LSSU Laker Hockey 2012-2013, Part 2

[Bill]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey 2012-2013, Part 2

Congratulations to Buddy Robinson becoming the 4th Laker in the last 2 years to leave early to sign with an NHL team. Unfortunately this leaves our offense in even more of a precarious situation, and I would say takes even more wind out of the argument that Lake State is playing with subpar talent and emboldens the question as to why we are not producing greater results these days when we have more pro level players than in years past when we had less pro type players. On the bright side hopefully this will further our reputation in the recruiting world as a launching pad to the pros...4 players leaving early to sign pro deals in two years? That has to be near the top of the heap in college hockey.

On another topic that has been basically brushed over, I didn't realize this until a friend brought this to my attention but how in the world does Domenic Monardo, who led the entire CCHA in goals scored in league play only make honorable mention??? What a biased joke the CCHA was, thank god we won't have to deal with the favoritism towards the "big boy" schools in our new league.

Any predictions for the NCAA tournament?? I picked Miami to win it all, they seem prone to poor play this time of year recently but I respect Coach Blasi and that entire program and I'm hoping this is the year they can finally bury the skeleton of the 2009 title game and finish the job.

I agree with Davy about Monardo. I guess Domenic needed more assists to balance out his scoring. He finished tied for 15th in CCHA scoring stats. All the forwards that made 1st or 2nd team had more points than him except Carpenter, who had the same amount. My guess is that if the Lakers beat BG in the 3rd game of their playoff series and Domenic put up a point or two, he would have made second team CCHA instead of Carpenter.

Miami has an outside shot if they can generate more offense. Their problem is that they have the big scoring line with Barber and Czarnik on it, and if you shut down that line, they are definitely beatable. They need to play with the lead or at least stay even late into tourney games. I think if they get behind, especially by more than one goal, they are in trouble. If they can get scoring from their other lines, it will greatly improve their chances.

While getting guys into the pros helps the program's name on the one hand, you also have to wonder if the number of guys leaving early the past few seasons might be because they've lost confidence in Roque.

 

[Truth Serum]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey 2012-2013, Part 2

With all that talent, and finishes in the last eight seasons of 8th, 7th, 8th, 10th, 10th, 10th, 8th, and 7th, and a career winning percentage of 38%, its no wonder the Athletic Director, President of the University, and the majority of people on here want this coach back for another few years. The Lakers will dominate the nWCHA under the direction and proven track record, on and off the ice, of this head coach.

 

[davyd83]

I agree with Davy about Monardo. I guess Domenic needed more assists to balance out his scoring. He finished tied for 15th in CCHA scoring stats. All the forwards that made 1st or 2nd team had more points than him except Carpenter, who had the same amount. My guess is that if the Lakers beat BG in the 3rd game of their playoff series and Domenic put up a point or two, he would have made second team CCHA instead of Carpenter.

Miami has an outside shot if they can generate more offense. Their problem is that they have the big scoring line with Barber and Czarnik on it, and if you shut down that line, they are definitely beatable. They need to play with the lead or at least stay even late into tourney games. I think if they get behind, especially by more than one goal, they are in trouble. If they can get scoring from their other lines, it will greatly improve their chances.

While getting guys into the pros helps the program's name on the one hand, you also have to wonder if the number of guys leaving early the past few seasons might be because they've lost confidence in Roque.

Is the number of players leaving early at Michigan because they've lost confidence in Red? If Austin Czarnik or Riley Barber leaves Miami, is it because they've lost confidence in Rico? Did Riley Sheahan leave Notre Dame for the Red Wings because he lost confidence in Jeff Jackson?

 

[Lakerblue]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey 2012-2013, Part 2

Is the number of players leaving early at Michigan because they've lost confidence in Red? If Austin Czarnik or Riley Barber leaves Miami, is it because they've lost confidence in Rico? Did Riley Sheahan leave Notre Dame for the Red Wings because he lost confidence in Jeff Jackson?

I don't believe any player has left LSSU early in the past few years because of a lack of confidence in the coach or the program. In fact, it should reflect positively on Roque that he and his staff are starting to bring in players which are in demand in the pro ranks, and who have the option going pro early.

