gophers/ncaa

While the 4 reasons given in the article are definitely valid and are part of the explanation, I would submit another reason. Simply stated, they have the winner's attitude and "killer-go-for-the-throat" mentality. It reminds of when Thomas Vanek played for them. He would sometimes coast a bit during the game, but when it came to the third period - especially if it was a close game - he was just a monster and could not be stopped. All of these are why I think this year's team can really make some noise in the NCAA's.

given the fact that the gophs score in almost every period, the fortunes for the gophs can be found in just about any analysis. Still, by winning, the W's speak for themselves. It's not so much the third period scoring as it is a winning team wins those games like the gophs did against UMD and UND. Winning those four games, three of which were won with late goals as this Emporer's report highlights, instead of splitting has made the gophs season so far.

Do you think the players are thankful for a very, very soft nonconference schedule? I suspect that there will be thousands of fans dressed up as empty seats during the upcoming Mariucci Classic....

This soft non conference schedule is old talk. Look at Duluth and Denver they're playing Huntsville. Don't give me they're helping Huntsville out either. Huntsville doesn't want to play D1, because if they did, they would've been banging on the door to get in a conference when the realignment was taking place. Huntsville never contacted any commissioner of the conferences about joining. When's Duluth holiday tourney? Back to the point of the article. Having kids that care about the program also helps and this year the Gophers have that.

Don't feel bad mn218, you know that they have a very, very soft schedule. Feel free to bring up Huntsville and then we can talk about the following series.... Sacred Heart, Vermont, Niagara, Northeastern/Princeton. Let's see the other teams that Duluth is playing. Well Notre Dame, Western Michigan, and Providence. Please look at their records. Let's see the other teams that UND is playing. Well, Boston College, Maine, Air Force, and Harvard. Please look at their records. Just look at all of those fans showing up as empty seats just like you! I think UMTC fans are softer than the team they cheer for!!! Soft, soft fans dressed up as empty seats....

Providence is bad,they barely beat Hunsville( but I suppose they're good because Duluth lost to them). Western Mich is solid. UND shouldn't be in the conversation being that they're awful. Denver plays Princeton as well. Minnesota play Notre Dame as well. IRC218 you're so right, Minnesota does play a soft schedule who in H-E- double hockey sticks put Duluth and North Dakota on our schedule. Minnesota's record in those series? 4-0! How come you don't bring up Minnesota traveling to Michigan State this weekend?

Sorry for the typos in my last post. I haven't put my glasses on yet...lol

Why is it when the Gophers are winning it is because they are playing a week schedule? The difference is that the Gophers are winning. Plain and simple, that is all that matters. In my opinion, the difference this season is the players are working hard every game and every shift. I can't say that for the previous 3-4 season.

I just gotta say that I despise the Sioux, Badgers, SCSU, and every other opponent, but I don't waste times going to their blogs or their local press online to comment or put down their programs to the fan base...hopefully you win more than you lose, and in the WCHA, Dinkytown is treated like New York, and the Gophers are hated, much like the Yankees, for having success and winning championships...get over it, and follow your program, not ours.

meganmax, well said!