sufan
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Posts posted by sufan
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Lee
in Men's Hockey
Question #2: Are the Senators happy with his progression, or lack there of it, as a number 6 overall pick. Lee is a good college player but has done nothing so far to indicate that he was worthy of that pick. Obviously things can change but I can't imagine him getting a chance to leave after this year.
If these really are serious questions ... why didn't you pose them directly to Lee? It is easy to throw them out here on the boards anonymously. I think Ottowa knows what they are doing and they see a lot of potential in him.
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Here's my two cents from the game tonight. I sat above where the zamboni comes out so I have a real good view of one end of the ice, but not so good of the other end.
First - USA has deceptive speed and they have a really nice transition game. When they got control of the puck in their own end they were able to get it out and up the ice quickly (UND could use quite a bit of work on that). They seem to be well coached and that's great cause this coach is coaching the USA World Juniors in Sweden. Hopefully he can get the same kind of performance from that team that he seems to be getting out of this team. Unice (the goalie) is good, but I saw a lot more of UND not being able to finish than him making great saves. Don't get me wrong the kid is good and I wish he were coming to UND, but from my vantage point it seemed to be UND not being able to capitalize - especially on the rebounds. Also these kids were BIG. There was a forward (don't remember his name) that Finley was shadowing that was as big as Finley - he moved well also. Not much hitting from either side, but tempers did flare from time to time and they kind of didn't know what to do with TJ and JT so they ended up doing the standard clutch, grab, piggyback stuff. (Man it must get frustrating for those two - I get frustrated just watching it)
Now to UND - Before I go there, I just want to make one correction to the board tonight. UND's 2nd goal (I think it was the 2nd goal) was by Miller on an absolutely gorgeous, beautiful, incredible, amazing pass from Toews.
My overall impression tonight was sloppy. Like my friend said "I wish they would pass to EACH OTHER." Lots of lazy passes from everyone - even the top guns - and then on the flip side, it was like they were thinking too much. The USA team was good, but the Sioux should have been able to control that entire game and it felt like they were scrambling most of the night. They would have brief moments of "Sioux Hockey" and they looked unbelievable. There wasn't any consistency though. They seemed tight and seemed to be fighting the puck and fighting each other for the puck. There were at least 6 times that two Sioux were on the puck at the same time and then seemed to "fight" each other for it. Miller had a great night. HUSTLED and then HUSTLED some more. He was rewarded by being moved up to the 1st line with Toews and Duncan. I didn't notice Genoway not having a good night, I think Miller was just having a better night.
The second period was a nightmare again. Against a better team we would have PAID and PAID BIG TIME. At least 4 penalties in a row - which included two 5 on 3. Here's my obligatory "THE REFS SUCK". Albers was the ref (don't know which Albers) and most of the night, he couldn't decide whether to blow the whistle or not. Most of the time yes for the Sioux and not for USA. It actually was funny a few times where he would put the whistle to his mouth, take it down, put it up, take it down, put it up take it down.......just couldn't make a decision. Lord help you if you looked at him after you committed a penalty though cause then he WOULD call it. I do have to say that the Too Many Men On The Ice penalty that the Sioux got was well deserved though. They were sloppy with that all night and actually should have been called for it more often.
One last negative before I gush. From my vantage point (at the other end of the ice) the last two goals looked very weak. Like I mentioned, I'm at the other end of the ice, but from what I saw on the replay, I think Phil could have had those.
Now to gush time.
Jonathan Toews is amazing. He is something to watch. He is so smooth and sees everything. As much as I hate to think of him leaving UND, it will be amazing to watch him in the NHL where refs actually call clutching and grabbing. His passes to Miller and then to Bina in OT were things of beauty. He also must have had at least 6 or 7 straight out that puck is mine steals.
TJ Oshie is just a "whirling dervish" out there. He has so much energy. His feet NEVER stop moving and he never quits on a play. He just keeps shooting and passing and skating and shooting and passing and skating and then all of sudden there a HIT - it's so beautiful - takes the other guy so off guard, the look on their face is priceless.
