So so disappointing. Thank you for a great season Gophers.
Ouch, that really hurt.
Great season with a bad ending.
Trying not to overreact but not sure why Bob went total shell in the 3rd. This one will haunt him for awhile.
I blame the guy that got a championship tattoo a week ago.
I really like what Motzko has done for this program but watching this team troll for over half the national championship game was tough to watch. This team is better than that and played scared trying to hold a lead.
the hardest part to me is I don’t think they played scared, but rather played the style the coaches asked them to. It’s a snuggy empty net on a 2-1 or close deciding not to cheat and this team is hoisting the trophy. I could live with it if we got outplayed, but we chose this bull shit style which nullified our MASSIVE skill advantage (sorry to Q, who won’t care as they’re holding the trophy). They absolutely dominated the first 20 with a stifling forecheck, got the all important second goal, and then went shell because they thought they could counterpunch a team that’s lived that way all year. Everything went wrong to make it happen but we played a style that invited it. This will take a long long time to get over and it would not at all shock me if the guys say the same
I don’t believe for one second that Bob changed a thing. In fact he called a TO to try to reset things but the players went back on their heels and could not pull themselves out. At the end of the day, our best players were not the best players on the ice tonight and we could not afford that.
I agree and I hate the stupid NCAA format but playing like that in this game is just cringeworthy. We all know this team can play better than that and half the game was embarrassing to watch. It’d be one thing to lose on a bad bounce after dominating but this was far from that, quite the opposite which is frustrating.I've been following Gopher hockey for almost 40 years and this is my favorite season (still is) and that includes the 02 & 03 national championship teams.
I don't put all the importance on winning the National Championship (a single game).
@the-rube What a fantastic analogy. Most aren't old enough to remember when he sat on the ball, but we are who we thought they were.
Went for a walk alone in the dark with a beer in hand after that one.
I'm not willing to let Motzko completely off the hook, but that's what I saw as well. They were still very good in the dzone in the 3rd. They were just scared to death to try and do anything with the puck.I don’t believe for one second that Bob changed a thing. In fact he called a TO to try to reset things but the players went back on their heels and could not pull themselves out. At the end of the day, our best players were not the best players on the ice tonight and we could not afford that.
Your opponent is half of the equation, but disappointing that the style of play we saw all season just kind of evaporated.
So everyone is going to decide to come back to win the whole damn thing at home next year. Right?!
I agree and I hate the stupid NCAA format but playing like that in this game is just cringeworthy. We all know this team can play better than that and half the game was embarrassing to watch. It’d be one thing to lose on a bad bounce after dominating but this was far from that, quite the opposite which is frustrating.I've been following Gopher hockey for almost 40 years and this is my favorite season (still is) and that includes the 02 & 03 national championship teams.
I don't put all the importance on winning the National Championship (a single game).
Interesting note - Quinnipiac probably should have lost to Ohio State. They went through a period of that game where they couldn't do a thing for a long time.
@cowgirl That's my hope. I was hoping they'd win it this year being my dad's last year living in Minnesota (I'm moving him out to CA with me in a few months), but perhaps we'll both get to go back to St. Paul to re-create the 2002 magic.
Bob is never gonna live this one down
Only if he never gets back again...which I doubt.
How much is Wooger loved and the '89 Title Game was more heartbreaking? (From what I understand I didn't watch back then) History brings perspective people are just too raw right now.
At the end of the day, let's all remember it is just a game. Vent. Purge. Get it out. Move on. And never sit on a lead.
And drink some fine bourbon (if you are of age).
I’m drinking cheap bourbon that’ll have to do
I don’t believe for one second that Bob changed a thing. In fact he called a TO to try to reset things but the players went back on their heels and could not pull themselves out. At the end of the day, our best players were not the best players on the ice tonight and we could not afford that.
Motzko doesn't seem like the type to go into a shell...I think this sounds reasonable.
At the end of the day, let's all remember it is just a game. Vent. Purge. Get it out. Move on. And never sit on a lead.
And drink some fine bourbon (if you are of age).
I’m drinking cheap bourbon that’ll have to do
I'll bite - what bourbon do you have? Black Powder bourbon? If so, that's pretty terrible.
first line was pretty much nonexistent, which means they all need to come back.
The Gophers were out-worked, out-played, and out out-coached for at least the 2nd half of the game through the final goal. Q deserves all the credit, but that's a game the Gophers will regret forever.
I don’t believe for one second that Bob changed a thing. In fact he called a TO to try to reset things but the players went back on their heels and could not pull themselves out. At the end of the day, our best players were not the best players on the ice tonight and we could not afford that.
Motzko doesn't seem like the type to go into a shell...I think this sounds reasonable.
I just don't know what to think right now. I can't believe the boys played like that for so long on purpose. I also have a hard time thinking that's exactly what the coaching staff told them to do.
Bob is never gonna live this one down
Only if he never gets back again...which I doubt.
How much is Wooger loved and the '89 Title Game was more heartbreaking? (From what I understand I didn't watch back then) History brings perspective people are just too raw right now.
