UMD at WISCONSIN

[s8r]

Seeing that Wisconsin is number one on preseason polls, what do you think the chances are of UMD sweeping that rank away and stealing it over the weekend? Ideas of line combos?

[ARM]

I think this is a bigger series for Wisconsin than it is for UMD. The 'Dogs have 11 rookies, and two years ago when they had a big freshman class, they didn't start out like a house on fire. Even if they get swept, they'll have a chance to answer back in Duluth. I think that the best the Badgers have ever done against UMD in Madison is a split. IMO, Bucky needs to take at least 3 points this weekend to consider it a success. I wish I could be there -- I'll definitely be listening come Sunday afternoon.

[Dave]

This should be a good test for a young Bulldogs team. I wouldn't count on any UMD sweep this weekend. However, crazier things have happened. What a great series to start the season!

GO DOGS!!!

[binnyrus]

As is typical in the WCHA, I think goaltending will be the #1 issue for the weekend. Both teams should be strong in goal . . . but I give the D advantage to Bucky. This series will test UMD's offensive ability. That will be the big question for them this season - who will step up (who being an individual or a line) to fill #5's skates?? Koizumi (I thought) looked great against team USA . . . hopefully she'll be on a line with Marin and ???

I'm hopeful for the Dogs to win one, but would not be surprised by a WI sweep.

Go Dogs!!!!

[ARM]

binnyrus, What's your opinion on Marin as compared to Koizumi? I was surprised that Koizumi made USCHO's 2nd team while Marin was only on the third. Jessica flies around the ice, but Noemie seems to have the knack of being in the right place at the right time. Maybe my opinion of Koizumi is slanted in that Friday was the 14th game I've watched her play, and I have yet to see her get the puck past a goalie.

Also, you mentioned that you thought UW's D was better -- do you mean the whole team D, or the defensemen? Because I'd have to say that the 'Dogs are deeper on the blueline going into this game, Wisco has excellent defensive forwards.

[binnyrus]

binnyrus, What's your opinion on Marin as compared to Koizumi? I was surprised that Koizumi made USCHO's 2nd team while Marin was only on the third. Jessica flies around the ice, but Noemie seems to have the knack of being in the right place at the right time. Maybe my opinion of Koizumi is slanted in that Friday was the 14th game I've watched her play, and I have yet to see her get the puck past a goalie.

Also, you mentioned that you thought UW's D was better -- do you mean the whole team D, or the defensemen? Because I'd have to say that the 'Dogs are deeper on the blueline going into this game, Wisco has excellent defensive forwards.

Overall I do believe Marin's the better offensive player . . . though Koizumi can skate with or past nearly everyone she doesn't have good moves that allow her to evade that tight defender as a Darwitz, Wendell, Potter, Ouelette (list others . . .) have had. Marin seemed to learn a thing or two from Ouelette and can make it past the first couple of defenders on her own. I think both players are equal in terms of being in the right place at the right time - good vision and anticipation. I'd also say Marin's more consistent from game to game. I have seen Koizumi knock it in on many occasions so feel confident she'll continue to grow as a player this year.

UW has a much better team D . . . though I grant that UMD has perhaps a couple of better individual players. I anticipate 3-2 type games . .

[Dave]

I think this weekend showed everyone that the WCHA is up for grabs. Good sereis for UMD as they were a little bit of an unknown.

[binnyrus]

For anyone at Sunday's game: were those 3 consecutive penalties called on UMD "homer" type penalties or were they legit?? Seems a bit odd that all of that would be called so close to the end of the game . . .

I didn't get to hear most of the game this weekend . . . . so I don't even have Tom Hansen's opinion to go on. :confused:

[ARM]

binnyrus, If no eyewitness comes forward, you can listen to how the USCHO broadcast team saw them by clicking on the broadcast link from here:

http://www.uscho.com/agate/item,WGOTW.html

Sorry, I don't remember exactly what they said for those penalties in particular, or I would paraphrase.

[binnyrus]

binnyrus, If no eyewitness comes forward, you can listen to how the USCHO broadcast team saw them by clicking on the broadcast link from here:

http://www.uscho.com/agate/item,WGOTW.html

Sorry, I don't remember exactly what they said for those penalties in particular, or I would paraphrase.


Thanks ARM, I'd forgotten it was covered!! I'll listen in.

[Larry R]

For anyone at Sunday's game: were those 3 consecutive penalties called on UMD "homer" type penalties or were they legit?? Seems a bit odd that all of that would be called so close to the end of the game . . .

I didn't get to hear most of the game this weekend . . . . so I don't even have Tom Hansen's opinion to go on. :confused:

I was at Sunday's game, and I had to go back and look at the summary, because I didn't remember the 3 consecutive penalties. I will say the Lehrke penalty was a legitimate penalty, but had the Badgers not been down a player, it wouldn't have gotten called with that little time remaining. The officiating was at best inconsistent, but I've come to expect that and it really went both ways.

Still struggling with what the 4th line was doing out with 4 minutes to go in the game. The Dogs had just had 3 consecutive pipes at that point, I guess I would have kept the pressure on, they had Wisconsin up against the ropes. Once they tied it up, UMD seemed to not be able to adjust, and then when the Wisconsin penalty came, they had some good pressure in the offensive zone, but then it came out to neutral ice, and it appeared that they played catch for another 30 seconds instead of getting the stoppage and regrouping.

Still happy with the split, but 2 bounces and we would have been home with a sweep.

[binnyrus]

Hey Larry!! Nice to know one UMD fan was there . . . your accounting of the last portion of the game is very similar to what was said by Homer on the USCHO broadcast. I didn't realize the 4th line was in there . . . but, like I said I didn't get to hear much of either game and didn't have a strong sense of who was playing together (aside from Marin, Koizumi and Lanzl).

Sounded like Ritta had a nice series . . . kept them in the game at times. If she continues to perform strong the season has mostly upside for the 'Dogs.

I also kept hearing O'Toole's name. What type of player is she?? Did any of the other new players stand out for you?? Aside from Lanzl??

Nice to see the split with Bucky . . . the rematch will be very, very interesting.

Take care Larry . . .

[Larry R]

[QUOTE=binnyrus]Sounded like Ritta had a nice series . . . kept them in the game at times. If she continues to perform strong the season has mostly upside for the 'Dogs.

I also kept hearing O'Toole's name. What type of player is she?? Did any of the other new players stand out for you?? Aside from Lanzl??
QUOTE]

I thought she had a "nice series". She gave up 6 goals on the weekend, made a nice stop on the penalty shot, but still probably 2 soft goals.

Because I've been away from following the women for a couple years, hard to say about the other players. I was flat out floored by Lanzl, she is the real deal. I have a couple pictures of O'Toole which means she must have stood out at some point.

I'll be home for the Saturday night game, so I'll see you then.