The Mariucci Arena maintenance crew. After the disastrous weekend against Michigan, where the nets continuously came dislodged from their moorings without explanation, the only times they came loose this weekend were when they were run into. Whatever they did to repair the pegs obviously worked.
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Tact is the ability to step on a man's toes without messing up the shine on his shoes - Harry S Truman
Did anyone get an autograph from Koster - did he spell it right, know his number? 😉
It was a nice event after the game and it went very smoothly. The players were in good spirits and were friendly with the kids. LaCombe remembered our daughter and asked here about the pic of them two earlier this year. And other players would ask the kids their names along with other questions. Didn’t see any of the creepers preying on the players for financial gains. I was expecting to see the normal cast of characters.
--- Brodzinski showed us why Bob has him as one of the 3 shootout guys.
--- Not since Vanek, does my heart get pounding like it does when the Cooley, Knies and Snuggy line hits the ice. Cooley is just determined to make things happen all the time. Knies is just a beast, and Snuggy is just a pure sniper. When they are clicking, they can not be stopped. The only downfall is that they sometimes get a little too cute with the between the legs drop passes.
--- Chesley has really stood out the last dozen or so games. I was a bit harsh on him earlier this year, but he has really developed nicely. The only one that still makes me a bit nervous is Thomas, not that is slowly going away.
--- Perfect time for the weekend off. Play the last 3 series, then hopefully another bye in the 1st round of the B1G playoffs, and then full throttle to April.
--- Now for my old man, get off my yard rant. Our section is one of the sections that the youth hockey teams get to sit in. I 100% endorse the idea of the U doing this and getting butts in seats. For the most part, it has been good this year. Normally just a few leaving during play. Last night was outrageous. ( we sit in the 2 end seats ) They showed up 5 minutes into the game, during live action and you can imagine them trying to decide who wants to sit with who. They took up the middle seats in about 4 or 5 rows ( 50 total is my guess ). Then it was non stop going to the concession stands during play. It wasn't just the kids, the parents were just as bad. They knew that the cluster of season ticket holder were not happy as we loudly discussed the situation among ourselves. The people in front of us finally told them they they will only let them through during a stoppage of play. I know sometimes it is unavoidable, but please for the love of God, learn some basic hockey watching etiquette. ( I will not out the city they were from, but it didn't surprise me ). Our section looked like a bomb went off after the game as you could not see the floor with all of the crap that was left. On Friday there was an usher at the top of our section that would not allow people to come down the steps during play, but last not there was not.
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
We had a couple of “get off my lawn” situations last night. No big group, but a family with 3 kids, first game. They did the same thing, up and down constantly, NEVER at the f’ing same time! We finally had to say the same thing…sit down and stop interrupting play. Honestly to god, unless it’s an emergency wait until the period ends. Second problem, on the other side were 2 guys, nice enough, but the guy next to me leaned forward in his seat and between that and the bill of his hat, he blocked half the net end of the ice. I asked him to sit back, explained our seats are low to the ice and when he leans forward he blocks the view of the next couple of seats. He was quick to apologize but then he kept doing it! I’d tap his arm, he’d lean back and 3 minutes later he’d lean again. It’s just a habit but JC have some awareness of people around you. How many times do you need to be reminded?
Note: Due to inflation dirty deeds will no longer be done dirt cheap.
--- Now for my old man, get off my yard rant. Our section is one of the sections that the youth hockey teams get to sit in. I 100% endorse the idea of the U doing this and getting butts in seats. For the most part, it has been good this year. Normally just a few leaving during play. Last night was outrageous. ( we sit in the 2 end seats ) They showed up 5 minutes into the game, during live action and you can imagine them trying to decide who wants to sit with who. They took up the middle seats in about 4 or 5 rows ( 50 total is my guess ). Then it was non stop going to the concession stands during play. It wasn't just the kids, the parents were just as bad. They knew that the cluster of season ticket holder were not happy as we loudly discussed the situation among ourselves. The people in front of us finally told them they they will only let them through during a stoppage of play. I know sometimes it is unavoidable, but please for the love of God, learn some basic hockey watching etiquette. ( I will not out the city they were from, but it didn't surprise me ). Our section looked like a bomb went off after the game as you could not see the floor with all of the crap that was left. On Friday there was an usher at the top of our section that would not allow people to come down the steps during play, but last not there was not.
