The Gophs need to not get frustrated if things dont go their way. That was (and always is) Michigan's undoing. To rip off Herbie "play your game" and things will flip to your favor. Q is good so respect that and expect a dog fight.
We didn't come out with the "extended time off" slump/sluggish play tonight. I reckon we come out hellfire and brimstone Saturday night and it's gonna be a great game. Knies is saving his goals for the big one.
Q had 2 wild bank shot goals off Portillo and a goal where the goalie was lost in his own crease, not a good night for goaltending for the ugly helmets.
The Q did not look like the full Mankato style trap team I was led to believe they were. They looked really good and pushed the pace at times. Got a handful of lucky bounces and are lucky Portillo is a sieve.
I also wonder if Michigan's youth played into this and they had the nerves kick in. They didn't look like themselves.
Nah. They did what Michigan teams always do...spent too much time looking for the perfect play and figured their skill would be enough to push past a team they felt was beneath them. A couple things didnt go their way and they panicked because they are not a team built to play close and/or come from behind.
They remind me of some of Don's highly skilled teams that flamed out. Those teams could beat anyone but if they got in a dogfight or something unforeseen happened they turtled. Michigan after Q scored #3 never looked like they felt they could get control. When they did almost zilch on their PP in the 3rd you could tell they knew they were in trouble.
I also wonder if Michigan's youth played into this and they had the nerves kick in. They didn't look like themselves.
Nah. They did what Michigan teams always do...spent too much time looking for the perfect play and figured their skill would be enough to push past a team they felt was beneath them. A couple things didnt go their way and they panicked because they are not a team built to play close and/or come from behind.
They remind me of some of Don's highly skilled teams that flamed out. Those teams could beat anyone but if they got in a dogfight or something unforeseen happened they turtled. Michigan after Q scored #3 never looked like they felt they could get control. When they did almost zilch on their PP in the 3rd you could tell they knew they were in trouble.
MI, like MN at times, would rather look pretty. Pretty doesn't win titles.
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.
Gophers have to be willing to dump it in and forecheck hard. Michigan was unwilling. Q will have defenseman back. Need to get them to turn around and chase the puck.
It's all about matchups, the Gophers match up very well against Quinnipiac in all areas. Guts and determination win championships. The Gophers are playing Pride On Ice MN Gophers hockey this year! The Gophers will win, there will be a lot of nerves of course, but they will win! Go Gophers!
Gophers have to be willing to dump it in and forecheck hard. Michigan was unwilling. Q will have defenseman back. Need to get them to turn around and chase the puck.
Agreed. Michigan could not adjust to the style of play and the more they tried to enter on a rush the more Q figured out their strategy and stopped it before it ever became a threat.
Thankfully, this years team is one of the best I have seen at switching style of play based on opponents.
For the record I am not saying we will win, but I am confident we wont make the same mistakes Michigan did and Close is twice the goalie Portillo is.
I can’t help but remember the matchup against WMU in the regional final last season. A team that loved to trap you on one side and transition when you hit a dead end. The Gophers slowly and methodically beat them at their own game. This year’s team has shown an even greater ability to do the same.
We’re better defensively than Michigan was tonight. We’re deeper at forward than Michigan has been all year. Perets is good, but if you get him moving side to side a lot something is going to open up.
This opponent is very obviously ready for the situation though. They have seven (7!) fifth year seniors eager to get to finally get the school’s first chip. My moneys on a dog fight. NCHC crew, probably a lot more five on five.
Motzko and Miller will have these guys watching film today. You could tell this team had a visible “desire” to their game last night, especially in that first period. I was impressed with how prepared the guys in maroon and gold were. The moment didn’t faze them.
The thing I'm interested in seeing is the KCS line settling down and playing their style instead of pushing it so much. It was so evident to everyone that they were trying so hard to be the difference when they weren't the difference in the game. Boston were definitely worried about them and maybe a little too much.
If that line settles down and do what they do Q will spend a lot of time and effort chasing rather than dictating what that line will do.
I am theofficial Iowa Hawkeye football fan of GPL!
I thought the Fancy Pants line pushed the pace to the point it kept BU on their heels for much of the game. It created opportunities for the other lines to have possession and zone time and ultimately score. They also had a ton of chances that just didn’t bounce their way.
I thought the Fancy Pants line pushed the pace to the point it kept BU on their heels for much of the game. It created opportunities for the other lines to have possession and zone time and ultimately score. They also had a ton of chances that just didn’t bounce their way.
I agree. I thought outside of Cooley trying to do Harlem Globetrotters stuff (per usual) the line played really really well. Pushing sure, but that’s what they do best.
“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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Minnesota didn't have much puck luck yesterday with pucks hitting the crossbar and pipes. Quinnipiac had some puck luck with the 2 deflections and the 4th goal. Hopefully tomorrow night wont be the same. Still feel Minnesota is going to win. Good Sr. leadership and underclassmen are stepping up as well.
And Knies 0 for slump is not a concern for me. He's getting his chance and playing physical. Even the great NHL'ers go through their scoring slumps. I feel tomorrow he's going to light lamp once, if not twice.
And Knies 0 for slump is not a concern for me. He's getting his chance and playing physical. Even the great NHL'ers go through their scoring slumps. I feel tomorrow he's going to light lamp once, if not twice.
Hell he almost scored 8 seconds into the game last night. Drive the net like that and good things are going to happen.
Not sure if it's been mentioned here, but talking last night, we really liked that the Gophers barely celebrated the win last night. No big pile on the goalie like Q did, just a quick huddle like it was a Friday night at Marriuci. Very focused, they know they have more work to do this weekend.
Not sure if it's been mentioned here, but talking last night, we really liked that the Gophers barely celebrated the win last night. No big pile on the goalie like Q did, just a quick huddle like it was a Friday night at Marriuci. Very focused, they know they have more work to do this weekend.
The little celebration of moving your team name on the big bracket showed the same. Q was really hooting and hollering for it, Gophers mostly silent while Faber moved it and said “One more boys.”
Personally I don’t read anything into it, but I did notice it.
And Knies 0 for slump is not a concern for me. He's getting his chance and playing physical. Even the great NHL'ers go through their scoring slumps. I feel tomorrow he's going to light lamp once, if not twice.
Zero issues at all with Knies. He is busting his ass every shift and is always noticeable. He has been snakebit and I wouldn’t be surprised if he pops a couple tomorrow.
And Knies 0 for slump is not a concern for me. He's getting his chance and playing physical. Even the great NHL'ers go through their scoring slumps. I feel tomorrow he's going to light lamp once, if not twice.
Zero issues at all with Knies. He is busting his ass every shift and is always noticeable. He has been snakebit and I wouldn’t be surprised if he pops a couple tomorrow.
Well, if we have faith in statistics he's got one more game to rise to his mean ?
And Knies 0 for slump is not a concern for me. He's getting his chance and playing physical. Even the great NHL'ers go through their scoring slumps. I feel tomorrow he's going to light lamp once, if not twice.
Zero issues at all with Knies. He is busting his ass every shift and is always noticeable. He has been snakebit and I wouldn’t be surprised if he pops a couple tomorrow.
He's a manchild.
“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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The little celebration of moving your team name on the big bracket showed the same. Q was really hooting and hollering for it, Gophers mostly silent while Faber moved it and said “One more boys.”
Personally I don’t read anything into it, but I did notice it.
Same. I don't read much into the post game celebrations. Though it's entertaining seeing the difference in locker room celebrations between hockey and basketball in the NCAAs
