https://twitter.com/SchlossmanGF/status/1518789372572749825?s=20&t=l7nxoKLDElFtbJ9Lf7j-Lw
They always seek out top tier nonconference games
I still call mankato MSU. Haha.
To avoid confusion it should be:
Michigan State: MSU
Minnesota State: MNS or Mankato
?
MSUM works too.
MNSU
MSUM works too.
That's what the MN State system uses. (actually, MSU-M)
Tact is the ability to step on a man's toes without messing up the shine on his shoes - Harry S Truman
I graduated from Moorhead State University and it'll be a cold day in hell before I call it MSU-Moorhead.
/get off my lawn!
The -M is not necessary for MNSU
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (In this case the comma can indicate you don't need to say what's after it)
Minnesota State University, Mankato (Same deal with the comma)
University of Minnesota Duluth (no comma, say the whole thing. Same for Crookston, Morris, and Rochester)
Minnesota State University Moorhead (no comma, say the whole thing)
The -M is not necessary for MNSU
Minnesota State University, Mankato (Same deal with the comma)
Your latter description perfectly coincides with MSUM. Also I don't care about the 'TC' it will always be UM
It's not a big deal but IMHO MSU =Michigan State especially as it pertains to dealings with the Gophers. It's a much deeper rivalry with far more history and well eff Mankato. I would use a smiley but the current selection sucks.
MNSU
The Screaming Eagles?
The -M is not necessary for MNSU Minnesota State University, Mankato (Same deal with the comma)
Your latter description perfectly coincides with MSUM. Also I don’t care about the ‘TC’ it will always be UM It’s not a big deal but IMHO MSU =Michigan State especially as it pertains to dealings with the Gophers. It’s a much deeper rivalry with far more history and well eff Mankato. I would use a smiley but the current selection sucks.
Yeah, much deeper rivalry in ? & ?…but as far as hockey…lol…whatever you say!
My general rule is calling Kato whatever name irritates the fan base, such as Mankato State or Kato. Same rule goes for Duluth, as they hate being called Duluth.
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
My general rule is calling Kato whatever name irritates the fan base, such as Mankato State or Kato. Same rule goes for Duluth, as they hate being called Duluth.
That's wicked petty.
I love it!
“When your best friend is the son of God, you get tired of losing every argument.”
― Christopher Moore, Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
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My general rule is calling Kato whatever name irritates the fan base, such as Mankato State or Kato. Same rule goes for Duluth, as they hate being called Duluth.
That’s wicked petty. I love it!
Duluth State?
Do not like how this board is run?
Get your own board!
♃
Minnesota State Lake Superior?
And, at least one GPLer Mankato State grad refuses to call them anything other than Mankato or Mankato State. That's what his diploma says and all.
B1G refs... corrupt, or just incompetent?
My general rule is calling Kato whatever name irritates the fan base, such as Mankato State or Kato. Same rule goes for Duluth, as they hate being called Duluth.
That’s wicked petty. I love it!
Duluth State?
UMTP.
MNSU
The Screaming Eagles?
Oh, I know. Just being a bit of a smart ass.
The -M is not necessary for MNSU Minnesota State University, Mankato (Same deal with the comma)
Your latter description perfectly coincides with MSUM. Also I don’t care about the ‘TC’ it will always be UM It’s not a big deal but IMHO MSU =Michigan State especially as it pertains to dealings with the Gophers. It’s a much deeper rivalry with far more history and well eff Mankato. I would use a smiley but the current selection sucks.
Yeah, much deeper rivalry in & …but as far as hockey…lol…whatever you say!
The Gophers have played the Spartans 134 more times Sparky and 4x per year since joining the BTHC.
Gophers vs. MSU 129-50-16
Gophers vs. MSUM 37-18-6
Mankato is a bigger rival. Michigan State is just a team the Gophers play all the time. Least buzz of all conference opponents and that says a lot.
Mankato is a bigger rival. Michigan State is just a team the Gophers play all the time. Least buzz of all conference opponents and that says a lot.
EXACTLY…I realize it’s comforting for (select) Gopher fans to dis Mankato, but the last 5 years they’ve been way more relevant an opponent than Michigan State…having ended two consecutive promising Gopher seasons (to boot) that’s called REALITY…even if (some) choose to reference games that represent long past history (pre 1980’s) to make a counter argument.
I didn't realize there were that many people here that passionate about the name of the school in Mankato. Though a lot of them being alums makes sense.
I call them 'MSUM' consistently just to differentiate them from Michigan State (which obviously I call 'MSU') since we used to play both each year before MSUM was actually good.
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My general rule is calling Kato whatever name irritates the fan base, such as Mankato State or Kato. Same rule goes for Duluth, as they hate being called Duluth.
Do they actually hate being called Duluth, though? I’ve never heard this before and find it hard to believe. Living my entire life in MN, everyone I know has ALWAYS referred to that school as Duluth or UMD, and NEVER University of Minnesota Duluth. And this isn’t even a shot at the school, this is just the vernacular we’ve always used.
