Freddy's three thoughts of the game:
1. Another one-goal loss: If you count games with empty-net goals as one-goal games (which I will do here), the Mavericks extended their winless streak in WCHA games to six games with all of those being decided by one goal or less. "We could probably have an 8-7 game," said Joe Schiller, who scored MSU's lone goal. "Thank goodness we haven't." No, in fact, the broken record is that they played another top-10 team toe to toe, only to fall by a single score. They outshot the Badgers 35-29, including 17-4 in the third period, and they held a high-scoring team to just two goals -- one power-play rebound goal and a breakaway.
2. Frustration setting in? Close but no cigar is obviously getting old for the Mavericks. "We're frustrated for sure," Schiller said. "To play as well as we have, the results have to get there eventually. The message is, we're playing well enough that we will be rewarded." Said coach Troy Jutting: "For 14 games in a row we've been playing really good hockey. I feel bad for the kids. It's frustrating because we're doing things the right way." Said goalie Austin Lee: "The work ethic is there. Everyone's trying and working hard."
3. Lee is solid: While Wisconsin goalie Scott Gudmandson deserved the game's No. 1 star for his 34-save effort, including 16 saves in the third period, MSU's Lee had a great game, stopping 27 shots, including 13 in the second. Lee made a pair of quick, back-to-back saves on a penalty kill before Jordy Murray finally put the third shot under his pad to open the scoring in the first period. On the game-winner, Lee moved out to challenge Craig Smith's breakaway, and nearly had him stuffed. But Smith made a nifty move at the last second and tucked the puck in at the right post for his 15th goal of the season.
Read the box score here.
21 comments:
No shock here. Another weekend against a WCHA opponent equals another pair of losses for Mankato. Frustration continues to mount for the Mavericks faithful. Maybe one day our beloved team will enable us to cheer for a contender. I'll continue to dream.
BIG- why does he need to confirm to me that he said Cooper was a canidate for most improved? I remember him saying it. If you're referencing previous posts where someone was questioning that...it was not ME. Also, if you want to confront or "confirm" something to me, put on your big boy pants and do it yourself. I, for one, agree that Cooper has made big strides this year and myself have been wondering about his lack of playing time lately.
So, unless I'm missing something...I'm not really sure why you think Shane has to confirm anything with me?
LGM. I apologize if it was not you.
Someone took offense to my stating that Cooper was fitting that description.
Some wound tight bloggers...
Nope, wasn't me. You'll have to look back at the comments to see who it was. I remember the comment though because I thought "hmm, that person doesn't remember Shane saying that Cooper is in the running for most improved."
It's probably just easiest to address the situation when it comes up directly with that person than to ask Shane to do it way after the fact.
I'm not wound tight, btw. Just like to have the facts stated as they are and like to have people say things to me and not through others:)
Yet another lost weekend at the Kohl Center. Thank God for their fantastic student section with the amazing band. Their show was worth the price of admission.
As for the games, well of course it was more of the same. Watching the play and what was going on on the bench, I get the feeling that not surprisingly, Jutting has "lost" this team. With I think 57 seconds to play in game 2 and trailing by a goal, our goalie pulled for an extra skater, there was a time out. Upon the resumption of play with our "best players" dragging their tired rear ends, nothing happened. We didn't even get another credible shot. In the lobby after the game, I saw some of the players with presumably their families, and though I didn't speak to any of them, they seemed pretty dispirited.
Why are the coaching staff not held accountable for the pathetic results? Why does the media pander to the team to the extent that there is little or no criticism, broadcast or printed, other than by fans blogging.
Many of us are totally befuddled by the logic that determines who plays and how much - (or little) - ice time various players get - (or TAKE.) I've said that the only time I see #5 off the ice is when he's in the penalty box. Surely, given the circumstances that the team finds itself in, it's time to give those players an opportunity to build some confidence by playing them for fifteen minutes or more a game. Several players get no more than four or five minute ice time - or LESS, in a game. That is ludicrous!!
