NCAA Tourney

by **streakygopher** » Sat 4/11/09 9:48 am

I like BU tonight simply because they got tested on Thursday night against Vermont. Reminds me of the two recent MN NC's...two really tough tests against Michigan prepared them for the title game...conversely, I remember that in 1989 they cruised against Maine and then lost to a team they should have beaten the next night. :chainsaw:

...and I was raking my lawn at 2 a.m....

by **Bert** » Sat 4/11/09 9:57 am

http://www.uscho.com/news/id,17058/Hobe ... Teams.html

by **Greyeagle** » Sat 4/11/09 10:13 am

streakygopher wrote:I like BU tonight simply because they got tested on Thursday night against Vermont. Reminds me of the two recent MN NC's...two really tough tests against Michigan prepared them for the title game...conversely, I remember that in 1989 they cruised against Maine and then lost to a team they should have beaten the next night. ...and I was raking my lawn at 2 a.m....

If BU can dictate the game the will romp but if they let the world's most boring team dictate play it will be close.

by **streakygopher** » Sat 4/11/09 10:15 am

Bert wrote:http://www.uscho.com/news/id,17058/HobeyBakerWinnerGilroyLeadsAllAmericanTeams.html

So...Stoa is first team all america while his linemate, who tallied about as many points, is snubbed from the list? :confused2:

by **ex_goldy** » Sat 4/11/09 10:16 am

Did anyone else notice the announcer calling Miami Ohio 'Minnesota' a couple of times during the Bemidji game? He called Bemidji 'Bemidji' so I know he wasn't referring to them. It wasn't Melrose, the other guy (don't know his name) with the big voice. That will give me something to listen for tonight.

by **Bert** » Sat 4/11/09 10:26 am

Gary Thorne was the other one

by **Bigbeer** » Sat 4/11/09 2:22 pm

After watching Miami beat Denver at Mariucci, my brother and I agreed. That team will win the title. No one is gonna beat them. They will suffocate BU. That's the best total team play I've seen in awhile, and they hit relentlessly. All three game I've seen from them there has been a "wow" hit by Miami on someone. I've got a lot of respect for their coach. He has that team playing very well at the right time. They're kinda like North Dakota with class.

by **trixR4kids** » Sat 4/11/09 3:24 pm

Not sure how you'd say Miami is a boring team, I'd reserve that for Cornell or something. BU looks too good but Miami could pull it off. Would be cool to see a four beat a one in the final.

by **jamwall** » Sat 4/11/09 3:42 pm

I won't have a chance to watch the game live. I'm TiVo'ing it. However, I have my Blackberry. Is anybody posting the score on the scoreboard tonight?

by **Ryan Cardinal** » Sat 4/11/09 4:11 pm

jamwall wrote:I won't have a chance to watch the game live. I'm TiVo'ing it. However, I have my Blackberry. Is anybody posting the score on the scoreboard tonight?

Use USCHO's mobile site ... they update the homepage but the best way is to go into the score updates part of the message board.

by **streakygopher** » Sat 4/11/09 4:59 pm

trixR4kids wrote:Not sure how you'd say Miami is a boring team, I'd reserve that for Cornell or something. BU looks too good but Miami could pull it off. Would be cool to see a four beat a one in the final.

Miami likes to clog up skating lanes...and they're good at it. I also think they play a boring style - and they'll have to play that way tonight to beat BU. I can't stomach the idea of either team winning, so probably won't even watch.

by **trixR4kids** » Sat 4/11/09 5:02 pm

Their offense is pretty fun to watch though. Nothing wrong with being boring on D if it works.

by **GopherRube21** » Sat 4/11/09 8:21 pm

3-1 Miami with about 4 minutes left in the 3rd period

by **pjoyn** » Sat 4/11/09 8:30 pm

make that 3-3

by **BlueBandit24** » Sat 4/11/09 8:31 pm

What a great final minute. Kind of the theme of the tourney so far.

by **GopherRube21** » Sat 4/11/09 8:31 pm

pjoyn wrote:make that 3-3

omg, 2 goals for BU in less than 30 seconds, we are headed to OT it looks

by **USHANABI** » Sat 4/11/09 8:32 pm

GopherRube21 wrote:
omg, 2 goals for BU in less than 30 seconds, we are headed to OT it looks

BU in OT?

by **GopherRube21** » Sat 4/11/09 8:33 pm

OVERTIME!!!!