I’ve noticed a lack of silver haired brigade that used to police the top of the steps to help keep folks from descending during play. Thankfully we sit pretty low in our section so don’t have to deal with too much obstruction, however on the flip side we occasionally cannot run down the stairs fast enough after a whistle due to slow folks in front of us trying to figure out where their seats are so sometimes we are the obstruction. ?
As for the trash, we always pack out what we bring down - just imagine if everyone could pick up their own trash how quick the place could be cleaned up.
But alas I’m with you grumpy old man. Too many entitled, lazy, privileged folk in the world, sadly the hockey community seems to have more than their fair share.
My brother & I commented at the game last night that Snuggerud is a natural goal scorer like Vanek. If there is an opening past the goalie he seems best to find it.
@Kelly-red - I hate the front leaners.....they are beyond clueless.
“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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@Kelly-red - I hate the front leaners.....they are beyond clueless.
?Maybe in higher row seats it doesn’t matter, but we’re low enough that the bill of his hat actually blocked the opposing net! Like I said, I know it’s just a habit but it is clueless, especially when it’s been pointed out.
Note: Due to inflation dirty deeds will no longer be done dirt cheap.
@Kelly-red - I hate the front leaners.....they are beyond clueless.
?Maybe in higher row seats it doesn’t matter, but we’re low enough that the bill of his hat actually blocked the opposing net! Like I said, I know it’s just a habit but it is clueless, especially when it’s been pointed out.
Row 16 it's a pain in the a$$.
Watching the replay now you could see the steam coming off of Bob's head as he turned into the tunnel after the first. Good thing nothing was in his way.....hell, if there had been a bunny in his way to the 'room Bob would have kicked it to William's Arena out of frustration....
“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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The idea of Bob kicking a bunny or a puppy. Now not literally of course, better to stick with the trash can. What did someone post earlier, Bob stated he only gets 3 kicks? Now that’s funny.
And we’re row9! It’s very low, we already can’t see the far corner, but the leaners make it impossible.
Note: Due to inflation dirty deeds will no longer be done dirt cheap.
I do have to say this. There has been a few times that the students spilled over to our section. Never have had a problem with them. They also are aware enough not to stand all game long in our section like the custom is in the student section. ( I think it is ok for all of the student section to stand BTW )
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
Good golly I want one of those bucket hats! The STH next to us said his daughter works for the Athlete Dept and even she couldn’t cop some swag for him! She runs the arena music and gets to push the button when they score. He said she joked her finger hurt after Fridays 8. ?
Note: Due to inflation dirty deeds will no longer be done dirt cheap.
Good golly I want one of those bucket hats! The STH next to us said his daughter works for the Athlete Dept and even she couldn’t cop some swag for him! She runs the arena music and gets to push the button when they score. He said she joked her finger hurt after Fridays 8. ?
I’ve said for years that one of the perks of being a season ticket holder should be automatically getting all of the giveaway items during the season - without having to stand in line an hour before the game for them. You should be able to simply go to a table and pick it up with proof of season tickets!
I wish they’d just do something FOR the STH. Have a yearly cap or pin. I’d love an annual pin. Have the graphic art students design it each year. Do something! Give us a few coupons for a beer or some snacks. We’ve had season tickets for 38 years. We’ve seen the locker room, we’ve been to coach talks. Offer up something new, it’s not rocket science.
Note: Due to inflation dirty deeds will no longer be done dirt cheap.
Good golly I want one of those bucket hats! The STH next to us said his daughter works for the Athlete Dept and even she couldn’t cop some swag for him! She runs the arena music and gets to push the button when they score. He said she joked her finger hurt after Fridays 8. ?
I’ve said for years that one of the perks of being a season ticket holder should be automatically getting all of the giveaway items during the season - without having to stand in line an hour before the game for them. You should be able to simply go to a table and pick it up with proof of season tickets!
