The March to St Paul continues...
4th straight region final
5:30pm Saturday
Denny Sanford Premier Center
TV -- ESPN U
Streaming-- ESPN+
Radio -- Radio: 103.5 FM/AM-1130 KTLK
Fan Gathering before the game --- Crooked Pint Ale House
Update--
Saturday, March 30 - Regional Finals
Gopher Fan Gathering
Get together with fellow Gopher Fans at Crooked Pint Ale House to enjoy food, drinks, and a great atmosphere prior to heading over to Denny Sanford PREMIER Center for the regional final game. The U of M Pep Band and Spirit Squad will make a special appearance at 3:45PM CDT
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
I'm thinking Jimmy Snipes returns to the score sheet.
POTLUCK!
The gophers took 2 periods off vs Michigan, 1 period off tonight. We are trending in the right direction!
Pitlick and Snuggy with some points on Saturday. I think Pitlick was gripping the stick a bit tonight.
Need you Pitlick. Cmon 77.
The Gophers scored all 3 goals off of turnovers/UNO mistakes and gave up one PP goal. Not sure that's a great recipe vs. BU.
They don't have to score more than 3 necessarily, but I'd like a bit more sustained pressure/possession, if the Gophers get at least 1 PP goal themselves their chances increase greatly, avoid a slow start, and get great team play up and down the ice. Leave it all out there and see what happens.
Omaha going into tonight was 12-3-2 in their last 17 games which included 3-0 against North Dakota and 3-1-1 against Colorado College which resulted in CC just missing out on the NCAA tournament.
Their wins over North Dakota were by scores of 3-2, 4-1, and 6-3. Their wins over CC were by scores of 3-0, 3-1 and 2-1.
Teams are very good defensively. A lot of teams are able to slow teams down. Couple that with how good goalies are and you get a lot of low scoring/defensive games.
One of the main ways goals are scored is off of turnovers because they often result in players not be in good positions defensively. The key is how often do you capitalize on these opportunities. The first two Gopher goals were Gophers players causing the turnovers.
Forcing turnovers and turning them into goals is not luck.
Each team had a lucky goal. Omaha's first goal was set up because their player lead with his head and Chesley checked him. How are you suppose to hit a player who has the puck going to the net and is leading with his head? The rule is it is the defensive players responsibility to avoid hitting to the head but if the player with the puck is leading with his head really the only way to avoid hitting his head is to get out of way. Is that what we are telling defenders? You need to get out of the way of the player with the puck who is going to the net if he is leading with his head.
Playoff games tend to not have many power plays Omaha had 2 and we had 1. The big thing was one of Omaha's was a 5 minute power play. If the penalty would have been only 2 minutes they don't score since they scored 2 minutes and 46 seconds into the 5 minute power play. The penalty would have been over.
Odds via Draftkings:
Boston U ML -166
Minnesota ML +130
Over/Under 6.5
Odds via Draftkings:
Boston U ML -166
Minnesota ML +130
Over/Under 6.5
They obviously don't know much about Justen Close.
No shock last night was a race to 2 or 3 goals but methinks that changes tomorrow when it will be a race to 5-6 goals for the win.
Absolutely have to convert on chances and it's time for MN to get heavy and forecheck hard. Really hard.
“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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Bryce Brodz & the Farm Kid saved the Gophers arses last night, along with the Edina FR & Close. I imagine the rest of the team better kick it up a notch or 2 or 3 on Saturday vs BU…
BU is good and I'm sure they'll play better than they did yesterday, but one thing I noticed vs. RIT was that they gave up three or four breakaways in the first two periods. RIT could only convert on one of those, but if that trend continues, I like our chances.
No doubt, BU is going to score - but I think Minnesota can score along with them.
Bob's comments about Nevers "taking over" the locker room between the 2nd and 3rd last night was interesting.
"We just stood outside and listened, the kid is a winner."
Powerful statement and knowing when to step aside and let your team do their thing is a difficult part of being a leader to do and Bob seems to have a good handle on this aspect. He rolls the dice sometimes and it worked last night.
