Michigan State's Eternal Optimist Thread, 2014-15 edition

[UMICH]

Re: Michigan State's Eternal Optimist Thread, 2014-15 edition

I still can't believe a conference title is within reach. A whole lot of growth in the program this year and it's great to see.

As much as it pains me to say this I'm impressed. I hate sparty as a whole but I can't discredit what you've done this year. I guess that part of the reason why I like this "feel-good story" is that I went to High School with Boyd's Uncle.

All that being said I hope that you choke this weekend....

 

[owslachief]

Re: Michigan State's Eternal Optimist Thread, 2014-15 edition

All that being said I hope that you choke this weekend....

That's the spirit! For a brief moment I was beginning to worry about apathy setting in. There is hope for personkind.

 

[slowe]

Re: Michigan State's Eternal Optimist Thread, 2014-15 edition

Hey everyone. Out of towner here going to my first Michigan State game this weekend. I'm curious if there is an iconic food I need to try while there. Chicago has deep dish pizza, Philly has the cheese steak, etc. So how about around campus? Is there a unique or popular food to match? Or if no specific food how about a landmark restaurant?

Thanks for any suggestions. I'm looking forward to this!

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: Michigan State's Eternal Optimist Thread, 2014-15 edition

...how about a landmark restaurant? Thanks for any suggestions. I'm looking forward to this!

Sketchy memory from years ago: The Penalty Box bar has a decent restaurant attached. The bar had Spartan Hockey photos and memorabilia. On the restaurant side, I remember that I enjoyed my meal, but can't recall the specifics.

Definitely going to need some local help on this one; I can't even guarantee the place still exists. But if so, I'm guessing it would still be a good destination for a visiting hockey fan.

 

[John J. MacInnes]

Re: Michigan State's Eternal Optimist Thread, 2014-15 edition

Sketchy memory from years ago: The Penalty Box bar has a decent restaurant attached. The bar had Spartan Hockey photos and memorabilia. On the restaurant side, I remember that I enjoyed my meal, but can't recall the specifics.

Definitely going to need some local help on this one; I can't even guarantee the place still exists. But if so, I'm guessing it would still be a good destination for a visiting hockey fan.

The Penalty Box is long gone. It was attached to a restaurant called Sneekers which hasn't existed for almost 15 years. Ron Mason actually was a part owner and held his radio show there.

The closest thing to a local bar for Spartan hockey is Crunchy's at 254 W. Grand River. The half-pound burger is a legend.

I'd recommend the Harrison Roadhouse, a very good restaurant with a good microbrew selection within walking distance of the arena at 720 Michigan Avenue. It also operates the Roadhouse Pub in the adjoining parking lot if you're just looking for drinks and a snack. It's about a 3-4 block walk to Munn from there.

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: Michigan State's Eternal Optimist Thread, 2014-15 edition

The Penalty Box is long gone. It was attached to a restaurant called Sneekers which hasn't existed for almost 15 years.

I was afraid of that. Enjoyed Sneekers multiple times back when Munn was hosting regionals. In those days I did a lot more hockey travel. The 15 year time frame? Roughly the amount of time I've been a parent. Not a coincidence...

Ron Mason actually was a part owner and held his radio show there.

Never went to the show, but I'm sure it was a perfect fit.

The closest thing to a local bar for Spartan hockey is Crunchy's at 254 W. Grand River. The half-pound burger is a legend.

I'd recommend the Harrison Roadhouse, a very good restaurant with a good microbrew selection within walking distance of the arena at 720 Michigan Avenue. It also operates the Roadhouse Pub in the adjoining parking lot if you're just looking for drinks and a snack. It's about a 3-4 block walk to Munn from there.

Those sound like great recommendations. Hope to use them myself someday. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Pirateasaur]

Hey everyone. Out of towner here going to my first Michigan State game this weekend. I'm curious if there is an iconic food I need to try while there. Chicago has deep dish pizza, Philly has the cheese steak, etc. So how about around campus? Is there a unique or popular food to match? Or if no specific food how about a landmark restaurant?

Thanks for any suggestions. I'm looking forward to this!

