@jupiter any idea if you’ll have another discount code for big ten streaming?
I tried to go online with BTN plus they have a save 40% when I tried to set up a new link it tried to renew my old account at $89.99 for a new season I turned it down
Aloha!
Any more insights from practices/skates?
curious if any of the pairings are starting be more noticeable regarding forwards that seem to be clicking, d pairings, how the goaltenders are looking so far….
always fun to hear little snippets from those of you that attend team skates etc
excited for the season to start
Any more insights from practices/skates?
curious if any of the pairings are starting be more noticeable regarding forwards that seem to be clicking, d pairings, how the goaltenders are looking so far….
always fun to hear little snippets from those of you that attend team skates etc
excited for the season to start
Agreed. Especially interested in how the newcomers look?
Biggest concern I have for the upcoming season is production from the blue line. Lost a ton of points Rinzel(32) Koster & Chesley (both 20), and the guys we brought in aren’t exactly offensive leaning d-men.
Need a Schmidt-like jump in production from Gruba.
Biggest concern I have for the upcoming season is production from the blue line. Lost a ton of points Rinzel(32) Koster & Chesley (both 20), and the guys we brought in aren’t exactly offensive leaning d-men.
Need a Schmidt-like jump in production from Gruba.
I didn’t realize how many points Chesley had last year. Still a little baffled he left a year early, same with Kurth, but oh well.
I definitely think Gruba has the ability to make that jump. Dude was hot offensively in juniors and we saw flashes of it last year. Something tells me he’s well aware of his role for this upcoming season and is going to take full advantage of it.
Gruba should see an improvement in production just by pure usage on the powerplay. He was all over the ice in Fargo on the powerplay, and I really want them to give him some of that same freedom on the power play this year.
https://twitter.com/GopherHockey/status/1967985606317007197
I actually give a @#$* about the Twins
Looking down from my High Horse
Morality Police
@frozen4champs My cousin lives in Worthington, can't be real far from you. Her Fox9 equivalent comes from Sioux Falls and does not carry the Gopher games. Talking to her makes me feel pretty lucky that we get so many games on Fox.
@frozen4champs My cousin lives in Worthington, can't be real far from you. Her Fox9 equivalent comes from Sioux Falls and does not carry the Gopher games. Talking to her makes me feel pretty lucky that we get so many games on Fox.
Same here. Its funny, that a town 10 miles north of me gets their local channels from the cities through the cable company and they get Fox9. I also know a few people who use their summer lake spot as their home zip code and cheat the system as well. I dont mind paying for BTN+. The only thing I miss is recording the games as I used to copy some of them to a DVD.
I actually give a @#$* about the Twins
Looking down from my High Horse
Morality Police
This isn’t really a hot take but I have a feeling that Beckett Hendrickson is going to have a big year this year. I think we’re definitely going to see a big jump from him, as well as many others. The way he plays is so fun to watch. Definitely has plenty of skill but his compete level along with his fire and tenacity are what really make him a fun player. One who I could definitely see wearing a letter in the future.
This isn’t really a hot take but I have a feeling that Beckett Hendrickson is going to have a big year this year. I think we’re definitely going to see a big jump from him, as well as many others. The way he plays is so fun to watch. Definitely has plenty of skill but his compete level along with his fire and tenacity are what really make him a fun player. One who I could definitely see wearing a letter in the future.
Absolutely. NTDP guys who you can convince to play that extra year of juniors are a hot commodity. He was relegated to a lower role last year based on just how loaded the team was up front but I thought he stood out in the limited minutes he got. That Hendrickson-Mittelstadt-Nevers line was our identity line down the stretch.
Tickets for Gophers game at Madison go on sale tomorrow at 9 AM! At least according to their ticket site
This isn’t really a hot take but I have a feeling that Beckett Hendrickson is going to have a big year this year. I think we’re definitely going to see a big jump from him, as well as many others.
