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SCSU vs. U of M

Thoughts, predictions

SCSU WILL SWEEP!



OK it’s only one game. But it sounds better!

Gophers

I think the Gophers will have a tough time thursday. They played 4+ games of hockey in 3 days. They are gonna be sore and not ready to handle the HUSKIES. 4-1 St. Cloud State

Well, since this is not a NCAA Tournament game St. Cloud might have a chance, but I think the Golden Gophers of the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities will take this opening game of the 2008 Red Baron WCHA Final Five. Looking forward to a good time at the X though!

SCSU is a more offensive talented team. It'll be up to the Gophers to play as tough at d-fence as they did last weekend.

Gophers 3-1 EN

61ache wrote:SCSU is a more offensive talented team. It'll be up to the Gophers to play as tough at d-fence as they did last weekend.

I'd say SCSU is more of a top heavy team. I don't think they have better depth though. They rely heavily on their top three guys to get the job done and that is mainly on the power play as their top guys aren't nearly as effective 5 on 5.

If the Gophers can stay out of the box and limit SCSU's power play, they should have a very good chance to win. Especially on a smaller rink where they can use their size and physical play to their advantage as SCSU is a smaller, finesse team that doesn't like being knocked around.

It is tougher to predict this game though because of the series the Gophers just went through against Mankato. SCSU will certainly have an advantage in regard to being more fresh and rested. We'll see if that helps them or not.

The Gophers playing so many periods in three days should not be as big of an impact as most people think. Three days without a game is plenty of time to rest and recover. The Gophers are playing very well and Kangas is confident. I like the Gophers in a 3-2 type game. Overtime likely.

Gopher Blog wrote:

61ache wrote:SCSU is a more offensive talented team. It'll be up to the Gophers to play as tough at d-fence as they did last weekend.

I'd say SCSU is more of a top heavy team. I don't think they have better depth though. They rely heavily on their top three guys to get the job done and that is mainly on the power play as their top guys aren't nearly as effective 5 on 5.

If the Gophers can stay out of the box and limit SCSU's power play, they should have a very good chance to win. Especially on a smaller rink where they can use their size and physical play to their advantage as SCSU is a smaller, finesse team that doesn't like being knocked around.

It is tougher to predict this game though because of the series the Gophers just went through against Mankato. SCSU will certainly have an advantage in regard to being more fresh and rested. We'll see if that helps them or not.

Definitely agree 100% on the power play. The Gophers cannot afford bad penalties on this series where SCSU's numbers give them the advantage. Also, Gophers cannot depend on scoring many goals and they cannot go in the hole early.

Kangas is good enough to hold the Gophers in any game. He steals the win for the Gophers in this one in a 3-2, 2-1 type game.

Kangas is making leaps and bounds for a freshman, but don't put the cart in front of the horse.

I am in Florida and trying to find a Bar that will carry the Game.
Anyone know what network is carrying Final Five?

wtbearlk1111 wrote:I am in Florida and trying to find a Bar that will carry the Game.
Anyone know what network is carrying Final Five?

FSN North

The Gophers will be tired and SCSU will cease the opportunity.

Huskies 4
Gophers 1

Love my Gophers, but this year...

I hate to say this, but...
Kangas plays well as he has for many weekends, but the Gophs can't score this year... the Huskies keep coming, and put 3 to 4 on the board...

SCSU 4 (EN?) (3 will be enough for Huskies)

Gophers 2

Gophers will not lose ground w/ loss in Pairwise, and finish 12th in Pairwise to gain a ticket to the NCAA...

But for the play of Kangas, the Gophs would be done this year, and probably would have finished 8 or 9 in WCHA. I would like to say they could beat SCSU, but I can't with their lack of ability to score. SCSU has more talent up front then Mankato (Mankato will be very good next year), and will put more pressure on U to score. The Gophs don't play physical anyway, so what little size difference there is won't really matter. SCSU wins 4-1 (with 1 open net goal). If the U can manage 3 goals, they will have a chance. By the way, Kangas is no freshman even though he's a freshman. Check his age. I hope he stays around longer then 1 more year.

gorilla1 wrote:The Gophs don't play physical anyway, so what little size difference there is won't really matter.

Funny but I recall many Sioux fans lamenting the fact that the Gophers were outhitting them during some of their games this year. Of course, they don't goon it up like the Sioux but I think if you asked Mankato last weekend, they'd say the Gophers are very willing to throw their weight around.

By the way, Kangas is no freshman even though he's a freshman. Check his age. I hope he stays around longer then 1 more year.

By that definition, a large amount of first year college players wouldn't be considered a freshman.

Hell, the Sioux have made a living out of recruiting overage Canadians over the years.

If the Gophers keep SCSU's top three guys quiet on the power play, they'll have a very good chance to win that game. They are very ordinary when they aren't on the power play. Their stats speak volumes about that. If they can't keep them quiet on the power play, then it is going to be tough to win. The Gophers don't want to get involved in any shootouts this year. Next season will be different. But this year they have to play a defensive minded style and keep the opponent to two goals or less. But Kangas is certainly playing to a level that this is possible against any team.

#7 Minnesota Gophers - 2
#5 SCSU Huskies - 3

FINAL

I think the 14 periods it took to beat Mankato will take its toll on Minnesota.

The gophs did burn a lot of energy in that last series.
They are also having trouble finding the back of the net.
St. Cloud has been on a roll and haven't lost to Minn in the last 7 games.
Because of all of those factors I would have to say-
Gophers 4
Huskies 2

grindiangrad-80 wrote:The gophs did burn a lot of energy in that last series.
They are also having trouble finding the back of the net.
St. Cloud has been on a roll and haven't lost to Minn in the last 7 games.
Because of all of those factors I would have to say-
Gophers 4
Huskies 2

haha
It all adds up to a win.
I would not be surprised one bit to see the gophers in the championship on saturday. All five of these teams have nothing to lose this weekend, they are all shoe-ins for the tourney. Stay healthy and have fun this weekend.

Gopherblog, we understand that you are a huge homer and you are unable to see anything unless it is through maroon glasses You need to get over your inferiority complex with the Sioux The conversation was concerning SCSU and the Gophers--had nothing to do with the Sioux. Can you just keep on the thread?

gorilla1 wrote:Gopherblog, we understand that you are a huge homer and you are unable to see anything unless it is through maroon glasses You need to get over your inferiority complex with the Sioux The conversation was concerning SCSU and the Gophers--had nothing to do with the Sioux. Can you just keep on the thread?

Inferior? Not when I look at the trophy case in the last six or seven years and see how it has been filled up a lot more than any other club in the league during that time.

I just like to tweak you since you try to pose as a fan of the Gophers when it is obvious you are a Sioux fan. I think it is funny.... a tad schizo to act that way but funny.

I think I was rather fair in what I said about the game. I realize Sioux fans have problems with balance but that doesn't mean Gopher fans can't show some balance in their opinion.

SCSU-4 Gophers-2 Empty Net

I just think Minnesota lost so much energy from last weekend against Minnesota State, Mankato. Two out of the three nights went into double overtime and the other went to overtime too. SCSUhas an extra days rest and took care of wisconsin so they should be ready.

I think most of you would be surprised as to how little impact the length of the Gopher-Maverick series will have impact. The momentum is a more important factor.