Quite simply we're smarter than most people. That's my theory anyways.mulefarm wrote:If a bunch of guys on here can figure it out, why can't Don? Or can he and can't get white collar kids to play like blue collar kids?DrGaf wrote:The frickin' Gopher's have been my only real local team I care for since Norm Green ruined my formative teenage years. I still can't look at the Dallas Stars jerseys with out feeling a needle of ange jabbing through my eye ... and then these kids nowadays with their "retro" N-stars snap back with the flow, drive me nuts!oldschoolpuckster wrote:Another thought might be that this coaching staff always tries to pick " the best players" instead of "the right players".......(Herbie quote)
To me, they look like an All-Star team playing like a bunch of individules trying to play a little College game before they leave early for their pro career. It is a very ugly game to watch right now (all but the first period of the first game of the season)
I would like to see a big "shake-up' to the roster to get things going.
ANYWAYS, back to the point. The Gophers have always had tons of talent, and that's the problem. Too much talent, too many stars, not enough grinders. White collar players sell the tickets, blue collar boys win the games.
Gophers
Moderators: Mitch Hawker, east hockey, karl(east)
Sorry, fresh out, Don't Really Give Any.
What can he do ? Any even hint of a problem with jr., and mom and dad throw a fit and take their ball (kid) away with a parting shot of "We're going pro, cya"mulefarm wrote:If a bunch of guys on here can figure it out, why can't Don? Or can he and can't get white collar kids to play like blue collar kids?DrGaf wrote:The frickin' Gopher's have been my only real local team I care for since Norm Green ruined my formative teenage years. I still can't look at the Dallas Stars jerseys with out feeling a needle of ange jabbing through my eye ... and then these kids nowadays with their "retro" N-stars snap back with the flow, drive me nuts!oldschoolpuckster wrote:Another thought might be that this coaching staff always tries to pick " the best players" instead of "the right players".......(Herbie quote)
To me, they look like an All-Star team playing like a bunch of individules trying to play a little College game before they leave early for their pro career. It is a very ugly game to watch right now (all but the first period of the first game of the season)
I would like to see a big "shake-up' to the roster to get things going.
ANYWAYS, back to the point. The Gophers have always had tons of talent, and that's the problem. Too much talent, too many stars, not enough grinders. White collar players sell the tickets, blue collar boys win the games.
And both the kids and him know it.
It used to be considered an honor and privilege to play D1 hockey.
Now, kids/especially parents consider the school should feel it's an honor and privilege that jr. is playing hockey for them.
Exactly. A "Me first, what's in this for me ?" attitude and it shows.oldschoolpuckster wrote:Another thought might be that this coaching staff always tries to pick " the best players" instead of "the right players".......(Herbie quote)
To me, they look like an All-Star team playing like a bunch of individules trying to play a little College game before they leave early for their pro career. It is a very ugly game to watch right now (all but the first period of the first game of the season)
I would like to see a big "shake-up' to the roster to get things going.
Me and my plans are more important than the team.
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I don't necessarily agree with the "me first" sentiments. To the extent I do, I don't believe that it's a unique problem for Gopher hockey. Lots of guys on other teams do not complete their four years of eligibility, and decide to make the jump to the pros early. When they are being recruited, many (most?) of the really blue-chip players figure that, no matter which school they go to, they'll probably not spend their entire four years at the college level.
What makes the Gophers somewhat unique is that they are able to attract more of the top-end talent (draft choices) than MOST other schools - in MOST years. So to us fans it might just seem like the "what's in it for me" attitude is more typical for Gopher players than players of similar talent who end up at other schools.
If anything, you would THINK the highest ranked players, knowing they have a legitimate shot at making it big in the NHL, would have even more motivation than others who weren't drafted and who must come to the realization (at some point) that their future in hockey will probably come to an end after their senior year. On the other hand, you would THINK that most high-end guys would be super-motivated to continue to improve and really stand out, knowing they're in the position to make the really big bucks if their pro team takes notice and moves them ahead of other draftees.
Which all goes to make me wonder: why don't the talented Gophers have that extra motivation to consistently perform, night in and night out, and not lose to the "lesser teams" like Minnesota State? I don't pretend to have all the answers, but I suspect that there is a lot more parity at the D1 level than there used to be, and it's just a lot tougher to win all those games you're supposed to win, even if on paper you're the more talented team.
What makes the Gophers somewhat unique is that they are able to attract more of the top-end talent (draft choices) than MOST other schools - in MOST years. So to us fans it might just seem like the "what's in it for me" attitude is more typical for Gopher players than players of similar talent who end up at other schools.
If anything, you would THINK the highest ranked players, knowing they have a legitimate shot at making it big in the NHL, would have even more motivation than others who weren't drafted and who must come to the realization (at some point) that their future in hockey will probably come to an end after their senior year. On the other hand, you would THINK that most high-end guys would be super-motivated to continue to improve and really stand out, knowing they're in the position to make the really big bucks if their pro team takes notice and moves them ahead of other draftees.