Mankato is a bigger rival. Michigan State is just a team the Gophers play all the time. Least buzz of all conference opponents and that says a lot.
EXACTLY…I realize it’s comforting for (select) Gopher fans to dis Mankato, but the last 5 years they’ve been way more relevant an opponent than blah blah blah blah
Good Lord. Last time I checked I've been a Goohers hockey fan for 45 years and have a pretty solid handle on their history during that time. 5 years doesn't make a rivalry despite Kato being the better program during that time frame. Also you're quoting someone who's a bigger fan of the NCHC than the Gophers. 
And, at least one GPLer Mankato State grad refuses to call them anything other than Mankato or Mankato State. That’s what his diploma says and all.
That ain't no lie
My general rule is calling Kato whatever name irritates the fan base, such as Mankato State or Kato. Same rule goes for Duluth, as they hate being called Duluth.
Do they actually hate being called Duluth, though? I’ve never heard this before and find it hard to believe. Living my entire life in MN, everyone I know has ALWAYS referred to that school as Duluth or UMD, and NEVER University of Minnesota Duluth. And this isn’t even a shot at the school, this is just the vernacular we’ve always used.
You are correct sir…Bulldog fans couldn’t care less (being called Duluth)☝️
Could or couldn't?
Could or couldn’t?
Couldn’t care less…good catch. ?
Mankato is a bigger rival. Michigan State is just a team the Gophers play all the time. Least buzz of all conference opponents and that says a lot.
EXACTLY…I realize it’s comforting for (select) Gopher fans to dis Mankato, but the last 5 years they’ve been way more relevant an opponent than Michigan State…having ended two consecutive promising Gopher seasons (to boot) that’s called REALITY…even if (some) choose to reference games that represent long past history (pre 1980’s) to make a counter argument.
The last couple of years, certainly the games against Mankato have been more meaningful than against Michigan state.
Rather than going to pre-history, I'll just go to when Mankato joined the WCHA in the 1999-2000 season, since then, the Gophers have played Mankato 57 times, and Michigan State 53. Including at least one game every year against Michigan state, which can't be said about Mankato, as the Gophers and Mankato didn't play each other at all in 2018 or 2020.
Other than the NCAA games the last two years, that makes Mankato and MSU roughly even since the Gophers started playing Mankato in the conference, with MSU taking the edge due to much longer history.
So, no, I don't consider Mankato to be a huge rival.
B1G refs... corrupt, or just incompetent?
I didn't know we were talking about the size of the rivalry... I said "bigger", and bigger is relative.
Ask 100 Gopher hockey fans who they'd rather see a series against, and I know who the winner will be.
I didn’t know we were talking about the size of the rivalry… I said “bigger”, and bigger is relative. Ask 100 Gopher hockey fans who they’d rather see a series against, and I know who the winner will be.
Gopher fans that actually go to games? Or the ones that never let go of the WCHA?
B1G refs... corrupt, or just incompetent?
I didn’t know we were talking about the size of the rivalry… I said “bigger”, and bigger is relative. Ask 100 Gopher hockey fans who they’d rather see a series against, and I know who the winner will be.
Gopher fans that actually go to games? Or the ones that never let go of the WCHA?
Go to games
I didn’t know we were talking about the size of the rivalry… I said “bigger”, and bigger is relative. Ask 100 Gopher hockey fans who they’d rather see a series against, and I know who the winner will be.
Gopher fans that actually go to games? Or the ones that never let go of the WCHA?
Go to games
Pretty sure that answer would be closer than you think, but you're choosing the right people to think about, rather than the ones that are more concerned with who the opponent is than cheering for the Gophers.
B1G refs... corrupt, or just incompetent?
I think it's a trick question. No real hockey fan would want to watch the garbage style of hockey that either MSU team plays.
I realize there is a proximity factor involved and they have fielded some good teams as of late but... Mankato isn't a rival for us. We don't play in the same conference, we don't have a major/lengthy history with them, we haven't had many important games against one another, etc. Heck, we (largely) don't even compete with one another for the same recruits.
Some people use the word "rival' way too loosely to try to make a point. Mankato really isn't any more of a "rival" than Michigan State in the grand scheme of things.
You have to draw the line somewhere with that term and nobody in their right mind would put Mankato or Michigan State in the same category of "rival" for us as compared to UW, Michigan, UND, etc... comparing two teams that are competitors of ours but more on the fringe (in terms of emotional importance) is splitting hairs.
I didn’t know we were talking about the size of the rivalry… I said “bigger”, and bigger is relative. Ask 100 Gopher hockey fans who they’d rather see a series against, and I know who the winner will be.
This dovetails to the more meaningful? “Who is the Gophers biggest rival? Despite conference realignment, IHMO it’s 1. North Dakota 2. Wisconsin 3.(& beyond) Everybody has their own opinion on the order (with Mankato & Michigan State being far, far down that list) ☝️
I realize there is a proximity factor involved and they have fielded some good teams as of late but… Mankato isn’t a rival for us. We don’t play in the same conference, we don’t have a major/lengthy history with them, we haven’t had many important games against one another, etc. Heck, we (largely) don’t even compete with one another for the same recruits. Some people use the word “rival’ way too loosely to try to make a point. Mankato really isn’t any more of a “rival” than Michigan State in the grand scheme of things. You have to draw the line somewhere with that term and nobody in their right mind would put Mankato or Michigan State in the same category of “rival” for us as compared to UW, Michigan, UND, etc… comparing two teams that are competitors of ours but more on the fringe (in terms of emotional importance) is splitting hairs.
