Gophers at a glance: Minnesota (2-0, 2-0 Big Ten) completes a four-game homestand with its second series over the span of six days, and the 11th-ranked Gophers couldn’t have much happier the way their season started in a 4-1 and 3-2 sweep of Penn State on Thursday and Friday. G Jack LaFontaine stopped 60 of the 63 shots he faced, and the Gophers never trailed against the Nittany Lions. Led by Scott Reedy, who scored in both games, Gophers centers were a force, combining for five points and controlling the faceoff circle. Ben Meyers won 11 of 14 draws on Thursday and 26 of 37 for the weekend, and Jaxon Nelson was 9-2 in the opener. … Coach Bob Motzko said during the preseason that he expects to play more than one goalie early in the season, so don’t be surprised if sophomore Jared Moe starts one of the games.
PSU is not good.How good is OSU and PSU? Jury's still out on them both. We'll know more about how good the Gophers actually are after they play Michigan.
I dunno. I thought PSU put way more pressure on us offensively. Not just looking at the shot totals either. They were able to control the puck more than OSU did tonight. I thought the Gophers skated circles around the Buckeyes. I agree with you that Michigan and Wisconsin will be much better measuring sticks.PSU is not good.
OSU looks better than PSU, but not great. The class of the Big Ten is likely UM, UMN, and uw.
In my opinion, yes they are. I know they sorta came on a bit at the end of the year last spring, but they just look different now. Fast. You can SEE the effort. At times it seems like there's 6 skaters on the ice. Guys are flying all over the ice. The D corps is the most noticable to me. I'm not cringing when the opponent carries the puck into the Gophers D zone. Very smooth and they seem to know where their partners are (going to be).I'm a huge Gopher fan of all sports, but more of a hockey novice. Do you guys in the know think and feel this years team is MUCH better than last years? Is Motzko's system and his players becoming more evident. Any thoughts, comments and feedback would be appreciated.
I'm a huge Gopher fan of all sports, but more of a hockey novice. Do you guys in the know think and feel this years team is MUCH better than last years? Is Motzko's system and his players becoming more evident. Any thoughts, comments and feedback would be appreciated.
No question with my eyes that they are playing better. Definitely think Motzko has them playing his style. Fundamentally very solid, strong defensive play.I'm a huge Gopher fan of all sports, but more of a hockey novice. Do you guys in the know think and feel this years team is MUCH better than last years? Is Motzko's system and his players becoming more evident. Any thoughts, comments and feedback would be appreciated.
PSU blowsI dunno. I thought PSU put way more pressure on us offensively. Not just looking at the shot totals either. They were able to control the puck more than OSU did tonight. I thought the Gophers skated circles around the Buckeyes. I agree with you that Michigan and Wisconsin will be much better measuring sticks.
They do. However, I still feel like they posed a bigger threat than Ohio State. Which doesn't say much for them, either.PSU blows
OSU is better, but not great. The Gophers should be 6-0 heading into the Michigan series, in which a split would be completely acceptable.They do. However, I still feel like they posed a bigger threat than Ohio State. Which doesn't say much for them, either.
Won two titles on that ice. It only seems to be an issue when Gophs are underperforming.No doubt were better than last year based on current results. You do have to remember though that our opponents were practicing on smaller rinks. Coming in to first games with us it was an adjustment for them with the larger rink. It will be interesting to see what happens when we start playing games on the smaller rinks.
The curse of a large rink in my opinion will continue to be a problem in the long haul. Never understood the Gophers reasons for building a large rink when most everyone else along with the pros have a smaller rink.
No doubt were better than last year based on current results. You do have to remember though that our opponents were practicing on smaller rinks. Coming in to first games with us it was an adjustment for them with the larger rink. It will be interesting to see what happens when we start playing games on the smaller rinks.
The curse of a large rink in my opinion will continue to be a problem in the long haul. Never understood the Gophers reasons for building a large rink when most everyone else along with the pros have a smaller rink.
Ya but they can't find the moneyIsn't the final stage of the Mariucci remodel, making the sheet of ice smaller? I know this has been discussed on other threads.
Absolutely love this D core. If Lafontaine maintains this level of play all year, look out. He gave up a softie vs PSU, which has always been my issue with him, but otherwise he has been stellar.
My only “complaint” is that we seem to lack high end finishers to capitalize on how well we are possessing the puck. Would be nice to have more guys who can just put the puck in the net, but that might come along as the year progresses if possession stays this high. Overall couldn’t have asked for a better start. Looking forward to getting tested more against the top BIG teams.
Water table issues. That's why also you have to walk up a ton of steps to get into TCF. They would have liked to have dug down deeper much like the entrance to the old Metrodome. They make make the rink smaller, but not much smaller.Isn't the final stage of the Mariucci remodel, making the sheet of ice smaller? I know this has been discussed on other threads.