The Buckeyes are coming off a sweep at the hands of an improving Minnesota-Duluth team. That is the bad news. The good news is Ohio State still sets in 4th place in the WCHA and is only three points behind UMD and Wisconsin with 34 points to their 37 points. Ohio State heads to Bemidji this weekend for an important two games against the Beavers on their ice. If the Buckeyes want to hold onto that 4th spot or even move up, they need to bring their 'A' game every night out. There are no gimmes in the WCHA. Bemidji fans, our teams have not played since late October. How has your season played out? What can we expect this weekend? After climbing as high as 2nd in the league, our Bucks have gone 1-4-1 with a shootout win vs St. Cloud. Only getting five points out of a possible eighteen will drop you in the standings like a lead balloon. We played Wisconsin and UMD tough, but could not get a 'W' in either series. If nothing else, you should see a hungry Ohio State team this weekend. Should be an interesting series.
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Ohio State @ Bemidji State 2/1 - 2/2
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Re: Ohio State @ Bemidji State 2/1 - 2/2
Well, October was a looong time ago. But in sweeping the home series, we won by an aggregate score of 14-2. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say we've got the tiebreaker all locked up.
However I also believe the games will be much closer this time; partly because the games are on the road, partly because the "midas touch" we had last is unlikely to recur. Another factor is that Bemidji has probably now adapted to "life without Suzanna." If any BSU fans have an update on how the Beaver Goalies have been doing, that would be very interesting to read.
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Re: Ohio State @ Bemidji State 2/1 - 2/2
Originally posted by pgb-ohio View PostWell, October was a looong time ago. But in sweeping the home series, we won by an aggregate score of 14-2. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say we've got the tiebreaker all locked up.
However I also believe the games will be much closer this time; partly because the games are on the road, partly because the "midas touch" we had last is unlikely to recur. Another factor is that Bemidji has probably now adapted to "life without Suzanna." If any BSU fans have an update on how the Beaver Goalies have been doing, that would be very interesting to read.
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Re: Ohio State @ Bemidji State 2/1 - 2/2
I'm good with virtually everything in your post. While there's no need to have an in-depth debate on the definition of the word slump, allow me one more quick take: If you focus strictly on W/L record, yes, it's a slump. That said, I still see lots of good things going on out on the ice. As just one example, both of Saturday's goals were things of beauty -- tons of skill, teammwork and effort involved. Usually when I think of a slump, I think of a team that's noticeably misfiring or has quit moving their feet. In this case, we're doing a lot well, just not enough. I'll stop there; anything more would just be splitting hairs.
On a different front, suppose that we sweep next weekend, and that UND & MN do the same. We'd regain 2nd Place - by a single point. UND would be one point behind us. UMD would be 2 points behind, as would UW after its bye. Put another way, all four teams would be less than one game apart. It's crazy close.
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Re: Ohio State @ Bemidji State 2/1 - 2/2
Originally posted by pgb-ohio View PostI'm good with virtually everything in your post. While there's no need to have an in-depth debate on the definition of the word slump, allow me one more quick take: If you focus strictly on W/L record, yes, it's a slump. That said, I still see lots of good things going on out on the ice. As just one example, both of Saturday's goals were things of beauty -- tons of skill, teammwork and effort involved. Usually when I think of a slump, I think of a team that's noticeably misfiring or has quit moving their feet. In this case, we're doing a lot well, just not enough. I'll stop there; anything more would just be splitting hairs.
On a different front, suppose that we sweep next weekend, and that UND & MN do the same. We'd regain 2nd Place - by a single point. UND would be one point behind us. UMD would be 2 points behind, as would UW after its bye. Put another way, all four teams would be less than one game apart. It's crazy close.
Your points are true. Then the following week Minnesota comes to Columbus and OSU could be back in the same situation. OSU can not afford anything less than sweeps against BSU and MSU and hopefully a split against UND. Very difficult.
Saw last weeks games and looks like OSU is a little wore down. Knapp has been amazing (OSU's MVP) and won a few early. Twins play an awful lot and tired late in games. OSU Coaches seem to have gone small at D other than the twins 3- 5' 3" or less and took a few too many penalties. WCHA has a ton of big forwards which wear D down and in the bigger rinks give them more room. Minnesota has all 6 D 5'7 or bigger 5-5'9"++, WI one 5'5" and 5- 5'7" or bigger, UMD all 5'5 or bigger, UND 1- 5'3" rest 5'6"or bigger. See a trend? Hate to pick on the smaller player but Kelly Wild is gone and missed.
