Jeff_Jackson_for_Pres.
I miss Christian and Mark.
Re: Irish Hockey: Straight Inta Compton
What a sad week for hockey. Actually, it's been a tragic year. And while I am saddened by the passing of Lefty, I am also so very privileged to be one of the many, many recipients of his hockey vision. Just because I saw my very first college hockey game (compliments of my sister, who was a student manager of the MSU team) at the then-infantile Munn Ice Arena when I was in 2nd grade, that is not where my love of the sport began. Even though Amo Bessone is the first college hockey coaching name I learned, he didn't steer my affection for this sport. That happened here, on the campus of the University of Notre Dame, following a young WCHA team led by Coach Lefty Smith. I used to sit behind the bench and get wide-eyed when Lefty would be displeased with the refs, a broken play, whatever, and he would slam his elbow into the glass in front of me. It always amazed me that neither the glass, nor his elbow would break. In an era when so many college coaches (and universities themselves) care more about press, money, winning at any cost and the prestige of their teams and programs, Lefty's source of pride was that every one of his players graduated, thus setting the stage for a lifetime of productivity. Not every one of these athletes can make a solid career at the sport they love. In fact, most won't. Lefty ensured that those lucky enough to succeed at that endeavor would have a life after hockey, and everyone else would have a life.
Because of Lefty Smith and his progeny at Notre Dame, I have seen hundreds and hundreds of hockey games, met lots of amazing players (from ND and opposing teams), some of whom have had or are still having solid NHL careers and even have their names engraved on the Stanley Cup, met amazing families of players, made solid friendships with kindred spirits, visited other arenas, college campuses and cities, turned Mr. JJfP into a hockey fan, started playing the sport myself and in turn have gotten at least 5 others to start playing, 2 of whom have gotten season tickets to support Notre Dame hockey. And I'm just one fan Lefty impacted.
After my mother died, a dear friend explained to me what her belief of eternal life is. It's not your soul drifting off to heaven or wherever; it's the impression you leave behind on the people you touch and the impression those people then leave behind on the people they in turn touch. Not a bad way to spend a lifetime.
Notre Dame does have a game to play this Saturday. It's on the Big10 Network for those interested. I believe this game will be huge for ND because Minnesota is, in my opinion, the best team I've seen thus far. I've watched 38 of the D1 teams play at least once so far this season, but of those, I've seen Minnesota, NoDak, BC and BU play many games each, so I feel comfortable saying that Minnesota scares the crap out of me.
They, like ND, will be getting the services of 2 WJC players back. They, like ND, are led in scoring by 2 sophomores. Their 2nd year guys (Nick Bjugstad and Erik Haula) each have 27 points. Our 2nd year leaders (Tynan and Lee) have 27 and 22, respectively. Their top freshman, junior and senior combine for 53 points. Our top freshman, junior and senior combine for 46 points. Their top Dman (Nate Schmidt) has 23 points. Our top Dman (Russo) has 11 points.
Special teams are fairly similar, though. Their PP is 23.8%. Ours is 20.2%. Their PK is 84.3%. Ours is 85.7%. They're averaging nearly a goal more a game than we are.
Here's what really scares the crap out of me: their goalie, the only one who's been in net for them this season, is so frightening he could be a haunted house by himself. He's played in all 22 of their games. Has not lost in 16 of those 22. Has a save % of .921. Has 6 shutouts. Six. 40% of the games he's won, he has not allowed a puck to get by him. Notre Dame can't seem to rely on one goalie 2 games in a row, let alone 22 games...
The only consolation is that Minnesota has the 27th most difficult schedule while Notre Dame has the 5th most difficult. And our records are pretty similar. Minnesota is 15-6-1 and Notre Dame is 12-6-3. So ND has had the bigger challenges so far. Both teams are tied for 4th in the PWR while ND's RPI is better.