“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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BU is good and I'm sure they'll play better than they did yesterday, but one thing I noticed vs. RIT was that they gave up three or four breakaways in the first two periods. RIT could only convert on one of those, but if that trend continues, I like our chances.
No doubt, BU is going to score - but I think Minnesota can score along with them.
Have you seen our success rate on breakaways this season?? BU might want to just give them to us all night long 😉
Minor technical quibble, Omaha had three powerplays. When you score on a Major penalty PP, that ends one PP and starts another.Playoff games tend to not have many power plays Omaha had 2 and we had 1
But, as to your actual point, 100% agreed.
B1G refs... corrupt, or just incompetent?
Odds via Draftkings:
Boston U ML -166
Minnesota ML +130
Over/Under 6.5
These #s roughly equal a 40% chance of the gophers winning which feels about right when playing the #2 team overall. I have only seen BU play once this year, they definitely have the ability to outscore a team. I hope we have a low scoring game, In Close we Trust!
I hope BC curb stomps MTU today. Given BC took BU to the woodshed last weekend at the HE tourney I have to imagine, to a player, BU wants a rematch. MN could catch BU looking beyond tomorrow's game. Of course MN also killed BU's dream last year and Pandolfo is a solid coach who will do everything he can to have his team focused on MN but we've all seen the Gophers get caught in the same scenario too many times to count.
/dream
“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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I was happily surprised watching the Gophers take Omaha miscues and capitalize. I think every goal was a turnover that led to a goal. That’s a great trend to continue against BU. Typically we are on the receiving end of that as we drive play more often than not.
I think Minnesota will need to have sharper breakouts tomorrow against BU. They still get caught every so often not getting the puck out and spending the next minute defending with tired players out there. BU will eat that up. I still have no idea how Omaha didn’t score in the last minute. Closer will need to be our best player in every game going forward.
'29, '40, '74, '76, '79, '02, & '03
GPL's Resident Cabin Enthusiast & Cadets Hockey Fan
I still have no idea how Omaha didn’t score in the last few minutes
At one point I think I remember Nelson just standing still while the Omaha player barely did anything to skate past him or attempt a shot! That entire group of Gophers were gassed and Omaha didn't pressure like they should have.
I am the official Iowa Hawkeye football fan of GPL!
I still have no idea how Omaha didn’t score in the last few minutes
At one point I think I remember Nelson just standing still while the Omaha player barely did anything to skate past him or attempt a shot! That entire group of Gophers were gassed and Omaha didn't pressure like they should have.
I'm trying to remember the sequence but that line had been out there for about 15-20 seconds before a faceoff, I don't think it was due to icing, and I was surprised Bob didn't throw another line out there just for the fresh legs.
“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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Dumb question: I'm not going to be able to watch the game live tomorrow. If I have ESPN+, can I access the replay later tomorrow night or Sunday?
Dumb question: I'm not going to be able to watch the game live tomorrow. If I have ESPN+, can I access the replay later tomorrow night or Sunday?
Yes, you can. They have an 'On Demand' section where you can watch previous games. You can also turn on 'Hide Scores' so no spoilers if that interests you.
What would be the best way to stream any of the remaining games for someone who doesn't currently have a streaming service? Any way to get a month pass or anything like that?
What would be the best way to stream any of the remaining games for someone who doesn't currently have a streaming service? Any way to get a month pass or anything like that?
All remaining games in the tournament should be on some ESPN network. The ESPN+ subscription is $11 per month - you could subscribe for one month and then just cancel after the month ends.
The Regional Final is on ESPN U.
The National Semi-Final is on ESPN 2.
The National Championship is on ESPN.
Update for the fan gathering from the U.
Saturday, March 30 - Regional Finals
Gopher Fan Gathering
Get together with fellow Gopher Fans at Crooked Pint Ale House to enjoy food, drinks, and a great atmosphere prior to heading over to Denny Sanford PREMIER Center for the regional final game. The U of M Pep Band and Spirit Squad will make a special appearance at 3:45PM CDT
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
Omaha was 16-2 this season in one goal games but the Gophers said "We don't care!!"