This had me thinking about which players have had the biggest breakout seasons in recent memory, so I looked back through the last twenty years and made a list. Definitely some very memorable seasons in here. I think my biggest takeaway was how many guys made the leap in 2011-12, finally ending Lucia's first mediocre run.
|
Player |
Breakout Season |
Age |
Points |
Point Increase |
|
Erik Haula |
2011-2012 |
SO |
49 |
25 |
|
Tyler Sheehy |
2016-2017 |
SO |
53 |
23 |
|
Nick Bjugstad |
2011-2012 |
SO |
42 |
22 |
|
Ryan Stoa |
2008-2009 |
JR(RS) |
46 |
22 |
|
Christian Isackson |
2012-2013 |
SO |
20 |
20 |
|
Brody Lamb |
2023-2024 |
SO |
27 |
19 |
|
Jake Hansen |
2011-2012 |
SR |
38 |
18 |
|
Travis Boyd |
2013-2014 |
JR |
32 |
18 |
|
Leon Bristedt |
2015-2016 |
SO |
37 |
18 |
|
Connor Kurth |
2024-2025 |
JR |
39 |
18 |
|
Zach Budish |
2011-2012 |
JR |
35 |
18* |
|
Brannon McManus |
2018-2019 |
SO |
26 |
17 |
|
Jaxon Nelson |
2022-2023 |
SR |
27 |
17 |
|
Blake Wheeler |
2006-2007 |
SO |
38 |
15 |
|
Player |
Breakout Season |
Age |
Points |
Point Increase |
|
Nate Schmidt |
2011-2012 |
SO |
41 |
40 |
|
Mike Vanelli |
2006-2007 |
SR |
39 |
22 |
|
Mike Reilly |
2013-2014 |
SO |
33 |
19 |
|
Cade Fairchild |
2007-2008 |
SO |
33 |
18 |
|
Mike Koster |
2022-2023 |
JR |
29 |
15 |
|
Jake Bischoff |
2016-2017 |
SR |
32 |
14 |
|
Brock Faber |
2022-2023 |
JR |
27 |
13 |
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This isn’t really a hot take but I have a feeling that Beckett Hendrickson is going to have a big year this year. I think we’re definitely going to see a big jump from him, as well as many others.
This had me thinking about which players have had the biggest breakout seasons in recent memory, so I looked back through the last twenty years and made a list. Definitely some very memorable seasons in here. I think my biggest takeaway was how many guys made the leap in 2011-12, finally ending Lucia's first mediocre run.
Player
Breakout Season
Age
Points
Point Increase
Erik Haula
2011-2012
SO
49
25
Tyler Sheehy
2016-2017
SO
53
23
Nick Bjugstad
2011-2012
SO
42
22
Ryan Stoa
2008-2009
JR(RS)
46
22
Christian Isackson
2012-2013
SO
20
20
Brody Lamb
2023-2024
SO
27
19
Jake Hansen
2011-2012
SR
38
18
Travis Boyd
2013-2014
JR
32
18
Leon Bristedt
2015-2016
SO
37
18
Connor Kurth
2024-2025
JR
39
18
Zach Budish
2011-2012
JR
35
18*
Brannon McManus
2018-2019
SO
26
17
Jaxon Nelson
2022-2023
SR
27
17
Blake Wheeler
2006-2007
SO
38
15
Player
Breakout Season
Age
Points
Point Increase
Nate Schmidt
2011-2012
SO
41
40
Mike Vanelli
2006-2007
SR
39
22
Mike Reilly
2013-2014
SO
33
19
Cade Fairchild
2007-2008
SO
33
18
Mike Koster
2022-2023
JR
29
15
Jake Bischoff
2016-2017
SR
32
14
Brock Faber
2022-2023
JR
27
13
Schmidty’s sophomore season still is crazy after all these years. That 2011-12 team that returned Minnesota to prominence still is my favorite Gopher hockey team of all time. Such a fun group.
I'm impressed that Jess made it through the presser without agitating Bob.
I actually give a @#$* about the Twins
Looking down from my High Horse
Morality Police
Maybe not what most will take away from this but I’m just stoked that MICHIGAN TECH RETURN TRIP TO HOUGHTON NEXT YEAR CONFIRMED. My favorite college hockey road trip ever is back!
A bunch of us (“older” crowd apparently) still go to the Keweenaw every summer; a winter trip is long overdue! We fell in love with the area after our first trip up there for a Gopher series back in 2002. Should be an epic time finally going back for some Gopher Hockey!
Maybe not what most will take away from this but I’m just stoked that MICHIGAN TECH RETURN TRIP TO HOUGHTON NEXT YEAR CONFIRMED. My favorite college hockey road trip ever is back!