None of that alters my opinion that I would not mind seeing a change at the top. That is not because Roque can't recruit -- he is in fact a fine recruiter, in my opinion. Its not that he is a bad coach, either. Rather, as discussed at length in other postings, I just think he is unable to put the team over the hump. There are too many second-half flops, too many lost road trips through Ohio (for instance), too many games like this seasona against Bemdiji, UAF, and UAH where points were lost too cheaply. Too many playoff failures. Too many seasons ending in ugly, uninspired lopsided sweeps. Too many empty seats.

Just my oft-noted opinion.

 

[LSSULaker889294]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey 2012-2013, Part 2

and a career winning percentage of 38%.

Actually it's 46% Truthy.

 

[Laker54]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey 2012-2013, Part 2

Anyone going to one of the Regionals this weekend? I'm planning on going to the West Regional in GR.

May check out the series in Toledo.

 

[Truth Serum]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey 2012-2013, Part 2

Actually it's 46% Truthy.

120 wins in 314 games = 38% winning percentage. Not ties, or shootout wins, percentage, but actual W's....Hey that is good enough for the Administration up there, good enough for the majority of posters on here, good enough for the hundreds of people that show up for a playoff series, its good enough for me.

Next season 39% and 7th place in this coaches 9th season!!!

 

[sm2pk]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey 2012-2013, Part 2

With Robinson now gone, who the hell is left who can even score goals ?

 

[Bill]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey 2012-2013, Part 2

Is the number of players leaving early at Michigan because they've lost confidence in Red? If Austin Czarnik or Riley Barber leaves Miami, is it because they've lost confidence in Rico? Did Riley Sheahan leave Notre Dame for the Red Wings because he lost confidence in Jeff Jackson?

I think the main reason players leave early for the pros is the money and the fact that ultimately that is their dream, to eventually make it in the big time NHL. Davy, I know you like playing the devils advocate, but I think you're going way overboard with that comment/comparison. I'm simply saying, and this is my opinion, that in the case of the Lakers I've had a growing feeling over the past several seasons that perhaps Jim Roque doesn't have the confidence and respect of his players that should be there. The team has been annoyingly inconsistent in recent seasons. Unfortunately the most consistent aspect of their performance is that they tend to go in late season slumps, which is the opposite of what you would want. Roque and staff have done a pretty job of recruiting, the overall talent level of the teams has been increasing, but the bottom line results aren't getting better. It's getting to be "same old same old" every season. Yes, the teams are better that Anzalone's second stint, but they've been in a rut for too many seasons now. When we do get a few (relatively) higher end players, and they have to make a decision about whether to leave early or come back to play for the Lakers for another season (or two), there isn't much incentive to come back and play in the hopes or expectations of maybe challenging for a league title and possible NCAA tourney appearance the following season because Roque doesn't seem to be able to get them over the hump into the upper echelons of the league, not just occasionally, but at all. Now I admit that I could be wrong, but I just don't have the feeling that the level of confidence in and respect for their coach that the players should have is where it needs to be to have a successful team, not just for the guys with pro potential but for the team as a whole.

 

[Truth Squad]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey 2012-2013, Part 2

Jim Roque doesn't have the confidence and respect of his players that should be there. The team has been annoyingly inconsistent in recent seasons. Unfortunately the most consistent aspect of their performance is that they tend to go in late season slumps, which is the opposite of what you would want. The bottom line results aren't getting better. It's getting to be "same old same old" every season. Roque doesn't seem to be able to get them over the hump into the upper echelons of the league, not just occasionally, but at all.

The Truth Is Out There.....
TBA
TBA

 

[PerkyforPrez]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey 2012-2013, Part 2

Bill, that about sums up My feelings as well. Money and their ultimate dream of making to the show are factors but it's also My opinion that it falls on the coach.

 

[sm2pk]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey 2012-2013, Part 2

How long do you keep a coach if you see very little success in standings,fan support,team play,play-offs ? Does 8 years seem to long or is it not long enough ? Should a coach be given 10 years ,12 years,15 years to make things work . Should we just accept a lower tier program and say hey we like the coach and he can stay as long as he wants . At what point do you see the program as more important than the coach ? Do we never question a coach and his staff or do we just say coach knows best regardless of the success or non success .

 

[AnchorsAway]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey 2012-2013, Part 2

They leave for two reasons: dollars and cents. Stay, risk injury, NHL contract- GONE! As for Monardo, he was tied for 15th in conference scoring. Which of those first or second team forwards should have been left off someone's ballot in favor of Monardo?