The psyche of the young men is quite fragile. All of them from Freshmen to Seniors, were stars on their previous teams. The jump to D1 hockey was huge for all of them. Unfortunately Jutting is NOT a teacher. He uses fear as his motivator and for most of the boys in the squad it simply confuses them more than it motivates. They have a tough enough time balancing their athletic obligations with their academics, that pushing them out to the periphery of the squad to play the senior class men regardless of their current form, is poor management and will ultimately erode, if it hasn't already the team chemistry which was so strong at the beginning of the season. The NY Rangers recently sat their marquis player, Gaborik because he wasn't scoring goals. He returned last week and scored four goals in his first game in a couple of weeks. The Mav's aren't scoring goals......
My apologies for rambling. It just bothers me no end to see a program which has so much promise being mishandled. There is no excuse for not making moves with the lines and playing time to see if the team can put up better results. This applies to special teams as well. Just give the boys a chance so that they can restore their confidence. At least three or four games.
btw "LGM". What makes you think I wear "big boy pants"???
Should not assume the gender....
just funning with you...
I understand the frustration that fans have right now. The Mavericks have not been able to get over the hump in terms of beating the WCHA's best teams. But just to give you a quick YWA?!?! (and maybe expand on some things from the live blog), I'd toss out a few things here:
1. There seems to be a lot of complaints about the defense, yet MSU held the second-highest-scoring team in the WCHA to just two goals on Saturday and five goals for the weekend. Of course, the Mavs scored just three goals themselves. Not good enough. Clearly, the team is frustrated now.
2. Yes, I did write that I thought Cooper was one of the team's most-improved players this year (although I'm not sure what your argument is about). Strange that for all the complaints about too much ice time for the top four D, suddenly there are complaints about the fifth guy being on the ice for a few goals. Can't have it both ways. By the way, how often was Wisco's third set of D on the ice? I saw a lot of Gardiner and Schultz this weekend.
3. As I wrote on the blog and in print, the reason there were seven D in the lineup on Saturday was because forwards Burkemper and Zuck were out with injuries. They can only travel with two extra players, and they usually take one F and one D on road trips. Mosey was listed as a forward on Saturday but he played both positions during the game. Up until Saturday night, the lines have been fairly consistent over the last six weeks or so.
4. I thought MSU had some good chances late in Saturday's game. I didn't think they looked too tired in the final minute. Gudmandson had to make a great save on a bouncing puck on a Galiardi tip and also coughed up some rebounds, too. MSU had a 17-4 shot advantage in the third period. For the series, they outshot Wisconsin 34-10 and outscored the Badgers 2-1 in the third periods.
5. Fans have every right to criticize and complain but the real issue this team is facing right now is goal scoring and getting second-chace opportunities up front. They simply don't have the high-end scoring talent that North Dakota, Denver and Wisconsin have. Think about the difference makers in the last three WCHA series: Frattin (20 goals), Zucker (17 goals), Smith (15 goals), Gardiner (29 points), Schultz (36 points!). But for some reason, the most "vocal" commentators on the blog are hung up on the ice time for defensemen.
Shane - It is so refreshing to see how far you have come on this game of hockey. You see it so clearly now.
One thing I will add is the loss of Pitlick. The top teams in this league can easily reload after losing a 2nd round draft pick, we can not. A Pitlick type player would probably give us three more wins which would put us in the middle of the pack.
Hopefully in the next three years we'll get some offensive help to go with this freshmen class. We'll need it with the loss of Davis and Youds next year.
Keep up the good coverage.
Hey "Big Boy Pants" why do you delete your well thought out posts after some of the games?
If only Tyler Pitlick and Matt Leitner were skating for the Mavs this year...
ilmavfan - idk. I think I have today's as I was trying to edit...
Some of the comments on here are ridiculous, as are the expectations of some fans.
1) Is 0-5-1 over the last six games good? Not by any means. But the Mavericks have taken on three of the top 10 teams in the country over that stretch and given them everything they could handle. They missed an opportunity to get (more) points against both Denver and North Dakota. One could argue they played a bad 20 minutes in Madison. But let's keep it in perspective here people -- that's three of the best teams on the schedule this season. A schedule that has given the Mavericks NO FAVORS at any point this season.
