07-08 Opener: Minnesota-Twin Cities vs. RPI

[theref]

I do think it was a penalty but 5 and game seemed a little excessive. Do they have the 2 and 10 rule in college? I know some refs will make a boarding call or something too when it isn't a bad hit.

Thank You!! I never said it didn't warrent a call period, I said it was a cheap call. Also for those others I am not a whining Badger fan, we dominated the 8th ranked team in the country while the Gophers got outplayed be RPI, pretty sure it speaks for itself.

If you had honestly read other posts by me I have givin the gophers credit where credit is due and have the enourmous respect for their program, this just doesnt look like it gonna be one of those years for them...

Even Woog said it didnt warrent the 5 minute major call

Who cares what Woog says? Woog also thinks he's a better coach than Lucia will ever be. Out played by RPI hu, for about half the game, I'd agree. However when the score ends up 4-3, I'd say that the Gophers must have done something right. Like I said, your an obvious Badger fan through and through.

[wisconsinprephockey]

Who cares what Woog says? Woog also thinks he's a better coach than Lucia will ever be. Out played by RPI hu, for about half the game, I'd agree. However when the score ends up 4-3, I'd say that the Gophers must have done something right. Like I said, your an obvious Badger fan through and through.

The gophers did do something right, obviously, they won the game. they played excellent on the power play, they have a lot of fire power and RPI couldnt hold them down when they were down a man (but held them in check at full strength all night)

[Gopher Blog]

I do think it was a penalty but 5 and game seemed a little excessive. Do they have the 2 and 10 rule in college? I know some refs will make a boarding call or something too when it isn't a bad hit.

A check from behind is an automatic major. No ifs, ands or buts. The ref has no discretion in regard to whether to call a major or not on a check from behind.

[Gopher Blog]

If you had honestly read other posts by me I have givin the gophers credit where credit is due and have the enourmous respect for their program

Yeah... right.

this just doesnt look like it gonna be one of those years for them.

Cause God knows you can tell so much from the opening game of the year. Funny how many people with a far greater hockey background than you own think Minnesota will be a lot better than the team you cheer for this year. Coaches poll, multiple college media sites, etc. But we'll listen to your fair minded judgment.

we dominated the 8th ranked team in the country while the Gophers got outplayed be RPI, pretty sure it speaks for itself.

It pretty much speaks for nothing. It is the first game of the year. Let me know when they hand out a trophy for how you play in your first game.

[elliott70]

I do think it was a penalty but 5 and game seemed a little excessive. Do they have the 2 and 10 rule in college? I know some refs will make a boarding call or something too when it isn't a bad hit.

Agree, thought it should have been a minor.

When did Thul go to the WCHA?
Not that I think he is a bad ref, just did not know he was at that he was doing that level.

[elliott70]

Gophers came out absolutely flying, but RPI kept up with them. I have to question RPI a little bit when it comes to penalty killing. When they were aggressive and attacked the puck, MN couldn't do anything, but when they sat back in a passive box MN was able to get all kinds of shots. Why did they change from that at the end? It seemed like they wanted to get scored on at the end. Regardless, they definitely were able to keep up and will have a solid team if they can stay out of the box.

I believe their two forwards did not have enough gas left to stay that aggressive (that's what I was told by someone that knows - early in the year and a lot of ice time).

For the Gophs, definitely some nerves going for some guys. PWhite looked lost out there a bit, hopefully it was just jitters. The big guys came through and I liked the line of Okposo, Barriball & Stoa that Lucia had going for a bit. Seemed to fire up the team quite a bit.

White turned the wrong way several different times, but coaches were pleased with him.

Ok, Barri & Sto - best line in the nation.
Ok is unbelievable. Hobey Baker finalist...
Probably last year (no inside information, just based on his play.)

Fairchild, Carman and Pohl didn't play as far as I can remember. I know Lucia usually scratches a few guys, not sure if it was because of injury or what.

Also thought Farzee played very well.
D men have got to work together better.

[elliott70]

I do think it was a penalty but 5 and game seemed a little excessive. Do they have the 2 and 10 rule in college? I know some refs will make a boarding call or something too when it isn't a bad hit.

A check from behind is an automatic major. No ifs, ands or buts. The ref has no discretion in regard to whether to call a major or not on a check from behind.

But was it a check from behind?

[Lordosis]

Why don't they put and Asterisk by the W in the win column and call it good. We all knew what the refereeing was going to be like in the 3rd and it happened just as I had thought it would......

Tonight I've got the Goph's by 2:
5-3 with an empty netter by Okposo

[boblee]

I'm going to pick a bit of a wild one tonight...

Gophers 5
Wolverines 4

[elliott70]

I do think it was a penalty but 5 and game seemed a little excessive. Do they have the 2 and 10 rule in college? I know some refs will make a boarding call or something too when it isn't a bad hit.

A check from behind is an automatic major. No ifs, ands or buts. The ref has no discretion in regard to whether to call a major or not on a check from behind.

