Gophers @ Tech -- Oct 2 & 3

Quote: trixR4kids

Quote: upnorthkid

Quote: trixR4kids

FFS we should not be losing to Tech

Tech is fine. The lack of urgency and cohesiveness is a problem

If Tech was in the B1G they'd be projected for 5th place at best. First game of the year and all but this seems like a rebuild year.

Somewhere 3rd to 5th yeah, clog the middle, trap hard, try take your chances. Same style Wisco plays and full of juniors and seniors who came in later. 

tough first game for a lot of young players who looked unabashedly poor. I thought this team would be about 5-5 through ten and you’re hoping they’re a peaking 3 seed. Overachieving takes Ziemer and someone from the D core carrying which didn’t happen today. 

split tomorrow and it’s a fine weekend. Get Mooney back and take something in Duluth

Quote: Jankwi01

Looks like we suck again.

Yep, seasons over. There is plenty room on Bonin21's train over at Gopherhole.

Bad bounce off the stanchion cost them. Sigh.

Quote: maroon and gold

Bad bounce off the stanchion cost them. Sigh.

As the guys sitting by us said, the Mac very clearly wanted them to win today

Is it just me or did Wyatt Cullen barely get any ice time until the last 1m30s?

3rd period was miserable. Passing and the forecheck were both constantly off by a few inches, or a few seconds, and Tech was able to dictate everything.

bright spot: Humphreys was a beast at winning faceoffs.

Quote: Walker? I Barely Know Her

Is it just me or did Wyatt Cullen barely get any ice time until the last 1m30s?

3rd period was miserable. Passing and the forecheck were both constantly off by a few inches, or a few seconds, and Tech was able to dictate everything.

bright spot: Humphreys was a beast at winning faceoffs.

He played a good amount and was pretty meh all night. He is going to struggle with the size all year. That top line combo does not really work unless you’re getting Ziemer to retrieve all pucks. 

agree Humphreys looked solid. 

Disappointing game after a long summer waiting for Gopher hockey. Disappointing not just because we lost but because I didn’t see a whole lot of great playmaking and chemistry to be excited about. It’s early, though, and hopefully tomorrow is a different story. 

Quote: College Hockey Addict

The three forwards on the top line all get caught too close to the boards so when Murr's clear attempt hits the boards/glass redirecting it into the middle of the ice Lofgren is put in a no win spot. He steps up to close down the slot shot but the Tech forward is open for the one timer. There is no way for him to cover both guys. If even one of the forwards stays in the middle of the ice we have the guys needed to defend the play.

https://twitter.com/mtuhky/status/2106506436075454546

much appreciated, you're right about how the play developed. No-win situation that Lofgren was put into. But I still wonder, maybe a different outcome if he glued himself onto #22 Van Blaricom while allowing Parker #8 the clean shot. LDP stonewalled so many other fast break scoring opps all game, I think he had better odds to stop #8 if Parker got forced into shooting it.

Sorry I've just been cross with Lofgren after that 2nd tech goal.

Quote: upnorthkid

Quote: Walker? I Barely Know Her

Is it just me or did Wyatt Cullen barely get any ice time until the last 1m30s?

3rd period was miserable. Passing and the forecheck were both constantly off by a few inches, or a few seconds, and Tech was able to dictate everything.

bright spot: Humphreys was a beast at winning faceoffs.

He played a good amount and was pretty meh all night. He is going to struggle with the size all year. That top line combo does not really work unless you’re getting Ziemer to retrieve all pucks. 

agree Humphreys looked solid. 

Yeah, I just didn't notice Wyatt Cullen very much in the 3rd. In the 1st he was flying around and generating tons of chances; I'm sure Tech really keyed in on him between periods.

Burnevik's skating really hindered our top line. Maybe swapping him with Hendrickson on the line chart could work better for both lines.

Expected Goals: Gophers 2.9, Tech 2.3

Shots on Goal: Gophers 31, Tech 28

Shot Attempts: Gophers 59, Tech 40

Shot Attempts that got blocked: Gophers 18, Tech 8

Missed Shot Attempts (wide/high): Gophers 10, Tech 4

The Gophers had more of the puck and offensive zone time but Tech was better at getting their shots on goal.

Tech shot attempts: 70% on goal, 20% blocked, 10% missed (wide/high)

Gopher shot attempts: 52.5% on goal, 30.5% blocked, 17% missed (wide/high)

Quote: Walker? I Barely Know Her

Quote: upnorthkid

Quote: Walker? I Barely Know Her

Is it just me or did Wyatt Cullen barely get any ice time until the last 1m30s?