2) The argument that Ben Youds and Kurt Davis should not be seeing the ice time they are is preposterous. You could make an argument for Youds as an ALL-LEAGUE defenseman last season. Like it or not, he will go down as one of the top 5 or 6 defensemen this team has had in the Division 1 era. For as disappointing as Youds was as a freshman (at least in my opinion), he has turned around his career big time and is one of the most valuable players on this team. The argument that Evan Mosey should be playing more is absolutely ridiculous. You're talking about an ALL-WCHA caliber defenseman and a guy who put happened to put together two nice weekends last season in St. Cloud. Let's try and be a little more realistic people. If anything, Youds and Davis should be playing MORE not less. If you can't see the game clearly enough to realize that, then you need to follow a different sport. It's not an opinion, it's a fact. And the numbers support that.
3) To those that think Jutting plays head games and plays favorites: Get real. This isn't pee-wee hockey where politics and coach's favorites play a role. Troy Jutting is a Division 1 head coach and every player on this team is a "Jutting guy." He gets paid a lot of money to try and win hockey games. I doubt he sits Mosey for Youds because he likes Youds more. C'mon, folks. That ship has sailed. And to those that say "I have sources that said this and sources that said that," go to practice everyday. It's easy to spout opinion on a message board or a blog without actually putting a name next to your "knowledge." Let's be honest: You really don't know much more than anyone else. Because if it really needed to be said, these "sources" would actually go on record.
CONTINUES BELOW...
4) Which brings me to my next point: It's not the job of a Shane Frederick to criticize this team. Check out any sport, in any town in any newspaper. Find me a beatwriter who criticizes a team. A beatwriter's job is to report on the team. That's not to say there can't be some honest criticism (and I think Shane provides that). It's the job of a columnist to provide that kind of ridicule. If you have an opinion on Jutting and this program and you feel your voice isn't being heard, e-mail Kevin Buisman. Call him. Stop by and visit with him. He's not a hard man to get a hold of. If that's how you truly feel and you feel you know better than anyone else, put forth some effort and let your opinion be heard! It's not Shane's job to be your mouthpiece for everything you feel is wrong with the program. Along with a Kevin Pates and a Brad Schlossman, Shane Frederick is one of the best beat guys in the league. Be thankful to have someone as passionate and talented covering your team. Believe me, there are plenty of guys around the WCHA who mail it in on a weekly basis and are happy to simply collect a paycheck.
5) The psyche of this team is fine. Of course they weren't smiling and laughing Saturday night, they had just lost another tough, physical, emotional game to a great team. If this team's psyche was damaged and Jutting had lost he group, they would have rolled in Madison after that Denver weekend and gotten their doors blown off. But they showed up and fought like a good hockey team.
This team just needs an ounce of puck luck this season. It could happen this weekend in St. Cloud. If this team can catch lightning in a bottle, it's playing well enough to easily win 8 or 9 of its last 10 games. Sit back and enjoy the season. This is as competitive a team as this program has had in many years.
BIG- you're right...I shouldn't assume you're a man. I had originally written "big boy pants or big girl panties" but then looked back for the comments you were talking about and something you wrote lead me to believe you're a man. If not, sorry! I try to not assume, being that I myself am a female and always have people assuming I'm a guy.
VoR- I think you have some valid points...way too many for me to ramble on about. The one thing I do want to address is your comment about Jutting not playing mind games and about fans not really knowing and revealing sources. What I'll tell you 100% for sure is that he does play head games and has for years. No, I will not reveal my sources but I think if you know Shane and at all he is able to confirm about me knowing some thing that others may not know. Trust me, he saw something with his own eyes with me that gave him insight and to quote him "had I not seen it, I wouldn't believe it!" But it's ok if you want to doubt me, to each their own opinion.
I honestly don't know how Shane does it. In fact, it was going to be my "YWA question" this week: "Shane how do you come up with new ways to support the coach and not throw him under the bus?"
I see the Mavs like SCSU was the other year...angry fans, people giving up their tickets...time for a change. That's exactly why they got rid of Dahl and slowly the program is building. Yes, they still have issues but they're getting better recruits and fans have returned. Dahl was a cancer to the program and I personally think the same about Juttting.
I guess aside from my thoughts, I just can't get out of my head that NHL recruits notice the lack of development Jutting has with players also. He does have a tall order with the other WCHA schools but I think a different coach would do better. We keep him and it only gets worse...now we have BSU and UNO taking our recruits.