89 was definitely worse - a veteran squad playing in St. Paul. That said, Harvard was certainly on a different offensive level than Quinnipiac. There were some serious players on that team - a couple of Olympians (Ted Donato was a sophomore on that team).
People just need to vent and remember this was still a damn young team.
He absolutely coached the team into a shell tonight. It just looked much worse in the 3rd than it did for the first 40 minutes because they played scared out of their minds in the 3rdI don’t believe for one second that Bob changed a thing. In fact he called a TO to try to reset things but the players went back on their heels and could not pull themselves out. At the end of the day, our best players were not the best players on the ice tonight and we could not afford that.
Motzko doesn't seem like the type to go into a shell...I think this sounds reasonable.
Massive choke job.
I'm not willing to let Motzko completely off the hook, but that's what I saw as well. They were still very good in the dzone in the 3rd. They were just scared to death to try and do anything with the puck.I don’t believe for one second that Bob changed a thing. In fact he called a TO to try to reset things but the players went back on their heels and could not pull themselves out. At the end of the day, our best players were not the best players on the ice tonight and we could not afford that.
yep. Credit Q for playing with nothing to lose and much more urgency. They won the races to the puck and whenever we got possession it seemed like we were just trying to get it out of the zone and didn't do a good job of that. Q did a great job of taking away time and space. Too much chipping at the puck and not enough deliberate passing and skating. I think we played like we expected to win, had the game going according to script, and then got punched in the face and couldn’t get back to our game.
been a hell of a fun year, thanks to the boys for giving me something to look forward to each weekend. Covered a lot of miles on my elliptical watching them. Be interesting to see if there is a mass exodus of underclassmen, or if there is a draw to come back and take care of unfinished business. In any case, THANK YOU GOPHERS!!!!
I don’t believe for one second that Bob changed a thing. In fact he called a TO to try to reset things but the players went back on their heels and could not pull themselves out. At the end of the day, our best players were not the best players on the ice tonight and we could not afford that.
Motzko doesn't seem like the type to go into a shell...I think this sounds reasonable.
I'm a huge Motzko fan, but I think one of his only flaws is that he is absolutely known to do exactly that.
I’ll never be over this one and I’ll never be ok with MN sports. How much abuse can a fan base take? 8 losses in the final? No team outsider MN has done that.
I’m 43, I saw the 98 NfC championship. I’ve seen all 18 twins losses. I’ve seen the north stars lose to the penguins in 6. It will never change. I can’t root for anyone else but we are suckers.
I don’t see this team playing the style they did in the second half of the game without coaching input. Lots of these guys have played in big games. Motzko on the other hand has a history in important games. I am sure the truth is somewhere in the middle. I still don’t like the choice of players to start OT. I understand Nelson and face offs, but personally I want my best players in the ice.
Coach is playing the 4th line in a ground and pound strategy of willing to dump it in (due to the Q's 1-3-1) and forecheck deep in their zone.
This likely means a low scoring game but with the lead I am totally cool with that.
If we have the lead in the 3rd period then Q will have to change up their strategy, then you catch them and break the game open.
We had two 2 on 1s in the third period due to Q having to be more aggressive. I said in the first period how this game was shaping up.
At the end of the day, let's all remember it is just a game. Vent. Purge. Get it out. Move on. And never sit on a lead.
And drink some fine bourbon (if you are of age).
I’m drinking cheap bourbon that’ll have to do
I'll bite - what bourbon do you have? Black Powder bourbon? If so, that's pretty terrible.
Depends on what I can find, today it’s Very Old Barton which is 4-6 year old Bardstown. I also try to find Benchmark which is 3-4 year old Buffalo Trace. Both are about $22-23 for a 1.75. I can’t tell the difference.
At the end of the day, let's all remember it is just a game. Vent. Purge. Get it out. Move on. And never sit on a lead.
And drink some fine bourbon (if you are of age).
I’m drinking cheap bourbon that’ll have to do
I'll bite - what bourbon do you have? Black Powder bourbon? If so, that's pretty terrible.
Depends on what I can find, today it’s Very Old Barton which is 4-6 year old Bardstown. I also try to find Benchmark which is 3-4 year old Buffalo Trace. Both are about $22-23 for a 1.75. I can’t tell the difference.
After today, cheap is probably the way to go.
I got some Barrell Bourbon Cask Strength from Costco.
I’ll never be over this one and I’ll never be ok with MN sports. How much abuse can a fan base take? 8 losses in the final? No team outsider MN has done that.
I’m 43, I saw the 98 NfC championship. I’ve seen all 18 twins losses. I’ve seen the north stars lose to the penguins in 6. It will never change. I can’t root for anyone else but we are suckers.
I'm 43...I saw the Twins win twice and the Gophs win twice. Jesus take a step back.
You don't have to cheer for Minnesota teams ya know...
The Gophers were out-worked, out-played, and out out-coached for at least the 2nd half of the game through the final goal. Q deserves all the credit, but that's a game the Gophers will regret forever.
Use that to get to the last game next year. Next season starts right now.
I’ll never be over this one and I’ll never be ok with MN sports. How much abuse can a fan base take? 8 losses in the final? No team outsider MN has done that.
