Gopher Defensive Needs

[DmanDad1980]

Last night was not fun to watch for Gopher fans...

Kangas was left high & dry repeatedly last night. The Gophers have given up 6 goals in 4 of the last 5 games. Not what a contending team should be doing at this time of the season. I would like to get some of the forums thoughts on how they can turn this around for the stretch run, WCHA Final Five, and hopefully NCAA time...

[grindiangrad-80]

I think it's been a combo of young guys and mental breakdowns.
Fortunately, their young players are smart and talented.
They will get it corrected. Lots of skill sometimes leads to taking a few too many chances.
I think the forwards can shoulder some blame as well.
Overall, most of team has struggled some of late.
They proved early on that they can play very well together.
Tonight would be a good time to right the ship.
Hats off to Shack. Maybe his actions will get 'em going.
Go Gophers.

[Mac15]

Dman, Too bad we wasted our eligibility, they might be able to use our wily veteran experience. Think of it, you and me in the Maroon and Gold!

[monsterSS]

I finally made myself join in this forum. usually I just look without posting. Anyways, What the hell happened to this team and the recruiting of players. Wehrs shouldn't even be on the ice yet he has more ice time than anybody. The coaches know that it takes big defensemen to be contenders in the ncaa. It took a while but anderson is the only D that actually plays defense. Oh, that stoa ejection was just ridiculous! Sorry, I just had to vent

[MNHockey75]

I finally made myself join in this forum. usually I just look without posting. Anyways, What the hell happened to this team and the recruiting of players. Wehrs shouldn't even be on the ice yet he has more ice time than anybody. The coaches know that it takes big defensemen to be contenders in the ncaa. It took a while but anderson is the only D that actually plays defense. Oh, that stoa ejection was just ridiculous! Sorry, I just had to vent

Don has to keep Tony happy by keeping his high school teammate happy.

[monsterSS]

that is exactly what I was thinking. Tony is an OK player sometimes, but this is why family on the same team is a bad situation.

[grindiangrad-80]

I think Tony brings alot to the team. He works as hard as anyone, and is probably their best penalty killer.
He makes things happen out there.

[3GoonsWest]

That game, defensively, was brutal. From what I saw, Ness won't play the body, Wehrs is small, but at least he's really slow and someone told Fairchild he's got better hands than Schroeder so he should never pass to him. Anderson was the only one on the ice that didn't look like an overwhelmed PeeWee.

[EREmpireStrikesBack]

Too bad Bickle didn't come back.

[Lucia4President]

Erik Johnson would be a junior this year. I think he might have made a difference.

[Lucia4President]

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophe ... LanchO7DiU

[goldy313]

There was great telling 2 minutes in the 3rd period of Saturdays game against the Badgers. During a scamble in front of Kangas 3 Badgers and 4 Gophers fought for the puck, the puck ended up in the net after the 4th whack at it, all 3 Badgers were still standing. Not 2 minutes later there was a scramble in front of the Badger net with 3 Gophers and 3 Badgers, the puck was cleared and 2 Gophers had to pick themselves up off the ice.

The Gopher defensemen just aren't tough enough, North Dakota, Mankato, and Wisconsin all feasted off weak Gopher defensemen. Kangas isn't playing great but it also looks like he has no confidece in his defensemen.

[mulefarm]

Goldy,
Your observation is right on. There is no defenseman on the Gophers that is nasty, very easy to play against. Also, Osiecki is one of the best at coaching defenseman, and getting them ready for the NHL. How did McDonagh and Gardiner get away??