Which all goes to make me wonder: why don't the talented Gophers have that extra motivation to consistently perform, night in and night out, and not lose to the "lesser teams" like Minnesota State? I don't pretend to have all the answers, but I suspect that there is a lot more parity at the D1 level than there used to be, and it's just a lot tougher to win all those games you're supposed to win, even if on paper you're the more talented team.
I love reading these forums, makes me just crack up. Keep in mind the team currently is ranked #2 in the country. I think a previous post nailed it correct, it's called parity!! There is so much of it in college hockey right now. Mankato is currently playing Denver tough and Bemidji is tied with CC.
As for someone saying white collar vs. blue collar. Please tell me these current white collar players. Bjugstad, rau, haula, condon, and Boyd always play hard and with a blue collar mentality. I think this would have been a great argument 3-4 years ago. Matson last year was the definition of blue collar.
Personally I think the captain of the team, budish, needs to send a spark to this team. Not sure he is capable of doing that.
As for someone saying white collar vs. blue collar. Please tell me these current white collar players. Bjugstad, rau, haula, condon, and Boyd always play hard and with a blue collar mentality. I think this would have been a great argument 3-4 years ago. Matson last year was the definition of blue collar.
Personally I think the captain of the team, budish, needs to send a spark to this team. Not sure he is capable of doing that.
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I could not watch the game Friday night, but I thought the Gophers did a much better job with their forecheck Saturday night than I've witnessed ever since their series with Michigan State. More intensity and greater effort created more turnovers created havoc for the Badgers' D which in turn led to some great scoring chances for Gopher forwards.
And, with just a handful of glaring exceptions, they also played smarter in their own zone and limited Wisconsin to just a handful of good scoring opportunities. If they had a weakness defensively it was still allowing odd-man breaks due to miscues at the offensive blueline or too many men being caught deep. But even here there was improvement over recent series.
And how 'bout that Wilcox? I continue to be hugely impressed by his amazingly quick reflexes as well as his ability to play his angles. It appears we will be solid in goal for the near future - sure hope he stays healthy.
And, with just a handful of glaring exceptions, they also played smarter in their own zone and limited Wisconsin to just a handful of good scoring opportunities. If they had a weakness defensively it was still allowing odd-man breaks due to miscues at the offensive blueline or too many men being caught deep. But even here there was improvement over recent series.
And how 'bout that Wilcox? I continue to be hugely impressed by his amazingly quick reflexes as well as his ability to play his angles. It appears we will be solid in goal for the near future - sure hope he stays healthy.
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And it would be nice if he hit the net once in a while. Seems to fire it high and over the net way too often.BodyShots wrote:It concerns me that I am starting to see Schroederitist starting to appear in the play of Bjugstad. He gets to the offensive blue line and the legs stop working as he puts it into coast mode.
Hopefully he'll step it up in the second half. I'd be more concerned for the team if he was already playing at his full potential.
He certainly doesn't look like he would have been "NHL-ready" had the lockout not occured and he would would have left. The big guy just seems to really disappear in the big games and we saw this a lot last year in the last 1/3rd of the season after he suffered that concussion I believe against North Dakota. IMO, there are a lot of guys, not just Nick that need to step it up about 10 notches if this team expects to compete for a National Title. It is only December, thankfully, but the way they are playing now isn't good.MNHockeyFan wrote:And it would be nice if he hit the net once in a while. Seems to fire it high and over the net way too often.BodyShots wrote:It concerns me that I am starting to see Schroederitist starting to appear in the play of Bjugstad. He gets to the offensive blue line and the legs stop working as he puts it into coast mode.
Hopefully he'll step it up in the second half. I'd be more concerned for the team if he was already playing at his full potential.
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More than half of Rau's goals come from him standing in a wing position, near and just to the right of the goal. I don't think he would score as many goals at center. And Bjugstad is great on faceoffs, so if he were to be moved to wing the Gophers would lose that advantage as well. I don't claim to have all the answers but I think these two are playing in their natural positions.
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At this point the WCHA is mostly the Huskies to lose, but there are teams close on the fringe if they do slip more than once. The Gophers will need some losses from them and no more losses for the Gophers themselves. Its still possible...mulefarm wrote:Will the Gophers win WCHA? If not, where will they finish? Could they be in a play in game in the final five, which would be great for revenue if they could play 3 games.
St cloud is notorious for the late season choke. I think I see the Gophers placing third. Omaha has a weak last series with the Bulldogs after they play the Badgers, and and I dont see Mankato losing more than one to North Dakota or CC. Pressure is on the Gophs.
MN vs. DU
Tonight's game plan of dump and chase was terrible.
Herb Brooks is rolling in his grave right now. Every time the Gophers hit the offensive blue line they gave up the puck.
If you have the talent that MN does, you dont give the other team the puck.
I could coach this team...
Herb Brooks is rolling in his grave right now. Every time the Gophers hit the offensive blue line they gave up the puck.
If you have the talent that MN does, you dont give the other team the puck.
I could coach this team...