In what world is Closer not the goalie lol
FWIW this was basically the team I voted for, except I had Mittelstadt instead of Peart, and I had Cooley as the MVP.
Gotta give a nod to the losing team, and Castor was outstanding today (especially in that first period) and shut out Mankato yesterday.
I think Close cares a bit more about the team award in two games.
Don’t mess with success!!
The best was frank at the x against sue in that one. Look at the green shirts leaving the building, oh what a sweet sight it is!!
The best was frank at the x against sue in that one. Look at the green shirts leaving the building, oh what a sweet sight it is!!
Love that quote and this video
'29, '40, '74, '76, '79, '02, & '03
GPL's Resident Cabin Enthusiast & Cadets Hockey Fan
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
Someone mentioned Snuggy jumping on the bench, I'd add Cooley's & Snuggy's excitement after LaCombe's goal to the fun sights from the regional.
“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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Yyyyyyyiiiiiikkkkkkeeeesssss
Edit: in response to that UND jab
That was a most excellent "workmanlike" victory tonight. Nicely done!!!
I just deleted Twitter. Good thing…it is now dead.
Good job guys - two down, two to go!!
FYI the game is scheduled to be on again at 11PM tonight on ESPNU.
Won the Holy Cross region last year. Fawk region this year.
Knies did provide an important screen on the LaCombe goal.
Knies no points on the weekend isn’t helping his Hobey case but he doesn’t seem to care based on his celebration after the LaCombe bomb!!
I saw this about Knies...a little rest and he'll be good.
Motzko said Knies, who did not tally a single point on Minnesota’s 13 goals in the regional, has not been fully healthy.
“He’s going to really heal up now,” Motzko said. “He’s been battling some stuff. It’s not going away real easy for him.”
Knies no points on the weekend isn’t helping his Hobey case but he doesn’t seem to care based on his celebration after the LaCombe bomb!!
I think the voting took place after last weekend, so the no points this weekend shouldn’t matter.
WOW. That was fun. Congrats to all the players and coaches. It was pretty awesome to see the sheer excitement out of Cooley, Snuggy, Lacombe, and everyone else. Well deserved!! 2 down, 2 to go.
Ryan Johnson had an unreal game. So smooth and calm. Wanted to give him a shoutout.
Can’t wait to get to Tampa!
Also, Brodzinski has stepped up big time! Their line was rock solid tonight and super critical to the teams success all season long.
Lastly.. what a game by Close! He was outstanding!!
Does it make you a complete Gopher Hockey nerd to be sitting at a bar in Fargo engrossed in the replay on tv?
What a great weekend. First regional I’ve attended since the last one at the X.
Not the prettiest game at times but as a good team should, figured out how to work around our opponents systems that they used to try and get past us.
If you haven’t, check out the Gopher Sports photo page, some great pics there. https://gophersports.com/galleries/mens-ice-hockey/8
I was more than impressed by the Gopher turnout. Felt like a home game and the Rouser reverberated in that arena. So glad the band, Goldy, and the cheer squad could attend tonight.
Certainly replaced the memories I have of my last time in this state….
PUMPED to have the team joining us in Tampa, hope as many of you as possible can make it.
This has been a season of Gopher Hockey at its finest and I can’t wait for the next game!
GO GOPHERS!!!!! 
Has the post-game presser been released yet?
Does it make you a complete Gopher Hockey nerd to be sitting at a bar in Fargo engrossed in the replay on tv?
What a great weekend. First regional I’ve attended since the last one at the X.
Not the prettiest game at times but as a good team should, figured out how to work around our opponents systems that they used to try and get past us.If you haven’t, check out the Gopher Sports photo page, some great pics there. https://gophersports.com/galleries/mens-ice-hockey/8
I was more than impressed by the Gopher turnout. Felt like a home game and the Rouser reverberated in that arena. So glad the band, Goldy, and the cheer squad could attend tonight.
Certainly replaced the memories I have of my last time in this state….
PUMPED to have the team joining us in Tampa, hope as many of you as possible can make it.
This has been a season of Gopher Hockey at its finest and I can’t wait for the next game!