What a comeback by BU, all I can say is WOW!!! What a finish to regulation....

Gotta like BU's chances headed into OT

by **gerber01** » Sat 4/11/09 8:34 pm

Blindside wrote:What a great final minute. Kind of the theme of the tourney so far.

not a good year to have a lead in the final minute! Kind of reminds me of Gopher/Maine 2002 championship game.

by **USHANABI** » Sat 4/11/09 9:05 pm

USHANABI wrote:BU in OT?

Unbelievable!

Go Gophers 2010!

by **Go Gophers!** » Sat 4/11/09 9:07 pm

Bring back Coach Woog!!!

GO GOPHERS!!!

by **BlueBandit24** » Sat 4/11/09 9:12 pm

Man that has got to be an absolute kick to the store for Miami fans.

by **Hack22** » Sat 4/11/09 9:14 pm

WOW. What a great game - especially the final couple of minutes and overtime! One of the many reasons why I love this game.

by **gerber01** » Sat 4/11/09 9:17 pm

Not to beat a dead horse, but Barry Melrose makes me want to vomit. "The skill of B.U., BU is just great, the skilled greatness of BU, blah blah blah". The winning goal was equal parts fluke and luck, not skill Barry. It was the type of goal you figured would win the game.

Miami gave that game away with the "prevent defense" they played in the last 2 minutes of regulation. The only thing it prevented was a Miami win.

Interesting tournament. It was very disappointing for the Gophs not to be in, but the way that suzie and the skunk heads lost took much of that sting out. Bemidjis' run was pretty fun to watch also.

by **Next Crosby** » Sat 4/11/09 9:21 pm

Hack22 wrote:WOW. What a great game - especially the final couple of minutes and overtime! One of the many reasons why I love this game.

by **gator** » Sat 4/11/09 9:34 pm

Good game, but Miami (OH) choked away my $$$.

by **gopher6** » Sat 4/11/09 9:37 pm

it shows that teamwork is what it takes, this years gopher team if they made it this far would have taken a blown out.
BU wins no problem. Next year in Detroit? lets see if we can make a major come back

by **Bigbeer** » Sat 4/11/09 10:22 pm

It looked like Miami executed their game plan until they looked up at the scoreboard with 2 minutes left and said, "hey we won...".

Oops.

3 of BU's 4 wins were on flukey goals. The hockey gods had the fix in. Tough loss for Miami.

by **GopherRube21** » Sat 4/11/09 10:26 pm

Bigbeer wrote:It looked like Miami executed their game plan until they looked up at the scoreboard with 2 minutes left and said, "hey we won...".

Oops.

3 of BU's 4 wins were on flukey goals. The hockey gods had the fix in. Tough loss for Miami.

I totally agree, it looked like Miami was playing their game and then realized that we only have 2 minutes and we win a title. I have to give it up to Miami for making it this far, they had a hell of a run in post season (minus their conference playoffs).

I am still trying to figure out how that 2nd BU goal went it??? The 3rd goal was a sweet play, but that is a horrible way to lose a game on that 4th goal...

by **Toe Blake** » Sat 4/11/09 10:46 pm

Jackie Parker goes12 years between Frozen Four appearances and 14 years between National Championships at a premier hockey school. He was a minute from extending those streaks. College hockey is more competitive than it has ever been, but we have people who think Lucia should be canned for a dry spell half as long. And, those people have no realistic alternative in mind. :roll:

by **maybemaybenot** » Sat 4/11/09 10:56 pm

Neither team had great goaltending. BU guy hung on and MO guy was steady(he was the backup to Kangas at Indy-released from the team-picked up NAHL Alaska-nice story. Look at the scoring chances in the final 4-we have failed in the DDDDD- cant be a big dog without BIG D!!!

by **streakygopher** » Sat 4/11/09 11:03 pm

Credit BU to press like they did, scoring 2 monster goals in about a minute with a total of maybe 2.5 minutes without a goalie...unlike any game I've ever seen

That said, this one will go down as a colossal choke job by Miami...I mean, come on, a two goal lead with one minute left, with over 2 minutes sans goalie? That is a win and only a once-in-a-lifetime, tail-pipe-swallowing, Kamikaze choke job loses it.