Automatic if along the boards or into the net.

[elliott70]

Sorry, I predict
Michigan 6
Gophs 3.

Hope I am wrong, but not alot of shining moments last night to hang your hat on.

The good thing its not a WCHA game and as Lucia says he coaches for the end of the year, not the beginning.

[wisconsinprephockey]

If you had honestly read other posts by me I have givin the gophers credit where credit is due and have the enourmous respect for their program

Yeah... right.

this just doesnt look like it gonna be one of those years for them.

Cause God knows you can tell so much from the opening game of the year. Funny how many people with a far greater hockey background than you own think Minnesota will be a lot better than the team you cheer for this year. Coaches poll, multiple college media sites, etc. But we'll listen to your fair minded judgment.

we dominated the 8th ranked team in the country while the Gophers got outplayed be RPI, pretty sure it speaks for itself.

It pretty much speaks for nothing. It is the first game of the year. Let me know when they hand out a trophy for how you play in your first game.

Didnt say it was because of the opening game, maybe, just maybe it has something to do with the players and the style of game they play. Look, I'm simply saying I dont think its gonna be the Gophers year this year. Its an opinion, im sure youve heard one before, so let me have mine as I let you have yours, and since you think I have no idea what I am talking about save this post, and we'll see what happens at the end of the year.

Also if you don't think I know what I'm talking about, go back and reread the "best college" thread so you can see what I taught you about the systems the the UW and the U of M run

this just doesnt look like it gonna be one of those years for them.

Cause God knows you can tell so much from the opening game of the year. Funny how many people with a far greater hockey background than you own think Minnesota will be a lot better than the team you cheer for this year. Coaches poll, multiple college media sites, etc. But we'll listen to your fair minded judgment. :roll

And yes these guys know EXACTLY what the are talking about and have it down to a perfect science that is why #8 Notre Dame beat #15 Wisconsin and why #2 Boston College beat #12 Michigan. Theres no way the experts can be wrong is there?

[Gopher Blog]

maybe, just maybe it has something to do with the players and the style of game they play.

You mean the style of play that has led to back to back NCAA titles, back to back league titles the past two years, multiple WCHA playoff titles in the last five or so years? Yeah, that "style" must suck.

Or by "they", do you mean the players themselves? Because most of those players managed to win two trophies last year and came within an OT goal of the Frozen Four. Yeah, that isn't very good either.

The ironic thing is you try to talk them down while ignoring the fact that UW has more holes to be wary of than the Gophers do. Losing the star goalie, losing a lot of scoring from a team that struggled to score consistently as it was, and a team that will be relying just as much on first year d-men as the Gophers will. Yeah, such balanced commentary you show.

Also if you don't think I know what I'm talking about, go back and reread the "best college" thread

Yeah, I remember that. You tried to argue which system is better for grooming defensemen. Since that debate happened, we had another Gopher defensemen make the NHL (EJ) and another one who appears to be likely to make it this year or next with the Pens (Goligoski). Not to mention Goligoski being named 1st team all American. That now makes seven first team all-American defensemen Lucia has helped develop (Leopold making it twice). How many first teamers has Eaves developed? Zero.

Yeah, you sure showed me which is better.

And yes these guys know EXACTLY what the are talking about and have it down to a perfect science that is why #8 Notre Dame beat #15 Wisconsin and why #2 Boston College beat #12 Michigan. Theres no way the experts can be wrong is there?

Nobody is perfect. But I think I'll take the consensus view (especially when it isn't dominated by bias) over one individual with an obvious bias.

[wisconsinprephockey]

maybe, just maybe it has something to do with the players and the style of game they play.

You mean the style of play that has led to back to back NCAA titles, back to back league titles the past two years, multiple WCHA playoff titles in the last five or so years? Yeah, that "style" must suck.

Wow, I dont know how to break this down so you understand... I NEVER SAID THE SYSTEM IS BAD. I said, givin the system they use and the players that are taking the ice it just aint gonna happen. Thats it! Get it? Or do you need me to use smaller words?

The ironic thing is you try to talk them down while ignoring the fact that UW has more holes to be wary of than the Gophers do. Losing the star goalie, losing a lot of scoring from a team that struggled to score consistently as it was, and a team that will be relying just as much on first year d-men as the Gophers will. Yeah, such balanced commentary you show.

Yea we lost our top scorers none of which were prolific scorers we bring in Turris, Podge, Johnson(all three guys that know how to light the lamp). You must know a lot about hockey if you would take Jake Dowell (our leading goal scorer) over Kyle Turris. Good call. As far as goaltending yes it hurts to not have Elliot back there, but that statement isnt even worth a response, go get Connelly's stats from last year and tell me how bad we are at that position. (go ahead, get those stats and try to make it look like a weakness. until you do that, this conversation is over.)