GO GOPHERS!!!!!
Yes it does but that is a good thing.
BTW, this evening I've been watching highlights of BU games this season. Not joking. Got to scout their team. ?
What a great Gopher crowd this weekend in Fargo! Two down, two more to go...
Justin Clothes
He's dressed for success.
We can’t ignore the fact that the tertiary subplot for this season is how PxP guys can’t say basic names right it’s sad.
In tonight’s game, Ben kept emphasizing Justin’s last name. Dude literally alternated his pronunciation every time he made a save. It’s fine.
Does it make you a complete Gopher Hockey nerd to be sitting at a bar in Fargo engrossed in the replay on tv?
What a great weekend. First regional I’ve attended since the last one at the X.
Not the prettiest game at times but as a good team should, figured out how to work around our opponents systems that they used to try and get past us.If you haven’t, check out the Gopher Sports photo page, some great pics there. https://gophersports.com/galleries/mens-ice-hockey/8
I was more than impressed by the Gopher turnout. Felt like a home game and the Rouser reverberated in that arena. So glad the band, Goldy, and the cheer squad could attend tonight.
Certainly replaced the memories I have of my last time in this state….
PUMPED to have the team joining us in Tampa, hope as many of you as possible can make it.
This has been a season of Gopher Hockey at its finest and I can’t wait for the next game!
GO GOPHERS!!!!!
Yes it does but that is a good thing.
BTW, this evening I've been watching highlights of BU games this season. Not joking. Got to scout their team. ?
please insert David Putty “Devils” gif here
st cloud played the exact same way so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯The game plan was clearly to be conservative and force Cloud to earn their offensive chances. Other than the first five minutes of the 3rd, it worked pretty well. St. Cloud produced absolutely nothing at 5X5 and had no business being on the PP five times. It wasn't as exciting as they usually are when the open it up and fly around the rink, but pretty hard to be mad with the results. With competent officiating, that's probably a 5-rip game.Yes, they won. BUT. Horribly played game !!! Must forget about this one and move on.
husky women ? ? ?
I am watching my DVR of the game and am just finished with the first period. This is a clinic. SCCC is completely outclassed. Their goalie is keeping them in the game and honestly, even he isn't playing that well. (he lost the puck multiple times the Gophs just missed the net) If I had been watching this live I would not have even broken a sweat, this is almost a joke. Brodzinski has almost as many shots as SCCC has and they had 2 PPs! They are 2 steps slower than the Gophers, they have no ability to create chances and when the Gophs have the puck they are just toying with them like a cat toys with a bug.
Put it this way, the other day people around here were saying Bob should not play the 4th line for various reasons...the 4th line is outclassing the entire SCCC team. That isn't hyperbole, they are skating circles around whoever is on the ice for SCCC.
The Gophs of this period would beat anyone in the tourny.
On to the 2nd period, where I will have to assume the Gophs suck since apparently some of you think they played a sloppy game filled with turnovers and bad passes.
Wow, that was entertaining, nerve-racking. Just couldn't get that separation until late.
We had a skate in Edina this morning then started looking for tickets. Thought we found some, nearly sent money to a scammer. So drove to Fargo and got into the game old school style. 
6 minutes into the 2nd...Gophs take 2 stupid penalties which lets SCCC tie it. But again 5x5 the Gophs are just better and Cooley makes the goalie look worthless off an awesome pass by LaCombe.
2nd period done...Gophs played worse but also SCCC never really did anything. The second Cooley scored and SCCC started to activate their defense more and attempt to apply pressure the Gophs just decided to stay in their lanes and play back. It was much sloppier but SCCC never really threatened all that much. A lot of individual plays but the Gophs pretty much always had people in position. Even strength SCCC is just out talented all over the ice...especially when the first line is out there, that always looked like a PP.
SCCC reminds me of some of those mediocre Lucia teams...they could keep it close and make it look like they had lots of opportunities but in reality there wasn't much of a threat. The Gophs knew they were better and so they did everything they needed to to just frustrate SCCC. At best you could say SCCC played even with the Gophs in the 2nd and that is only because of the penalties.
