#8 Michigan Hockey vs. #14 Wisconsin - Open Thread

Submitted by gwkrlghl on

Ok, I'll make the open thread tonight because Center Ice has not. He must have Friday night plans or something.

#8 Michigan takes on #14 Wisconsin in Madison. Michigan limps in from a very forgettable GLI while Wisconsin comes in having won 7 of their last 8. Big plus side: Andrew Copp is back. The team will look like they care again.

Game is on BTN.

Go team win

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Where is Center Ice?
I found Center Ice he's to the right of the Wisconsin bench

gwkrlghl

January 10th, 2014 at 9:40 PM ^

What a stupid period. Michigan was clearly the better team and yet finds themselves down 2-0. A softie and a lucky deflection and just like that we're down two zip. Stupid.

Joined: 04/13/2012

MGoPoints: 72

gwkrlghl

January 10th, 2014 at 9:57 PM ^

It's killed a few would-be chances tonight when the puck hasn't gotten to the right spot

And Wisconsin almost just scored as Nagelvoort was guarding the wrong post when he lost the puck

Joined: 04/13/2012

MGoPoints: 72

ppudge

January 10th, 2014 at 10:18 PM ^

This team seems to lack good offensive skill players. Amazing we have the record we do. Seems to be smoke and mirrors because it just doesn't look like an overly talented squad. Maybe I'm wrong - I've only seen the Ferris game where I thought we were very fortunate to tie, then the 2 GLI games where I thought we stunk, and now tonight. To be honest, we look as bad as last year with a little better goaltending.

Joined: 10/19/2008

MGoPoints: 11425

gwkrlghl

January 10th, 2014 at 10:27 PM ^

The only difference between this team and last year's is great goaltending vs. bad goaltending.

However, this team definitely has offensive talent. I just don't know why they can't score. I think most college hockey teams would love to have any of Guptill, Motte, Compher, PDG, Copp, Nieves, etc. I just don't understand why those guys can't score. Those are 3rd, 4th, 2nd, 2nd, 4th, and 2nd round draft picks. We are outraegously talented compared to all but 2-3 other D-I teams.

I mean, I would bet there's entire CCHA and WCHA programs that have never had that much 'talent' in the history of their program. Sometimes I wonder if it's offensive scheme/philosophy for the hockey team

Joined: 04/13/2012

MGoPoints: 72

ppudge

January 10th, 2014 at 10:29 PM ^

All that talent and we can't even score 3 per game. When I was at UM in the early/mid 90s, those teams were scoring machines. I miss those days. Is there something wrong with the system we run now? I know scoring is down overall big time versus 20 years ago, but with all our talent, why is everyone seemingly struggling?

Joined: 10/19/2008

MGoPoints: 11425

gwkrlghl

January 10th, 2014 at 10:36 PM ^

Michigan hasn't been truly great on offense since the 08 team with the Porter-Kolarik-Pacioretty line (and that was a line made of two Hobey Finalists and last year's leading scorer for the Canadiens)

Seems like this team should be at BC levels of lighting the lamp but they aren't and haven't been for several years. The loss of Mel Pearson maybe?

Joined: 04/13/2012

MGoPoints: 72

ppudge

January 10th, 2014 at 10:46 PM ^

Could be. I'd like to think it is all Red, but have to think Mel and Billy were instrumental all those years and losing Mel has probably had an effect. He's making Tech a respectable program again - which is pretty amazing how quick that is happening. Will be interesting to see what we do when Red wants to stop coaching.

Joined: 10/19/2008

MGoPoints: 11425

gwkrlghl

January 10th, 2014 at 10:32 PM ^

The game has basically been even. Notable to me is Michigan's awful passing tonight. Otherwise this is a game we should definitely winning. Nagelvoort has been a rock despite the soft goal

Joined: 04/13/2012

MGoPoints: 72

Adam Schnepp

January 10th, 2014 at 10:48 PM ^

I know the popular narrative is that Michigan isn't getting goals from their defensemen but I really would just like defensemen (aside from Bennett) that can move the puck out of the D-zone and start the rush.

Also, I agree with Gordong Berenson about the passing issue. Truly bad so far.

Joined: 11/07/2012

MGoPoints: 15908

gwkrlghl

January 10th, 2014 at 10:53 PM ^

0-19 on the powerplay in our last 19. Holy smokes

Michigan's last goal was 5:24 into the 3rd period of the Western game, so we're currently at a scoreless of streak of about 125 minutes

Joined: 04/13/2012

MGoPoints: 72

gwkrlghl

January 10th, 2014 at 11:03 PM ^

We had a ton of energy early but the inability to score seems to have sapped some of the life from the team that they had before. Not able to piece together any sustained time in the Wisconsin zone

Joined: 04/13/2012

MGoPoints: 72

gwkrlghl

January 10th, 2014 at 11:08 PM ^

Might have been kicked in...based on how tonight has gone I would bet it's going to stand

So tonight we have

  1. A shot not on net that goes in off Zach's glove
  2. A puck off a skate
  3. A puck off a skate

 

Joined: 04/13/2012

MGoPoints: 72