Duncan and Porter were a little quieter (or at least not as noticeable - even with Porter's goal) than usual, but steady as usual.
Like I said earlier, Miller had a great night. He always seemed to be in the right place at the right time, and was hustling constantly.
Foyt had a steady night. It was good to see him get an opportunity to play and he got the "hit of the game" on the jumbo tron. It was a nice open ice hit.
I thought Finley had a pretty good night - he played as well as any of the D did. Couple of passes I would like to have back, but he seemed to be skating with more confidence than I've seen him this year.
Phil played OK - had one very good save in the third I think it was that really should have been a goal.
Although the D did not have a spectacular night, it was not an awful night (just sloppy like everybody else). I would still like to see A LOT more hitting and blocked shots (USA had 29 or better shots on goal - too many), but then that' the style of hockey I like. I want the other team punished for even crossing our blue line.
This was an exhibition game and there wasn't the emotion of a WCHA or even non-conference game and they played an OK game. They are going to have to start stepping it up and developing some consistency though if they want to go anywhere in the WCHA or into the nationals. It's just not going to cut it to be playing just OK.
That said, I'm going to trust they will have themselves psyched up for the BADgers next weekend.
Thanks for listening to my rambling (there's a reason I don't often do recaps - I don't know when to shut-up)
Great analysis of the game. It is refreshing to read a post that breaks down the game with intelligence while remaining respectful of the players.
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The over/under on Lives-to-play-hockey-06's height is 63 inches. I'll take the under.
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In the fansite wrap-up of Tampa's development camp, they said this about Smaby:
"Top 2 pair players:
Matt Smaby - There's nothing spectacular about his game. It all scores at average or above. He's sound, smart tough, hard-working and he can move a little. Probably would benefit from and interim step through Springfield, then be here by the 1st of the year to stay."
http://www.boltprospects.com/node/1262
Since the only opponents were teammates, I suggest they haven't seen the most impressive part of Matt's game. Look for them to consider his open-ice hitting "spectacular" after they see him for a little while.
Interesting follow-up ...
"On a related note, Lightning Head Scout Jake Goertzen, when asked to give the scouting staff's impression of Lightning draftees at the recent prospect camp (aside from Kevin Quick, who was singled out for his good play by General Manager Jay Feaster), gave high marks to goaltender Karri Ramo and defenseman Matt Smaby."
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What a great interview. It seems like Hakstol is opening up more and more every day. His comments about players like Smaby, Zajac, Stafford, and others, shows a very personal and thoughtful connection to his players. And his understanding that even great young players make mistakes, shows that he is truly maturing as a coach. What an exciting year this is going to be for everyone - coaches, players, and fans. Go Sioux!
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The Sioux won for you today Robbie. We wish you the best with your upcoming surgery and a speedy recovery. We are looking forward to seeing you out on the ice next season.
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Not at all. I'm saying I've seen a lot of breakdowns before we cross our own blueline and if he had not come out to play the puck we would have been in serious trouble.
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I agree all the way - but a lot of people fail to see that part of the game.
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Jordan Parise has proven (this year and last) that he came to UND on his own merit. Congratulations Jordy and keep up the good work.
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BDB - You can sure dish it out, but it is hard to swallow when the focus is on you. How does it feel to publicly defend yourself? Thank you for proving my point.
It is ironic that you are responding to a post that may contain an inaccuracy, may present opinion as fact, may exaggerate, and is essentially a personal attack. I suspect you feel unfairly characterized by my post. You do this day in and day out with players, coaches and recruits. How does it feel when the tables are turned? In my opinion, you have reached an all time low by going after players' physical characteristics.
I'm sorry you didn't catch the sarcasm in my post - I wasn't seriously threatening you. I thought you were an expert at sarcasm, after all you do it on these board all day long.
By the way, there is a lot going on behind the scenes that you have no clue about. Hakstol has had a full plate this year. Dean Blais would have also. Sometimes something as big as someone dying in your family may affect your game.