Yup this makes sense. If you draw a line at legit rivalry (like 5 or so teams), neither of them are there.
In alphabetical order the rivalry contenders: ND, SCSU, UM, UMD, UND, uw. And over time with fewer meetings SCSU may degrade and get replaced by the more intense of OSU/PSU.
What are the criteria used to define a rival?
#1 is the voice of the players. And in the last UND series in interviews players still said "That's why we come to the U of M, to play North Dakota" So UND is still #1 or #2 with wisconsin. But we don't hear as much from the players anymore with no pregame shows/interviews.
From my perspective, biggest rivals?
1: Wisconsin
2: North Dakota
3: Michigan
4-10: Notre Dame/MSU/OSU/PSU/Mankato/Duluth/SCSU in some fluid order depending on the year, with the old WCHA teams consistently sliding down, and B1G moving up.
B1G refs... corrupt, or just incompetent?
T1: UND/uw
T3: UM/UMD
If you want to draw the line those are your real rivals IMO.
T1: UND/uw T3: UM/UMD If you want to draw the line those are your real rivals IMO.
While I agree with you on T3…something tells me this take will be dismissed by some & likely piss off others ?
?
I'd go with
T1: UW
T2: UND/Mich
T3: SCSU/UMD
T4: Rest of Big Ten and Mankato
I ask again though, for those of you ranking what you perceive as our biggest rivals, what are you using as the criteria? Is it your opinion, some sort of measurable statistics, being in a certain conference, recruiting ground battles, how many people you know from the other fan base that say they hate they Gophers?!
I’m just curious because I think everyone might have some slightly different ideas as to what makes a team a rival, and these can certainly be fluid over time.
I understand completely about regional schools being a rival while not being an in-conference rival. In the state of Iowa there is clearly a divide in the state and a rivalry between Iowa and Iowa State. You have the B1G on one hand and then the Big 12, 8, 25 or 6 to 4 depending on if it is a even or odd year for that other schools' conference affiliation. The BIG difference between what is being discussed about hockey rivalries and true school rivalries is based on how much competition is between the two schools in question.
Back to the Iowa vs. Iowa State debate, they compete every year in every sport that each college plays or damn near. They play for the Cy-Hawk Series trophy that goes to which ever school wins in the 12 competitive D1 sports. Iowa State won this year with sweeping basketball and the minor sports. The Cy-Hawk Series trophy only goes back to the early 2000's but interschool competition for Iowa and Iowa State goes back decades.
That is a basis of a rivalry...to me.
I know this discussion is based solely on hockey so I would completely agree with those that are saying Michigan, Wisconsin, and North Dakota are our true rivals because their is history...long history. History to me is what makes a rivalry. Just because Mankato is good now doesn't make a rivalry to me. Now to them it is but they have different optics than the Gophers do. So that is where I agree with what was said about asking the athletes who their rivals are. Do I think any Mankato player would list Ferris State as a rival? Nope. They would list the Gophers in a heartbeat though.
I am the official Iowa Hawkeye football fan of GPL!
I ask again though, for those of you ranking what you perceive as our biggest rivals, what are you using as the criteria? Is it your opinion, some sort of measurable statistics, being in a certain conference, recruiting ground battles, how many people you know from the other fan base that say they hate they Gophers?! I’m just curious because I think everyone might have some slightly different ideas as to what makes a team a rival, and these can certainly be fluid over time.
Long history with "spirited" competition i think is a major factor. The longer teams have had intense competition with one another that then leaks down into animosity in the fanbases is a good indicator of rivalry.
Recruiting ground battles would be another high factor
In some ways you may factor in competition in other sports which can aid to a rivalry--that obviously trends towards the big ten schools for us--especially Wisconsin and Michigan.
But you are right, everyone can have their own opinions on what constitutes a rival. But I'm guessing as an average of the fan base will lead you to a top 2 of UND and Wisconsin for sure with UMD and Michigan not far behind. St. Cloud is an interesting one, but they feel to me at least like they still don't quite have the animosity that UMD does--which may be due to a longer history and their recent success.
Agree that Notre Dame is on the upswing at least for hockey reasons.
College hockey coaches get an earful from the NCAA at the Spring meeting in Naples - a number of quite radical changes in support of the student athletes!
Not knowing what to do, they do what they know . . .
Knowing what to do, they sometime don't do it . . .
The 26th year of the Gopher Men's Hockey Profile got to be too much for this ol' codger to handle . . . what with all of the possible activity on the transfer portal . . . . So, I'm closing it down at the 25th year . . .
Makes sense
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
Jan Brady appears to be losing an assistant.
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.