The only college hockey game I've seen so far was the game I attended up at SCSU last Friday. I was really impressed with Jordan Schroeder and thought
Kevin Wehrs took a big jump from last year. Kangas was solid again and the boys were flying! Pat White looked great! It was great to see Stoa playing again.
Dave Fischer looked the best I've seen him play, but I thought he'd play like this about a year ago...
As for the Badgers:
Last weekend they lost senior captain Ben Street for at least 3 months to a knee injury. He'll need surgery. Street isn't a flashy guy but always seemed to give the Gophers problems. Very smart player. Was good at faceoffs and played on both the PP and penalty kill.
They are a very young team:
On D they have: no seniors, 2 juniors (Jamie McBain is really good and got a PP goal last weekend), 3 sophomores and 3 frosh d-man (including Jake Gardiner from Minnetonka who has 5 assists in 4 games). Eaves benched McBain at the end of the first period on Saturday to "give him a wake-up call".
They only have 5 seniors: 2 are walk-on backup goaltenders, Street is out, Tom Gorowsky (2004 Minnesota Mr. Hockey who only played 16 games last year and none so far this year) and goalie Shane Connelly.
I'd expect Connelly to play both nights, although he has only played on Fridays so far this season. He's giving up 5.5 goals a game and stopping 87% of the shots against. They are 0-4, but have played at #2 Denver and at # 4 New Hampshire.
They blocked 22 shots last Friday and 19 on Saturday. They are avergaing 23 PIMS a game. They are 4 for 34 (12.5%) on the PP and have killed 31 of 37 (83.8%) of their penalties.
I like our chances this weekend. Kohl Center is going to be rocking on Friday night, but I think at 0-4 and missing their captain the younger guys are going to be gripping their sticks too much and really trying to make things happen. This will lead to errors and the Gophers will take advantage. The earlier we get goals the better, because I think Connolly will get rattled after giving up 2-3 goals.
As for the Badgers:
Last weekend they lost senior captain Ben Street for at least 3 months to a knee injury. He'll need surgery. Street isn't a flashy guy but always seemed to give the Gophers problems. Very smart player. Was good at faceoffs and played on both the PP and penalty kill.
They are a very young team:
On D they have: no seniors, 2 juniors (Jamie McBain is really good and got a PP goal last weekend), 3 sophomores and 3 frosh d-man (including Jake Gardiner from Minnetonka who has 5 assists in 4 games). Eaves benched McBain at the end of the first period on Saturday to "give him a wake-up call".
They only have 5 seniors: 2 are walk-on backup goaltenders, Street is out, Tom Gorowsky (2004 Minnesota Mr. Hockey who only played 16 games last year and none so far this year) and goalie Shane Connelly.
I'd expect Connelly to play both nights, although he has only played on Fridays so far this season. He's giving up 5.5 goals a game and stopping 87% of the shots against. They are 0-4, but have played at #2 Denver and at # 4 New Hampshire.
They blocked 22 shots last Friday and 19 on Saturday. They are avergaing 23 PIMS a game. They are 4 for 34 (12.5%) on the PP and have killed 31 of 37 (83.8%) of their penalties.
I like our chances this weekend. Kohl Center is going to be rocking on Friday night, but I think at 0-4 and missing their captain the younger guys are going to be gripping their sticks too much and really trying to make things happen. This will lead to errors and the Gophers will take advantage. The earlier we get goals the better, because I think Connolly will get rattled after giving up 2-3 goals.