Sometimes I wonder if they take the season ticket holders for granted?
Noble of Bob to try to split up 89-92-81 at the beginning of the year to spread the wealth, but they were always going to end up a line and I think he knew that. Wow they’re special.
Since Ryan Potulny scored 38 goals in 05-06. Only one Gopher has scored 25 goals since, Nick Bjugstad. Potulny 2005-06 season was also the last time a Gopher player scored 60 points (38-25-63). Only two Gophers have scored 50 points in a season since (Eric Haula 51 points in 2012-13 and Tyler Sheehey 53 points in 16-17).
Vanek's 31-31-62 freshman season was perhaps the best in Gopher history, but he did not improve in his sophomore season. Vanek averaged 1.34 points per game in a National Championship season that was 45 games long. Cooley and Snuggerud are averaging 1.33 points per game, so they are point wise on pace to be in that range.
Potulny scored 1.54 points per game (41 games) in the 2005-06 season. Potulny averaged 0.93 goals per game. Vanek averaged 0.69 goals per game, Knies is averagin 0.61 goals/game, Snuggerud 0.57.
Defensemen had 2 goals last night, the 3rd line had two goals last night, the 2nd line has a goal today, and Pino/4th line has a goal both games.
If they get depth scoring with how good the top line is the ending of these season is going to be a lot of fun.
My only only Debbie Downer comment for the weekend is they can't take long stretches of games off once the tournament starts like they did both nights vs MSU.
I love how this team is the best team in the country yet every weekend people will find the 20 minutes they didn't play well and talk about it. Each weekend is 120 minutes or more if there is OT.
The other team is ALWAYS going to have a portion at some point where they get the upper hand.
So we can’t talk about how the team played in the game…in the game thread….on the message board for the team?
Defensemen had 2 goals last night, the 3rd line had two goals last night, the 2nd line has a goal today, and Pino/4th line has a goal both games.
If they get depth scoring with how good the top line is the ending of these season is going to be a lot of fun.
My only only Debbie Downer comment for the weekend is they can't take long stretches of games off once the tournament starts like they did both nights vs MSU.
I love how this team is the best team in the country yet every weekend people will find the 20 minutes they didn't play well and talk about it. Each weekend is 120 minutes or more if there is OT.
The other team is ALWAYS going to have a portion at some point where they get the upper hand.
So we can’t talk about how the team played in the game…in the game thread….on the message board for the team?
@Addict
It's not bugging me that the other team had the upper hand for a portion of the game. It's that the Gophers sleepwalked through the whole 1st period.
Snuggy's ability to find the narrowest of openings from just about every angle imaginable is uncanny. And to be able to do it in the blink of an eye? Might be the best I've seen in 45 years.
Defensemen had 2 goals last night, the 3rd line had two goals last night, the 2nd line has a goal today, and Pino/4th line has a goal both games.
If they get depth scoring with how good the top line is the ending of these season is going to be a lot of fun.
My only only Debbie Downer comment for the weekend is they can't take long stretches of games off once the tournament starts like they did both nights vs MSU.
I love how this team is the best team in the country yet every weekend people will find the 20 minutes they didn't play well and talk about it. Each weekend is 120 minutes or more if there is OT.
The other team is ALWAYS going to have a portion at some point where they get the upper hand.
So we can’t talk about how the team played in the game…in the game thread….on the message board for the team?
@Addict
It's not bugging me that the other team had the upper hand for a portion of the game. It's that the Gophers sleepwalked through the whole 1st period.
I don't know about Friday, but I still have mixed feelings about Saturday. It was great to see that we can battle back after giving up a couple of goals, but I don't like how we put ourselves in that position against MSU. I don't want to word-vomit my thoughts and make it sound worse than it was, but I don't think there are too many other teams, including lowly Wisco, who we could have gotten away with that. It's something we need to take care of over the next month.
That being said, I'm still very optimistic about this season. As I said to someone over the weekend, get a lot of rest during the bye and the road stretch because we're going to have a lot of excitement come March and April.
