This season the Gophers in the
first game of a series: 9 wins, 4 loses and 1 tie
second game of a series: 8 wins, 3 loses, and 3 ties
The Gophers out played the Badgers the second night. They out shot the Badgers all three periods (31-21) and hit three posts. The Badgers won 3-2 on a goal with 2 and a half minutes left. With the game tied a 2 in the third period the Gophers hit the post twice. The Badgers were 1 for 2 on the power play. The Gophers were 0 for 3 on the power play.
If the Gophers win or tie the special teams battle this weekend I like our chances a lot.
For the season
Badgers: Power Play 18.9 % (37th), Penalty Kill 88.0 % (3rd)
Gophers: Power Play 25.6 % (9th), Penalty Kill 78.8 % (41st)
So when the Gophers are on the Power Play it's strength vs. strength and when the Badgers are on the Power Play it's weakness vs. weakness.
@collegehockeyaddict I'd still argue since around Thanksgiving they look much better in the 2nd game of the series than the first on almost every weekend.
Moore and Huglen heating up is huge.
Huglen in his first 14 games - 4 points (2 goals, 2 assists)
in his last 10 games - 7 points (3 goals, 4 assists) with 3 goals, 1 assist being in the last 5 games
He missed the series at Michigan so he has played 24 of 26 games this season.
@collegehockeyaddict I'd still argue since around Thanksgiving they look much better in the 2nd game of the series than the first on almost every weekend.
I'm not trying to argue I was just providing information.
I'd like a repeat of our Feb 2022 series with Wisconsin 5-0 & 8-0.
That was FUN
Unlikely, but a guy can dream.
'29, '40, '74, '76, '79, '02, & '03
GPL's Resident Cabin Enthusiast & Cadets Hockey Fan
I wanna see a pissed off Gopher team. I hope getting swept in their own barn in October is fresh in their memories.
I wanna see a pissed off Gopher team. I hope getting swept in their own barn in October is fresh in their memories.
If they comes out pissed like they did on Saturday and continue that aggression... this team will be the team we thought they would be back in late Sept.
Keep your stick on the ice...
I would love to see controlled rage and would have to think this weekend has been circled since October.
“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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If they get a win on Friday but sleepwalk their way through it will be a huge red flag for me come tournament time. If they play their guts out but lose a close game it will be quite a bit more palatable for this guy. This time of year and beyond effort should rarely be of concern if they have the heads on right.
Defense looked improved this past weekend at Michigan State, fewer turnovers better goaltending keep that trend going.
Another weekend, another portal team, this time against Gophers-killer Mike Hastings.
I felt Minnesota outplayed WI in the second game a couple of months ago and deserved at least a split in that series. Last weekend, they outplayed the portals from State and honestly bested them 5 out of 6 periods. After watching those games, I think most knowledgeable, neutral fans would place their bets on Minnesota over Sparty.
Throwing caution to the wind, it looks like Minnesota is starting to wind up. Moore in particular has been a different player since the World Juniors. I felt sorry for him when he failed to cover in front of the net for the game-tying (or winning?) goal at Munn, but I'd rather have that lesson learned in January than in March.
It felt like State tried to take away Pitlick and Snuggy last weekend, so I'm hoping those two guys have a good series against Bucky. It would be nice to get some depth scoring, too.
Shouldn't be a lack of motivation for the team, not worried about that.
Need to play solid defensively, stay out of the box, and get good goaltending.
I would add turnovers deep in the defensive zone and neutral zone.
Keep your stick on the ice...
From todays weekly presser with Bob--
Lots of praise for Moore. Loves his work ethic. Knew he made a mistake on one of MSU's goals, and came right back on Saturday and stepped up.
Going to be a "rock fight" this weekend.
Casey Mittelstadt must have been around practice this week. Bob said he should have coached him a year.
Hastings teams usually play the same style.
Nothing ground breaking from Bob.
Nevers was next--
Jess asked Nevers if he is a pool player...
Nevers said he is glad he did not ice the puck.
Brody Lamb was last up--
Worked on compete level and PP today.
He looks for lanes when shooting.
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
The BADgers are doing a White Out on Friday night. It will be interesting to see how organized that goes compared to the Gold Out the Gophers try. IIRC, Penn St does a pretty good job at theirs.
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
The empty red seats will certainly show so they must be confident people will show. You will see me. Look for the fat guy in bright gold.
White is much easier to do. A maroon out imho would be more attainable than a gold out, but wouldn't look as good on TV.
White is much easier to do. A maroon out imho would be more attainable than a gold out, but wouldn't look as good on TV.
The Gophers have a maroon out scheduled during one of the Michigan games. I agree that it should be easier to pull off.
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
https://twitter.com/fakebobmotzko/status/1752829675737366627?t=2slmLPCaPEbLv9LMiVbiFQ&s=19
Ive always loved that GIF.
