Beavers @ Gophers

[brookyone]

Time to shake off the rust from the break. Will Minnesota use this series as an opportunity to mix up line combos ? Or a new PP unit ? Just asking because there was some thoughts along those lines prior to the break. Myself, I'm not opposed to any such experimentation (as if that mattered) and I truly wouldn't mind seeing it...in this series. My suspicion however is we won't and in that case I see this as a fine opportunity for 2nd / 3rd lines to become more involved in creating offensive production. Little discrepency in schedule time for the 2nd game. I've seen both 2:05 & 4:05 listed as start times. Anyone care to guess which is correct ?

Edit: I would like to see a start for Reinen.

[ARM]

The Gopher site has 2:05; so does the printed schedule and collegehockeystats. I believe that to be correct. As for changing up the lines and power play, I think that was just you and I. I don't know that anyone in authority has such plans. I agree that it would be good to see Brenda get a start in a home game, so that her parents can see her play again before she graduates.

Reminder: Coach Halldorson will be giving a "chalk talk" an hour before the game for Power Play Club members. If you have been meaning to join the booster club but haven't gotten around to it yet, now would be a good time.

[GWH Fan]

Personally, I'm just happy that the season is rolling again. It's been too long since they've played at home. I've been looking for game notes, but nothing has been posted yet on the Minnesota side, and a quick check of the Beavers shows...nothing yet. Looking back at the first series it went 5-0 and 5-2 for Minnesota what are we looking at now? More of the same, Minnesota stronger, Bemidji stronger? Who has improved more over the last 2 and a half months? I'd also like to see more production off of the 2nd and 3rd line, but who wouldn't. I'd like to see my favorite playe back on the 2nd line doing her thing. I have no delusions that this will not end in a Minnesota sweep, but that doesn't mean it can't be a fun weekend.

[Bemidji Beaver Fan]

Personally, I'm just happy that the season is rolling again. It's been too long since they've played at home. I've been looking for game notes, but nothing has been posted yet on the Minnesota side, and a quick check of the Beavers shows...nothing yet. Looking back at the first series it went 5-0 and 5-2 for Minnesota what are we looking at now? More of the same, Minnesota stronger, Bemidji stronger? Who has improved more over the last 2 and a half months? I'd also like to see more production off of the 2nd and 3rd line, but who wouldn't. I'd like to see my favorite playe back on the 2nd line doing her thing. I have no delusions that this will not end in a Minnesota sweep, but that doesn't mean it can't be a fun weekend.

Wow! Nice to see someone talking about Bemidji again...All it took was a game against the US Woman's National Team! (Gophers)

Don't underestimate the Beavs! You guys always do, and then we play you tough everytime. You can't just look at the final scores of the games between us that past 2 years...It's way closer than you think. Bemidji is much better now than it was at the begininng of the year, and our lines are starting to play "amazingly". We even switched 2 of them up a little for the last game, and it worked-out pretty good too. Our younger players, (Who am I kidding though, they all seem so young) are really stepping up right now like Kate Robinson-So, Tara Hiscock-Fr., Kelly Hart-So., and Nikki Eckebrecht-So. Those are our Top 4 scorers, so it explains maybe why we took a little longer to get going. Our goalies, Jill Lubke-Sr. and Emily Brookshaw-Fr. are playing quite well as of late too, with severe big game potential in both of them. All it takes is one solid performance, which is very easy to get from either one of them, and we come home with a Win. Keep underestimating us, I love it.
Bemidji is on a 4-game unbeaten streak, which isn't saying much for a team like The U of M, but for a young team like us, you might've well called this a new season. A whole new attitude is sweeping the team as we walk into Ridder with our Bucky Beaver Teeth held high, knowing full-well we will probably be headed back home with our Beaver Tail between our legs.

Let's all show Minnesota who the real rodent is!

[ARM]

The last four games have been close for games between last and first place teams. All were in Bemidji. The games last year at Ridder, on the other hand, weren't as close as the score indicated. All were over before the 1st period was. As you say, a young Bemidji team has grown up a good deal since then. I have been impressed by both Hart and Hiscock. The Beavers probably need to hold the Gophers to two goals or less to have a realistic chance to win. That means staying out of the box, minimal mistakes in their own end, and Lubke and/or Brookshaw being on their game. BSU's biggest advantage might be that they played last weekend, while Minnesota has been off for four weeks. That advantage only applies for the first game.

[ARM]

Gopher notes now available:

http://www.gophersports.com/sportsNews/press_release.asp?news_id=10001&sport_id=whock

[thebrain]

I've seen 7:05 Friday night and 4:05 Saturday afternoon for game starts. If it is 7:05 on Friday, I'll most likely be at the game. I may be shooting the game, I may not. Either way, I'm getting a press pass so I don't have to pay.......Yes, I'm cheap...But I gotta try to pay off some of the money I paid Bemidji State for a 2-Year Degree...... :0)

I now see the release from Gophersports.com saying that due to the 4:05 men's game, the time has been moved to 2:05 Saturday.

[Brian Schulz]

The Saturday game is at 2:05PM. The e-mail I received from UM with this week's game notes included a reference noting the change in time to a 2:05PM start. The change appears to have been made because the Minnesota-Colorado College men's game is slated to start at 4:07PM over at Mariucci.

