Bob after the game said our youth didn’t show up tonight. I couldn't disagree more. The leadership didn’t show up. Can’t blame the kids when we have veteran defenseman standing and watching 3 goals within two feet of the net. Goalie played hot potato with the puck to give them a chance.
What is he talking about? The old guys were brutal tonight. Including his super senior captain and goaltender.
I know Brodzinski can put the puck in the net, but the Nelson line has been driving me nuts this year. The farm kid is just a puck watcher for half of every shift.
Close was not good tonight and he's struggling this season. The rebounds and failure to freeze pucks is killing them. He loses so many battles in the crease...Q was 3 for 3 last April and State got a couple tonight. He has to be better.
I have a couple of friends whose kids played on the team. They both are negative on this team and have been all season.
if that doesn’t sound like every Minnesota sports fan ever.
They’re better than they’ve played but not as good as last year yet still every bit a player to win a title. First 2 tonight were solid road hockey periods. They are capable of much more. Win tomorrow and they’ll be fine. This was a top ten team on the road and they looked by far the better team most of the night
Well, they're big time hockey people, not average fans, but I would agree that Minnesota played a couple of good road periods tonight; however, it's common for them this season to blow games they should win and Close is not saving them.
agree close needs to be better. Think that a huge part of it is who we had cleaning up his messes last year versus this year but he has been very lackluster controlling rebounds far too often. Some games he’s a sponge but they’re the rarity it seems now. Have to have 2 of the next 3 now though to stay away from the bubble. Michigan is certainly coming on right now and being the 4th B10 team in is going to put you very much towards the edge.
Think the things to keep in mind is who we’ve played. UND keeps winning, Duluth is figuring it out, CC looks to be really solid. This teams record may look tough but they will absolutely be battle tested come year end. Just need to find their way in. The best team doesn’t win it all every single year, just the one who’s on at the right time
A very frustrating game. They played 2 solid periods. Then brain freeze set in. On the 1st goal, Kurth had a giveaway deep in the MSU zone, and then Close should have been able to swipe the puck away, but he missed it. On goal 2, they just let Sparty go right down the ice and right towards the goal. That one is on Koster. On the 3rd one, they failed to clear the puck from in front. Plenty of blame to go around. Like I posted earlier, the ice just seemed to be bad, as plenty of bouncing pucks tonight. Their passes seemed off, and had a tough time exiting the zone. While I would not mind seeing Airey, but does Bob throw him in a must win game on the road? If they would have won tonight, I would have felt better having Airey start tomorrow. Season is far from over.
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
A very frustrating game. They played 2 solid periods. Then brain freeze set in. On the 1st goal, Kurth had a giveaway deep in the MSU zone, and then Close should have been able to swipe the puck away, but he missed it. On goal 2, they just let Sparty go right down the ice and right towards the goal. That one is on Koster. On the 3rd one, they failed to clear the puck from in front. Plenty of blame to go around. Like I posted earlier, the ice just seemed to be bad, as plenty of bouncing pucks tonight. Their passes seemed off, and had a tough time exiting the zone. While I would not mind seeing Airey, but does Bob throw him in a must win game on the road? If they would have won tonight, I would have felt better having Airey start tomorrow. Season is far from over.
agreed on all accounts. both teams were having a hell of a time keeping passes together for extended periods tonight.
Going into the 3rd, this weekend was set up for a win tonight and playing with house money tomorrow. After a crushing loss like this, the tables have turned and it's State who will be playing loose tomorrow night.
Minnesota put themselves in a situation where they need this win badly.
Bob after the game said our youth didn’t show up tonight. I couldn't disagree more. The leadership didn’t show up. Can’t blame the kids when we have veteran defenseman standing and watching 3 goals within two feet of the net. Goalie played hot potato with the puck to give them a chance.
What is he talking about? The old guys were brutal tonight. Including his super senior captain and goaltender.
