“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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That episode of Spittin’ Chiclets @ the U was pure 🔥🔥🔥
Well we are all Maroon and Gold as the name implies. This team, like many before them, has all the tools. You do NOT need perfection or the absolute BEST player in every position as QP so sadly proved a couple years ago. You need a well coached team willing to sacrifice me for we. There is no longer a place for one man, fancy play, cute pass, blind drop (kill me now) pass, plays. It is the time for a fight. We will see what kind of fight this team has. Last year there were players that had the fight. Nelson, Brodz, etc. They were not willing to go down. It will take everyone. Good thing for the Gophers is that they really do have everyone. All positions have elite and dedicated players. It is ours to lose.
I believe we are hoping for a Maine win tonight to avoid UConn sliding above us. Western can win and then lose, that would keep us at 4. At the same time, the difference in 4/5 is relatively minor and main advantage would be given last change in regional final. First round opponents all solid regardless. I see us going somewhere other than Fargo at <5% chance.
I believe we are hoping for a Maine win tonight to avoid UConn sliding above us. Western can win and then lose, that would keep us at 4. At the same time, the difference in 4/5 is relatively minor and main advantage would be given last change in regional final. First round opponents all solid regardless. I see us going somewhere other than Fargo at <5% chance.
agreed. Only can really see it if Uconn and WMU win so we move down to the 6 (removes incentive to keep us paired with the 4 and they put WMU/Uconn together for bracket integrity with the Fargo bracket being something like WMU/Kato-Maine/DU. Lot of scenarios where we end up with 3 HE teams in the 2 seeds which means we'd end up with likely UConn/PSU-UMN/UMass.
Think if we're 4/5 we're basically a lock for Fargo.
Maine wins and locks up the #3 seed.
The Gophers are almost 100% locked into Fargo now. Either as the 4 or 5 seed.
Maine wins and locks up the #3 seed.
The Gophers are almost 100% locked into Fargo now. Either as the 4 or 5 seed.
so all we need now is someone to dispose of the piouxp so we can get tickets!!
Maine wins and locks up the #3 seed.
The Gophers are almost 100% locked into Fargo now. Either as the 4 or 5 seed.
so all we need now is someone to dispose of the piouxp so we can get tickets!!
I was recently informed by a GPLer that I'm related to Airey
so all we need now is someone to dispose of the piouxp so we can get tickets!!
I see tickets are $300 right now on Ticketmaster resale. That's one seat, one game.
Western Michigan win over Denver tomorrow = Gophers overall #5 seed
Denver win over Western Michigan tomorrow = Gophers overall #4 seed
It's looking like both Minnesota and Western Michigan are ending up in Fargo.
Western Michigan win over Denver tomorrow = Gophers overall #5 seed
Denver win over Western Michigan tomorrow = Gophers overall #4 seed
It's looking like both Minnesota and Western Michigan are ending up in Fargo.
I would reason as the #4 we face Mankato and as the #5 we face UMass.
so all we need now is someone to dispose of the piouxp so we can get tickets!!
I see tickets are $300 right now on Ticketmaster resale. That's one seat, one game.
Give it time… By tomorrow afternoon when UND fans start waking up from their drunken stupors, they’ll start to bale on their tickets. Cause it’s now sandbag season.
Keep your stick on the ice...
Western Michigan win over Denver tomorrow = Gophers overall #5 seed
Denver win over Western Michigan tomorrow = Gophers overall #4 seed
It's looking like both Minnesota and Western Michigan are ending up in Fargo.
I would reason as the #4 we face Mankato and as the #5 we face UMass.
This is exactly how I see it also.
so all we need now is someone to dispose of the piouxp so we can get tickets!!
I see tickets are $300 right now on Ticketmaster resale. That's one seat, one game.
Give it time… By tomorrow afternoon when UND fans start waking up from their drunken stupors, they’ll start to bale on their tickets. Cause it’s now sandbag season.
so all we need now is someone to dispose of the piouxp so we can get tickets!!
I see tickets are $300 right now on Ticketmaster resale. That's one seat, one game.
Give it time… By tomorrow afternoon when UND fans start waking up from their drunken stupors, they’ll start to bale on their tickets. Cause it’s now sandbag season.
They may wake up, but they’re in a perpetual state of drunken stupor.
If the Gophers finish #4 and Penn State #12 or the Gophers finish #5 and Penn State #13 are we sure the committee wouldn't go with
Gophers vs. Quinnipiac
Western Michigan vs. Penn State
as the the first round game in Allentown, PA (Penn State is the host)?
