@ Minnesota State (11/12. 11/13)

[jpfalcon09]

Big road series coming this weekend in Mankato. Purple Cows split over the weekend with what appears to be an improved Ferris State club, which was surprising. Falcons are coming off a weekend sweep of the Tommies. Mavs still have a lot of familiar faces on their roster (Lutz, McKay), and they'll be a stiff test. If you'll remember, BG was pretty well dominated there last year after cracking the top ten.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

I believe we were ranked 5th. And with that weekend we began our long, depressing slide into pairwise oblivion.

Any points this weekend are a bonus. I just want to see the team to play better this year than they did last year.

[mbenecke]

Minnesota State is ranked #3 in the country coming into this game, with wins over defending national champion and current #8 UMass (twice), current #1 St. Cloud State, current #12 Providence, and current #2 Michigan.

This is an incredibly tall task for us this weekend - I'm simply hoping we're somewhat competitive. Solving the Dryden McKay puzzle is going to be very difficult.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

Some additional info on McKay. Half of his shutouts came against LSSU (4), NMU (4), UAH (4), UA_ (2) when LSSU and NMU stank. In more than half of these shutouts he faced fewer than 20 shots in a game; 8 times he faced 15 or fewer shots. One time he faced only 7 shots from the Seawolves. So basically he's standing around in his crease watching his team in their offensive zone while trying to figure out how to keep his fingers and toes from getting cold.

That Mav offense keeping the play at the other end of the rink for 2/3 of the game coupled with that stout Mav defense makes him seem better than he is. Don't get me wrong, he's still very good, but he's no Spencer Knight (or he'd have 5 NHL starts under his belt this season).

[pdt1081]

If they show up like they started Friday night, it will be an ugly weekend. I understand wanting to bring a physical game, but it has to actually be a part of play. It can't be forced. Friday night, they started off trying to force a physical game and looked all out of sorts. A team like Mankato will be able to capitalize on that. Once they settled back into their own game (3rd period) they were fairly dominant. If they can play 6 third periods in Mankato, it will be a successful weekend.

[jpfalcon09]

Some additional info on McKay. Half of his shutouts came against LSSU (4), NMU (4), UAH (4), UA_ (2) when LSSU and NMU stank. In more than half of these shutouts he faced fewer than 20 shots in a game; 8 times he faced 15 or fewer shots. One time he faced only 7 shots from the Seawolves. So basically he's standing around in his crease watching his team in their offensive zone while trying to figure out how to keep his fingers and toes from getting cold.

That Mav offense keeping the play at the other end of the rink for 2/3 of the game coupled with that stout Mav defense makes him seem better than he is. Don't get me wrong, he's still very good, but he's no Spencer Knight (or he'd have 5 NHL starts under his belt this season).

Having been a former goaltender, I can attest that usually goalie statistics are a representation of the overall team and not the guy in net...in most cases.

Look at a guy like Nedeljkovic for Detroit who was pretty sheltered in Carolina and put up gaudy numbers. So far his GAA is about a goal higher in Detroit, albeit it's early. McKay is like any other goalie, has weaknesses, and BG needs to just play their game and try to exploit them.

[unfalconbelievable]

If we can play defense and goaltend we will be in the game both nights. I think we can do both those things. The intangible factor is penalties. If we're are in the box more than usual we will be in for a long weekend.

Offense is what it is, for the past 13 years, of boboth teams play their game it becomes a first to three goals. Outside of penalties hurting us I view this as anything less then a split is bad.

[TommyG]

It’s still 2021…they can play well this weekend and compete in both games. Once Jan 1 2022 rolls around, that’s when it’ll start to unravel.

[jpfalcon09]

It’s still 2021…they can play well this weekend and compete in both games. Once Jan 1 2022 rolls around, that’s when it’ll start to unravel.

Eh, there's a new leadership core on this team. Yes, Barber is the captain but Burke and Swankler have established themselves as vocal leaders with the team. Unfair to paint the entire group with that broad brush.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

I realize TommyG is always gonna "TommyG" on us but that January swoon is such a historical part of this program I can't quite bring myself to believe just yet. Ask me again in February.

As for this weekend, well, I thought we'd get smoked up in Bemidji and have the same feeling again. I'd be ecstatic with any points but will consider a performance better than the dismal one that last year's team delivered to be positive progress. I guess I'm still not a believer...yet.

[jpfalcon09]

I realize TommyG is always gonna "TommyG" on us but that January swoon is such a historical part of this program I can't quite bring myself to believe just yet. Ask me again in February.

As for this weekend, well, I thought we'd get smoked up in Bemidji and have the same feeling again. I'd be ecstatic with any points but will consider a performance better than the dismal one that last year's team delivered to be positive progress. I guess I'm still not a believer...yet.

I expect two losses but the games will be competitive. Unfortunately there isn't enough talent to overcome what the Mavs still possess on their roster. Steal a game or even force a shootout and I'll be surprised.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

So you're saying we don't have enough talent to win on talent alone?

[jpfalcon09]

So you're saying we don't have enough talent to win on talent alone?

Correct, Mr. Brooks.

[TommyG]

I realize TommyG is always gonna "TommyG" on us but that January swoon is such a historical part of this program I can't quite bring myself to believe just yet. Ask me again in February.

As for this weekend, well, I thought we'd get smoked up in Bemidji and have the same feeling again. I'd be ecstatic with any points but will consider a performance better than the dismal one that last year's team delivered to be positive progress. I guess I'm still not a believer...yet.

If by TommyG on you, you mean I’m going to be right, then I guess I agree.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

I realize TommyG is always gonna "TommyG" on us but that January swoon is such a historical part of this program I can't quite bring myself to believe just yet. Ask me again in February.

As for this weekend, well, I thought we'd get smoked up in Bemidji and have the same feeling again. I'd be ecstatic with any points but will consider a performance better than the dismal one that last year's team delivered to be positive progress. I guess I'm still not a believer...yet.

If by TommyG on you, you mean I’m going to be right, then I guess I agree.

You and everyone on this board know exactly what I mean.