Worst of all, we had to listen to the grease ball Barry Melrose extol the talent of BU, most of which he poured on pretty heavy after they got back in the game, even though BU got lucky to win.

I will say this though - this game aside - BU won every tournament they played in this season. A down year in college hockey, yes, but they were a dominant team.

by **GOPHER FREAK** » Sat 4/11/09 11:28 pm

Toe Blake wrote:Jackie Parker goes12 years between Frozen Four appearances and 14 years between National Championships at a premier hockey school. He was a minute from extending those streaks. College hockey is more competitive than it has ever been, but we have people who think Lucia should be canned for a dry spell half as long. And, those people have no realistic alternative in mind.

Let's hope we don't go that long. Because as you said, we are already halfway there.

And for the record, The are MANY "realistic alternatives" to Lucia. One was coaching tonight, and it wasn't Jackie Parker.

But maybe you will be like me. I was fully in the Lucia camp last season. Now I say it's time to move on. BU IS NOT Minnesota. What is acceptable there isn't necessarily acceptable here. 5th and 7th WCHA, And a squeak into the NCAA one of those years is not acceptable here. But feel free to keep making excuses for Lucia if you wish, I prefer to let him sink or swim on his own merit. A the moment he is sinking, I hope he proves me wrong, but I'm not holding my breath.

by **The Rube** » Sun 4/12/09 12:14 am

GOPHER FREAK wrote:
Toe Blake wrote:Jackie Parker goes12 years between Frozen Four appearances and 14 years between National Championships at a premier hockey school. He was a minute from extending those streaks. College hockey is more competitive than it has ever been, but we have people who think Lucia should be canned for a dry spell half as long. And, those people have no realistic alternative in mind.

Let's hope we don't go that long. Because as you said, we are already halfway there.

And for the record, The are MANY "realistic alternatives" to Lucia. One was coaching tonight, and it wasn't Jackie Parker.

But maybe you will be like me. I was fully in the Lucia camp last season. Now I say it's time to move on. BU IS NOT Minnesota. What is acceptable there isn't necessarily acceptable here. 5th and 7th WCHA, And a squeak into the NCAA one of those years is not acceptable here. But feel free to keep making excuses for Lucia if you wish, I prefer to let him sink or swim on his own merit. A the moment he is sinking, I hope he proves me wrong, but I'm not holding my breath.

HE is traditionally (as of the last few years anyway) a "weaker" conference than the WCHA. Meaning, that in HE, there are usually 2-3 super top teams, then the rest. In the WCHA, the depth is more apparent. It's easier to win HE (or at least do well) as opposed to the WCHA. I'm not giving tDon a free pass, but I'm far from the point of calling for his head.

by **streakygopher** » Sun 4/12/09 9:57 am

Lucia is a solid coach. Early departures and his failure to adequately anticipate and compensate for them has him on the ropes. It also hasn't helped that some of his recruitment choices that actually have stayed haven't been solid contributors on the scoreboard. Hopefully, he can fix this chronic problem.

Gopher hockey has become what baseball is for the Twins...they better win with a mix of great young talent before they hit their jr/sr year (the baseball analogy is free agency) and guys who don't have an option to move on early (for the Twins, it's grizzled veterans who are affordable).

by **Hammy** » Sun 4/12/09 11:26 am

We can't even get a Canadian recruit on the team without a certain percentage of people around here whining. So yeah... I can really see them considering a guy from Ontario as the next head coach. That would go over well around here.

If you are gonna toss out statements, it might be useful to have a grip on reality when doing so. :roll:

by **Gopherguy05** » Sun 4/12/09 2:33 pm

Hammy wrote:We can't even get a Canadian recruit on the team without a certain percentage of people around here whining. So yeah... I can really see them considering a guy from Ontario as the next head coach. That would go over well around here.

If you are gonna toss out statements, it might be useful to have a grip on reality when doing so.

Gopher Freak throwing out mindless statements without thinking them through first.....never :roll:

by **frozen4champs** » Sun 4/12/09 3:50 pm

Back from the yearly trip to the Frozen 4. Here's the good, bad and ugly from this past week.

