March can’t come soon enough.
March can’t come soon enough.
Something tells me you don’t mean for a Cinderella postseason run lol
That was a giant load of dog crap right at center ice. It was an all around disaster on the entire team and staff. One thing I simply can not understand is why basics are so bad? One example is WTF is wrong with their face offs? This has been a problem ALL season, we are constantly beat by quite a margin no matter what team we play. Why hasn’t an entire practice been focused on face offs with someone to show them? It’s technique! You can learn and practice technique. I know the team is young, but the fact that they haven’t improved in some very basic areas is where the alarm is. I was willing to give them some leeway for being young but I expected improvement. They are no better now than they were in October. As a team and for the coaching staff, that is simply unacceptable.
Dorothy: Who’s that?
Scarecrow: A man with an axe and a can of lube. I’ll ask if he wants to join us.
I think there has been a lot of homer coverage for Bob in this forum and people have supported him with their eyes closed. I like the guy. He has had a successful career and it wasn't that long ago we were in the National Championship game. But the fact is while over the past 10-15 years college hockey has changed, in the past couple of seasons it has rapidly accelerated that change level and Bob has not kept up.
For everyone talking about how bad the team is, and it is bad, next year's team isn't going to be better, and the follow on years are doubtful too. While Kvasnicka is a solid prospect he isn't a game changer and the totality of the class does not really replace our loss to graduation of Brody Lamb and Luke Mittelstadt, our only defenseman with more than 4 points on the season (and to a lesser extent Cal Thomas who at least has experience on the blue line).
To even be competitive we need to get lucky in the transfer portal, and some of that luck is retaining LJ Mooney and even a Minnesota kid like Ziemer who could see greener pastures somewhere else (even the NHL). If we lost either one of those guys we would take a huge step backwards.
The recruiting battle is being lost and Bob has not been able to retain the elite MN talent in the past couple of recruiting cycles. This is the biggest criteria for being the head hockey coach at the U of M. You must get that talent. If you cannot you must lose your job.
I do not expect the U to fire him, but I would not be surprised if they kick him upstairs in some admin role at the end of the season and that they name Ben Barr as the new head coach. It is one thing to lose a battle, but if they wait too long they will lose the war. These recruiting pipelines are developed and then become hardened. If we are outside of those recruiting centers this program will decline.
After last weekend, I was hoping at least they could be a hard to beat going into the stretch.
Six days later they're embarrassed on home ice against another league also-ran. It's hard to even make sense of it.
Kinda... this team being bad at 5 on 5 is nothing new and not surprising with this D core. You can't rely on the other team taking penalties to generate all of your offense. That said getting outshot 3:1 all game and LDP facing like 30 shots in 30 minutes against OSU is another level of bad that even I didn't expect.
I also recorded the game and once it got to 4-1 I think I started fast forwarding, saw the PP goal, and then 5-2 I just sorta FF'd the rest of the game and deleted it.
Yeah this is accurate, Pahlsson and Clark are basically the same player they can't score on their own but are decent possession guys who can transition the puck, either of them as your 3rd/4th line center would be fine but they aren't top 6 centers. IDK what to make of Moe, he's a freshman and invisible more often than not.That's where Pahlsson, Clark, and Ludtke enter the discussion. There's really no sense in discussing who to cut until you have better players in hand. The current lineup has maybe 3 players in roles that they are good enough to play.Ziemer, Mooney, Moore, Hendrickson, Moe, and probably Pritchard are the only forwards worth worrying about. Townsend is too early to know anything about. Guys like Pahlsson, Clark, and Ludtke can play a role, but aren't good players. Harris and Faloon have no business being on a D1 roster.They need to add at least 2 forwards better than anyone they currently have to be "fine".My hottest take that I keep going back to on here is that our forward group is fine next year and that almost all of this falls on one of the worst d cores in program history. I realize not many will agree on this but I still think the forward group could be pretty good when they’re all a year older next season.