Hopefully your Bucks will be ok and get that 4 spot. Good luck
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Re: Ohio State @ Bemidji State 2/1 - 2/2
Originally posted by pgb-ohio View PostI'm good with virtually everything in your post. While there's no need to have an in-depth debate on the definition of the word slump, allow me one more quick take: If you focus strictly on W/L record, yes, it's a slump. That said, I still see lots of good things going on out on the ice. As just one example, both of Saturday's goals were things of beauty -- tons of skill, teammwork and effort involved. Usually when I think of a slump, I think of a team that's noticeably misfiring or has quit moving their feet. In this case, we're doing a lot well, just not enough. I'll stop there; anything more would just be splitting hairs.
On a different front, suppose that we sweep next weekend, and that UND & MN do the same. We'd regain 2nd Place - by a single point. UND would be one point behind us. UMD would be 2 points behind, as would UW after its bye. Put another way, all four teams would be less than one game apart. It's crazy close.Last edited by osualum86; 01-29-2013, 08:31 PM.
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Re: Ohio State @ Bemidji State 2/1 - 2/2
Originally posted by WCHFan View PostYour points are true. Then the following week Minnesota comes to Columbus and OSU could be back in the same situation. OSU can not afford anything less than sweeps against BSU and MSU and hopefully a split against UND. Very difficult.
Saw last weeks games and looks like OSU is a little wore down. Knapp has been amazing (OSU's MVP) and won a few early. Twins play an awful lot and tired late in games. OSU Coaches seem to have gone small at D other than the twins 3- 5' 3" or less and took a few too many penalties. WCHA has a ton of big forwards which wear D down and in the bigger rinks give them more room. Minnesota has all 6 D 5'7 or bigger 5-5'9"++, WI one 5'5" and 5- 5'7" or bigger, UMD all 5'5 or bigger, UND 1- 5'3" rest 5'6"or bigger. See a trend? Hate to pick on the smaller player but Kelly Wild is gone and missed.
Hopefully your Bucks will be ok and get that 4 spot. Good luck
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Re: Ohio State @ Bemidji State 2/1 - 2/2
Sorry should have said 5'4. A couple of D looked smaller than her. Yes I like Svedin although not quite Wild and I know she no longer plays . I loved her game. My point was that with the bigger d it's nice to take up space. OSU just looked very small last weekend especially in front of the net. Maybe UMD banged harder than earlier in the year and I felt they controlled the front of the net. I think this is how teams are attacking/game planning agains OSU lately. Crashing the net drawing penalties. using their size.
Trust me when I say I would rather have OSU take the 4 spot over UND and wish them luck down the stretch. My second favorite team. And trust me when I say they will not take points away from Minnesota
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Re: Ohio State @ Bemidji State 2/1 - 2/2
Originally posted by WCHFan View PostSorry should have said 5'4. A couple of D looked smaller than her. Yes I like Svedin although not quite Wild and I know she no longer plays . I loved her game. My point was that with the bigger d it's nice to take up space. OSU just looked very small last weekend especially in front of the net. Maybe UMD banged harder than earlier in the year and I felt they controlled the front of the net. I think this is how teams are attacking/game planning agains OSU lately. Crashing the net drawing penalties. using their size.
Trust me when I say I would rather have OSU take the 4 spot over UND and wish them luck down the stretch. My second favorite team. And trust me when I say they will not take points away from Minnesota
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Re: Ohio State @ Bemidji State 2/1 - 2/2
Originally posted by WCHFan View PostSorry should have said 5'4. A couple of D looked smaller than her. Yes I like Svedin although not quite Wild and I know she no longer plays . I loved her game.
My point was that with the bigger d it's nice to take up space.
OSU just looked very small last weekend especially in front of the net. Maybe UMD banged harder than earlier in the year and I felt they controlled the front of the net. I think this is how teams are attacking/game planning agains OSU lately. Crashing the net drawing penalties. using their size...
...And trust me when I say they will not take points away from Minnesota
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Okay, PGB and OSUAlum86, you can take a breath now. Buckeyes escape game 1 with a 2-1 overtime win. Tarr scored the gamewinner 41 seconds into the extra period.Give blood... Play Gopher Hockey!
Men's National Championships: 1974, 1976, 1979, 2002, 2003
Women's National Championships: 2000, 2004, 2005, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016
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Re: Ohio State @ Bemidji State 2/1 - 2/2
Originally posted by CrazyDave View PostOkay, PGB and OSUAlum86, you can take a breath now. Buckeyes escape game 1 with a 2-1 overtime win. Tarr scored the gamewinner 41 seconds into the extra period.
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