A bunch of us (“older” crowd apparently) still go to the Keweenaw every summer; a winter trip is long overdue! We fell in love with the area after our first trip up there for a Gopher series back in 2002. Should be an epic time finally going back for some Gopher Hockey!
It will not be a winter trip. It will likely be in October.
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My teenage sons tell me we’re “Uncs” or “Old Heads.”Maybe not what most will take away from this but I’m just stoked that MICHIGAN TECH RETURN TRIP TO HOUGHTON NEXT YEAR CONFIRMED. My favorite college hockey road trip ever is back!
A bunch of us (“older” crowd apparently) still go to the Keweenaw every summer; a winter trip is long overdue! We fell in love with the area after our first trip up there for a Gopher series back in 2002. Should be an epic time finally going back for some Gopher Hockey!
Maybe not what most will take away from this but I’m just stoked that MICHIGAN TECH RETURN TRIP TO HOUGHTON NEXT YEAR CONFIRMED. My favorite college hockey road trip ever is back!
A bunch of us (“older” crowd apparently) still go to the Keweenaw every summer; a winter trip is long overdue! We fell in love with the area after our first trip up there for a Gopher series back in 2002. Should be an epic time finally going back for some Gopher Hockey!
It will not be a winter trip. It will likely be in October.
Fall colors on the UP? Sign me up!
Schmidty’s sophomore season still is crazy after all these years.
I still remember seeing Nate his freshmen year here in Mankato in his suit with the other players who didn't dress for the series. John Hill was the d-coach and didn't play him hardly at all on defense, Nate played more fourth line forward that season if I remember correctly. It was so nice to see Nate have that big jump the next year when Guentzel returned to the bench.
That series in Mankato is the infamous time where the drunken old lady Maverick fan approached me about not knowing how to properly raise my son because he was wearing Gopher gear with me instead of Maverick gear like my wife and daughter...thus started my despise of any Maverick fan who gives me grief about who I cheer for.
I am the official Iowa Hawkeye football fan of GPL!
PLENTY of seats available for this series. They might have less than 1000 season ticket holders. Lower level blue line sections are 20% full at best.Tickets for Gophers game at Madison go on sale tomorrow at 9 AM! At least according to their ticket site
Finally, I've been checking daily and they haven't provided any date. Just an email request form.
I've been doing the same thing haha
This isn’t really a hot take but I have a feeling that Beckett Hendrickson is going to have a big year this year. I think we’re definitely going to see a big jump from him, as well as many others.
This had me thinking about which players have had the biggest breakout seasons in recent memory, so I looked back through the last twenty years and made a list. Definitely some very memorable seasons in here. I think my biggest takeaway was how many guys made the leap in 2011-12, finally ending Lucia's first mediocre run.
I think Brody Lamb has a good chance to be on this list twice.
PLENTY of seats available for this series. They might have less than 1000 season ticket holders. Lower level blue line sections are 20% full at best.Tickets for Gophers game at Madison go on sale tomorrow at 9 AM! At least according to their ticket site
Finally, I've been checking daily and they haven't provided any date. Just an email request form.
I've been doing the same thing haha
Their stated attendance figures for men’s hockey are always laughable. I don’t believe them for a second, it’s so obvious that UW athletics has to be juicing their headcounts with giveaway/free tickets.
This isn’t really a hot take but I have a feeling that Beckett Hendrickson is going to have a big year this year. I think we’re definitely going to see a big jump from him, as well as many others.
This had me thinking about which players have had the biggest breakout seasons in recent memory, so I looked back through the last twenty years and made a list. Definitely some very memorable seasons in here. I think my biggest takeaway was how many guys made the leap in 2011-12, finally ending Lucia's first mediocre run.
I think Brody Lamb has a good chance to be on this list twice.
He needs 39 points to reach the 100 point mark. You think he gets there?
@maroon_and_gold I'm putting the over/under for Brody at 35 points this year -- he's definitely got the chance to get there if the PP can get going and he takes advantage.
Gophers practiced some special teams last week. Defensemen involved included Thomas and McLaughlin trading spots on a group with four forwards and Gruba/Mittelstadt working on the group with three forwards. Gruba was the off-wing player with that group and looked to be getting off quite a few one-timers/catch and shot opportunities.