Good---
---2 of the 3 games were great.
---2Amy's Pizza Rocks
--- Nice to tour DC. 1st time in 25 years
--- Metro line was slick
--- Ran into some really cool fans from around college hockey
Bad---
--- Just not the same without a WCHA team. MN, UND, and WI also bring excitement
----Sitting in the stands surrounded by 100 Mike Eruzione sounding fans.
--- The service and the food in the city was poor.

Ugly---
--- PA guy at the Verizon...sounded like he was calling a monster truck rally
--- EXPENSIVE. By far the most expensive frozen 4 we've gone to, and hope it's 25 more years before we go back

I'm NOT looking forward to the FORD FIELD FARCE in 2010. I also prefer the event held in medium sized cites--Denver, Milwaukee etc, rather than the really big expensive cities DC, Anaheim, Tampa

Hockey season is OVER :censored:

by **cphockeyman** » Sun 4/12/09 7:35 pm

A great Tournament this week! Here's my good, bad, and ugly:

Good - Verizon Center. Liked it. The games were well attended and the Championship game was the best since 2002.
-Nice weather for most of the tourney allowed for nice sightseeing.
-Late start times for the games meant more time for visiting the sights of DC
-Bauer brand launch party was held at the Air and Space Museum. Nice to enjoy a beer while viewing the Apollo 11 capsule and reflecting upon what they did.

Bad - The Town Car "limo" driver who charged 4 of us $15 to go from Union Station to the Air and Space Museum. The cab ride back to the hotel (3 blocks shorter) was $4.25.
-Security line at IAD (Dulles). I think they were crabby about having to work on Easter. Slow and crabby.
-Not a lot of food choices near the hotel (Capitol Liaison), but on a good note the burgers at the Billy Goat Tavern across the street were tasty.
-Our photo steward was not real interested in putting in the time necessary to rotate people around. Thus, I spent 8 of 9 periods on the same concrete step in Section 200.

Ugly - The Judiciary Square Metro Station that was closed, forcing us to find the other entrance, causing us to miss the train. This set off a 7 block brisk walk to Metro Center, luggage and camera gear in tow to catch the train we needed to make it to IAD on time. We made it with about 25 seconds to spare!
- The PA guy at the Verizon Center WAS bad!

I am also not looking forward to Ford Field. We talked to photographers who were at the Final Four and they said the sight-lines were horrible!

by **Toe Blake** » Sun 4/12/09 9:41 pm

GOPHER FREAK wrote:
Toe Blake wrote:Jackie Parker goes12 years between Frozen Four appearances and 14 years between National Championships at a premier hockey school. He was a minute from extending those streaks. College hockey is more competitive than it has ever been, but we have people who think Lucia should be canned for a dry spell half as long. And, those people have no realistic alternative in mind.

Let's hope we don't go that long. Because as you said, we are already halfway there.

And for the record, The are MANY "realistic alternatives" to Lucia. One was coaching tonight, and it wasn't Jackie Parker.

But maybe you will be like me. I was fully in the Lucia camp last season. Now I say it's time to move on. BU IS NOT Minnesota. What is acceptable there isn't necessarily acceptable here. 5th and 7th WCHA, And a squeak into the NCAA one of those years is not acceptable here. But feel free to keep making excuses for Lucia if you wish, I prefer to let him sink or swim on his own merit. A the moment he is sinking, I hope he proves me wrong, but I'm not holding my breath.

Blasi? Really? The coach of the team that just blew a 2 goal lead in the last minute of a national championship game? The guy who has a .570 winning percentage in a generally weaker league? The guy who has one league title in 10 years in a generally weaker league? The guy who has missed the NCAA tournament more than he has been in it? The guy rode a hot streak into the national championship this year, but a few years back when he won the CCHA, he lost in the first round to a lower seed 5-0. He is a defensive minded coach who would play half his games on an Olympic size sheet. Brilliant pick for your next coach. Great fit for Minnesota's program. :roll:

BU has pretty much the same hockey history as Minnesota - same number of titles in a hockey crazy state. When you think top programs in the nation, BU has to be on that list.