I agree there is a good chance the Gophers and Western Michigan end up in Fargo but if they go with true bracket integrity the committee could have the chance to go with the match ups above (4, 5, 12, and 13).
If the Gophers finish #4 and Penn State #12 or the Gophers finish #5 and Penn State #13 are we sure the committee wouldn't go with
Gophers vs. Quinnipiac
Western Michigan vs. Penn State
as the the first round game in Allentown, PA (Penn State is the host)?
I agree there is a good chance the Gophers and Western Michigan end up in Fargo but if they go with true bracket integrity the committee could have the chance to go with the match ups above (4, 5, 12, and 13).
a chance, but I’d guess then they worry about travel over integrity in those settings. I’d expect regardless it’s us and wmu in fargo and UConn or Maine gets PSU because of proximity
The Gophers finishing #4 (a 1 seed) and Penn State #13 (a 4 seed) or the Gophers finishing #5 (a 2 seed) and Penn State #12 (a 3 seed) would seem to eliminate the Gophers from being sent to Allentown, PA since Penn State is the host and wanting to avoid a Big Ten first round match up.
If Penn State finishes #13 (a 4 seed) I can see the committee thinking that Western Michigan as the lowest number one seed (if they finish #4) should have to play the top number 4 seed especially since Penn State is hosting rather than #3 Maine having to play the road game.
Yes Allentown, PA is closer to Maine than Toledo, OH or Fargo, ND but they are all flights for Maine (over 500 miles).
Minneapolis to Fargo being less than 500 miles (assuming the 500 mile rule still applies) might be the key to sealing us going to Fargo.
If Penn State finishes #13 (a 4 seed) I can see the committee thinking that Western Michigan as the lowest number one seed (if they finish #4) should have to play the top number 4 seed especially since Penn State is hosting rather than #3 Maine having to play the road game.
Yes Allentown, PA is closer to Maine than Toledo, OH or Fargo, ND but they are all flights for Maine (over 500 miles).
Minneapolis to Fargo being less than 500 miles (assuming the 500 mile rule still applies) might be the key to sealing us going to Fargo.
I’d put it as a certainty now with reasoning mn to carry the attendance in Fargo
Does the NCAA care about attendance or tickets sold? The tickets for Fargo are already sold.
If #3 Maine ends up having to play a first round road game against the top number #4 seed (Penn State as the Allentown, PA host) it will be interesting to see how much complaining happens.
Every year somebody complains and they likely will have the most to complain about.
Assuming it’s Gophers/WMU/UMass/Kato in Fargo. Seeds TBD.
Overall not a bad draw. Tough goaltending region with Hrabal and Slukynsky NHL prospects and Tracy probably having the best year statistically in the country.
Need a good crowd turnout and to get off to a strong start.
The gophers fall to 5 this morning in Pairwise. Sioux fans bought up all Fargo tickets, resell time!
The gophers fall to 5 this morning in Pairwise. Sioux fans bought up all Fargo tickets, resell time!
DU wins were the 4, WMU wins were the 5.
Maybe I just completely missed this but did we already know that we’re playing Boston College next year?
Maybe I just completely missed this but did we already know that we’re playing Boston College next year?
Bob has mentioned it a couple of times. But, it has not been promoted a lot.
I was recently informed by a GPLer that I'm related to Airey
The gophers fall to 5 this morning in Pairwise. Sioux fans bought up all Fargo tickets, resell time!
That just means we play UMass instead of Kato in the first round which based on previous results I’m fine with.
UMASS it is. Let’s go!
The GPL Schedule has been update with the Gopher game.
Also added the full Tournament Bracket as well.
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Get your own board!
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Hate to say it but the Gophers are 8-7-1 since January
Aloha!
Hate to say it but the Gophers are 8-7-1 since January
Since the start of the year, I see: 10 wins, 4 losses, 3 OT losses, 2 ties. Two of the losses being against ND in a BAD weekend of hockey. I don't take stock in the OT losses, 3 on 3 is not in the tournament. 10-4 in regulation
While true, I don't have high confidence that the outcomes would be much different. This team is not looking like one that will rip off a couple of wins and soar into the Frozen Four. The games against PSU were fugly and at times it appeared players we're playing with urgency. Considering it was a playoff.... I'm concerned.Hate to say it but the Gophers are 8-7-1 since January
Since the start of the year, I see: 10 wins, 4 losses, 3 OT losses, 2 ties. Two of the losses being against ND in a BAD weekend of hockey. I don't take stock in the OT losses, 3 on 3 is not in the tournament. 10-4 in regulation
I do like the way Wood is playing. He seems to be all over the ice since the beginning of Feb and has scored in multiple ways. I hope the rest of the players follow his lead. Get the puck on net, screen the goalie. Dirty goals count just as much as the pretty ones.