I know Brodzinski can put the puck in the net, but the Nelson line has been driving me nuts this year. The farm kid is just a puck watcher for half of every shift.
Close was not good tonight and he's struggling this season. The rebounds and failure to freeze pucks is killing them. He loses so many battles in the crease...Q was 3 for 3 last April and State got a couple tonight. He has to be better.
I have a couple of friends whose kids played on the team. They both are negative on this team and have been all season.
if that doesn’t sound like every Minnesota sports fan ever.
They’re better than they’ve played but not as good as last year yet still every bit a player to win a title. First 2 tonight were solid road hockey periods. They are capable of much more. Win tomorrow and they’ll be fine. This was a top ten team on the road and they looked by far the better team most of the night
I've settled the hell down and am rallying around this.
Overall I’ve gotten better at remembering it is just a damn game, but cripes when they lose that way it is infuriating. 😂
I've settled the hell down and am rallying around this.
Overall I’ve gotten better at remembering it is just a damn game, but cripes when they lose that way it is infuriating. 😂
Let’s hope the team rallies around this embarrassment and is infuriated too. Mentioning the last game of last season opens old wounds for many of us as fans. If Friday’s game isn’t a wake up call for this team, I don’t know what is. Tonight’s game might just be the harbinger of the rest of this season. We keep waiting to see what this team is really made of. I hope this isn’t it.
People keep talking about a wake up call. The team is Top 10. Do people expect them to be Top 5 every year? If so that isn't realistic. When you play in a really tough conference there are going to be times when other teams make you look bad. This team is going to make mistakes. Yes the third period was bad but they were 4 seconds away from going to overtime on the road against a team that is currently #5 in Pairwise. The demise of this team/season has been exaggerated.
People keep talking about a wake up call. The team is Top 10. Do people expect them to be Top 5 every year? If so that isn't realistic. When you play in a really tough conference there are going to be times when other teams make you look bad. This team is going to make mistakes. Yes the third period was bad but they were 4 seconds away from going to overtime on the road against a team that is currently #5 in Pairwise. The demise of this team/season has been exaggerated.
The placement doesn’t matter, they go into a regional of a one and done tournament after the big10 tourney that is random as fuck. Right now I’m concerned about whether they’ll even make the NCAA tourney and what they look like game to game. Blowing leads because they throw the puck around constantly isn’t good for any team as we saw last year.
People keep talking about a wake up call. The team is Top 10. Do people expect them to be Top 5 every year? If so that isn't realistic. When you play in a really tough conference there are going to be times when other teams make you look bad. This team is going to make mistakes. Yes the third period was bad but they were 4 seconds away from going to overtime on the road against a team that is currently #5 in Pairwise. The demise of this team/season has been exaggerated.
I don’t know that there has necessarily been a demise, but we keep waiting for that next gear…..that we just don’t seem able to hit. We can’t be making mistakes anymore. There is little room for error left in this season if we don’t want to be on the bubble - we have to be able to consistently string 60 minutes together, and taking a period off won’t fly come March. 🤷♀️
Every team has bad play/periods. The Gophers aren't the only team who turns the puck over and blows leads.
#6 Wisconsin's last two games are a home tie against #58 Linwood and a 5-1 loss to Michigan.
#9 Providence last week at home lost 4-0 to Anchorage who was #52 before getting this win (they are now #44).
#12 Michigan last Saturday blew a 4-1 lead at home against Michigan State giving up 6 straight goals (including 4 goals in a span of less than 7 minutes) losing 7-5.
#13 St. Cloud State tonight at home had three 2 goal leads and gave up 7 goals losing to Omaha who is in 7th place out of 8 teams in the NCHC. Late in the 2nd period they gave up two goals in 14 seconds and in the 3rd period they gave up two goals in 30 seconds.
The power play was clearly awful tonight and cost them the game not only going 0 for 5 but giving up a short handed goal with 5 minutes left that tied the game.