I am in the camp of ripping Lucia for his failures, and ripping those who call for his head without thinking it through. There are many who WANT his job, but few if any who I would risk handing the keys over to after kicking Lucia out the door. I am in favor of Maturi starting to think about a succession plan. As I've said before, I'd like to see HIll move on so that Bell could join the staff.......Lucia's staff.

by **ex_goldy** » Sun 4/12/09 10:56 pm

Interesting talk on this thread about Lucia (ahem - stay focused people), we had this going on a different thread that got locked (?) but I'm not putting any effort into it this year. Next year there will be a whole different list of names from teams that did well that year and anything brought up this year won't mean a lick. I was way too psyched about this year in October, I'm going to hold off until I see them play next year. This last year was such a crash and burn.
If we're going to talk about current stuff, how about Why would channel 4 fire that Jenette Trompeter anchor for Liz Collins? What's up with that? I should post that on the what annoys you thread.

by **panndder** » Sun 4/12/09 11:08 pm

ex_goldy wrote:If we're going to talk about current stuff, how about Why would channel 4 fire that Jenette Trompeter anchor for Liz Collins? What's up with that? I should post that on the what annoys you thread.

Why did 'CCO let go of Paul Douglas and get Chris Shaffer (who I like, but I digress)? Money. Someone established (as Trumpeter is) costs more than a fresh face.

by **Goldy Gopher** » Mon 4/13/09 9:36 am

Hammy wrote:We can't even get a Canadian recruit on the team without a certain percentage of people around here whining. So yeah... I can really see them considering a guy from Ontario as the next head coach. That would go over well around here.

Well, unless that guy from Ontario wore #2 and was from Sault Ste. Marie, then it would probably be ok with most folks.

by **mnpuckguy** » Mon 4/13/09 10:22 am

Watched a little of the Championship game on Saturday.
Couldn't believe that Marco Hunt & Todd Anderson were the referees. Todd Anderson has to be the worst referee in the WCHA. He is worse than Derek Sheppard! I know they want to have referees from a neutral conference, but c'mon, Todd Anderson is the best that the WCHA could come up with?

by **Bigbeer** » Mon 4/13/09 11:45 am

I literally sat there with my mouth open when they showed the refs. Hunt (and Sheppard) are decent refs, but Anderson is really bad. How does he get this game? Does Greg Sheppard consider him the best of the WCHA refs? I waited the whole game for him to make a game ruining call. Is he married/dating someone's daughter?

by **momo** » Mon 4/13/09 1:46 pm

Bigbeer wrote:I literally sat there with my mouth open when they showed the refs. Hunt (and Sheppard) are decent refs, but Anderson is really bad. How does he get this game? Does Greg Sheppard consider him the best of the WCHA refs? I waited the whole game for him to make a game ruining call. Is he married/dating someone's daughter?

after reading other teams websites along with g.p.l. i think it is safe to say that what fans look for in a referee is totaly different than what the wcha or ncaa looks for, to answer your question bigbeer, yes, anderson is married but not to anyone with connections.

by **Melvin** » Mon 4/13/09 2:09 pm

trixR4kids wrote:Not sure how you'd say Miami is a boring team, I'd reserve that for Cornell or something. BU looks too good but Miami could pull it off. Would be cool to see a four beat a one in the final.

Miami is a more talented version of Cornell but I dont' think they are world betters by any stretch of the imagination.
They almost played their way out of the NCAA torney. I would be very surprise if they are back in the Frozen Four next season. They got the right draws and that is the way the tourney falls sometimes.

by **Melvin** » Mon 4/13/09 2:11 pm

Bigbeer wrote:I literally sat there with my mouth open when they showed the refs. Hunt (and Sheppard) are decent refs, but Anderson is really bad. How does he get this game? Does Greg Sheppard consider him the best of the WCHA refs? I waited the whole game for him to make a game ruining call. Is he married/dating someone's daughter?

Just for the record, Todd Anderson had a very attractive woman on his side at Tom Reids during the Final Five.

by **momo** » Mon 4/13/09 2:18 pm

That would be his wife.

by **fake shemp** » Mon 4/13/09 2:25 pm

mnpuckguy wrote:Watched a little of the Championship game on Saturday.
Couldn't believe that Marco Hunt & Todd Anderson were the referees. Todd Anderson has to be the worst referee in the WCHA. He is worse than Derek Sheppard! I know they want to have referees from a neutral conference, but c'mon, Todd Anderson is the best that the WCHA could come up with?

While I won't give an opinion on Todd Anderson's reffing prowess, or lack therof, you may note that he also reffed the NCAA Championship game last year - so he is apparently considered by the league to be the WCHA's best, not worst.

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