There's a pep rally for UM at 3:30 or 3:45 at Rivercenter (right next door to the X), when the players arrive at the arena. They didn't seem to advertise it much, just a post on their socials.
I would agree with this, all of the other Minnesota schools (except maybe Bemidji, but even they have a recent Frozen Four appearance) have basically caught up to the Gophers in terms of talent, and a lot of Nothern MN kids prefer to play at Duluth these days.
Also can't forget realignment, and how poorly the Gophers fanbase and alumni reacted to that. I've been in the Twin Cities for over two years now and when you talk to Gopher fans it is almost guaranteed that they will complain about leaving the WCHA. I've been to Mariucci twice and the building is pretty dead, and a lot of that has to do with lack of enthusiasm for B1G Hockey. The schools that left the WCHA for the NCHC have fared far better in terms of adapting to it, and I'd argue even the teams that went from the CCHA to the new WCHA have fared better. Michigan fans didn't like it at first but I think they've grown to accept it, but Gopher fans aren't there yet.
If anyone is looking for a ticket to Thursday's game, I have an extra one on Sec. 206, would like to get it to a Michigan fan for $65. I'm in the twin cities so I can meet you somewhere
Well I'm sitting solo in Sec. 206 (top row no less), but to be honest there isn't a bad seat at Xcel, the upper bowl is really steep so it gives an interesting view.
To me it looks like the second line is the strongest so far, and the CCM line needs to play much better in their own zone. Forwards are still way too deep on defense, and they knew UND loves to use the points.
They need to simplify things, they're making that extra pass when they don't need to. Like the chippy play, too, they're hanging with UND in the dirty areas on both ends.
I agree, UND was a driving force behind the formation of the NCHC so I really don't see them leaving it so soon. Minnesota and Wisconsin are way more interested in restarting the rivalry than UND is.
The TV exposure is the only real appeal for them I can see, and I'm not sure it's enough. I thought NCHC was carried by CBS Sports, at least their tournament was, so how much more money can BTN really offer? I can't imagine the contracts for college hockey are all that lucrative.
To me it's far more realistic for UNO or Ferris to join as an 8th team.
I don't really like adding ASU, there's no guarantee they'll even have a home rink by 2017, in fact I don't think it's likely. They struggled with some D3 teams this year, though that's understandable in their first year in D1.
Still, looks like another round of major realignment for college hockey. It kind of got lost but the WCHA commish said he wanted to add two more teams from the Western US, which I took to mean Air Force and ASU. If ASU goes to the B1G, the WCHA will have to look elsewhere (UNO maybe?) for that second team. Which means Hockey East and the NCHC will be looking to potentially add a team each, and it all follows from there.
They were $37.50 at the door I believe, way too much for a college game. I think the regional in St. Paul is $80 for an all session ticket.
Also should mention that the NCHC ffinal is going on across the river in Minneapolis, and two Minnesota teams are in it which isn't helping attendance for this game.
I assume Nike will provide uniforms, but I believe they've signed with Bauer for the actual equipment. Hockey is a bit different than other sports since so much equipment isn't visible. I know it used to be that the players would be provided any skates/stick they wanted, I was at that UM Hockey camp and somebody asked either a coach or equip. manager about that.
Pretty much everyone is in Bauer these days so it's not really an issue, but each brand fits slightly different and hockey players are very particular, so if somebody wants another brand they can get it.
Double post so I'll add that even fewer people went to the Grand Rapids regional in 2013, which had the potential of being the last Minnesota/UND game for a while. They didn't end up playing each other
UND playing in St. Paul isn't the worst scenario, there's plenty of fans here and they have no problem traveling. But if they or St. Cloud ends up in Cincy (and one will) then you need a Michigan or Notre Dame in that region to bring any interest, and even then no guarantee there will be.
Look at what happened in Toledo, you had Miami and Notre Dame, but nobody showed up. Probably because nobody wants to be in Toledo, but still.
I know it's been said to death but the regionals really need to be in the host team's building. I get there might be some travel issues certain years but I think those would be few and far between. If absolutely necessary they can be moved to a minor league arena, but no NHL buildings.
I get the impression that people here who complain about B1G Hockey refs a.) forgot how bad they were in the CCHA and b.) don't watch any other college hockey. It's a problem across the board and has been forever
I hope the arena collapses during the game, causing no fatalities but rending players on both teams unable to play hockey ever again, while fans of both teams suffer from amnesia which makes them forget hockey ever existed.
Penn State had a billionaire to bankroll the program, few schools have that. A school having a good club team isn't really a good indicator of potential, either, not many club players would end up on the D1 team.
I'd bet on Rutgers or Maryland getting a team before anybody out west in the B1G, college hockey is bigger in the Northeast anyway.
I also live in MN and the Gophers play every one of those teams except UND, and they can't beat St. Cloud or Mankato lately. The other MN schools are getting on just fine in their new/old conferences.