I’m 43, I saw the 98 NfC championship. I’ve seen all 18 twins losses. I’ve seen the north stars lose to the penguins in 6. It will never change. I can’t root for anyone else but we are suckers.
Step back from the ledge. It's a game. We're Minnesota sports fans. We will still cheer for our teams and vent after a loss like this.
I don’t believe for one second that Bob changed a thing. In fact he called a TO to try to reset things but the players went back on their heels and could not pull themselves out. At the end of the day, our best players were not the best players on the ice tonight and we could not afford that.
Motzko doesn't seem like the type to go into a shell...I think this sounds reasonable.
I'm a huge Motzko fan, but I think one of his only flaws is that he is absolutely known to do exactly that.
Yep. It’s hard to blame the players for this one. They actually played incredibly well defensively but it’s asking a lot for them to keep it up for that long.
Seeing Faber crying on the ice after they scored was brutal.
I’ll never be over this one and I’ll never be ok with MN sports. How much abuse can a fan base take? 8 losses in the final? No team outsider MN has done that.
I’m 43, I saw the 98 NfC championship. I’ve seen all 18 twins losses. I’ve seen the north stars lose to the penguins in 6. It will never change. I can’t root for anyone else but we are suckers.Step back from the ledge. It's a game. We're Minnesota sports fans. We will still cheer for our teams and vent after a loss like this.
If one game is enough to negate an entire season of fun then why watch at all? You will statistically never be happy.
I really hate the damn ECAC....
“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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At the end of the day, let's all remember it is just a game. Vent. Purge. Get it out. Move on. And never sit on a lead.
And drink some fine bourbon (if you are of age).
I’m drinking cheap bourbon that’ll have to do
I'll bite - what bourbon do you have? Black Powder bourbon? If so, that's pretty terrible.
Depends on what I can find, today it’s Very Old Barton which is 4-6 year old Bardstown. I also try to find Benchmark which is 3-4 year old Buffalo Trace. Both are about $22-23 for a 1.75. I can’t tell the difference.
After today, cheap is probably the way to go.
I got some Barrell Bourbon Cask Strength from Costco.
?
The players deserve the majority of the blame for that loss. The debate is how much you want to blame Motzko and the staff for the game planI don’t believe for one second that Bob changed a thing. In fact he called a TO to try to reset things but the players went back on their heels and could not pull themselves out. At the end of the day, our best players were not the best players on the ice tonight and we could not afford that.
Motzko doesn't seem like the type to go into a shell...I think this sounds reasonable.
I'm a huge Motzko fan, but I think one of his only flaws is that he is absolutely known to do exactly that.
Yep. It’s hard to blame the players for this one. They actually played incredibly well defensively but it’s asking a lot for them to keep it up for that long.
Seeing Faber crying on the ice after they scored was brutal.
I’ll never be over this one and I’ll never be ok with MN sports. How much abuse can a fan base take? 8 losses in the final? No team outsider MN has done that.
I’m 43, I saw the 98 NfC championship. I’ve seen all 18 twins losses. I’ve seen the north stars lose to the penguins in 6. It will never change. I can’t root for anyone else but we are suckers.Step back from the ledge. It's a game. We're Minnesota sports fans. We will still cheer for our teams and vent after a loss like this.
If one game is enough to negate an entire season of fun then why watch at all? You will statistically never be happy.
Right? I'm still here after 1989 - still upset that Skarda hit the post (Chorske also had a sweet chance early in the game).
I played a lot of hockey and would have never understood this until I coached. All it takes is one time to realize how hopeless you can be as a coach. I have tried talking, yelling, silence and don’t have the answer. You ask your leaders to go out on the ice and make a change, you plead with the team to “do what brought you here” but when the team’s feet go flat and the worry sets in it is a hopeless feeling. The other team senses the hesitancy and your game breaks down to useless individual efforts. I saw it happening in the second and was hoping that one of the bigs would will themselves to a successful individual effort that would turn the tide. The team game was gone.I don’t believe for one second that Bob changed a thing. In fact he called a TO to try to reset things but the players went back on their heels and could not pull themselves out. At the end of the day, our best players were not the best players on the ice tonight and we could not afford that.
Motzko doesn't seem like the type to go into a shell...I think this sounds reasonable.
I’ll never be over this one and I’ll never be ok with MN sports. How much abuse can a fan base take? 8 losses in the final? No team outsider MN has done that.
I’m 43, I saw the 98 NfC championship. I’ve seen all 18 twins losses. I’ve seen the north stars lose to the penguins in 6. It will never change. I can’t root for anyone else but we are suckers.Step back from the ledge. It's a game. We're Minnesota sports fans. We will still cheer for our teams and vent after a loss like this.
If one game is enough to negate an entire season of fun then why watch at all? You will statistically never be happy.
Right? I'm still here after 1989 - still upset that Skarda hit the post (Chorske also had a sweet chance early in the game).
In time people will think that way about this game too. Time is needed
Hardest thing to do in sports? Get momentum back. MN lost it after Q's first goal and never really came close to regaining it.
Could not delete that DVR fast enough.
“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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