles - before making up my mind about where the conference stands in college hockey, overall.) The ****show surrounding the Badgers in the last couple of years goes well beyond any issues they may have with realignment. As far as fans are concerned, I know that it's virtually irrelevant to the student section shrinking. (I say "virtually" to account for the maybe 5 students who lost interest due to realignment.) I also know that it's way different for the "old people." If the Badgers-specific nonsense can get figured out, then I don't see why, over time, people wouldn't be able to embrace it. As was mentioned in the article, Michigan and Michigan State are old WCHA opponents. However, I've never seen anyone say the CCHA ruined college hockey by poaching teams from the WCHA.
Then again, I've never fully understood why some fans (in all sports) are so thoroughly obsessed with the opponents of the Badgers. I understand the difference between a football game versus Troy and a game against a Big Ten team, but I find it silly how many fans are so obsessed with Ohio State that they find it difficult to enjoy a season in which the Buckeyes don't come to town. Meanwhile, I go to cheer on the Badgers. It's not that I don't care at all about the opponent, but it certainly isn't a major factor in my enjoyment of attending games. It really isn't. In men's hockey specifically, I can't honestly look at the 2011-2013 schedules and say "yup, those were way better than the most recent three seasons."
As far as hockey goes, we're 3 years in and I'm already just as able to get excited for a matchup versus MSU as I am for a matchup against SCSU. While their D-I hockey history is incredibly short, I like watching games against PSU. They're a relevant program now. And Michigan? I shouldn't even have to bring them up. They recruit well despite being in the awful, horrible Big Ten. They're a "brand name" program. That first Big Ten series between the Badgers and Wolverines looked more like an old rivalry than any game I had been to in the prior two years, except matchups against Minnesota. (And if you completely ignore logos, colors, and the fans in the stands, that series could easily top them all since 2011.)
The conference tournament wasn't going to be great. The teams are too far apart. I am disappointed that BTN gave up on hockey so soon. I liked the regular Friday doubleheaders in 2013-14. I like when casual fans have a >0% chance of watching, and that's what BTN games are. The reduction in BTN broadcasts isn't like the talent level of the league - I don't have to wait a couple of recruiting cycles to hate it. (If you want to get me on the "B1G Mistake" side of things, TV is the way to do it.)
In any case, I'll keep going to games. I know most people who will see this post will think I'm a moron for not thinking that realignment was the worst thing ever. Maybe in the rest of my spare time, I can learn to hate Colorado College and Minnesota State.
Pirateasaur
Member
I think everyone except PSU is bummed about the new league, which somehow makes it more obnoxious. It gutted so much of what made college hockey a cool, unique community. I am conflicted because in my dreams, it fails so hard that the BiG disbands and things reshuffle back to something resembling better days but i want MSU to have nice things and a continuously floundering B1G could prevent that.
This has been discussed a lot but I think a lot of these decisions were made by non-hockey higher ups who were short sighted and naive to the culture of college hockey. I am just rambling now, really. I doubt things will change. It's just frustrating.
LordofBrewtown
Registered User
Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXXVII: Waiting for the axe to fall
Agreed. And this really makes very little sense to me. I know many will say that the broadcasts are too expensive to produce vs the ratings they get, and that college hockey is a niche sport. But, if that's really the case, how come NBCSports shows games virtually every Friday and Saturday night, as well as CBSsports, and the Fox regionals? Those arguments just don't seem to hold up. And it really made no sense not to show the Badger-Buckeye game Saturday night. They already had a crew there for Friday night, and they didn't show any live sports instead - nothing but recaps/new was on all night. I am questioning the competence/decision making of the people running the network.
Agreed. And this really makes very little sense to me. I know many will say that the broadcasts are too expensive to produce vs the ratings they get, and that college hockey is a niche sport. But, if that's really the case, how come NBCSports shows games virtually every Friday and Saturday night, as well as CBSsports, and the Fox regionals? Those arguments just don't seem to hold up. And it really made no sense not to show the Badger-Buckeye game Saturday night. They already had a crew there for Friday night, and they didn't show any live sports instead - nothing but recaps/new was on all night. I am questioning the competence/decision making of the people running the network.
LordofBrewtown
Registered User
Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXXVII: Waiting for the axe to fall
I care about the Michigan and MSU games, and also find PSU to be a breath of fresh air. Yes, I do really miss North Dakota, Denver, CC, and Duluth. And even Tech. But, I don't miss Bemidji, Mankato, St Cloud, Anchorage or Omaha at all. Yeah, the B1G sucks for now; but, I still have hopes that it will be better in a few years, and the rivalries will pick up.
I am more intrigued and also concerned about the comments in the article saying that they are looking at options regarding the tournament and scheduling agreements with other conferences. The tournament is always going to be a problem given how spread out we are. I would try to put it in Chicago, as it's more centrally located and hopefully with the alumni base you could start to build it as an annual event/place to go to.
A scheduling agreement could be good or bad. If it brings back more games against Denver, North Dakota and Duluth - good. If we only get a few against them, at the cost of having to schedule say Western Michigan and Miami - no thanks.
I do NOT want to see them make ASU a hockey only member. I would be fine with a scheduling arrangement with them, so that everyone gives them a series and it helps break up the schedule later in the year (January and February).
I care about the Michigan and MSU games, and also find PSU to be a breath of fresh air. Yes, I do really miss North Dakota, Denver, CC, and Duluth. And even Tech. But, I don't miss Bemidji, Mankato, St Cloud, Anchorage or Omaha at all. Yeah, the B1G sucks for now; but, I still have hopes that it will be better in a few years, and the rivalries will pick up.
I am more intrigued and also concerned about the comments in the article saying that they are looking at options regarding the tournament and scheduling agreements with other conferences. The tournament is always going to be a problem given how spread out we are. I would try to put it in Chicago, as it's more centrally located and hopefully with the alumni base you could start to build it as an annual event/place to go to.
A scheduling agreement could be good or bad. If it brings back more games against Denver, North Dakota and Duluth - good. If we only get a few against them, at the cost of having to schedule say Western Michigan and Miami - no thanks.
I do NOT want to see them make ASU a hockey only member. I would be fine with a scheduling arrangement with them, so that everyone gives them a series and it helps break up the schedule later in the year (January and February).