Most of the angst against B1G Hockey comes from things that have little to do with realignment, most of the former CCHA schools fell off before realignment, and the NCHC has been good but not great. The WCHA benefitted by not being so top heavy.
Adding two start up programs won't help things, either, the conference is what it is right now.
These are the local guys for FSN North, they are awful. I live in Minneapolis and I'm amazed how bad the announcers are for both the Gophers and the Wild
I am also a recent Minneapolis transplant, and from what I can tell Gopher fans are either apathetic or in an emotional fragile state, so I doubt you'll turn many heads by wearing Michigan gear.
But if it were me I'd just wear a navy sweater or something with no logo, that way you can plead ignorance if confronted.
I can tell you exactly why the defense is so bad, they have no structure in their own zone and the forwards provide zero puck support. As good as the CCM line is, they only start caring when they have the puck.
They're a lot like Michigan in that they have a lot of talent but are prone to defensive lapses and inconsistent goaltending. They did have a tough non-conference schedule, mostly due to playing the other MN schools who are pretty strong this season (except Bemidji)
Full face shields aren't allowed in the NHL unless approved by the league, i.e. when a player has an injury. And from playing adult rec league guys who wear cages, while probably smarter in the long run, never really learn to control their sticks
Recent Comments
There's a pep rally for UM at 3:30 or 3:45 at Rivercenter (right next door to the X), when the players arrive at the arena. They didn't seem to advertise it much, just a post on their socials.
I would agree with this, all of the other Minnesota schools (except maybe Bemidji, but even they have a recent Frozen Four appearance) have basically caught up to the Gophers in terms of talent, and a lot of Nothern MN kids prefer to play at Duluth these days.
Also can't forget realignment, and how poorly the Gophers fanbase and alumni reacted to that. I've been in the Twin Cities for over two years now and when you talk to Gopher fans it is almost guaranteed that they will complain about leaving the WCHA. I've been to Mariucci twice and the building is pretty dead, and a lot of that has to do with lack of enthusiasm for B1G Hockey. The schools that left the WCHA for the NCHC have fared far better in terms of adapting to it, and I'd argue even the teams that went from the CCHA to the new WCHA have fared better. Michigan fans didn't like it at first but I think they've grown to accept it, but Gopher fans aren't there yet.
I strongly recommend The Dollop if you like history.
Hang Up and Listen is good for a slightly sophisticated look at sports
I agree, UND was a driving force behind the formation of the NCHC so I really don't see them leaving it so soon. Minnesota and Wisconsin are way more interested in restarting the rivalry than UND is.
The TV exposure is the only real appeal for them I can see, and I'm not sure it's enough. I thought NCHC was carried by CBS Sports, at least their tournament was, so how much more money can BTN really offer? I can't imagine the contracts for college hockey are all that lucrative.
To me it's far more realistic for UNO or Ferris to join as an 8th team.
To be fair I saw that kid play a couple weeks ago and he is really good
Not the guy to leave all by himself
Three backcheckers just coasting on that goal
Minnesota is playing weak right in front of the net on the ppl, gotta keep feeding it there
Ferris wins the WCHA
They were $37.50 at the door I believe, way too much for a college game. I think the regional in St. Paul is $80 for an all session ticket.
Also should mention that the NCHC ffinal is going on across the river in Minneapolis, and two Minnesota teams are in it which isn't helping attendance for this game.
I assume Nike will provide uniforms, but I believe they've signed with Bauer for the actual equipment. Hockey is a bit different than other sports since so much equipment isn't visible. I know it used to be that the players would be provided any skates/stick they wanted, I was at that UM Hockey camp and somebody asked either a coach or equip. manager about that.
Pretty much everyone is in Bauer these days so it's not really an issue, but each brand fits slightly different and hockey players are very particular, so if somebody wants another brand they can get it.
I can tell you exactly why the defense is so bad, they have no structure in their own zone and the forwards provide zero puck support. As good as the CCM line is, they only start caring when they have the puck.
#VoteJohnScott for mvp
TJ Ward is the worst offender, yet Newton is the one who's talked about as a showboater
To get another TV break in
First botched review coming up
They're a lot like Michigan in that they have a lot of talent but are prone to defensive lapses and inconsistent goaltending. They did have a tough non-conference schedule, mostly due to playing the other MN schools who are pretty strong this season (except Bemidji)
A friend showed me a flowchart of the plot/characters of Infinite Jest. It made me glad I got into Vonnegut instead
Did the PSU guy really only get a major penalty for that? He should've gotten a match for that
Full face shields aren't allowed in the NHL unless approved by the league, i.e. when a player has an injury. And from playing adult rec league guys who wear cages, while probably smarter in the long run, never really learn to control their sticks
In other beat down news Notre Dame is up 7-0 on Western...in the 2nd period
I think Matt Millen just compared Bethard to Joe Montana
I think Matt Millen just compared Bethard to Joe Montana
This weather is dreadful, I guess it's supposed to clear up by kickoff but I thought it was supposed to be reasonably nice out all day