Gophers @ Mavericks

[brookyone]

Just to get this started, I hope she has the stellar play out of her system for awhile...

http://www.msumavericks.com/more.php?id=2755

Will the Mavericks be typically psyched for this series ? How did the rest of the team play in front of Brennan in that tie with UMD ? I'm guessing MSU will be fired up and play well, but I'm still not expecting any upsets. The Gophers come to play this weekend and generate typical high quality scoring op's on the PP. Gophers 5-2 Friday, 6-2 Saturday.

I'm hoping to get there Saturday. I'd like to see Kristina Bunker & Amanda Stohr play. They're both getting regular shifts correct ?

Go Gophers !!!

[sevenpucks]

To answer some of your questions, the team played very well in front of both Brennan and Kehler. They did really well on the PK also. The Mavs split goalies both nights, and I think they will proably do that again this series. Kehler looker really good on Friday, and Brennan looked as good on Saturday. They played the Bulldogs very tough on Saturday night. IF they can play like they did Saturday night they have a chance to do some good things this weekend. This is a very young team, but when they are playing hard and getting after it, they are going to have a chance to beat the top ranked teams with a little luck. I think its all going to depend on who they get for officials and how they play on special teams. TO answer your question about Bunker and Stohr they look very good. Stohr scored the first goal on Saturday night against UMD and Bunker flies all over the ice all the time. I know that I am pretty excited about the Mavs future with a ton of Freshman and Sophomores, and a great recruiting class that is coming in for next year, they are going to be a very good hockey team.

[brookyone]

From gophersports...

http://www.gophersports.com/sportsNews/press_release.asp?news_id=9660&sport_id=whock

Anyone have any historical data to ascertain how the 45.9 % PP clip compares to top PP's of the past ?

[KatoPuckFan]

Stohr and Bunker gets a lot of ice time. I'm not quite sold on Kehler yet, seems a little slow to me still. Brennan is my choice to start both games. The Mavs will probably have to deal with the puck in their own end the majority of the time again this weekend, so team defense is key (blocking shots, clearing loose pucks, etc). And of course to stay out of the box, all the while taking advantage of their own powerplay opportunities. There should be some left over confidence from the win up at Ridder last year too.

Go Mavs!

[MSUhockeyRULES]

I think the Mavs have a good chance this weekend. Against big teams they tend to pull together and find a way to get things done! The scoring up front isn't there yet, but the defense has held them in there. Five goals in the third periods of the Ohio series wasn't spectular, but I thought the effort put forth in the Duluth series was more of what we'll see from the Mavs this year. They are a young team, but don't forget about the veterans that remember what it was like to lose, they're going to be pushing the new kids to win no matter what it takes. The haterid for top WCHA teams goes a lot further than some people like to think. I look forward to watching the games this weekend, and think the win for the Mavs will start in the D Zone!

[pgb-ohio]

To repeat a question that appeared on another thread, how is this series expected to draw? When the Gophers go on the road to places like Mankato and Bemidji, is it a tough ticket?

[dave1381]

To repeat a question that appeared on another thread, how is this series expected to draw? When the Gophers go on the road to places like Mankato and Bemidji, is it a tough ticket?
If you want attendance history, you can always go to www.collegehockeystats.com

But to answer your question, the only time in women's college hockey history when there's ever been "a tough ticket" as I'd define it is the 2003 Frozen Four in Duluth. That's all. The crowds at the games you've just discussed haven't topped 250 in the last two years.

[pgb-ohio]

Thanks for the feedback and the link!

This was pretty much the answer I expected. But it occurred to me that when the Gophers go to one of the "outstate" cities it might be something of an event, and I knew that the number of seats at All Seasons is fairly limited.

[brookyone]

This was pretty much the answer I expected. But it occurred to me that when the Gophers go to one of the "outstate" cities it might be something of an event
I used to think that might be the case also but it really has not proven true at the rinks I've been to. Never been to Bemidji, which apparently suffers from small crowds...if ya can call it a "crowd", or Columbus. They usually draw pretty good at the DECC & they had a good crowd at Ralph Engelstat for UND's very first official WCHA game, but the attendance dropped pretty severely for the 2nd game in Grand Forks. One thing I can tell you about the Kohl Center, All Seasons, the NHC etc., of the fans in attendance, you could say...they don't much care for the Gophers, that is, if you were being diplomatic. ;)

[brookyone]

MSU's point of view...

http://www.msumavericks.com/more.php?id=2762

[KatoPuckFan]

To repeat a question that appeared on another thread, how is this series expected to draw? When the Gophers go on the road to places like Mankato and Bemidji, is it a tough ticket?