Crunchy's would be a good time but depending on when you go, it might be busy. Most EL bars can get pretty hoppin' on weekend night, although the students are on spring break. If you have a group, you can also get a beer bucket but I think you need at least 3 or 4 people before they let you do that.

Another option could be the Peanut Barrel in downtown EL. Similar, "bar" atmosphere to crunchy's and decent bar food. Another option could be Hopcat which has the most impressive drink selection of any bar in EL. It would be a bit pricier, though.

During the warmer months, I used to like to get a tall can of some cheap stuff and go on top of the parking garage across from the mariott and drink/enjoy the view/smoke cigarettes. Bring pals/a pretty girl/hunk guy if you desire.

 

[Spartanforlife4]

Re: Michigan State's Eternal Optimist Thread, 2014-15 edition

If your group is 4 people, go to Crunchy's, get the burger and a bucket of beer. It's a literal mop bucket filled with your choice of suds. If drinking copious amounts of cheap beer isn't your thing, Crunchy's also has a good selection of craft beer.

If you want to spend a lot of money on craft beer, go to Hopcat. Great beer but you'll need a decent sized wallet.

 

[slowe]

Re: Michigan State's Eternal Optimist Thread, 2014-15 edition

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll definitely hit up a few bars, but I'm also looking for an iconic food. I'm actually touring the Big Ten locations. I'm a jealous Illini fan who figured screw it, I'll see everyone else's rink... So for example in Wisconsin I found the place that has the "best" cheese curds. Or Penn State has this iconic place simply called The Diner where they serve something called Stickies (kinda like a cinnamon roll). I'm just curious if there is a traditional or favorite place that is necessary for the MSU experience.

Sounds like it might be Crunchys for the legendary burgers. If anything else comes to mind let me know. I appreciate the help!

 

[John J. MacInnes]

Re: Michigan State's Eternal Optimist Thread, 2014-15 edition

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll definitely hit up a few bars, but I'm also looking for an iconic food. I'm actually touring the Big Ten locations. I'm a jealous Illini fan who figured screw it, I'll see everyone else's rink... So for example in Wisconsin I found the place that has the "best" cheese curds. Or Penn State has this iconic place simply called The Diner where they serve something called Stickies (kinda like a cinnamon roll). I'm just curious if there is a traditional or favorite place that is necessary for the MSU experience.

Sounds like it might be Crunchys for the legendary burgers. If anything else comes to mind let me know. I appreciate the help!

The two signature places of that kind would be the MSU Dairy Store (on campus in Anthony Hall or the smaller branch in the Union) for the best ice cream around - and the strange but unique chocolate cheese...and the Golden Harvest in Lansing for breakfast (a very small joint but a legendary one - you'll likely be waiting more than an hour to get in and sit with people you don't know just to get in but it's worth it).

 

[Spartanforlife4]

John has it right. MSU's best known food landmark is probably the Dairy Store. Sesquicentennial Swirl is the most unique. It's sort of like a cake ice cream. My personal favorite and generally receives good reviews.

Unfortunately EL is a little bit of a food wasteland. The city hasn't been very open to local bars and restaurants so it's beginning to look like a mall of food chains. Most of the good food is actually in Lansing.

John was also right for breakfast. Golden Harvest is an excellent meal. You'll want to set aside two hours or so due to wait times.

It's too bad students are on break, otherwise you could go to Rick's and view the high class nightlife of EL

If you're heading to Yost for tomorrow, I suggest grabbing lunch at Wood's or Sultan's in EL for an early lunch. Very good Mediterranean, though you'll probably want to hit up AA. Their dining options are a bit better than EL.

 

[Pirateasaur]

The two signature places of that kind would be the MSU Dairy Store (on campus in Anthony Hall or the smaller branch in the Union) for the best ice cream around - and the strange but unique chocolate cheese...and the Golden Harvest in Lansing for breakfast (a very small joint but a legendary one - you'll likely be waiting more than an hour to get in and sit with people you don't know just to get in but it's worth it).

Yes, the Dairy store is definitely the ticket on campus. It's not ideal ice cream weather but at least it's not bitter cold anymore. My personal favorite is the Buckeye Blitz, but I have not tried nearly all of them.