3rd period was miserable. Passing and the forecheck were both constantly off by a few inches, or a few seconds, and Tech was able to dictate everything.

bright spot: Humphreys was a beast at winning faceoffs.

He played a good amount and was pretty meh all night. He is going to struggle with the size all year. That top line combo does not really work unless you’re getting Ziemer to retrieve all pucks. 

agree Humphreys looked solid. 

Yeah, I just didn't notice Wyatt Cullen very much in the 3rd. In the 1st he was flying around and generating tons of chances; I'm sure Tech really keyed in on him between periods.

Burnevik's skating really hindered our top line. Maybe swapping him with Hendrickson on the line chart could work better for both lines.

I’d swap him with Kvasnicka. Our bottom two lines seemed to be our best two lines all night 

Quote: College Hockey Addict

Expected Goals: Gophers 2.9, Tech 2.3

Shots on Goal: Gophers 31, Tech 28

Shot Attempts: Gophers 59, Tech 40

Shot Attempts that got blocked: Gophers 18, Tech 8

Missed Shot Attempts (wide/high): Gophers 10, Tech 4

The Gophers had more of the puck and offensive zone time but Tech was better at getting their shots on goal.

Tech shot attempts: 70% on goal, 20% blocked, 10% missed (wide/high)

Gopher shot attempts: 52.5% on goal, 30.5% blocked, 17% missed (wide/high)

Kinda surprised me on the xG but not anything else. LDP made a handful of tip and tight look saves  but we definitely had the bulk of the puck. Losing sucks. Tie felt probably more fair with the way the game flowed

Quote: Walker? I Barely Know Her

Quote: College Hockey Addict

The three forwards on the top line all get caught too close to the boards so when Murr's clear attempt hits the boards/glass redirecting it into the middle of the ice Lofgren is put in a no win spot. He steps up to close down the slot shot but the Tech forward is open for the one timer. There is no way for him to cover both guys. If even one of the forwards stays in the middle of the ice we have the guys needed to defend the play.

https://twitter.com/mtuhky/status/2106506436075454546

much appreciated, you're right about how the play developed. No-win situation that Lofgren was put into. But I still wonder, maybe a different outcome if he glued himself onto #22 Van Blaricom while allowing Parker #8 the clean shot. LDP stonewalled so many other fast break scoring opps all game, I think he had better odds to stop #8 if Parker got forced into shooting it.

Sorry I've just been cross with Lofgren after that 2nd tech goal.

If he lets #8 walk right down the slot with the puck and he scores Lofgren get absolutely lamb blasted. He has to force a pass (which he did) hoping the pass is not in the shooters wheelhouse for a one timer. One of the forwards needs to be in position to help and none of them where.

What frustrates me is how on paper this roster is vastly superior to last season's, and last year we played Tech to a 6-3 W and 5-3 L on the backs of our top 2 lines. But today we couldn't score 3, and we got very little from our top-6 forwards.

i mean, Murr is a senior (but he played great) while Burnevik is a junior and Hendricks is a soph; both those guys already played for Larson. Yet Burnevik especially didn't seem to be well sync'd with our team systems. Disappointing, but plenty of season left to play

How was the ice today? Was only able to see a few highlights but to me it didn’t look great. 

Quote: Sunbone

How was the ice today? Was only able to see a few highlights but to me it didn’t look great. 

Bad, tons of puck bobbling and random wipeouts

Not a good effort, but it's only game one. They need a much better effort tomorrow to avoid getting swept. Most likely Alex Sabev will start tomorrow. 

Quote: gopherfun83

Most likely Alex Sabev will start tomorrow. 

no way man. LDP was super sharp today.

One could easily argue are too flashiest skilled players are hurt (Mooney and Smith). I would say Murr and Ziemer are likely to be our two best players this season but Mooney and Smith are likely to bring a lot of excitement and play making to this year's team. They were definitely missed today.

Ziemer in some ways might be my favorite current Gopher but there are some things I would like to see him work on. I wouldn't go into specifics after all we are only one game into the season I will just point out he was a -10 last season and was a -2 today. Yes, last year's team was historically bad but if he is the best player on the team I think he needs to do more overall (not just score goals).

He is a junior this season so I expect what I am looking for will show up this season but it didn't today.

Quote: Walker? I Barely Know Her

Quote: Sunbone

How was the ice today? Was only able to see a few highlights but to me it didn’t look great. 

Bad, tons of puck bobbling and random wipeouts

The ice condition was definitely a factor. Yes, both teams are playing on the same ice, but bad ice hurts the faster/more skilled team. Plus, the puck bouncing makes things more random which also hurts the team that can produce more offense (has the puck more) since the bad ice has the potential to affect every pass. 