Not every disease is visible. Not every pain comes from an obvious wound. Some people you see day-to-day may be suffering in ways you or I may never understand and fighting just to live a normal life. Please consider contributing to the Facial Pain Association and together we can find a cure.
I don't know about Friday, but I still have mixed feelings about Saturday. It was great to see that we can battle back after giving up a couple of goals, but I don't like how we put ourselves in that position against MSU. I don't want to word-vomit my thoughts and make it sound worse than it was, but I don't think there are too many other teams, including lowly Wisco, who we could have gotten away with that. It's something we need to take care of over the next month.
That being said, I'm still very optimistic about this season. As I said to someone over the weekend, get a lot of rest during the bye and the road stretch because we're going to have a lot of excitement come March and April.
Saturday's game was never in doubt. Mich. State is not a crappy team. Personally I think they are the 4th, maybe 3rd best team in the BIG (MN, Mich & PSU). It's hockey, even great teams give up the first or second goal and the game was never in doubt. This team is sitting good now and even for March and April.
but please for the love of God, learn some basic hockey watching etiquette
Ushering here in Mankato for 7 years it was AMAZING how many times I was told there was no such thing as "hockey etiquette" and then I would here about how many hockey games they attended. Age made no difference as to the cluelessness of the spectator that would say that. Also, more men said that then women.
In Mankato now that the Lancers have switched up how the organization is overseen they don't usher MSU games anymore so from what I understand the position of usher is let open to organizations "if" they inquire about volunteer opportunities. I saw the trend of the parent that would rather pay than work to earn for the organization they are representing. I always looked at it like a win-win, I earned money to help pay for my kids involvement and I got to watch college hockey.
I am theofficial Iowa Hawkeye football fan of GPL!
Ushering here in Mankato for 7 years it was AMAZING how many times I was told there was no such thing as "hockey etiquette" and then I would here about how many hockey games they attended. Age made no difference as to the cluelessness of the spectator that would say that. Also, more men said that then women.
I vote for @g-manpuck to become the lead usher at Mariucci. Maybe I should volunteer my services... How hard would it be to have volunteer ushers at Mariucci
Ushering here in Mankato for 7 years it was AMAZING how many times I was told there was no such thing as "hockey etiquette" and then I would here about how many hockey games they attended. Age made no difference as to the cluelessness of the spectator that would say that. Also, more men said that then women.
I vote for @g-manpuck to become the lead usher at Mariucci. Maybe I should volunteer my services... How hard would it be to have volunteer ushers at Mariucci
Doing the job is the easy part, getting the workers is the hard part.
I am theofficial Iowa Hawkeye football fan of GPL!
I said it before and I will say it again, I watched a national title winning Gopher squad lose every Friday game for a month. We have all seen teams from other schools win titles that have bad weekends or games that seem to make zero sense whatsoever. We are nitpicking that this team won two games while not playing their best. (scoring 14 goals in the process btw!) Sometimes you have to take a step back and realize the big picture.
No that doesn't mean you can't criticize, it just means you have to put the criticism in context. For example, who are the other top teams in the country? Have they had similar lapses? If so how did it work out for them? Now compare that to how our weekend went...which would you rather have and which shows how strong the team truly is? (do you think SCCC for example would trade weekend performances with us?)
The team is not playing perfect, but I think that their top end play is so dang good it is sort of ruining the rest of the game for us when they aren't playing at that level. Yes there was some uninspired stretches in these games (there is in every game, every season for every team hence why it is a rather cliche fan gripe) but honestly most of it was just normal hockey. Even our top line can't play at elite levels every shift, they will make mistakes. Even the best PP is only going to score like 3/10 times...some of those PPs are going to look bad. Even the worst teams find ways to have a lucky stretch of good play. The mark of a good team is to find a way out, the mark of a great team is to not just survive but punch back and make sure they know that won't happen again. To me, most of the time when people around here seem to worry about our play we are still playing at say a 7...which for most teams in the NCAA is pretty good. The problem is we also will have a period where we take it up to 10 and so when you see us fall back to Earth it just looks like we are tanking when in reality we are just regressing back to the mean. (not always, sometimes we do stink up the rink but again who doesnt at some point during a game...even Gretzky's Oilers did!) The good thing is they don't panic when they fall behind like previous teams tended too. They know they have the talent that if they play well long enough they are likely going to find a way to get it done. To me that is more important than anything because even if we play at elite levels they are going to fall behind at some point.