Also if you don't think I know what I'm talking about, go back and reread the "best college" thread

Yeah, I remember that. You tried to argue which system is better for grooming defensemen. Since that debate happened, we had another Gopher defensemen make the NHL (EJ) and another one who appears to be likely to make it this year or next with the Pens (Goligoski). Not to mention Goligoski being named 1st team all American. That now makes seven first team all-American defensemen Lucia has helped develop (Leopold making it twice). How many first teamers has Eaves developed? Zero.

Yeah, you sure showed me which is better.

Once again read what I am saying, I never said i told you which one was better, i said i explained how they use these systems. and that whole conversation was about Defensemen going to the NHL which I was consistently right about. (and before you attack that statement read it over a couple of times until you get it, im not saying one is better than the other, in that conversation i simply explained that Eaves put his fair share of defensemen in the NHL)

This time instead of attacking what you dont understand, just ask and I will try and break it down with some smaller words for ya

[Gopher Blog]

Wow, I dont know how to break this down so you understand... I NEVER SAID THE SYSTEM IS BAD. I said, givin the system they use and the players that are taking the ice it just aint gonna happen. Thats it! Get it? Or do you need me to use smaller words?

And I responded with a statement mentioning how the vast majority of those players (especially their top four lines) managed to win a regular season and playoff title last year.... and came very close to the Frozen Four. Apparently they can manage to play well in this system despite your doubts.

You don't need smaller words. You need to learn how to read better.

Yea we lost our top scorers none of which were prolific scorers we bring in Turris, Podge, Johnson(all three guys that know how to light the lamp). You must know a lot about hockey if you would take Jake Dowell (our leading goal scorer) over Kyle Turris. Good call.

The point being is you are adding to a team that couldn't score anyway. Not only would the new guys have to make up the difference of what was lost but they (and their low scoring veteran teammates) will have to add a significant amount beyond that just to be respectable. Turris will certainly help (for one year before he goes pro). Not convinced any of the others will do much more than what was there last year. We'll have to see.

Judging from the comments I read on USCHO from a number of Badger fans, most of them appear to agree with my view on their offense likely struggling even with the new additions. Maybe you should take issue with them too.

As far as goaltending yes it hurts to not have Elliot back there, but that statement isnt even worth a response, go get Connelly's stats from last year and tell me how bad we are at that position. (go ahead, get those stats and try to make it look like a weakness. until you do that, this conversation is over.)

Connelly ain't Elliott (two Ts).

Since you want me to point out the stats, I will do that. Because only a fool would look at the surface with stats and conclude something without digging a little deeper.

Connelly's stats were done in only seven games. I would think you would likely agree seven games isn't exactly a lot of evidence to fall back on. Not to mention, most of those games were played against teams that were not high caliber (only MSU and SCSU were NCAA squads out of the seven games).

I would think he should have good numbers simply because of Eaves' system is conservative and wants to slow down the game. Then again, he'll have three freshmen d-men out there most nights and there could be some growing pains in the process. Not to mention, it is certainly a lot tougher to maintain a high standard of play over 30+ games (and many months) than it is over a handful of spot starts. So I think it is fair to say the jury is out and hardly the given you are attempting to make it look like.

[wisconsinprephockey]

The point being is you are adding to a team that couldn't score anyway. Not only would the new guys have to make up the difference of what was lost but they (and their low scoring veteran teammates) will have to add a significant amount beyond that just to be respectable. Turris will certainly help (for one year before he goes pro). Not convinced any of the others will do much more than what was there last year. We'll have to see.

Judging from the comments I read on USCHO from a number of Badger fans, most of them appear to agree with my view on their offense likely struggling even with the new additions. Maybe you should take issue with them too.

Just remember Im not saying they will be a dominant offense or the most prolific out there, just saying that they will score enough to get the job done.

Connelly ain't Elliott (two Ts).

Since you want me to point out the stats, I will do that. Because only a fool would look at the surface with stats and conclude something without digging a little deeper.

Connelly's stats were done in only seven games. I would think you would likely agree seven games isn't exactly a lot of evidence to fall back on. Not to mention, most of those games were played against teams that were not high caliber (only MSU and SCSU were NCAA squads out of the seven games).

I would think he should have good numbers simply because of Eaves' system is conservative and wants to slow down the game. Then again, he'll have three freshmen d-men out there most nights and there could be some growing pains in the process. Not to mention, it is certainly a lot tougher to maintain a high standard of play over 30+ games (and many months) than it is over a handful of spot starts. So I think it is fair to say the jury is out and hardly the given you are attempting to make it look like.

Yea it is going to be long season for him and a tough test. Just saying last year he was able to hold his own and I'm not worried about our goaltending. (I'm more worried that our offense wont hold up and make me look foolish)

[wisconsinprephockey]

Just saying last year he was able to hold his own and I'm not worried about our goaltending.

Naturally while I am saying this Connelly is busy sieving out against Ohio State

[Gopher Blog]

Just saying last year he was able to hold his own and I'm not worried about our goaltending.

Naturally while I am saying this Connelly is busy sieving out against Ohio State

What is the score?

[wisconsinprephockey]

5-3 in favor of Ohio State