Ziemer wipeouts after the game winning goal so in this case it was irrelevant but maybe the best player on the ice wiping out making a simple turn is a pretty good indication that the bad ice was playing a factor in the game. 

Unfortunate outcome, hopefully they can salvage the split tomorrow.  I wasn’t able to watch, just caught the radio broadcast.  There seemed to be some positives to take away from the game.  I am still very optimistic about how the rest of the season will go, especially when we get everyone back healthy.

Go Gophers

I thought Whipple played well and was more involved in the offense than in years past. The PP looked out of sorts, but they only had 1 opportunity. Lofgren appears to be a player who will be willing to mix it up. 

Quote: frozen 4 champs

I thought Whipple played well and was more involved in the offense than in years past. The PP looked out of sorts, but they only had 1 opportunity. Lofgren appears to be a player who will be willing to mix it up. 

Regarding your comment on Lofgren, I for one do find value in having a guy or two on the team who are willing to mix it up when it is necessary in an appropriate manner.  A thought that might not be shared by all, but sometimes it is an undesirable necessity in deterring other teams at making runs at your star/skilled players.

Ice was ass. Goal 1 bounced off of 2 players and somehow found the tech stick. Goal 3 was terrible luck. Not worried at all about the team after game 1. I watched a dozen players try and turn and just plow through the ice. The puck wasn’t moving like a puck should. That obviously greatly benefits the larger, slower, less skilled hockey team lol

thing that sucked the most is the two players I thought played the best at the scrimmage were invisible or bad today, Lofgren and Moore. Get a split tomorrow and prepare for the next team 

Quote: Boats

Ice was ass. Goal 1 bounced off of 2 players and somehow found the tech stick. Goal 3 was terrible luck. Not worried at all about the team after game 1. I watched a dozen players try and turn and just plow through the ice. The puck wasn’t moving like a puck should. That obviously greatly benefits the larger, slower, less skilled hockey team lol

 

thing that sucked the most is the two players I thought played the best at the scrimmage were invisible or bad today, Lofgren and Moore. Get a split tomorrow and prepare for the next team 

I don’t think you can keep W. Cullen at C, needs to get much stronger physically to present a threat on the boards during the forecheck.  Problem is Mooney isn’t the answer either.

Pleasant surprises were B.  Cullen, Humphrey’s, and Henricks.  Kvasnicka was flying around.  

I’ll echo what a lot of people on here have said. I thought the team looked pretty good despite the outcome, and definitely considering all the new players and new coaching system.

Gotta win today though.

@collegehockeyaddict 

What are their injuries, projected to be back when?  I have not seen that they were injured. 

Quote: trixR4kids

Quote: upnorthkid

Quote: trixR4kids

FFS we should not be losing to Tech

Tech is fine. The lack of urgency and cohesiveness is a problem

If Tech was in the B1G they'd be projected for 5th place at best. First game of the year and all but this seems like a rebuild year.

While the team deserves some grace with having a new coach and a bunch of new players, this is definitely not a rebuild year. Tech’s a decent Canadian team. But, if the Gophers are as good as we think they are they should beat them. Hope someone tells Ziemer the season started.

Not a good way to start Gopher strike, that frame is toast... 

Come on Gophers lets get that split!

Also curious about the injuries and when Smith and Mooney will play?

Quote: Driftryder

Not a good way to start Gopher strike, that frame is toast... 

Come on Gophers lets get that split!

 

Also curious about the injuries and when Smith and Mooney will play?

Mooney is skating. I would bet he is back for DUHluth.

Smith's timeline per Larson is late October/early November.

Strahl took a puck to the helmet during practice I read somewhere. TBD on him.

Quote: Wilson34

Quote: trixR4kids

Quote: upnorthkid

Quote: trixR4kids

FFS we should not be losing to Tech

Tech is fine. The lack of urgency and cohesiveness is a problem

If Tech was in the B1G they'd be projected for 5th place at best. First game of the year and all but this seems like a rebuild year.

While the team deserves some grace with having a new coach and a bunch of new players, this is definitely not a rebuild year. Tech’s a decent Canadian team. But, if the Gophers are as good as we think they are they should beat them. Hope someone tells Ziemer the season started.