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hmm...it apparently isn't sufficient to characterize some members of the current crop of UND defensemen as "stupid", there now appears to be good reason to include incoming recruits and potential recruits in that category, as well...all in the spirit of doing what's best for UND hockey...nice going BRINGDEANBACK, you've raised the bar to breathtaking heights when it comes to public ridicule of athletes who don't measure up to your expectations...may I suggest in your campaign to invite only certain types of players to wear green, you focus next on physical attractiveness, and begin to work the word "ugly" into your astute analyses of players...then a really awful defenseman could be labeled both ugly and stupid, and those of us who care about the Sioux would be put on notice that its time to pile on that particular player...
In fact, it would be a beautiful and wonderfully constructive thing for the Fighting Sioux if, at the next home game, you stood up with signs that read "UGLY" and "STUPID" and led those of us less sophisticated hockey fans in cheers directed personally at those players who fall short (or should I say "tall) of your requirements for intelligence and physical beauty...yes, and if that tactic proves as successful as I'm sure it would, we could then take it on the road whenever Shattuck happens to be playing...from there, bantams is fertile territory...after all, a kid can't ever learn too early that he is ugly and stupid, can he?
... ahh, BDB, I want you to know that you are my hero...a real ballsy fella who anonymously launches personal attacks on young men who are undeserving of wearing the green....I would love to meet you in person some time and tell you how much you mean to me...and then I would knock you on your fxxxxxx axx...go climb back down your rodent hole.
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I want to publicly thank people like ... redwing, dagies, jk, sicatoka, superman0099, farce poobah pcm, kr and others ... for their contributions to these boards. They know hockey and enjoy the game of hockey. They love a good discussion and like to argue about the players, coaches and other teams. They get mad, pissed off and even frustrated at times. But what they do most is ... they show respect for the Sioux players as people. They continue to believe in them even when they struggle on and off the ice. As Lammy's brother showed all of us who read his article, we have no clue what some of these guys might be going through personally.
I hope the Sioux find their confidence and soul as a team tonight. I hope the players who are struggling can find their confidence as players tonight. I hope the fans can rally like they did the last 10 minutes of the game last night and help move the spirit of this team forward.
Go Sioux!
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You guys are right - tnt, bringdeanback and schmidtdog ... I withdraw my original post. The players, coaches, recruits or anyone who knows anything about hockey would not be influenced by anything you say.
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If recruits based their decision on the quality of posts from message boards like this one, the Gophers would be without a team!
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Are you comparing people on these boards to Gopher fans? Shame on you. To be honest, current players and future recruits could give a rip what you think. With that said ... All this cheap talk about Hakstol and the players ought to be real good for guys like Toews. I wish him luck next year because the minute he has a bad game or a makes a bad play some of you guys are all over him - which is something Gopher fans do.
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All this cheap talk about Hakstol and the posts slamming players ought to be real good for future recruits like Toews.
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I don't know what others think, but Smaby really needs to work on his skating while he is one on one with a guy. He got beat at least three times around the outside tonight and wasn't even moving his feet, just trying to push the guy (and not doing well at that either. He better not be like this next year when he will be one of our more experienced d-men. If Blais were here and he played like this he'd be benched right now. Any thoughts on this?
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My thoughts are ... give the negative BS a rest for the night.
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I agree with Mory00 - some of the posts on our discussion boards are embarrassing. We have some of the finest hockey players in the nation/world on our team. It is one thing to have discussions about the game and also have high expectations for the team. It is another thing to harshly and unnecessarily criticize players and the team. There have been far too many posts like this. No single player/goalie is responsible for a team's loss. The players themselves, more than anyone, know when they make a bad play or have a bad game. We have an incredible group of young men on our team who are very talented, otherwise they wouldn't be here. They will have good games and not so good games. I suggest if you want to trash individual players and the team you got www.prideonice.com and click on the Gopher Hockey Message Board - they like to trash our players and team. Your comments might be better suited for Gopher "discussions."
Lee
in Men's Hockey
Posted