That is given that they have a d core that ca get them the puck.
Not a gotcha question but legitimately curious who would you push out?
Ok but dropping Falloon and Harris doesn’t actually clear any room in the lineup
A - B - Ziemer
Mooney - C - Moore
Hendrickson - Moe - D
E - Clark - Pritchard
That's where I can see current players being effective in a lineup.
A, and B are spots that need to be filled with PPG players, C needs to be close to that as well. If you actually do that, then the rest can pretty easily be filled by what you already have. None of Moe, Clark, or Pritchard have shown enough to be guaranteed an everyday spot in the lineup either.
Oliver Moore had some issues with his game but there's a reason they stuck him between Snuggy and Ziemer late last year, they tried it with Pahlsson but he was definitely holding those guys back.
Cullen could come in too but you're right, there's a ton of moving parts that would all have to go right for next year to be competitive. They need a complete overhaul of the blue line, an upgrade at center (probably 2 of them if we're being honest, only 1 would mean Pahlsson or Clark is your 2C which isn't ideal), neither of Mooney/Ziemer leaving. All of those things happening isn't exactly a guarantee.I think there has been a lot of homer coverage for Bob in this forum and people have supported him with their eyes closed. I like the guy. He has had a successful career and it wasn't that long ago we were in the National Championship game. But the fact is while over the past 10-15 years college hockey has changed, in the past couple of seasons it has rapidly accelerated that change level and Bob has not kept up.
For everyone talking about how bad the team is, and it is bad, next year's team isn't going to be better, and the follow on years are doubtful too. While Kvasnicka is a solid prospect he isn't a game changer and the totality of the class does not really replace our loss to graduation of Brody Lamb and Luke Mittelstadt, our only defenseman with more than 4 points on the season (and to a lesser extent Cal Thomas who at least has experience on the blue line).
To even be competitive we need to get lucky in the transfer portal, and some of that luck is retaining LJ Mooney and even a Minnesota kid like Ziemer who could see greener pastures somewhere else (even the NHL). If we lost either one of those guys we would take a huge step backwards.
The recruiting battle is being lost and Bob has not been able to retain the elite MN talent in the past couple of recruiting cycles. This is the biggest criteria for being the head hockey coach at the U of M. You must get that talent. If you cannot you must lose your job.
I do not expect the U to fire him, but I would not be surprised if they kick him upstairs in some admin role at the end of the season and that they name Ben Barr as the new head coach. It is one thing to lose a battle, but if they wait too long they will lose the war. These recruiting pipelines are developed and then become hardened. If we are outside of those recruiting centers this program will decline.
WTF is wrong with their face offs? This has been a problem ALL season, we are constantly beat by quite a margin no matter what team we play. Why hasn’t an entire practice been focused on face offs with someone to show them? It’s technique! You can learn and practice technique. I know the team is young, but the fact that they haven’t improved in some very basic areas is where the alarm is. I was willing to give them some leeway for being young but I expected improvement. They are no better now than they were in October. As a team and for the coaching staff, that is simply unacceptable.
we are consistently a poor faceoffs team and I honestly never expect us to be a good one. We weren’t good at them under tDon either, because our top 3 centers tend to be smaller skill guys and faceoffs are mostly a strength x quickness battle. Just get a faceoff specialist like Nelson when you can and compensate in other aspects of the game.
As to the current team, Lamb at 1C has mostly played wing as a Gopher. Pahlsson has always gotten killed in the dot. One other thing I noticed last night was Clark putting his stick down first for each faceoff before his opponent. that’s just throwing away a home team advantage, your opponent has to ready up first and reveal what he’ll likely try to do. That’s careless imo
furthermore, last year we actually dominated OSU in faceoffs at Mariucci. Their forward group seems largely the same, so that makes it extra frustrating to see they’ve seemingly addressed their flaws and we sat on our hands or something.
