Mavericks @ Bulldogs Discussion Continuation [Archive]

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ARM

11-19-2006, 10:55 AM

It appears the long-lived UMD thread is full, so I'd just like to follow up on some game discussion here.

Congratulations to the Mavericks. They did everything they needed to do to win. It looked like to me that they defended well, intercepted passes, covered rebounds, poke checked well and counter attacked well. It's good to see more WCHA teams being competitive.I think that last season, the Mavs made a big jump in team speed, and have continued that this year. SCSU also has improved their skating remarkably. IMO, the first step to being able to compete with the top teams on a regular basis is to be able to skate with them, and both Mankato and St. Clould are headed there.

As for Kehler, I think we hit her pads a lot as well, because she does a fine job of getting some piece of her equipment in the way of most shots.

None of us like to lose to these teams that we view as underdogs, but we all will along the way (okay, maybe not Bucky.) That increase in competition can only be good for the league and the game.

dhmn

11-19-2006, 12:33 PM

It appears the long-lived UMD thread is full, so I'd just like to follow up on some game discussion here.

I think that last season, the Mavs made a big jump in team speed, and have continued that this year. SCSU also has improved their skating remarkably. IMO, the first step to being able to compete with the top teams on a regular basis is to be able to skate with them, and both Mankato and St. Clould are headed there.

As for Kehler, I think we hit her pads a lot as well, because she does a fine job of getting some piece of her equipment in the way of most shots.

None of us like to lose to these teams that we view as underdogs, but we all will along the way (okay, maybe not Bucky.) That increase in competition can only be good for the league and the game.

Kehler really didn't give up any rebounds on the weekend, except when UMD was 6 on 4 (empty net of course) at the end of regulation Friday night.

Time to start a new UMD thread though, 1001 posts in the other.. wow..

dhmn

11-19-2006, 12:36 PM

snapshot9

11-19-2006, 02:42 PM

Moveurfeet

11-19-2006, 02:50 PM

BTW, the News Tribune article (http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/articles/index.cfm?id=28829&section=Sports) is without any coach or player quotes, making me think the players may have been in the locker room until midnight or later.

The "dead tree" version of the paper had quotes from Miller, Marin, Vizenor and Lacy. I think the DNT is trying to post stories faster on the Web and probably posted the first write-up right away, added quotes later and didn't post the newer version.

A lot good commentary on the game there. From the tone of it, it seems the Bulldogs didn't come out dispirited.

I'm not sure I agree with Shannon's comment that "One thing I hope (the Bulldogs) learn is it is not about the score." Personally, I still think it's more satisfying to score more goals than the other team!

Moveurfeet

11-19-2006, 07:24 PM

After watching both games this weekend in Duluth I think the deciding factor in the series this weekend was goaltending for both teams. Kehler played very weel both games and definately kept her team in the game.. Riita did not play well all weekend and many of the goals were very weak, along the ice.

You're right in most respects, but I think you ought to give your Mavericks even more credit. Mav players and the UMD sports writer pointed out that a number of goals were scored high over Riita's left shoulder, and implied that was a deliberate strategy.

I think that's a sign of good scouting, coaching and playing. If Mankato keeps going down this road, I think the team will challenge the best. Even if Riita were playing at the top of her game, the series would have been close.

So while it'd be nice for us UMD fans to say the series went the way it did because Riita was off her game and Martin was injured and therefore unable to fill in, that'd be unfair to Mankato's players, who deserved every point they won this weekend.

brookyone

11-19-2006, 07:36 PM

Saturday the Bulldogs dropped their fourth consecutive game – to one of those teams deemed a “no one” early in the season. Yet-unranked Mankato beat UMD 5-3 in front of about 700 fans at the DECC, taking three points from the Western Collegiate Hockey Association series. Before the series, UMD had never given up a point to Mankato at the DECC.
:rolleyes:

Very professional. Ranks right up there with "fringe players."

snapshot9

11-19-2006, 07:39 PM

You're right in most respects, but I think you ought to give your Mavericks even more credit. Mav players and the UMD sports writer pointed out that a number of goals were scored high over Riita's left shoulder, and implied that was a deliberate strategy.

I think that's a sign of good scouting, coaching and playing. If Mankato keeps going down this road, I think the team will challenge the best. Even if Riita were playing at the top of her game, the series would have been close.

So while it'd be nice for us UMD fans to say the series went the way it did because Riita was off her game and Martin was injured and therefore unable to fill in, that'd be unfair to Mankato's players, who deserved every point they won this weekend.

I agree I am not trying to take anything away from the Mavs by saying it would not have been the same way if Riita played better.. They skated very well, and moved the puck very smoothly. They capitalized on their chances and on the PP.. It was just a solid effort from the whole team and they deserved to get on the bus with the 3 points..

ARM

11-19-2006, 08:16 PM

Maybe Lanzl being out was as big a factor as Martin being injured. For whatever reason, there seems to be a big disparity in the UMD results with her in the lineup versus when she does not play or is at less than 100%.

dhmn

11-19-2006, 09:08 PM

Lanzl out is still a MUCH bigger problem than Martin being injured. The team hasn't been nearly the same without Lanzl on the ice. They tinkered with lines all night Saturday trying different players together. Blais-Marin-Koizumi can be a dangerous line if kept together (I think Binnyrus wanted to see this line and it happened for part of the weekend.)

Riitta is allowed an off weekend. IF she is off her game against Wisconsin, then we can look to Martin's injury as more of a factor.

I want to be done with the past weekend series and look forward to Wisconsin now.. they need to get at LEAST a split, with a win Friday.

ARM

11-19-2006, 10:48 PM

I want to be done with the past weekend series and look forward to Wisconsin now.. they need to get at LEAST a split, with a win Friday.I expected at LEAST a split when the Gophs went to Madison this year. The problem is that the Badgers are kind of good, and we were fortunate to get a point. The good news for you is that there is a precedent for Wisconsin playing less than wonderful on Thanksgiving weekend.

WHKY blogger

11-20-2006, 09:29 AM

I expected at LEAST a split when the Gophs went to Madison this year. The problem is that the Badgers are kind of good, and we were fortunate to get a point. The good news for you is that there is a precedent for Wisconsin playing less than wonderful on Thanksgiving weekend.

less than wonderful?

Try horrible on Thanksgiving. I dont know why it is, but the holidays and sometimes even the post holidays can start a downward sprial for the season (men's & women's teams included). For my sake I hope it doesnt happen, but Iam sure all the people in the land of 100,000 puddles hope it does.

P.S. Apparently Johnson isnt giving his girls any days off to go home for the holiday this year. In past seasons they had as many as 3 days of no practices during thanksgiving week, Traveling or not.