BTW the refs know that if the Husky has a stick in Nevers neck that isn't legal right? Jesus...
The refs were doing shots in the 2nd intermission...
The third period was SCCC's best period...but still they were not good enough. They deserved a goal but they also deserved to give up about 4 in the first period so it evens itself out.
There is no way that Caster was better than Close in this game. I get he shut out the Mankato Retirement Community but he was not great in this game at all.
Great to see Cruikshank getting lots of hugs in the handshake line.
The Gophers played better than some of you are giving them credit for.
My advice to you is drink a lot of fluids later this afternoon & then stay away from the bathroom until puck drop ?Stomach is a full fledged knot now.
I do hate missing the game to pee unless it’s urgent, but if I need to take one or two for the team I’m happy to oblige. 😉
I hope Cowgirl is in the stall, pants down and Cooley powers up the ice, deks at least two D-men and slams home the winning goal. I knew she’d like to see it but take one for the team.
So Cowgirl, were you in the stall? Because if you were, I’m going into a second career as Miss Kelly, call 1-800-GOPHERS
Note: Due to inflation dirty deeds will no longer be done dirt cheap.
Loved tBob's quote about Cooley and saying he will improve next year at the U (wink wink)
Both Knies (interference) and Cooley’s penalties in the second period didn’t factor on the scoresheet, but certainly Motzko made a point to bring it up to his freshman, who redeemed himself.
“He and I have talked about that,” Motzko said. “No, it wasn’t a good penalty, but I would much rather put a fire out than to start one, and boy, I love his compete level and his battle level. And next year he’s even going to take a bigger step with us, too.”
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
6 minutes into the 2nd...Gophs take 2 stupid penalties which lets SCCC tie it. But again 5x5 the Gophs are just better and Cooley makes the goalie look worthless off an awesome pass by LaCombe.
I almost thought Cooley was offside, I never got a good 2nd look at his feet on the live broadcast, but no challenge so must have been good.
Our PK became the stars of the game. SCSU with the 6th best PP in the nation was given everything they could ask for to get to rep MN in Tampa. And they were held below their average success.
The team finally adjusted to their opponents style of play and figured out how to beat those who don’t try and just skate with us. They did it against Canisius as well, but this was a much better opponent. I think they played a great game, it’s just not the game we’re used to.
Is there any way to get a replay of the Wally & Frank Radio Broadcasts? Would love to hear some of the calls.
FYI, I found it. not sure how long it stays available online.
https://gophersports.com/watch?Archive=8664&type=Live
Long time, first time...
I've made it a ritual to pull up the Varsity Sports phone app and listen to the replay of Wally, Frank and Pat every weekend. Just have to hunt through it to find the U. Lots of schools in there.
You get the whole game, commercials and all for every gophers game...all sports that are broadcast.
Love the game threads here. 2 more wins to go!
Handy has mirrored my previous observation in that I never felt like the Goohers were not in control. Yes watching it live there were still jitters at times, but SCSU was clearly outmatched throughout.
This is the most complete Gophers team since 2003 if not further back. They've been a treat to not only watch, but to see become a team in the truest sense of the term.
That said I think BU will be hungry and the Gophers will need to avoid early mistakes as much as possible. Regardless I love this squad through and through.
Watching back some of the game this morning. That was an egregious non call on Lamb with 5 minutes left. He was literally dragged down and tripped in front of the net on a scoring opportunity. Officiating was sub par at best yesterday.
The refs were doing shots in the 2nd intermission...
This is funny reading your thoughts as the game goes on. Somehow you got access to my texts to my buddies last night?? especially with this one.
That was a fun game with a Gopher dominant crowd. It didn’t seem like there were any nerves in the building from the players or the fans, and that confidence manifested on the ice through a very controlled game.
Totally worth the same-day 10 hour round trip.
He was onside. Incredible pass by LaCombe to hit Cooley in stride and JUST before the play would go offside.6 minutes into the 2nd...Gophs take 2 stupid penalties which lets SCCC tie it. But again 5x5 the Gophs are just better and Cooley makes the goalie look worthless off an awesome pass by LaCombe.