The Gopher power play was #5 in the country going into tonight and is now #10 out of 64 teams. They had an AWFUL night tonight but their track record shows that they have a very good power play.
Based on their current position they only have to play as well as they have so far this season to make the NCAA tournament.
The past 17 periods before the 3rd period tonight they had out scored their opponents 27-10. They had won 13 of the periods, had 1 lost period, and 3 tied periods.
11 of the periods where against teams in the top half of Pairwise (#5, #18, #30)
6 of the periods where against teams in the bottom half of Pairwise (#63)
BTW, Quinnipiac made quite a few mistakes in the NCAA tournament.
In the region final they were out played and out shot by Ohio State to the tune of 35-17.
They were really fortunate to get a late power play on a very questionable call (it should have been coincidental penalties or no penalty at all) that allowed them to get the tying goal in the championship game.
Mistakes are part of sports even for teams who win championships.
Watch the games on replay as living overseas. Watched periods 1 and 2 and the game plan was good and the boys executed. Consistently get 3 back on D, Sparty still tries to rush and turn them over. That’s good coaching.
Accidentally forwarded it to the the end, ouch. Won’t go back and watch period 3.
We are 9th in Pairwise. Get a win today and all is well. Get swept is not great but NCAA not out of reach. Let’s see where the season takes us folks and stay positive.
Carl Fish’s mom is on social media liking tweets about bad coaching and this being Motzko’s fault.
Yikes!
With all due respect to Carl and the Fish family I don’t think she should be the mom to be complaining about the coaching. Even if some of the gripes could potentially be legitimate (I haven’t seen the tweets), it’s not like he’s exactly barnstorming the B1G. Ok player and seems like a likable kid but I would need both hands to count the errors from Fish that have led to goals this year. Errors btw that are not to coaching. Just bad plays and decision making.
Carl Fish’s mom is on social media liking tweets about bad coaching and this being Motzko’s fault.
Yikes!
She has done this a few times this year. At first, I just thought she accidentally hit the like button, but now that it is a pattern. It doesn't help that one of the Gophers fans Facebook website acts like Fish is Bobby Orr.
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
Carl Fish’s mom is on social media liking tweets about bad coaching and this being Motzko’s fault.
Yikes!
With all due respect to Carl and the Fish family I don’t think she should be the mom to be complaining about the coaching. Even if some of the gripes could potentially be legitimate (I haven’t seen the tweets), it’s not like he’s exactly barnstorming the B1G. Ok player and seems like a likable kid but I would need both hands to count the errors from Fish that have led to goals this year. Errors btw that are not to coaching. Just bad plays and decision making.
Carl Fish’s mom is on social media liking tweets about bad coaching and this being Motzko’s fault.
Yikes!
With all due respect to Carl and the Fish family I don’t think she should be the mom to be complaining about the coaching. Even if some of the gripes could potentially be legitimate (I haven’t seen the tweets), it’s not like he’s exactly barnstorming the B1G. Ok player and seems like a likable kid but I would need both hands to count the errors from Fish that have led to goals this year. Errors btw that are not to coaching. Just bad plays and decision making.
it amazes me how dumb people are and the number of people who post these things who have never even picked up a stick (this could also be a bot with how well written each sentence is). If you had played the game, you realize this shit happens and it’s not like your coach has some magic healing power to fix it instantly.
Close isn’t problem if the defense can’t push men out from in front. He made the first save and the defense has to control the front. All their goals were due to lack of defense. We have offense, when defense controls our zone we spend time in the offensive zone.
I agree with Bob, younger players didn’t show up but the whole team went soft. Don’t understand why the seniors are soft. They should be the toughest, most physical, biggest guys out there and they look half power. We played a good no penalty game but when they back off on the attack they have no strategy and seem to just go soft. Bob has a lot to work on.
Carl Fish’s mom is on social media liking tweets about bad coaching and this being Motzko’s fault.