Also, trust me...Buisman doesn't care to talk to any fans.
Hey everyone,
It’s a new week and we are playing a different opponent this weekend. Lets all be positive and confident that the Mavs will get the job done! I was in Chicago for the tourney and I plan on being in St. Cloud this weekend to show my support for the boys.
Hockey 25 - We're happy for ya. This is a tough guy sport. Grow a pair!!
Let's move on ...
I guess I have trouble believing "NHL scouts see a lack of development" coming from Jutting's teams. In the last 10 years, this guy has helped launch the careers of guys like David Backes (Olympian and All Star), Ryan Carter (Stanley Cup winner), Tim Jackman, Jon Kalinski, Trevor Bruess, Steve Wagner, Travis Morin, etc. These guys range from Olympians to AHL All Stars, to ECHL guys to guys in Eurpope. I'd put his track record up against programs like UMD and SCSU over the last 10 years or so, especially when you consider that some of these guys weren't highly recruited or recruited at all.
Troy Jutting did not simply lose the ability to coach men. He simply has not had the luck he had in the early 2000s in regards to guys like Stevenson and Joseph. This program has been hit as hard as any in college hockey by early departures because they can't simply replace one blue chip guy with another.
There are a couple nice players in this sophomore class. It seems as though this freshman class could be a pretty good one. And he could have his best recruiting class ever next year, especially if a guy like Leitner pans out. I think those that think Jutting is a cancer should put down the crack pipe (or the Marlboro in this case) and look at the circumstances this program has had to overcome in recent years. It takes time to climb out of that -- with Minnesota being exhibit A in that regard.
VofR- I'll say this and then move on, per Shane's request.
Food for thought: Did Jutting develop those players or was it more his staff than him?
Also, just to make you smile I will say that in the one conversation the scout did also comment that Don Lucia does not develop players either. In fact, in his opinion, Jutting does more for development that tDon. Perhaps true!
Just to state also, I don't think that Jutting doesn't have any coaching talent...I just think he's not a D1 coach. D3, absolutely...perhaps even a juniors coach. I just don't think he has what it takes to be a head coach in the WCHA. However, I think we can all agree that ANY coach of MSU has a very tall order in front of them....tough league, excellent competition in the league, lack of money, etc.
Maybe since we're stuck with Jutting we could all focus our frustration to begging of Glen Taylor that basketball indeed sucks and that he should spend his time on the Maverick hockey team instead of the Timberwolves?!? :) Just think if the Mavs had money for new facilities, new equipment, etc....worked good for NoDak!
To give Darren Blue and Eric Means all the credit and not give Troy Jutting any credit is simply not fair. If you're going to hold Jutting completely responsible when things go wrong, then you have to give him credit when things go right. And even if we went with your logic, who hired Darren Blue? Who decided to keep Eric Means when he took over? Troy Jutting did.
Think of all those players I mentioned above... all but one left early.
Add Tim Jackman and 30-40 points to that 2002-03 team and they might be a MacNaughton Cup champion and a Frozen Four team. Add Jackman and Grant Stevenson to that 2003-04 team and you're looking at the potential of back-to-back Final Fives and NCAA Tournaments. If that happens, you're going to completely change the track of this program.
How many wins would Backes have been worth his senior season? Carter? Kalinski? Wagner? Add all those up and you're talking about maybe 20-30 more wins over the course of the decade. Maybe a couple more Final Fives. Maybe an NCAA Tournament or two. And instead of ripping Jutting, you're trying to find a way from keeping him away from Minnesota.
Those kinds of losses cripple a program and bring it from a National Championship level (think Minnesota early 2000s) to where they are now. St. Cloud State hasn't had to deal with that. Minnesota Duluth has, but on a smaller level. Not to mention UMD has 80 years of history to help it recover.
North Dakota dealt with heavy losses around the same time MSU did. But instead of recruiting Eriah Hayes and Eli Zuck to fill those holes, they recruit Danny Kristo and Corban Knight.
Guys like Paul Martin, Alex Goligoski, Thomas Vanek, Phil Kessell, Kyle Okposo all played for Lucia at Minnesota. I'd say he knows how to develop some talent. Any scout that says otherwise is completely clueless.
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