I also love how on my profile photo it cuts out the score of that game
'29, '40, '74, '76, '79, '02, & '03
GPL's Resident Cabin Enthusiast & Cadets Hockey Fan
The BADgers are doing a White Out on Friday night. It will be interesting to see how organized that goes compared to the Gold Out the Gophers try. IIRC, Penn St does a pretty good job at theirs.
They tried to do some kind of stripe-out at one of the games in madison last year. It was an epic failure. But either way, much better for us to show our maroon and gold pride against the white and stand out from those morans. 😁
Now I have to think... what jerseys to bring... 😀The BADgers are doing a White Out on Friday night. It will be interesting to see how organized that goes compared to the Gold Out the Gophers try. IIRC, Penn St does a pretty good job at theirs.
They tried to do some kind of stripe-out at one of the games in madison last year. It was an epic failure. But either way, much better for us to show our maroon and gold pride against the white and stand out from those morans. 😁
B1G refs... corrupt, or just incompetent?
Living in Sconnie with a serious hockey addiction, while I hate to say it, Minnesota better f-ing show up. Sconnie with 20 wins is not a mistake. I happen to think their best player is in goal, and he's been better than Close this year. The eye and the stats don't lie.
(Full disclosure--I'm a long time goalie dad and understand the team defensive game, but the the goaltending differences are significant. Close (and our d corps) needs to be better.)
Go Gophers!
This would be a great series for them to sweep. Next three series are teams below them in the standings. If the defense takes care of our end the offense is going to be pouring the puck on their net. That’s all we need and it will be a great finish to the last weeks of the season.
Badgers for the season
1.9 goals against per game (1st in the country) against the 11th hardest schedule in the country
Gophers for the season
2.7 goals against per game (20th in the country) against the 4th hardest schedule in the country
Badgers last 7 games
2.6 goals against per game playing #22, #20 (twice), #60 (twice), and #12 (twice)
Gophers last 7 games
2.0 goals against per game playing #18, #63 (twice), #32 (twice), and #7 (twice)
Obviously the Badgers have done a better job of the keeping the puck out of their net for the season overall although their schedule for the season has been easier which certainly a factor.
But for the last 7 games the Gophers have done a better job than the Badgers at keeping the puck out of their net with the teams playing similar schedules (Badgers slightly harder).
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
Let’s f$ckin’ get after it, boys!! Get some payback for what happened in October!
Yeah my perception of game 2 at Mariucci was that Close got outplayed. If he’s on his game though should be pretty even.
The forum for this posting has been eerily quiet today. Anyone feeling nervous about this weekend's series? I know I am. I'm confident they'll come to play...not 100% confident it'll be for all 6 periods though. Defense, forecheck, and goal are keys to me though.
I don’t really get nervous unless they’re in the NCAA tourney. Looking forward to it though, I don’t think they were ready for how good WI was that Friday night game.
They seem much more dialed in this week. Let’s hope that translates to success on the ice.
If the defense takes away the 2nd chance opportunities they are the best team on the ice. The tying goal last Friday with 5 minutes left was because the D didn't take the assist away by taking the man out of the play. Close made the first save, the D was poking at the puck and not taking the man out. Play more physical, and don't give them any room in our zone to do anything. The more physical team wins.
True though Close was kinda suspect with his rebounds that day too. It is tough though when you’re screened or pucks get tipped etc.
Since November 1st
Badgers 13-4-1 overall 9-3-0 in the Big Ten
Gophers 12-4-4 overall 8-3-3 in the Big Ten
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
I make the bold prediction that having Koster in for Begley/Rud will make a difference between the October series and this weekend.
I make the bold prediction that having Koster in for Begley/Rud will make a difference between the October series and this weekend.
Agreed.. Begley was on the ice with 2 minutes left and gave up the goal on Saturday. I expect a different result this weekend.
Let’s go Gophers!!
Tonight we are going to witness the most anticipated match in the history of the world!!!
ARE YOU READDDDDDDDDDY!!!!
From the capital city of the worse state Madison, WI
We're a much different team than we were back in October when we were battling injuries and Wisco just had an awful weekend on defense against Michigan. Without the maroon and gold glasses on, maybe each game is a tossup. With the glasses on, I like our chances.
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Cruz Lucius is out injured tonight
BADger lines minus Lucius.
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
Students got the memo about the whiteout. Rest of the fans, not so much.
Feels line one game will be high flying and one low scoring with a late goal. Hoping we come out guns blazing
This is because several of the more frequent posters are in Madison for the game.
The forum for this posting has been eerily quiet today. Anyone feeling nervous about this weekend's series? I know I am. I'm confident they'll come to play...not 100% confident it'll be for all 6 periods though. Defense, forecheck, and goal are keys to me though.
B1G refs... corrupt, or just incompetent?
Moore 1-0.
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.