Yikes!
With all due respect to Carl and the Fish family I don’t think she should be the mom to be complaining about the coaching. Even if some of the gripes could potentially be legitimate (I haven’t seen the tweets), it’s not like he’s exactly barnstorming the B1G. Ok player and seems like a likable kid but I would need both hands to count the errors from Fish that have led to goals this year. Errors btw that are not to coaching. Just bad plays and decision making.
Yikes indeed. Personally if I was Fish I would be mortified if one of my parents was publicly talking about my coach that way.
There are definitely some things Bob and Co. could work on. I’m not denying that. But I’m having a hard time believing the coaches are going into the locker room saying, “guys, decent first two periods! Especially for a road game against a good team. Now do the exact opposite. No that’s ok, keep throwing the puck around blindly. Those power plays we keep getting? Don’t win any face offs in the offensive zone. We were good at keeping everything to the outside. Now just let them walk in”. No. The players are the ones who are on the ice continually failing to play a full 60. Now to be fair, one place where I think Motzko a the coaches could improve is sending a message. Sit Close. Shake up the N64 line and send Nevers to the fourth line. Call out Nelson in front of everyone in the locker room Brooks style. There are things that line does well but too often do we see the “veteran leadership line” just glide around and hustle when it suits them. Anyway, no I’m just ranting for no reason and getting frustrated again lol. Let’s see how the team responds today. If we lose or steal a win then I’ll be actually worried. If we get a solid road win, really not as concerned about the shoreline, then I’ll be fine.
WTF? How do you know it’s a parent? Anyone know if there are rules about posting on social media? I expect some action from the coaches. Fish might be benched or worse.
WTF? How can she possibly be a parent and think this is acceptable? Anyone know if there are rules about posting on social media? I expect some action from the coaches. Fish might be benched or worse.
Because her child is special and is gonna be an HOFer in the NHL, of course.
Welcome to Rabid Sports Parents 101.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
Yes she should know better but don't take it out on Carl.
“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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WTF? How can she possibly be a parent and think this is acceptable? Anyone know if there are rules about posting on social media? I expect some action from the coaches. Fish might be benched or worse.
yeah you can’t do that to Carl, but I’d sure expect he’s going to get to have an awkward phone call to mom today.
as an aside, posts like that are 100% why I could never get into coaching. The peanut gallery of people is just ridiculous and you see rabid parents getting great coaches doing it for the right reasons getting fired every year because some prima Donna parent is upset.
At this time of the season they should be playing more consistent. They can still lose but should be more competitive. They will not go far in the tournament I predict. Perhaps my expectations were too high. Coach Bob needs to take his share of responsibility as well. The talent is there but i question the leadership.
Carl Fish’s mom is on social media liking tweets about bad coaching and this being Motzko’s fault.
Yikes!
With all due respect to Carl and the Fish family I don’t think she should be the mom to be complaining about the coaching. Even if some of the gripes could potentially be legitimate (I haven’t seen the tweets), it’s not like he’s exactly barnstorming the B1G. Ok player and seems like a likable kid but I would need both hands to count the errors from Fish that have led to goals this year. Errors btw that are not to coaching. Just bad plays and decision making.
Yikes indeed. Personally if I was Fish I would be mortified if one of my parents was publicly talking about my coach that way.
There are definitely some things Bob and Co. could work on. I’m not denying that. But I’m having a hard time believing the coaches are going into the locker room saying, “guys, decent first two periods! Especially for a road game against a good team. Now do the exact opposite. No that’s ok, keep throwing the puck around blindly. Those power plays we keep getting? Don’t win any face offs in the offensive zone. We were good at keeping everything to the outside. Now just let them walk in”. No. The players are the ones who are on the ice continually failing to play a full 60. Now to be fair, one place where I think Motzko a the coaches could improve is sending a message. Sit Close. Shake up the N64 line and send Nevers to the fourth line. Call out Nelson in front of everyone in the locker room Brooks style. There are things that line does well but too often do we see the “veteran leadership line” just glide around and hustle when it suits them. Anyway, no I’m just ranting for no reason and getting frustrated again lol. Let’s see how the team responds today. If we lose or steal a win then I’ll be actually worried. If we get a solid road win, really not as concerned about the shoreline, then I’ll be fine.