I almost thought Cooley was offside, I never got a good 2nd look at his feet on the live broadcast, but no challenge so must have been good.
Our PK became the stars of the game. SCSU with the 6th best PP in the nation was given everything they could ask for to get to rep MN in Tampa. And they were held below their average success.
The team finally adjusted to their opponents style of play and figured out how to beat those who don’t try and just skate with us. They did it against Canisius as well, but this was a much better opponent. I think they played a great game, it’s just not the game we’re used to.
These two don’t play next year so Cloud will have to sit with this one for a while
6 minutes into the 2nd...Gophs take 2 stupid penalties which lets SCCC tie it. But again 5x5 the Gophs are just better and Cooley makes the goalie look worthless off an awesome pass by LaCombe.
I almost thought Cooley was offside, I never got a good 2nd look at his feet on the live broadcast, but no challenge so must have been good.
Our PK became the stars of the game. SCSU with the 6th best PP in the nation was given everything they could ask for to get to rep MN in Tampa. And they were held below their average success.
The team finally adjusted to their opponents style of play and figured out how to beat those who don’t try and just skate with us. They did it against Canisius as well, but this was a much better opponent. I think they played a great game, it’s just not the game we’re used to.
I watched the replay a lot (I had no idea when the goals happened so I had no idea it was coming so I got pumped) and he was definitely onside. The timing was just ridiculous even Paul Martin was likely in awe of that!
I agree with your assessment, and I think something the announcers said in the 2nd period was sort of a tip to the Gophers strategy. In the Mankato Retirement Community game SCCC came out slow in the first and really weathered a storm. Played much better in the 2nd and obviously won the game. It seems that when SCCC woke up (in part because we decided we didn't like playing 5x5) Motzko let his all world defense take control. How many shots were blocked that looked like great chances? How many times did they bait SCC players into trying to make hero plays looking for pretty goals? (Okabe tried this every time he had the puck) It wasn't pretty, but it was the exact type of game you play in the NCAAs especially when the refs seem intent on changing their style every period.
As I said last night, I have seen this type of game before the other way. Some of those "bad" Lucia teams played a lot of games like SCCC did last night. Keep the score close and have some "chances" but never really threaten in the game. There was never a point where SCCC took control or really felt like they tilted the ice in their favor. In the 2nd period both teams seemed a bit off and yet still the Gophers were easily the better team. When Cooley scored you could see that SCCC really didn't have an answer for anything the Gophers were trying. When the Gophers figured out their PP was essentially setting up one shot SCCC had zero adjustments and got very desperate very quick. They had their one great chance (the open net where everyone thought they scored) but there was a Gopher (I think Cooley as shocking as that might be) who was there. They just never seemed like they even thought they were going to win...
Speaking of Cooley, he isn't that far behind Vanek's freshmen year total for points (I think he is 1 point behind where Vanek was going to the FF) and I forget how did that turn out...
A couple of things while watching the replay.
-- I have never seen the Farm Kid smile during his 4 years until last night. His joy in the scrum after the final horn was priceless.
-- I swear I saw Jon Waibel in the crowd.
-- The love for Cruikshank was nice to see during the handshake line.
-- I know some were hard on Knies, but he was still doing the little things during the game. He battled for pucks in the corners, screened the goalie during LaCombe's goal and drew a penalty late.
-- I would love to see the time on ice for some of the players. Seemed like Faber and Johnson logged a ton of ice time. LaCombe looked like his old self out there last night as well.
-- Even the gloom and doom Gopherhole was somewhat joyful after the game.
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
Watching back some of the game this morning. That was an egregious non call on Lamb with 5 minutes left. He was literally dragged down and tripped in front of the net on a scoring opportunity. Officiating was sub par at best yesterday.
Yeah that was pretty ridiculous. I try to never have beef with officials but when they completely change how they call a game every period that annoys me. Outside of the miss on Nevers being necktied I had little issue with the refs in the first two periods but the third was awful.
Peart was everywhere, I’m eager to see what becomes of him after another year at least. The Wild have to intention of signing him now.