While true, I don't have high confidence that the outcomes would be much different. This team is not looking like one that will rip off a couple of wins and soar into the Frozen Four. The games against PSU were fugly and at times it appeared players we're playing with urgency. Considering it was a playoff.... I'm concerned.Hate to say it but the Gophers are 8-7-1 since January
Since the start of the year, I see: 10 wins, 4 losses, 3 OT losses, 2 ties. Two of the losses being against ND in a BAD weekend of hockey. I don't take stock in the OT losses, 3 on 3 is not in the tournament. 10-4 in regulation
I do like the way Wood is playing. He seems to be all over the ice since the beginning of Feb and has scored in multiple ways. I hope the rest of the players follow his lead. Get the puck on net, screen the goalie. Dirty goals count just as much as the pretty ones.
I tend to be cynical in general about the chances of winning this wonky tournament, but if I were to gin up a recipe for success, it wouldn't include a goalie controversy, flatlining offense, and an 18-day layoff handed to them by a last-place team.
Sure, maybe they can flip a switch and turn everything around. I hope so. However, it would be instructional to remember that coaches and fans always say that come March their team needs to be hitting on all cylinders.
There are 16 teams in the country that are a couple weird puck bounces away from winning it all or being done. The best team in the country rarely wins this tournament.
There are 16 teams in the country that are a couple weird puck bounces away from winning it all or being done. The best team in the country rarely wins this tournament.
this. Even if you want to get aggressive and say BC is 90% likely to beat Bentley and and 2/3 likely to win every other game (they aren’t), you’re still not seeing them as the most likely choice to win compared with the field. Fluky things happen. Refs make certain calls. It’s the joy (and pain) of sport. DU very easily could’ve lost their first round game last year (there were multiple posts in OT) but those are the bounces.
I’ll be all in on every game we’ve got left and real fucking nervous with every shot on net as I am every year, but that’s what makes this fun. Am I confident we’re going to win it all? Hell no, but why would I emotionally bet on someone else?
Unless Motzko is dumb enough to play Airey there is no goalie controversy, it's pretty obvious who the better goalie is outside of one game.While true, I don't have high confidence that the outcomes would be much different. This team is not looking like one that will rip off a couple of wins and soar into the Frozen Four. The games against PSU were fugly and at times it appeared players we're playing with urgency. Considering it was a playoff.... I'm concerned.Hate to say it but the Gophers are 8-7-1 since January
Since the start of the year, I see: 10 wins, 4 losses, 3 OT losses, 2 ties. Two of the losses being against ND in a BAD weekend of hockey. I don't take stock in the OT losses, 3 on 3 is not in the tournament. 10-4 in regulation
I do like the way Wood is playing. He seems to be all over the ice since the beginning of Feb and has scored in multiple ways. I hope the rest of the players follow his lead. Get the puck on net, screen the goalie. Dirty goals count just as much as the pretty ones.
I tend to be cynical in general about the chances of winning this wonky tournament, but if I were to gin up a recipe for success, it wouldn't include a goalie controversy, flatlining offense, and an 18-day layoff handed to them by a last-place team.
Sure, maybe they can flip a switch and turn everything around. I hope so. However, it would be instructional to remember that coaches and fans always say that come March their team needs to be hitting on all cylinders.
Unless Motzko is dumb enough to play Airey there is no goalie controversy, it's pretty obvious who the better goalie is outside of one game.While true, I don't have high confidence that the outcomes would be much different. This team is not looking like one that will rip off a couple of wins and soar into the Frozen Four. The games against PSU were fugly and at times it appeared players we're playing with urgency. Considering it was a playoff.... I'm concerned.Hate to say it but the Gophers are 8-7-1 since January
Since the start of the year, I see: 10 wins, 4 losses, 3 OT losses, 2 ties. Two of the losses being against ND in a BAD weekend of hockey. I don't take stock in the OT losses, 3 on 3 is not in the tournament. 10-4 in regulation
I do like the way Wood is playing. He seems to be all over the ice since the beginning of Feb and has scored in multiple ways. I hope the rest of the players follow his lead. Get the puck on net, screen the goalie. Dirty goals count just as much as the pretty ones.