Everyones aware she wasn’t the one that posted that right? She just liked the comment. Anyways, this team needs to get its #%>% together.
You can't punish a player for what a parent does on social media. I'm sure Bob has dealt with a ton of "difficult" parents, so this is a small deal on the grand scale. I think he once said that he gives the parents 1 meeting for them to air out their concerns and then it's over.
Also, there are plenty of ways to hide who you are on social media, so maybe a fake name would have been a better way to go if she really wanted to voice her displeasure. But, her best thing to do is just put the keyboard down and walk away because someone will always find a social media post/like these days.
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
Close isn’t problem if the defense can’t push men out from in front. He made the first save and the defense has to control the front. All their goals were due to lack of defense. We have offense, when defense controls our zone we spend time in the offensive zone.
I agree with Bob, younger players didn’t show up but the whole team went soft. Don’t understand why the seniors are soft. They should be the toughest, most physical, biggest guys out there and they look half power. We played a good no penalty game but when they back off on the attack they have no strategy and seem to just go soft. Bob has a lot to work on.
They gave up a total of 3 goals, a couple of which I would hang more on Close, who, you know, also plays defense.
That same defensive corps combined for a pretty D to D tally for exactly half of Minnesota's whopping 2 goals last night.
It's hard for me to criticize the defense when the team showed up with average goaltending and produced a single goal scored by an offensive player. Oh, and they win that game going away in the 3rd if they made State pay for their reckless penalties just once.
Now to be fair, one place where I think Motzko a the coaches could improve is sending a message. Sit Close. Shake up the N64 line and send Nevers to the fourth line. Call out Nelson in front of everyone in the locker room Brooks style.
I think coaching style is inbred. Motzko only knows how to be Motzko.
He's a great recruiter, we can see that, but he has a bridesmaid's resume as a head coach. That won't change until he wins the big one, which he should have done last year with all the horses. Put another way, he'll need to do it with a less talented team because the planets may never align like that again.
I'm actually surprised he hasn't done that before. Strobel gives 100% every time he's on the ice, Rud is unimpressive at best, and Begley is basically a spare body for practices.
Tact is the ability to step on a man's toes without messing up the shine on his shoes - Harry S Truman
I think a big reason coach likes to normally go with a 12 forwards and 7 defensemen lineup is if he only goes with 6 defensemen and then loses 1 or 2 in game (due to injury and/or 5 minute penalty/game DQ) he is left with only 5 or 4 defensemen for the rest of the game. Yes the same thing could happen with losing forwards but even if he starts with 12 forwards and loses 2 he still has 10 forwards to finish out the game.
Plus it is much easier to have a defensive man play a few shifts at forward if needed then to have a forward play a few shifts of defense.
I think a big reason coach likes to normally go with a 12 forwards and 7 defensemen lineup is if he only goes with 6 defensemen and then loses 1 or 2 in game (due to injury and/or 5 minute penalty/game DQ) he is left with only 5 or 4 defensemen for the rest of the game. Yes the same thing could happen with losing forwards but even if he starts with 12 forwards and loses 2 he still has 10 forwards to finish out the game.
Plus it is much easier to have a defensive man play a few shifts at forward if needed then to have a forward play a few shifts of defense.
Moore proved that last night on the short handed goal. Their player recognized it was a forward skating backwards and went right at him.
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While short handed Nelson did a great job to draw a penalty which then after the rest of Luke Mitts penalty ends set up the Power Play that Brodzinski scores on.
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