[Bemidji Beaver Fan]

The Saturday game is at 2:05PM. The e-mail I received from UM with this week's game notes included a reference noting the change in time to a 2:05PM start. The change appears to have been made because the Minnesota-Colorado College men's game is slated to start at 4:07PM over at Mariucci.

Really? I thought it was a 4:08 start? Hmmm, my bad I guess.

:p

[4four4]

Gophers sweep.

[GWH Fan]

Reminder: Coach Halldorson will be giving a "chalk talk" an hour before the game for Power Play Club members. If you have been meaning to join the booster club but haven't gotten around to it yet, now would be a good time.

Chalk Talk: Friday night, or Saturday afternoon? I seem to have miss placed my schedule, and it's not listed on the web site.

Thanks

[ARM]

GWH Fan,

The chalk talk is Saturday afternoon. I haven't seen it documented anywhere other than in the PPC newsletter, since it is a club event. My understanding is that it will start at about 1:00, but they would like people to arrive (at the club room, upstairs in Ridder) beforehand to allow time for check in.

[GWH Fan]

GWH Fan,

The chalk talk is Saturday afternoon. I haven't seen it documented anywhere other than in the PPC newsletter, since it is a club event. My understanding is that it will start at about 1:00, but they would like people to arrive (at the club room, upstairs in Ridder) beforehand to allow time for check in.

Thanks.

[brookyone]

Series notes from the BSU website. Disregard the noted Saturday start time...

http://info.bemidjistate.edu/sports/sports/whockey/news/2004-05/2005106umnnotes.html

[Bemidji Beaver Fan]

Any observations from tonight's game worth sharing?

[brookyone]

Any observations from tonight's game worth sharing?
Let's see, how 'bout...Luebke, WOW !!! Many, many excellent saves for her tonight. The games #1 star & deservedly so. It would have been a blow out without her. I wonder if his may have been similar to her game vs. Mercyhurst we've heard some about. The pipes made a few nice saves on her behalf tonight too. The Beavers played a good 3rd period tonight after being outplayed by a fair margin thru the 1st and 2nd. A Minnesota line combination of Becky Wacker, Jenelle Philipczyk & Andrea Nichols showed some promise with aggressive & spirited play wreaking havoc & creating chances. I don't recall that specific combination together prior to this. Erica McKenzie played a nice game as did Bobbi Ross, but Luebke was there nearly everytime & ultimately I sensed some frustration from the Gopher forwards. I expect an increased resolve from Minnesota in the rematch...I don't expect it to be as close tomorrow but if Luebke can duplicate tonights performance...

One additional tidbit of encouragement I come away with from tonights game, I noticed one of my favorite high school juniors in attendance again. That's just about every home game so far...hoping it's a good sign.

Here's a more thorough recap from Gophersports. Also a nice recap at the BSU website.

http://www.gophersports.com/sportsNews/press_release.asp?news_id=10007&sport_id=wHock

[ARM]

brookyone, Speaking of your favorite high school players, I see that Flipper's old line mate Molly Doyle scored for Gustavus in their OT loss to Middlebury.

As for my random thoughts on the game ... I'm not sure how much of a factor "rust" was in the game, because Minnesota looked rustier over the second half of the contest than they did at the start. The Gophs weren't skating as hard by the end, and they started to throw passes to nobody. There were enough icings both ways to last a season. Maybe that was a case of the first game back after a layoff, but I thought they looked frustrated. Partly by Luebke, who got stronger as time passed. Also by the fact that it looked like the early season attempts to clean up the game are over. Can't get your stick on the puck? Well, use it to hook your opponent then, that guy in the striped shirt won't say anything, he's waiting for the clock to run out so he can go home. Minnesota is going to see a lot of that over the next three months, and they will have to respond better than they did last night.

It was nice to see #17 looking more like her old self; UM needs that if they are going to get three lines going. Not sure if I like last night's combinations of McKenzie/Palkie/Ross and Nichols/Philipczyk/Wacker better, or the lines from earlier in the season when it was Nichols/Ross/Wacker and McKenzie/Palkie/Philipczyk. Hopefully some combination can get a few games together and start to click.

[brookyone]

brookyone, Speaking of your favorite high school players, I see that Flipper's old line mate Molly Doyle scored for Gustavus in their OT loss to Middlebury.
Also saw Flipper's other former linemate, Ashley Reinhardt in the Tommies vs. Moo U (UWRF) box score.

[ARM]

Saw that too. Hey! How come your sig is in Green? Have you become a Beaver fan overnight? Get some Maroon and Gold font going.

I forgot to say that I thought scoring chances were as balanced for the 3 Minnesota lines as they have been all season. Of the Bemidji forwards, I thought Nikki Eckebrecht had a nice two way game.

[thebrain]

Luebke kept the game 2-0, instead of 7-0...The save she made on the 2 on 1 with Wendell was freakin' awesome....I was pushing to use that highlight on the news but the producer wasn't going for it because "she let in two goals". This afternoon it will be the Minnesota "Goalie of the Year" that's from Wisconsin, Emily Brookshaw in the net...

Any observations from tonight's game worth sharing?