I expect the game against BU will be another one goal game in the 3rd period. Now of course the team trailing might give up a goal or two late when they have go all offense resulting in it ending up being a 2/3 goal win.
Both teams are in the top 10 in the country in goals against per game.
BU 2.4
Gophers 2.5
If you have cable/satellite/etc with ESPNU and ESPN News, on the ESPN app, you can sign in to your tv providerWhat would be the best way to stream any of the remaining games for someone who doesn't currently have a streaming service? Any way to get a month pass or anything like that?
B1G refs... corrupt, or just incompetent?
As someone said earlier the inconsistent nature of this team recently does not give me a ton of optimism but that won't stop me from watching and cheering until the bitter end.
It's been a fun team to watch and I've grown to really enjoy watching the likes of Pitlick, Lamb and Kurth grow into really good players. Not exactly sure why, but my favorite this year and last has been Aaron Huglen. Not sure what it is about him but I really enjoy his game. His play in the corner holding off a defender; back checking to break up a play or scoring the occasional big goal. A real asset to the team in my eyes.
The best part of the end of the season for me has been watching Nelson. I love his "aw shucks" appearance and how he just does his thing. He's a beast out there but it's without flash. He just gets it done. After he scores there is a moment of emotion but then just saunters back to the bench as though he scored in the men's league on Wednesday night. Love it.
On the topic of Close. What a story. Kid was never supposed to play if I recall and now we are talking about one of the best of all-time? You cannot make that up. There have been a lot of really good goalies from Weber's great year to DeBus to Stolp/Newman (to name a few not top of mind guys). No argument that Close is right up at the top there but rather my trying to rank them, I'll just say "thanks for being great."
And to those that don't remember 02-03, it is truly a lifetime ago. So, Gophers, let's give these young'uns something to put in their memory banks that's not on CD or VHS.
Thanks to GPL and the Gophers for another great season. Whether the season ends tomorrow or in two weeks, I'll miss hockey and this team the first day of the off season.
Go Gophs!
As has been mentioned already the Gophers must improve getting the puck out of their end or BU will capitalize. It can be frustrating both seeing players give up the puck while they still have space and/or icing the puck when it wasn't necessary. If they can play that part cleaner it will go a long ways toward a win.
I'll be curious to see who Bob gives the Celebrini assignment to. Slowing him down will go an awful long way towards giving the Gophs a great chance
I'll be curious to see who Bob gives the Celebrini assignment to. Slowing him down will go an awful long way towards giving the Gophs a great chance
It will likely fluctuate as BU will have the last change. But I could see a tandem of Nevers/Nelson or something along those lines for keeping an extra special eye on Macklin. Otherwise I wonder if Bergeron is busy tomorrow.
'29, '40, '74, '76, '79, '02, & '03
GPL's Resident Cabin Enthusiast & Cadets Hockey Fan
I'll be curious to see who Bob gives the Celebrini assignment to. Slowing him down will go an awful long way towards giving the Gophs a great chance
It will likely fluctuate as BU will have the last change. But I could see a tandem of Nevers/Nelson or something along those lines for keeping an extra special eye on Macklin. Otherwise I wonder if Bergeron is busy tomorrow.
How about we bring Brock Faber back for a day?
I'll be curious to see who Bob gives the Celebrini assignment to. Slowing him down will go an awful long way towards giving the Gophs a great chance
It will likely fluctuate as BU will have the last change. But I could see a tandem of Nevers/Nelson or something along those lines for keeping an extra special eye on Macklin. Otherwise I wonder if Bergeron is busy tomorrow.
How about we bring Brock Faber back for a day?
Might as well. It’s not like the Wild are in the hunt for any hardware this season.
In all seriousness though, if Faber or Johnson were still on this team that match up with Celebrini would be a great match up for the ages. The wily, old stable defenseman against the young, talented forward.
I'll be curious to see who Bob gives the Celebrini assignment to. Slowing him down will go an awful long way towards giving the Gophs a great chance
I think it will be a lot of Nelson, Huglen at forward with Chelsey on defense.