Lamb, Ziemer, Ludtke, Hendrickson, Mooney, Påhlsson looked to be the guys getting chances to work as forwards during power play time. The coaches flipped the units during practice to put more of an emphasis on PK work, so guys who weren't in the groups working PP could show their skills there too.
Motzko usually ends up going with three groups to practice PP as the season starts with two groups getting the most reps and then having a developmental group.
Ludtke and Mooney on opposite sides of the umbrella would be nasty. Love to hear that they’re trying to open up Gruba this year, they’ll need it to replace all those blue line points lost.
This is one of the most under the radar Gophers teams that I can remember. Hopefully it will be better without all of the extra pressure in an underdog role.
Go Gophers 
Ya really can’t ever call a Gopher hockey team underdogs! lol Should be an interesting season, lots of opportunities for players to step into more advanced roles. Rinzel & Snuggy can’t easily be replaced, but Lamb, Zimmer & Clark should have big seasons up front. Transfer Ludtke impact will be interesting to see too. And if Mooney can make an impact anywhere near his cousin, he will be fun to watch. Luke Mittelstadt should put up points from the blue line & if Gruba can chip in some points, that will help. The Goaltending competition will be interesting too!This is one of the most under the radar Gophers teams that I can remember. Hopefully it will be better without all of the extra pressure in an underdog role.
Go Gophers
Ya really can’t ever call a Gopher hockey team underdogs! lol Should be an interesting season, lots of opportunities for players to step into more advanced roles. Rinzel & Snuggy can’t easily be replaced, but Lamb, Zimmer & Clark should have big seasons up front. Transfer Ludtke impact will be interesting to see too. And if Mooney can make an impact anywhere near his cousin, he will be fun to watch. Luke Mittelstadt should put up points from the blue line & if Gruba can chip in some points, that will help. The Goaltending competition will be interesting too!This is one of the most under the radar Gophers teams that I can remember. Hopefully it will be better without all of the extra pressure in an underdog role.
Go Gophers
could make an interesting first half. Lots of OOC tests and you have to at least aim to stay afloat. Is a team that should get much better as the season rolls on which could make things nerve wracking but very exciting for fans down the stretch run
Ya really can’t ever call a Gopher hockey team underdogs! lol Should be an interesting season, lots of opportunities for players to step into more advanced roles. Rinzel & Snuggy can’t easily be replaced, but Lamb, Zimmer & Clark should have big seasons up front. Transfer Ludtke impact will be interesting to see too. And if Mooney can make an impact anywhere near his cousin, he will be fun to watch. Luke Mittelstadt should put up points from the blue line & if Gruba can chip in some points, that will help. The Goaltending competition will be interesting too!This is one of the most under the radar Gophers teams that I can remember. Hopefully it will be better without all of the extra pressure in an underdog role.
Go Gophers
could make an interesting first half. Lots of OOC tests and you have to at least aim to stay afloat. Is a team that should get much better as the season rolls on which could make things nerve wracking but very exciting for fans down the stretch run
LIU series makes me a little nervous as (1) a loss could potentially wreck our Pairwise (NPI?), and (2) I remember that last year, LIU beat Notre Dame by a 3-goal margin, in South Bend.
At least we play LIU pretty late/well into the season, as far as OOC games go.
Ya really can’t ever call a Gopher hockey team underdogs! lol Should be an interesting season, lots of opportunities for players to step into more advanced roles. Rinzel & Snuggy can’t easily be replaced, but Lamb, Zimmer & Clark should have big seasons up front. Transfer Ludtke impact will be interesting to see too. And if Mooney can make an impact anywhere near his cousin, he will be fun to watch. Luke Mittelstadt should put up points from the blue line & if Gruba can chip in some points, that will help. The Goaltending competition will be interesting too!This is one of the most under the radar Gophers teams that I can remember. Hopefully it will be better without all of the extra pressure in an underdog role.
Go Gophers
could make an interesting first half. Lots of OOC tests and you have to at least aim to stay afloat. Is a team that should get much better as the season rolls on which could make things nerve wracking but very exciting for fans down the stretch run
I just hope the "fans" have patience and not go bat sh*t when the team loses a few more games early on than we are used to. ( I'm not counting on it ). I think the time to evaluate this team is at the December break, as we will have a good idea on what kind of team they will end up being. I still believe this team is an NCAA team, but it will take more of a team effort rather than 1 huge line with superstars as we are used to.