I tend to be cynical in general about the chances of winning this wonky tournament, but if I were to gin up a recipe for success, it wouldn't include a goalie controversy, flatlining offense, and an 18-day layoff handed to them by a last-place team.
Sure, maybe they can flip a switch and turn everything around. I hope so. However, it would be instructional to remember that coaches and fans always say that come March their team needs to be hitting on all cylinders.
yep. bob had specifically said there was something about ND and Airey as why he gave him the full weekend prior and I'm sure was trying to roll with that. I'd be very surprised if its not Soulie playing. That game vs ND he was clearly pressing after the first bad goal he gave up and it's why Bob pulled him. Since he got the gig (post MSU weekend Airey had a rough time), his stats are
9 games, 5-3-1 (2 OTL so count those as you will), 91Sv%(if you remove the ND game, which I don't think you should, it's 92%), and a GAA ~2.2 excluding OT.
And because it's fun and why not be an optimist..
Soulie in the NCAA tournament: 2 games, 1-1 record, 65 saves on 67 shots, 97% Sv%, 0.992 GAA
For me it all comes down to how they battle. DPs at this point mean absolutely zero. They need to get close to 50/50 on faceoffs and don't go into that mid-game funk they seem too after they have dominated a team early on. Don't press if you don't get an early goal or get down by one early.
This team has been strange since the start of the season. They hung in there early in games when they could have given up and ended up pulling them out. D is strong and we can roll four lines if we need the energy.
After waiting so many years for another NC I have zero expectations. Just going to enjoy the season as long as it lasts.
I'm hopeful we lose just the two early and everyone else who has eligibility left stays.
The only thing that puts a damper on it for me is to not see Huglen get to play these final games. He's been a very enjoyable player to watch over his career. I love this kids from up north as well as those where this is the last meaningful games they will every play. It's what makes college hockey great for me.
Been thinking about some of the stacked Gopher teams over the last 20 years that didn't get it done.
2006 Kessel, R Potunly, Wheeler, Goligoski. Lost to Holy Cross.
2013 Bjugstad, Haula, Rau, Schmidt Wilcox. Lost to Yale.
2014 Rau, Kloos, Reilly, Skjei, Wilcox. Lost to Union.
2023.....
What's my point? Being loaded with top end talent hasn't always been the recipe for success. Hard work, determination and a lucky bounce or two can go a long ways. Maybe this year's team that is a little less heralded can get it done. Someone has to win 4 games. Might as well be us!
Idk if I’d consider the 2013 team stacked (the depth of that team wasn’t great to say the least lol) but they did have some high end talent. Overall I agree though they’re gonna need Souliere’s A game to go far and not take too many bad risks, at least that seems like the model for success when you don’t have a loaded team.
Not sure why we’re talking about this team as if it isn’t loaded with talent. Same number of draft picks as those years, but with more top-end 1st/2nd rounders than they had. It’s just a matter of getting it all going at the right time.
Maybe with less of a target on their back they’ll just play with house money a little more and not have such a tight grip on the stick for a change. I still like this team. You only have to get hot now, new season starts Thursday! Let’s go!!
Why can’t we be the team that just gets hot at the right time for once?
Been thinking about some of the stacked Gopher teams over the last 20 years that didn't get it done.
2006 Kessel, R Potunly, Wheeler, Goligoski. Lost to Holy Cross.
2013 Bjugstad, Haula, Rau, Schmidt Wilcox. Lost to Yale.
2014 Rau, Kloos, Reilly, Skjei, Wilcox. Lost to Union.
2023.....
What's my point? Being loaded with top end talent hasn't always been the recipe for success. Hard work, determination and a lucky bounce or two can go a long ways. Maybe this year's team that is a little less heralded can get it done. Someone has to win 4 games. Might as well be us!
I attended all those heart breaking losses. Many great memories as well (Maine in 2002 and North Dakota in 2014 were personal favorites)
2006 in Grand Forks (Regionals)
2013 in Grand Rapids (Regionals)
2014 in Philadelphia (Frozen Four)
2023 in Tampa (Frozen Four)
*If they get solid goaltending they can beat anybody
Connor Kurth and Mike Grimm
Scenes from Mariucci. 🤣
https://twitter.com/spittinchiclets/status/1904293076677394687?s=46&t=UoTCikmOZyJ29kktoNzh-A
“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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As much as I hate the NCAA tourney's format I do think it works more in our favor in years like this.Why can’t we be the team that just gets hot at the right time for once?
This year I don’t think the gophers are some huge favorite so this format might be helpful if they wind up facing a higher end team like BC or even MSU who they struggled against all year.