The presser is on The Rink Live YouTube page now.
Bob, Fish and Chesley
And Jess asks the players about Miracle and Bob pipes in and Bob you can imagine his response.
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
Super random question but anyone know why there were UND fans at our game last night? I’d be one thing if they were in our regional but they weren’t. And Sioux Falls isn’t really in the UND fanbase geography so some of these people drove to watch a bunch of random teams. There must have been at least 50 of them at the game yesterday. Very strange.
The presser is on The Rink Live YouTube page now.
Bob, Fish and Chesley
And Jess asks the players about Miracle and Bob pipes in and Bob you can imagine his response.
If Jim Craig is off his game in the BU net I like our chances. 😉
@gophs1 Any chance those folks bot their tickets in hopes UND would be there and then just attended anyway?
Super random question but anyone know why there were UND fans at our game last night? I’d be one thing if they were in our regional but they weren’t. And Sioux Falls isn’t really in the UND fanbase geography so some of these people drove to watch a bunch of random teams. There must have been at least 50 of them at the game yesterday. Very strange.
Because a TON of them assumed that they would be in that region and bought tickets MONTHS ago. Then Omaha got hot and made the tourny and messed it all up for UND fans.
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@jupiter that makes sense. I thought it was a hate watching event. It looked they were cheering only for the Omaha goals so we can guess who they wanted to win.
let's be honest, would it be shocking if the NCAA allowed that in the current landscape of college sports?I'll be curious to see who Bob gives the Celebrini assignment to. Slowing him down will go an awful long way towards giving the Gophs a great chance
It will likely fluctuate as BU will have the last change. But I could see a tandem of Nevers/Nelson or something along those lines for keeping an extra special eye on Macklin. Otherwise I wonder if Bergeron is busy tomorrow.
How about we bring Brock Faber back for a day?
@jupiter that makes sense. I thought it was a hate watching event. It looked they were cheering only for the Omaha goals so we can guess who they wanted to win.
Plus any chance to leave North Dakota is a vacation for them.
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
North Dakota lost 3 straight games to Omaha over the past 3 weekends dropping them from a #1 seed and helping Omaha make the NCAA tournament.
I wish the Gophers had an ESPN play by play guy that wears Maroon and Gold glasses as they announce the game. I watched the BC vs MT game on TV, all they talked about was BC. Bucci even tried to suggest that an obvious elbow to the head game DQ, probably shouldn’t even be a penalty because the elbow brushed against the MT players jersey first.
@jupiter that makes sense. I thought it was a hate watching event. It looked they were cheering only for the Omaha goals so we can guess who they wanted to win.
they’re obsessed jup is being nice😁. They coulda sold and moved but since Minnesota was gonna be there it’s just as important to cheer against the gophers as it is to cheer for their own team. I seen the greens jumping out of their seats when UNO scored, I was more surprised not to see any Holy Cross jerseys but they probably just don’t fit them anymore.😂
I am hoping the ice is better tomorrow. Like others have already stated, it was freezing in the rink!
To me it seemed like the ice was really good in the first 5 or so minutes of each period, but deteriorated rapidly. By the end of each period the ice was choppy and slow.
Funny story about Bucci from a co-worker who met him and Melrose in Pittsburgh at the FF when the Purple Cows were out there. My co-worker is an outgoing person and never misses an opportunity to talk with someone. So Bucci and Melrose were at the Mav fan gathering and my co-worker walks up to Bucci
-Co-worker: "Thank you for all you do to promote college hockey. You know though, there are great hockey teams west of the Mississippi River"
-Bucci: "Eff you!"
-Co-worker: "Eff you! Wanna take a picture?"
-Bucci: "Yup!"
They had a nice conversation about the FF for about 5-10 minutes and that was it. My co-worker has their selfie framed in his office. So Bucci is obviously a homer and doesn't shy away from it. He is the best person for the job at ESPN though. He is just an East Coast LaPanta is all.
I am the official Iowa Hawkeye football fan of GPL!