I actually give a @#$* about the Twins
Looking down from my High Horse
Morality Police
Ya really can’t ever call a Gopher hockey team underdogs! lol Should be an interesting season, lots of opportunities for players to step into more advanced roles. Rinzel & Snuggy can’t easily be replaced, but Lamb, Zimmer & Clark should have big seasons up front. Transfer Ludtke impact will be interesting to see too. And if Mooney can make an impact anywhere near his cousin, he will be fun to watch. Luke Mittelstadt should put up points from the blue line & if Gruba can chip in some points, that will help. The Goaltending competition will be interesting too!This is one of the most under the radar Gophers teams that I can remember. Hopefully it will be better without all of the extra pressure in an underdog role.
Go Gophers
could make an interesting first half. Lots of OOC tests and you have to at least aim to stay afloat. Is a team that should get much better as the season rolls on which could make things nerve wracking but very exciting for fans down the stretch run
LIU series makes me a little nervous as (1) a loss could potentially wreck our Pairwise (NPI?), and (2) I remember that last year, LIU beat Notre Dame by a 3-goal margin, in South Bend.
At least we play LIU pretty late/well into the season, as far as OOC games go.
LIU’s coach took the Ferris State job and took a bunch of their best players with him. But you’re right, they were actually pretty good last year.
Ya really can’t ever call a Gopher hockey team underdogs! lol Should be an interesting season, lots of opportunities for players to step into more advanced roles. Rinzel & Snuggy can’t easily be replaced, but Lamb, Zimmer & Clark should have big seasons up front. Transfer Ludtke impact will be interesting to see too. And if Mooney can make an impact anywhere near his cousin, he will be fun to watch. Luke Mittelstadt should put up points from the blue line & if Gruba can chip in some points, that will help. The Goaltending competition will be interesting too!This is one of the most under the radar Gophers teams that I can remember. Hopefully it will be better without all of the extra pressure in an underdog role.
Go Gophers
could make an interesting first half. Lots of OOC tests and you have to at least aim to stay afloat. Is a team that should get much better as the season rolls on which could make things nerve wracking but very exciting for fans down the stretch run
I just hope the "fans" have patience and not go bat sh*t when the team loses a few more games early on than we are used to. ( I'm not counting on it ). I think the time to evaluate this team is at the December break, as we will have a good idea on what kind of team they will end up being. I still believe this team is an NCAA team, but it will take more of a team effort rather than 1 huge line with superstars as we are used to.
Worried about the reaction from the fanbase as well, lord knows we’re a spoiled bunch historically. Bound to be some ups and down with the youth and the schedule. Worried about burying ourselves in the pairwise before we hit our stride in the second half.
I just hope the "fans" have patience and not go bat sh*t when the team loses a few more games early on than we are used to.
Ya really can’t ever call a Gopher hockey team underdogs! lol Should be an interesting season, lots of opportunities for players to step into more advanced roles. Rinzel & Snuggy can’t easily be replaced, but Lamb, Zimmer & Clark should have big seasons up front. Transfer Ludtke impact will be interesting to see too. And if Mooney can make an impact anywhere near his cousin, he will be fun to watch. Luke Mittelstadt should put up points from the blue line & if Gruba can chip in some points, that will help. The Goaltending competition will be interesting too!This is one of the most under the radar Gophers teams that I can remember. Hopefully it will be better without all of the extra pressure in an underdog role.
Go Gophers
could make an interesting first half. Lots of OOC tests and you have to at least aim to stay afloat. Is a team that should get much better as the season rolls on which could make things nerve wracking but very exciting for fans down the stretch run
I just hope the "fans" have patience and not go bat sh*t when the team loses a few more games early on than we are used to. ( I'm not counting on it ). I think the time to evaluate this team is at the December break, as we will have a good idea on what kind of team they will end up being. I still believe this team is an NCAA team, but it will take more of a team effort rather than 1 huge line with superstars as we are used to.
Worried about the reaction from the fanbase as well, lord knows we’re a spoiled bunch historically. Bound to be some ups and down with the youth and the schedule. Worried about burying ourselves in the pairwise before we hit our stride in the second half.
Tourney bid this year might very well hinge on the one-off game vs. Denver. Assuming we (1) sweep Tech, Duluth, LIU; (2) split vs. Nodak, BC; and (3) finish B1G play in 3rd or 4th place.
