Hockey Snowflakes
Well there was no gamethread tonight (presumably because we were all doing valentine's things....or sitting in our homes alone sobbing) but Michigan lost a 1*-0 game following their trend of playing much better Saturday than Friday. Unfortunately that much better wasn't enough to win. Several point blank shots with the extra attacker looked like they'd surely go in but somehow they did not and Minnesota got the ENG. Too many shots right to Wilcox's gut.
Unfortunately we are now 16-10-0 and are sitting on the outside again at a tie for #16. The tournament line is typically at 14 or 15 as autobids will take the last spot or two.
Fortunately, those were likely our toughest games remaining on the schedule. The remainder is:
h&h OSU
vs Wisconsin
@ PSU
h&h MSU
This team should be able to go 8-0 vs that schedule but 7-1 or 6-2 is more likely. 6-2 gets us to 22-12 which may be enough to slide in. 24-10 is almost surely safe. Thoughts? Leaning over your panic buttons?
February 15th, 2015 at 1:29 AM ^
I'm worried that it has to come down to the msu series. they're getting better as the year goes on and I'm sure would love nothing better than to keep us out of the tourney. we should be able to handle psu... but we somehow haven't really been able to since they began playing, so I will be holding my breath until the end.
February 15th, 2015 at 1:29 AM ^
February 15th, 2015 at 1:36 AM ^
We'll get in but we are a long way from the frozen four or NC. The next hire has to be Mel Pearson just like football needed to hire Jim Harbaugh.
February 15th, 2015 at 1:46 AM ^
I'm afraid the utter dead-weight of the Big Ten will mean we need to win all of our games or maybe all but one, and a loss may need to be on the road. Gut feeling is that we'll need a BTT win or two to get off the bubble and comfortably into 3-seed range
When the offense is clicking, they can beat anyone. It's troubling that it's slowed down considerably the last two weekends.
February 15th, 2015 at 1:50 AM ^
What makes you think Red is just gonna up and retire any time soon? For all we know this could be a long protracted decline like Bobby Bowden or some shit. (shudders)
February 15th, 2015 at 1:55 AM ^
February 15th, 2015 at 2:09 AM ^
Because his contract is ending and he has said he won't stay on when the results start slipping. The retirement will happen either this offseason or next. Let's hope we don't blow it like after the Carr retirement. Based on how Hackett handled the last search, we won't have a hockey Hoke.
February 15th, 2015 at 2:32 AM ^
And it seems Hackett doesn't have the same asinine requirements Brandon had for hiring a head coach. Though it doesn't make a difference--Mel Pearson is out there, and would have been either way.
February 15th, 2015 at 11:25 AM ^
February 15th, 2015 at 1:36 PM ^
February 15th, 2015 at 2:18 PM ^
Mel Pearson was on Red Berenson's staff for 23 years. He was recruiting coordinator, basically building their Toronto pipeline, coached the forwards and ran special teams. The latter of which has steeply fallen off since his departure.
He left to take over at Michigan Tech where it was supposed to be impossible to win at. They had 1 winning season in the 20 years before he took over. He turned MTU into a real presence recuiting in Michigan and Canada, something that also was supposed to be impossible. At one point this season he had them at #1, and they will be making their first postseason appearance since 81.
February 15th, 2015 at 3:22 PM ^
February 15th, 2015 at 2:11 AM ^
February 15th, 2015 at 2:18 AM ^
February 15th, 2015 at 3:25 AM ^
and basketball for that matter... well at least this year.
February 15th, 2015 at 2:18 AM ^
Are Killin' me here!
February 15th, 2015 at 2:20 AM ^
Snowflake: it isn't March yet.
February 15th, 2015 at 3:11 AM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
February 15th, 2015 at 3:36 AM ^
The consistancy of Michigan's goaltending is going to be the determining factor as to whether we even make the post season, let alone how far we get. I'm just not very confident right now we can get good enough goaltending for at least 7 of the last 8 games to sneak in as a 4-seed.
Friday night, we were in a 3-0 hole after one period. Saturday, we were down 1-0 early and it stayed that way---a deficit we're perfectly capable of overcoming, unless we keep firing into the gut of a hot goaltender.
It sure would be nice to get an early lead a lot more often, especially on the road. Without looking at stats, it seems like our opponent scores first at least 60-65% of the time. Gotta give our netminders all the help they can get.
February 15th, 2015 at 2:30 PM ^
Unfortunately, goaltending has been consistent in its inconsistency: it's up, then it's down, and we switch goalies. Rinse and repeat. Still waiting for someone to seize the starting role and hang onto it with a death grip, but so far in vain.
February 15th, 2015 at 4:40 AM ^
Go CCCP. Beat Gophers.
February 15th, 2015 at 2:37 PM ^
Just saw that the other day. Not quite as exciting to relive the Miracle on Ice from their POV, but it still gives a warm, fuzzy feeling.
Still surprising they let Slava Fetisov go, but wow, major props to him for sticking to his guns.
Watching the Russian Five play keep away with the puck for the Red Wings was amazing.
February 15th, 2015 at 4:52 AM ^
Two upsides:
1) Best defensive/goaltending game they've played maybe all year. Especially adjusted for opposition. I know Minnesota had a lot of shots, but they didn't have all that many grade A chances, and Racine actually stopped the ones they got except the first.
2) BTT isn't at the big rink, where MInnesota's speed on the blue line is a huge advantage for them. Our defensemen outside of Werenski are more slow and plodding so with more room to cover they have some issues.
February 15th, 2015 at 5:21 AM ^
BTT is at the Joe.
February 15th, 2015 at 9:10 AM ^
You do know that Maruicci is Olympic size and the Joe isn't, right?
February 15th, 2015 at 9:17 AM ^
February 15th, 2015 at 9:46 AM ^
February 15th, 2015 at 10:00 AM ^
Pearson has just signed a 5-year extension through the 2020-2021 season with Tech. Does he have an out clause to go to Michigan ?
February 15th, 2015 at 10:28 AM ^
February 15th, 2015 at 11:00 AM ^
February 15th, 2015 at 2:38 PM ^
We'll make him an offer he can't refuse.
February 15th, 2015 at 5:09 PM ^
February 15th, 2015 at 11:17 AM ^
Any thoughts on the play of the 2013-14 Big Ten Freshman of the Year? Compher has 4 goals this year, none of them have been critical either as they have come in blowout games, like two third period goals in the 8-1 win over Penn State, a late goal in the 6-0 shutout of Rensselaer and one in the 7-5 win over Minnesota at Yost. He played a fourth line role at the World Juniors for the US, and is looking to pass instead of shoot and score. Come March, he and Motte need to provide greater contributions on the road at PSU/MSU and at the BTT.
February 15th, 2015 at 11:39 AM ^