WTF is wrong with their face offs? This has been a problem ALL season, we are constantly beat by quite a margin no matter what team we play. Why hasn’t an entire practice been focused on face offs with someone to show them? It’s technique! You can learn and practice technique. I know the team is young, but the fact that they haven’t improved in some very basic areas is where the alarm is. I was willing to give them some leeway for being young but I expected improvement. They are no better now than they were in October. As a team and for the coaching staff, that is simply unacceptable.
we are consistently a poor faceoffs team and I honestly never expect us to be a good one. We weren’t good at them under tDon either, because our top 3 centers tend to be smaller skill guys and faceoffs are mostly a strength x quickness battle. Just get a faceoff specialist like Nelson when you can and compensate in other aspects of the game.
As to the current team, Lamb at 1C has mostly played wing as a Gopher. Pahlsson has always gotten killed in the dot. One other thing I noticed last night was Clark putting his stick down first for each faceoff before his opponent. that’s just throwing away a home team advantage, your opponent has to ready up first and reveal what he’ll likely try to do. That’s careless imo
furthermore, last year we actually dominated OSU in faceoffs at Mariucci. Their forward group seems largely the same, so that makes it extra frustrating to see they’ve seemingly addressed their flaws and we sat on our hands or something.
If that’s at center ice (defending zone he has to have his stick in first; home ice is only in the neutral zone) then yeah that’s careless and dumb. This team has not valued the puck all year so I guess would be fitting
Guessing that guy who runs the positivity only gopher hockey group (on facebook) was busy last night 🤣
WTF is wrong with their face offs? This has been a problem ALL season, we are constantly beat by quite a margin no matter what team we play. Why hasn’t an entire practice been focused on face offs with someone to show them? It’s technique! You can learn and practice technique. I know the team is young, but the fact that they haven’t improved in some very basic areas is where the alarm is. I was willing to give them some leeway for being young but I expected improvement. They are no better now than they were in October. As a team and for the coaching staff, that is simply unacceptable.
we are consistently a poor faceoffs team and I honestly never expect us to be a good one. We weren’t good at them under tDon either, because our top 3 centers tend to be smaller skill guys and faceoffs are mostly a strength x quickness battle. Just get a faceoff specialist like Nelson when you can and compensate in other aspects of the game.
As to the current team, Lamb at 1C has mostly played wing as a Gopher. Pahlsson has always gotten killed in the dot. One other thing I noticed last night was Clark putting his stick down first for each faceoff before his opponent. that’s just throwing away a home team advantage, your opponent has to ready up first and reveal what he’ll likely try to do. That’s careless imo
furthermore, last year we actually dominated OSU in faceoffs at Mariucci. Their forward group seems largely the same, so that makes it extra frustrating to see they’ve seemingly addressed their flaws and we sat on our hands or something.
If that’s at center ice (defending zone he has to have his stick in first; home ice is only in the neutral zone) then yeah that’s careless and dumb. This team has not valued the puck all year so I guess would be fitting
O-zone draws in the second period if you want to look. Guess everybody left their brains at Kollege Klub on Tuesday night or something
Guessing that guy who runs the positivity only gopher hockey group (on facebook) was busy last night 🤣
or had nothing to do or say
I was hoping tonight’s game was on fox9 and not the big10 because Jim Rich has had good pregame interviews with Bob. I would’ve loved that interview tonight to hear what Bob had to say about last night and going into game 2.
“Good pace, a lot of north and south, or it could be east and west, I’m not sure but either way…” Wooger
Bob used the word embarrassing last night in the post game with Wally. At least he’s candid.
Bob used the word embarrassing last night in the post game with Wally. At least he’s candid.
yeah there was the everyone is finally healthy thing a few weeks back but for the most part I gotta say, there’s not a lot of smoke getting blown up anywhere.😁
“Good pace, a lot of north and south, or it could be east and west, I’m not sure but either way…” Wooger
McLaughlin is bad but he’s a better option than 15 & 33. Cringe.