I think a sweep vs. BC is more likely than a split, but @ Nodak is a complete toss-up. I’m expecting at least one “huh?!”-type loss vs. Tech/UMD/LIU though. Especially as UMD will be looking for revenge after last year’s beatdown at Amsoil.
It’s interesting to compare how Gophers fans expect this year to go, vs. hordes of delusional Fhawks fans already planning their parade. I’m not sure why- much of Nodak’s experienced firepower left in the offseason
Ya really can’t ever call a Gopher hockey team underdogs! lol Should be an interesting season, lots of opportunities for players to step into more advanced roles. Rinzel & Snuggy can’t easily be replaced, but Lamb, Zimmer & Clark should have big seasons up front. Transfer Ludtke impact will be interesting to see too. And if Mooney can make an impact anywhere near his cousin, he will be fun to watch. Luke Mittelstadt should put up points from the blue line & if Gruba can chip in some points, that will help. The Goaltending competition will be interesting too!This is one of the most under the radar Gophers teams that I can remember. Hopefully it will be better without all of the extra pressure in an underdog role.
Go Gophers
could make an interesting first half. Lots of OOC tests and you have to at least aim to stay afloat. Is a team that should get much better as the season rolls on which could make things nerve wracking but very exciting for fans down the stretch run
I just hope the "fans" have patience and not go bat sh*t when the team loses a few more games early on than we are used to. ( I'm not counting on it ). I think the time to evaluate this team is at the December break, as we will have a good idea on what kind of team they will end up being. I still believe this team is an NCAA team, but it will take more of a team effort rather than 1 huge line with superstars as we are used to.
Worried about the reaction from the fanbase as well, lord knows we’re a spoiled bunch historically. Bound to be some ups and down with the youth and the schedule. Worried about burying ourselves in the pairwise before we hit our stride in the second half.
Tourney bid this year might very well hinge on the one-off game vs. Denver. Assuming we (1) sweep Tech, Duluth, LIU; (2) split vs. Nodak, BC; and (3) finish B1G play in 3rd or 4th place.
I think a sweep vs. BC is more likely than a split, but @ Nodak is a complete toss-up. I’m expecting at least one “huh?!”-type loss vs. Tech/UMD/LIU though. Especially as UMD will be looking for revenge after last year’s beatdown at Amsoil.
It’s interesting to compare how Gophers fans expect this year to go, vs. hordes of delusional Fhawks fans already planning their parade. I’m not sure why- much of Nodak’s experienced firepower left in the offseason
if they do what you’re describing in paragraph 1, they’ll be comfortably in provided they don’t get swept in the 1st round of the B10 tourney regardless of the Denver game unless we have a weird year where say MSU and PSU win almost all their games and are way ahead so you’re pushed down more than the usual.
Tourney bid this year might very well hinge on the one-off game vs. Denver. Assuming we (1) sweep Tech, Duluth, LIU; (2) split vs. Nodak, BC; and (3) finish B1G play in 3rd or 4th place.
I think a sweep vs. BC is more likely than a split, but @ Nodak is a complete toss-up. I’m expecting at least one “huh?!”-type loss vs. Tech/UMD/LIU though. Especially as UMD will be looking for revenge after last year’s beatdown at Amsoil.
It’s interesting to compare how Gophers fans expect this year to go, vs. hordes of delusional Fhawks fans already planning their parade. I’m not sure why- much of Nodak’s experienced firepower left in the offseason
if [paragraph 1] they’ll be comfortably in… unless we have a weird year where say MSU and PSU win almost all their games and are way ahead so you’re pushed down more than the usual.
right, “MSU and/or PSU steamroll B1G” and “2 to 4 extra bad losses OOC” are my main fears. In the first case, I guess that still isn’t necessarily the end of the world, see: PSU in 2022-23, finished 6th in B1G, was a 2 seed in the tourney, when B1G was barely even a two-horse race between us and Michigan; PSU even got knocked out in B1G quarterfinals.
Ya really can’t ever call a Gopher hockey team underdogs! lol Should be an interesting season, lots of opportunities for players to step into more advanced roles. Rinzel & Snuggy can’t easily be replaced, but Lamb, Zimmer & Clark should have big seasons up front. Transfer Ludtke impact will be interesting to see too. And if Mooney can make an impact anywhere near his cousin, he will be fun to watch. Luke Mittelstadt should put up points from the blue line & if Gruba can chip in some points, that will help. The Goaltending competition will be interesting too!This is one of the most under the radar Gophers teams that I can remember. Hopefully it will be better without all of the extra pressure in an underdog role.