Easy, Taranto and Carpenter, you can't win games without scoring goals and Monardo scored more than anyone else in league play. I understand the gripe that he didn't have many assists and that argument holds a lot of water if you're trying to delineate between first and second team selections...In overall play the only other player in the entire CCHA to score 20 goals was Anders Lee, its assinine to have such a prolific goal scorer on the honorable mention team.

 

[Laker54]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey 2012-2013, Part 2

FYI-I have seen the hockey budget from 1994 and last year. Last year's is $20,000 less than 1994. Sticks(wood) cost $20 in 1994. Sticks (composite) cost $120 last year. Still think money isn't a huge factor? If not, go request a copy. It will def. change your perspective.

Is this their equipment budget? I thought new monies were coming into the program?

 

[blackswampboy]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey 2012-2013, Part 2

FYI-I have seen the hockey budget from 1994 and last year. Last year's is $20,000 less than 1994. Sticks(wood) cost $20 in 1994. Sticks (composite) cost $120 last year. Still think money isn't a huge factor? If not, go request a copy. It will def. change your perspective.

love to see a list of this season's DI hockey budgets, and who's getting the most bang for the buck.

 

[davyd83]

Easy, Taranto and Carpenter, you can't win games without scoring goals and Monardo scored more than anyone else in league play. I understand the gripe that he didn't have many assists and that argument holds a lot of water if you're trying to delineate between first and second team selections...In overall play the only other player in the entire CCHA to score 20 goals was Anders Lee, its assinine to have such a prolific goal scorer on the honorable mention team.

You make good points. Monardo did have an exceptional season, and obviously a few coaches agreed with you. Hopefully someone can step up next year like he did.

 

[PerkyforPrez]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey 2012-2013, Part 2

Dave where in the heck are your Wildcat fans ?

 

[LSSULaker889294]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey 2012-2013, Part 2

Dave where in the heck are your Wildcat fans ?

Trying to convince their AD to get Walt Kyle fired and hire Frank Anzalone or Scott Borek.

 

[davyd83]

Dave where in the heck are your Wildcat fans ?

Our threads haven't been very active over the past couple years. It appears our multi screen named versions of a guy with an ax to grind has been vanquished, hence less traffic.

 

[AnchorsAway]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey 2012-2013, Part 2

Thank god davyd is here to add some good rational thinking to the mix.

Buddy Robinson left because at his age, he was guaranteed a 3-year deal. With 6 or 7 teams giving him offers, I would imagine Ottawa threw an offer out there that was almost too good to be true. Anyone would have left if that was offered to them.

We have been getting recruits to look at us from the Toronto area recently for a big reason: Simon Gysbers has been telling players he had a great time at LSSU an has been recommending us to everyone. Kellan Lain said in his interview with CanuksTV that LSSU has a "great coaching staff". No one asked him about it directly, so he didn't have to say that if he didn't intend to let it be known. I still speak with several guys in the pros and all have nothing but good things to say about the coaching staff. No one is leaving for that reason.

FYI-I have seen the hockey budget from 1994 and last year. Last year's is $20,000 less than 1994. Sticks(wood) cost $20 in 1994. Sticks (composite) cost $120 last year. Still think money isn't a huge factor? If not, go request a copy. It will def. change your perspective.

I wholeheartedly agree that no one is leaving because of a distaste for Roque or that he is driving players away because they have a lack of confidence or a bad relationship with him. Anytime I saw JR and players interact off the ice when I was at LSSU at various functions the conversations were comfortable, almost to the point of being chummy. If anything the opposite is true, JR may in fact be too nice to his players, too much of a players coach....he has been criticized for being too soft on his team publicly after lackluster performances and never seems to act very upset with the team behind the bench during games, regardless of how the team is playing.

I think it is fantastic that Gysbers and Lain offered great endorsements of our coaching staff and their LSSU hockey experience, it says an awful lot about them as people for trying to throw their alma mater a bone like that....and hopefully pro scouts will continue to give LSSU players a solid look, the more Lakers in the pro ranks, the better; but at the end of the day Jim Roque's job should be to win hockey games, not necessarily become great buddies with the players and watch them take their considerable talent to the pro ranks to spread good Laker cheer while failing to take that talent and produce wins with it while they are in college....In an ideal world JR would be able to accomplish both but if I am forced to choose between rooting for a program who is shipping guys to the pros year in and year out but producing middling results and a team that is successful more often than not with fewer pro level players than I will choose the latter every time. The modus operandi is to be a successful hockey team, not a professional player launching pad.