Also don’t love seeing Moe taking a seat.
https://twitter.com/gopherhockey/status/2020286455369928934?s=46&t=AvtsG2WfNuGRyXzbYJqB7g
Scary lineup. I just keep telling myself that they can't be as bad as they were last night.
I assume Moe is injured?
15 and 33… good lord
If Matt Staudacher was still around he’d be our 2nd best defenseman by a very large margin. And he didn’t even play in his final year as a Gopher.
I assume Moe is injured?
15 and 33… good lord
Moe was bad last night, but not nearly the biggest problem. Subbing out a 4th liner is not going to determine how well we play.
Is there a free giveaway tonight? There should be after last night and 8:00 to fill the big 10 network should be worth a little kickback imo..😁
“Good pace, a lot of north and south, or it could be east and west, I’m not sure but either way…” Wooger
I’d imagine more it’s trying to send some messages. McLaughlin made numerous just plain careless plays. And Rombach was also bad. I’d imagine there’s a reason rud and begley are listed as a pair. I mean shit, if I wasn’t so worried they’d get scored on, I may start them haha
also get the sitting of Moe. Mitts you know what you get.
Townsend was ok.
Moe consistently trying to do too much and getting dispossessed and playing like he’s on a top 6 line. Falloon you know what you’re getting (which is a 4th liner).
Moe has never had to play on a second line in his life, let alone a fourth line. Just not who he is. I still like him as a long term talent. He’ll score a lot of goals in college.
Chat going tonight, so we can either celebrate us actually playing, or vent on our futility. 😉
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.
Guessing that guy who runs the positivity only gopher hockey group (on facebook) was busy last night 🤣
After reading the thread, it seems like the only viable solution is to not field a team next year. Perhaps a self-imposed death penalty and then try again in fall of 2027.
Sure seems like a 5 to me. Not a gate but a 5 from behind imo
I really wish they'd go to commercial rather than have Clymer talk. He's so wishy washy and talks in circles. Just awful.
Holy hell that is a terrible call on gruba
5mn PP to a 1-0 deficit. Whee.
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.
The refs tonight:
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.
like what are we looking at referees
I fucking hate this game
I fucking love this game
Welcome to sportsball!
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.
They called a holding penalty when the period was… over? What the fuck do you mean
In what world lmfao. This is a fucking joke. A travesty.
In what world lmfao. This is a fucking joke. A travesty.
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.
That was a really bad goal to give up.
Rohlik seems more chilled behind the bench than years past.
steam started billowing out of my ears when I saw that Begley came on for the faceoff right after OSU’s late icing. And nearly gave up a goal against. 2:30 to go, down by 1 and you keep rolling these overmatched scraps out to nearly or actually get scored on. Unbelievable.
Fucking swept by Ohio state at home. Their first back to back wins of the whole fucking season. Disgusting disgrace
What a joke. Thomas had his worst weekend of his entire career as a Gopher, and that’s saying something considering he was on the ice for 2 of 5 goals against us at the 2023 Frozen Four.
team looked totally apathetic and directionless all night aside from Ziemer Whipple and Lamb. Tossing pucks away like they wanted to just get the weekend over with.
Worst Gopher team since 1972. Good lord. Blow it all up.
Rombach in the doghouse big time. Don’t think he played a shift in the 3rd period. This team is an absolute disaster.
Looked like bottom of the conference hockey all around to me.
“Good pace, a lot of north and south, or it could be east and west, I’m not sure but either way…” Wooger
Gruba gets worse every game.
Want to shoutout Brody Lamb for busting his ass and playing great hockey for this trainwreck of a roster.
All 4 seniors, yes even Cal Thomas, will get loud cheers from me on senior night. They’ve busted their ass all year and it can’t be easy on them to endure what they’ve endured.
Cal playing top 2 minutes and on PP isn’t on him. They’re asking him to be something he’s not. He’s a good third pair shut down guy. The fact he’s a top 2 guy is alarming.