Go Gophers
could make an interesting first half. Lots of OOC tests and you have to at least aim to stay afloat. Is a team that should get much better as the season rolls on which could make things nerve wracking but very exciting for fans down the stretch run
I just hope the "fans" have patience and not go bat sh*t when the team loses a few more games early on than we are used to. ( I'm not counting on it ). I think the time to evaluate this team is at the December break, as we will have a good idea on what kind of team they will end up being. I still believe this team is an NCAA team, but it will take more of a team effort rather than 1 huge line with superstars as we are used to.
Worried about the reaction from the fanbase as well, lord knows we’re a spoiled bunch historically. Bound to be some ups and down with the youth and the schedule. Worried about burying ourselves in the pairwise before we hit our stride in the second half.
Tourney bid this year might very well hinge on the one-off game vs. Denver. Assuming we (1) sweep Tech, Duluth, LIU; (2) split vs. Nodak, BC; and (3) finish B1G play in 3rd or 4th place.
I think a sweep vs. BC is more likely than a split, but @ Nodak is a complete toss-up. I’m expecting at least one “huh?!”-type loss vs. Tech/UMD/LIU though. Especially as UMD will be looking for revenge after last year’s beatdown at Amsoil.
It’s interesting to compare how Gophers fans expect this year to go, vs. hordes of delusional Fhawks fans already planning their parade. I’m not sure why- much of Nodak’s experienced firepower left in the offseason
I wouldn’t even chalk the Tech series up to a sweep til I see it. They return a lot of scoring and added some nice CHL pieces. Older veteran team versus a bunch of 18 & 19 year olds, we’ve seen this movie before.
The good news is with the strength of schedule being what it is, a .500 record probably puts you on or even inside the bubble, assuming the Big 10 cleans up in non-conference as it usually does. New Hampshire was last in HEA and were well below .500 last year but were a bubble team essentially all season because of their strength of schedule.
Go 6-5 or better in non con (LIU sweep, Denver L, split the rest) and 12-12 in B10 (3-1 vs ND & OSU, 2-2 vs Wisco & Mich, 1-3 vs PSU & MSU) and I feel like you’re in the tourney.
Insanely low bar (18-17 overall) but that’s how much I think strength of schedule could prop them up this year. Nice crutch for a team we’re assuming will have some growing pains.
Let's just win every game. I'm jus sayin'.
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.
I just hope the "fans" have patience and not go bat sh*t when the team loses a few more games early on than we are used to.
Be prepared for some "I told you so's" if they drop to a CHL laden roster... The reaction is going to be *quick* with the way some have raised the alarms (and seemingly, the white flag) about recruiting and the lack of CHL activity.
Go 6-5 or better in non con (LIU sweep, Denver L, split the rest) and 12-12 in B10 (3-1 vs ND & OSU, 2-2 vs Wisco & Mich, 1-3 vs PSU & MSU) and I feel like you’re in the tourney.
Insanely low bar (18-17 overall) but that’s how much I think strength of schedule could prop them up this year. Nice crutch for a team we’re assuming will have some growing pains.
this entirely depends on the B10 OOC portion and then how we'd do specifically.
teams near .500 on the bubble typically don't end up on the right side, but the B10 "should" be the best conference this year in terms of cross conference records.
Michigan a good example from last year. 18-15-4 last year, non con wins over WMU, BU (x2), ASU, Mankato, but an L against SCSU but played 12 OT games, which hurts you.
MSU in 2023 at 18-18-2 also just missed but had a relatively weak OOC schedule. Same as ND that same year and that was when the Gophers obliterated everyone in the standings (almost 20pts ahead of 2nd place team).
Think the SOS will certainly help, but I'd be pretty surprised if they get in at 18-17. The CCHA, for better or worse, unless you hit the #1 team and they roll through the league, is going to hurt you unless you collect some scalps on the way in your own conference and in non-con. On the bubble sure, but with autobids and such that would be a pretty tough ask to get in there unless DU, UND, and BC all end up being near the top in their conferences this year and strong non con to prop you up extra.