To be brutally honest, it's never a "tough ticket" at ASA. Regardless of the opponent. Attendence has grown over the last few years, but ASA is such a dump that only the true fans make a point to go. On the other hand, since All Seasons is so small and old, you've got that closeness feeling to the ice and when there is a larger crowd you can get some great bickering between the two crowd bases. I've been to Bemidji to watch the Mavs/Beavers...it's pretty much the same there, except maybe a little bigger (therefore feels more empty).

[kwhrs]

Any live stats or Web feed on this game? Any updates sure would be appreciated.

[brookyone]

Maverick fans, ya have to admit, the Gophers score some pretty goals. Good effort for Minnesota tonight. Not the best I've seen them play but got the job done. The Ross / Wacker / Nichols line played well & had a number of chances, chances they couldn't quite finish. Becky Wacker in particular had a few excellent chances in close, just the kind she usually makes good on...but not tonight. Top line played well with several outstanding individual efforts. Two short handed goals, one by Wendell, another by Darwitz were things of beauty for their individual effort, each with a great finish. Lyndsay Wall also scored on the PP with a bullet from near the top of the circle.

I thought the Mavericks showed a little better over all team speed than last season. Still some trouble offensively and on the PP. they had enough power play opportunities to possibly get back in the game but did not generate alot of quality chances. Kehler played very well with many fine saves. The goals allowed were pretty much of the no chance variety. Kristina Bunkers near miss was just the kind of chance I've seen her bury often in her high school career. The Mavericks didn't seem to have the jump I expected them to have tonight. I'm betting they have more zip tomorrow night.

gophersports recap

http://www.gophersports.com/sportsNews/press_release.asp?news_id=9669&sport_id=whock

Yeeaaaa Gophers !!

[thestateofhockey]

I've never been that big of a fan of woman's hockey but I will admit the play of some of the college teams in Minnesota is making me really get into it. (i've seen some bad high school girls games that make me sick where girls fall onto each other because they cant skate.)

[MSUMavsPuckFan]

Gophers take game 2 6-0. Despite not scoring, the Mavs played much better tonight. Brennan made some great saves and the Mavs hit 3 posts.

[Hux]

I've never been that big of a fan of woman's hockey but I will admit the play of some of the college teams in Minnesota is making me really get into it. (i've seen some bad high school girls games that make me sick where girls fall onto each other because they cant skate.)

It is not about how they play the game, but that they are playing. It is about those girls having avenues open to them that weren't before. The growth of the sport is just amazing, and bit by bit the players will get better.

Those girls may be falling over one another now, but they may well be like Quizmire in a few years, and playing college club hockey and skating quite well despite having only played for a few years. Ultimately more and more girls will start playing when they are younger, and will become quite capable skaters long before they hit high school.

More importantly, those girls will likely have kids that will end up playing hockey, and that is great for the future of the game.

[brookyone]

Gophers take game 2 6-0. Despite not scoring, the Mavs played much better tonight. Brennan made some great saves and the Mavs hit 3 posts.
You're absolutely right about the Mavericks playing much better tonight, especially the 1st period. Very impressed with MSU's goaltending duo this weekend. They both made many outstanding saves. No softies against Kehler or Brennan.

I did not see the Gophers play in Bemidji but have seen all their other games this season. Tonight was the best game I've seen them play so far. A great all around effort by the entire roster. Of course the terrific trio was superb all weekend & I'll probably never stop being amazed by their abilities no matter how many times I see them play but I really have to single out Bobbi Ross this weekend. This young lady is one heckuva player. Fore check, back check, steal the puck in the offensive zone...center ice, perfect passes, tips in front, does it all very well & works her tail off non stop. I like Bobbi Ross. Nice weekend Gophers !! Erica McKenzie not dressed this weekend. Hope #22 is back soon.

gophersports recap...

http://www.gophersports.com/sportsNews/press_release.asp?news_id=9676&sport_id=whock

[brookyone]

Natalie Darwitz recognized for her play vs. MSU-M last weekend...

http://www.gophersports.com/sportsNews/press_release.asp?news_id=9687&sport_id=wHock