The great Roman poet Virgil wrote, "Your descendants shall gather your fruits." What better way to honor Coach Smith than to do just that.
What a sad week for hockey. Actually, it's been a tragic year. And while I am saddened by the passing of Lefty, I am also so very privileged to be one of the many, many recipients of his hockey vision. Just because I saw my very first college hockey game (compliments of my sister, who was a student manager of the MSU team) at the then-infantile Munn Ice Arena when I was in 2nd grade, that is not where my love of the sport began. Even though Amo Bessone is the first college hockey coaching name I learned, he didn't steer my affection for this sport. That happened here, on the campus of the University of Notre Dame, following a young WCHA team led by Coach Lefty Smith. I used to sit behind the bench and get wide-eyed when Lefty would be displeased with the refs, a broken play, whatever, and he would slam his elbow into the glass in front of me. It always amazed me that neither the glass, nor his elbow would break. In an era when so many college coaches (and universities themselves) care more about press, money, winning at any cost and the prestige of their teams and programs, Lefty's source of pride was that every one of his players graduated, thus setting the stage for a lifetime of productivity. Not every one of these athletes can make a solid career at the sport they love. In fact, most won't. Lefty ensured that those lucky enough to succeed at that endeavor would have a life after hockey, and everyone else would have a life.
Because of Lefty Smith and his progeny at Notre Dame, I have seen hundreds and hundreds of hockey games, met lots of amazing players (from ND and opposing teams), some of whom have had or are still having solid NHL careers and even have their names engraved on the Stanley Cup, met amazing families of players, made solid friendships with kindred spirits, visited other arenas, college campuses and cities, turned Mr. JJfP into a hockey fan, started playing the sport myself and in turn have gotten at least 5 others to start playing, 2 of whom have gotten season tickets to support Notre Dame hockey. And I'm just one fan Lefty impacted.
After my mother died, a dear friend explained to me what her belief of eternal life is. It's not your soul drifting off to heaven or wherever; it's the impression you leave behind on the people you touch and the impression those people then leave behind on the people they in turn touch. Not a bad way to spend a lifetime.
Notre Dame does have a game to play this Saturday. It's on the Big10 Network for those interested. I believe this game will be huge for ND because Minnesota is, in my opinion, the best team I've seen thus far. I've watched 38 of the D1 teams play at least once so far this season, but of those, I've seen Minnesota, NoDak, BC and BU play many games each, so I feel comfortable saying that Minnesota scares the crap out of me.
They, like ND, will be getting the services of 2 WJC players back. They, like ND, are led in scoring by 2 sophomores. Their 2nd year guys (Nick Bjugstad and Erik Haula) each have 27 points. Our 2nd year leaders (Tynan and Lee) have 27 and 22, respectively. Their top freshman, junior and senior combine for 53 points. Our top freshman, junior and senior combine for 46 points. Their top Dman (Nate Schmidt) has 23 points. Our top Dman (Russo) has 11 points.
Special teams are fairly similar, though. Their PP is 23.8%. Ours is 20.2%. Their PK is 84.3%. Ours is 85.7%. They're averaging nearly a goal more a game than we are.
Here's what really scares the crap out of me: their goalie, the only one who's been in net for them this season, is so frightening he could be a haunted house by himself. He's played in all 22 of their games. Has not lost in 16 of those 22. Has a save % of .921. Has 6 shutouts. Six. 40% of the games he's won, he has not allowed a puck to get by him. Notre Dame can't seem to rely on one goalie 2 games in a row, let alone 22 games...
The only consolation is that Minnesota has the 27th most difficult schedule while Notre Dame has the 5th most difficult. And our records are pretty similar. Minnesota is 15-6-1 and Notre Dame is 12-6-3. So ND has had the bigger challenges so far. Both teams are tied for 4th in the PWR while ND's RPI is better.
The great Roman poet Virgil wrote, "Your descendants shall gather your fruits." What better way to honor Coach Smith than to do just that.