but please for the love of God, learn some basic hockey watching etiquette
Ushering here in Mankato for 7 years it was AMAZING how many times I was told there was no such thing as "hockey etiquette" and then I would here about how many hockey games they attended. Age made no difference as to the cluelessness of the spectator that would say that. Also, more men said that then women.
In Mankato now that the Lancers have switched up how the organization is overseen they don't usher MSU games anymore so from what I understand the position of usher is let open to organizations "if" they inquire about volunteer opportunities. I saw the trend of the parent that would rather pay than work to earn for the organization they are representing. I always looked at it like a win-win, I earned money to help pay for my kids involvement and I got to watch college hockey.
The etiquette at Mariucci has gone downhill in recent years for sure. On Saturday the young woman in front of me must have left 3 times in the first five minutes of the first period. When I finally asked her to wait for a whistle next time she looked at me like I was out of my mind. And I'd also like to thank the couple behind us who brought a 2 or 3 year old kid to the game who sounded like he had whooping cough. That was real thoughtful. I was a little crabby during the first period.
As far as the game went, I get that people don't want to get too critical of the team given how successful the season has been. But the team does have stretches like the first period on Saturday where they play really undisciplined and make some really awful turnovers. Thankfully they have so much talent that most times they snap out of it and score 4 or 5 and win. But in a one and done tournament against more structured teams it is a valid concern IMO. I'm sure Bob is preaching about it daily.
I would imagine a good % of fans attending are "newer" and are catching onto the wave that is Gophers hockey? As such it may take some time for many of them to catch onto the etiquette part of being a fan in attendance. Those more educated and experience will hopefully be patient and respectfully try to bring them up to speed. I imagine the lack of ushers at the top of the aisles doesn't help.
My wife is newer to the game and I've training her hockey etiquette. Just this past Saturday, our 34 year old had to go #1 while play was going on. My wife was going to take her right then, right now. I explained to her about hockey etiquette and to wait tell the whistle. She was a bit irritated at me cause she was saying how do you explain hockey etiquette to a 4 yr old when she has to go #1 real bad.
I’ll take a full arena even if that means non etiquette fans
I understand emergency situations, and I would even take 1 non whistle people shuffling around per period. But when it is every 5 minutes, it really distracts from the viewing experience especially for those who have to look around my 6'3" frame every time I have to stand up to let people through.
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
When you choose aisle seats you have to remind yourself that you can't have your cake and eat it too (even if you're from Edina). The convenience of sitting on the aisle (which I prefer) is balanced by the inconvenience of having to stand for those who care more about running up to the concourse every 15 minutes.
Over the years I've learned to buy aisle seats in narrow sections, if possible. And while I enjoy seats along the sides of the arena (blue line to blue line), the people walking up and down the stairs can often block views of play. So those seats on the ends of the rink minimize those problems as the stairs run parallel to my field of view.
2 off the aisle. Definitely sounds like I don’t have it nearly as bad as some of you though.
It is just nice to be complaining about a full arena and the inconveniences that comes with it and not an underperforming team. My situation is compounded by our section being full of youth teams. Years ago, when we were surrounded by STHs, it really wasn't an issue. One can hope that it will be filled up again with STH.
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
I have aisle seats, and getting up during the period doesn't annoy me much. On the other hand, people walking down the steps when there is action going on and not waiting for a whistle irks me to no end.
Just being salty here... What bugs me is when people exit a row and the go the longer route down the row. It was happening to us on Saturday. Seats are 1-14 and we had 9-12. Some people down at 5 & 6 keep getting up a crossing the long way. Crossing 9ish and not 4ish.