Agreed.

thought the same with Ziemer as well.  Was thinking “he must be sick or something”.  One of my favorite players without a doubt, but man get after it and start pressing.

i liked our intensity and pressure in the beginning but then we stopped moving our feet and pressuring as hard as we did at first.  Let’s not get back to looping and “drive by’s”. We’re at our best when we forecheck all the way to the player even if they move the puck.  Keep finishing checks.  Did a good job of that early, keep it up.

moore was snake bit.  Had some chances though.  
LDP made some nice stops.

B Cullen nice job on the draws. 

let’s go boys.

Guys, guys, guys, it’s ok! Vegoe predicted a split with the Gophers losing on Saturday so we’re right on track. 

Quote: BoninTheBear

Quote: Boats

Ice was ass. Goal 1 bounced off of 2 players and somehow found the tech stick. Goal 3 was terrible luck. Not worried at all about the team after game 1. I watched a dozen players try and turn and just plow through the ice. The puck wasn’t moving like a puck should. That obviously greatly benefits the larger, slower, less skilled hockey team lol

 

thing that sucked the most is the two players I thought played the best at the scrimmage were invisible or bad today, Lofgren and Moore. Get a split tomorrow and prepare for the next team 

I don’t think you can keep W. Cullen at C, needs to get much stronger physically to present a threat on the boards during the forecheck.  Problem is Mooney isn’t the answer either.

Pleasant surprises were B.  Cullen, Humphrey’s, and Henricks.  Kvasnicka was flying around.  

What does playing center have to do with the forecheck?

Yesterday the faceoffs were Gophers 28-27. The centers were 25-25

Ludtke 9-7

B. Cullen 5-2

W. Cullen 5-6

Humphreys 6-10

The left wingers were 3-0 and the right wingers were 0-2 no left or ring winger took more than one faceoff.

Out of curiosity did Rombach get a lot of TOI yesterday? Loftus had plenty of icetime in the 2nd half but I didn't much notice or hear announcers say anything about Rombach.

Kinda jarring since last year he'd regularly play 17min+ a night

Quote: Walker? I Barely Know Her

Out of curiosity did Rombach get a lot of TOI yesterday? Loftus had plenty of icetime in the 2nd half but I didn't much notice or hear announcers say anything about Rombach.

Kinda jarring since last year he'd regularly play 17min+ a night

11:28

I was originally updating stats automatically at 1am and 1pm.... TOI tends to not appear until the next morning, so I changed the data gathering to 11:45pm, 6am, 9am and 5pm. So the TOI stats may show up a bit quicker now.

A few line changes today.

https://twitter.com/GopherHockey/status/2106791461241168259

Interesting Townsend is the scratch. Thought he did alright yesterday. Then again, not a ton of options down there and I’m sure they like the extra size against tech

@frozen4champs 

Is the appeal with Ludtke his ability to win draws?

Quote: Jankwi01

@frozen4champs 

Is the appeal with Ludtke his ability to win draws?

He played 16min and change yesterday so I would assume no, it's more than that.

Lofgren with a dumb 2 for hitting back with a solid right cross. 

Dumb undisciplined penalty from Lofgren but I also think scrums after the whistle are so common that it’s kind of bad luck to actually get called. And when it is called it is usually both guys. Part of it was the acting job by the Michigan tech player. 

End of 1, tied at 0.

It would be very very nice to see literally anything sustained in terms of connecting on passes. 

The team may be more talented this year, but they’re gonna get throttled if this is how they look on zone entries throughout the year. 

Doesn’t feel like a lot of… accountability I think is the word used…

Offense needs a lot more pace. Really liking Burnevik and Moe together on a line, Burnevik looks much more confident as the main threat on that line

What is the linesman’s deal? Never seen so many players get tossed off of the dot

Quote: Boats

What is the linesman’s deal? Never seen so many players get tossed off of the dot

If you are talking faceoffs, new rule. A stick has to be 100% on the ice. Not the tip, not the heel. The whole stick. Point of emphasis this season

Quote: Jankwi01

@frozen4champs 

Is the appeal with Ludtke his ability to win draws?

With Mooney out the center depth of this team is truly lacking, they're trying to figure out if Cullen or Humphreys can do it at this level. 

In practice I'd just focus on passing for the entire thing, bad ice and all it's been pretty brutal from what I've seen.

Quote: Boosker

It would be very very nice to see literally anything sustained in terms of connecting on passes. 

The team may be more talented this year, but they’re gonna get throttled if this is how they look on zone entries throughout the year. 

Doesn’t feel like a lot of… accountability I think is the word used…

What gets my goat is, yes both teams are bobbling passes left and right but Tech is mostly bobbling the very last pass to set up a clear grade-A chance. Gophs on the other hand are fumbling much more basic passes on breakouts, cycle attempts, and zone entries/regroups