And Golden Harvest is better than 10 superbowls. It is in Lansing, which is technically a different city from East Lansing. If you go, just be ready to possibly wait a while to get in and even longer to get your food but like I said, better than 10 superbowls.

 

[John J. MacInnes]

Re: Michigan State's Eternal Optimist Thread, 2014-15 edition

The Dairy Store does a signature flavor for almost every other school in the B1G. The most interesting might be the Nebraska flavor - Husker Sweet Corn. It sounds bizarre but it's actually quite tasty. They have yet to trot out a Rutgers flavor, but here are the rest:

Maize-n-Berry Pie
Illini Orange Crush
Wildcat Crunch
Nittany White Out
Purdue Tracks
Gopher S'more
Banana Choc-Eye Chunk
Badger Berry Cheesecake
Hoosier Strawberry
Buckeye Blitz
Terrapin Turtle Sundae

 

[owslachief]

Re: Michigan State's Eternal Optimist Thread, 2014-15 edition

GO SPARTANS!

Eat it, Weasels!

 

[Spartanforlife4]

Re: Michigan State's Eternal Optimist Thread, 2014-15 edition

Looks like we'll have to try to steal one at Yost. Otherwise we'll be playing UW on Thursday unless PSU steals one tomorrow, in which case we'll face OSU on Thursday.

 

[owslachief]

Re: Michigan State's Eternal Optimist Thread, 2014-15 edition

Looks like we'll have to try to steal one at Yost. Otherwise we'll be playing UW on Thursday unless PSU steals one tomorrow, in which case we'll face OSU on Thursday.

There are plainly issues over the course of the game, especially when UM forechecks, when we play five defensemen. Too many times U-M went to the net and we did not cover. Those were too-easy one-timers. The giveaway at their blue line was brutal ... I believe it's a much different game if we end the 1st tied. I think the middle period was OK, but possibly it was because they were dealing with the loss of their #7.

And then, after we got the rather fluky goal to tie it at 3, it's as if our guys went into a shell, instead of using the "mo" to stay on the attack.

 

[owslachief]

Re: Michigan State's Eternal Optimist Thread, 2014-15 edition

The Dairy Store does a signature flavor for almost every other school in the B1G. The most interesting might be the Nebraska flavor - Husker Sweet Corn. It sounds bizarre but it's actually quite tasty. They have yet to trot out a Rutgers flavor, but here are the rest:

Maize-n-Berry Pie
Illini Orange Crush
Wildcat Crunch
Nittany White Out
Purdue Tracks
Gopher S'more
Banana Choc-Eye Chunk
Badger Berry Cheesecake
Hoosier Strawberry
Buckeye Blitz
Terrapin Turtle Sundae

I'm gonna say the cheesecake ice cream will be my undoing someday, unless I start changing it up a bit during my visits.

 

[Spartanforlife4]

Re: Michigan State's Eternal Optimist Thread, 2014-15 edition

There are plainly issues over the course of the game, especially when UM forechecks, when we play five defensemen. Too many times U-M went to the net and we did not cover. Those were too-easy one-timers. The giveaway at their blue line was brutal ... I believe it's a much different game if we end the 1st tied. I think the middle period was OK, but possibly it was because they were dealing with the loss of their #7.

And then, after we got the rather fluky goal to tie it at 3, it's as if our guys went into a shell, instead of using the "mo" to stay on the attack.

Is it true we only went with three lines last night? If so, sounds like Anastos tried to go all-in last night on skill. Hopefully we'll have some gas left in the tank tonight.

 

[Pirateasaur]

There are plainly issues over the course of the game, especially when UM forechecks, when we play five defensemen. Too many times U-M went to the net and we did not cover. Those were too-easy one-timers. The giveaway at their blue line was brutal ... I believe it's a much different game if we end the 1st tied. I think the middle period was OK, but possibly it was because they were dealing with the loss of their #7.

And then, after we got the rather fluky goal to tie it at 3, it's as if our guys went into a shell, instead of using the "mo" to stay on the attack.

Their forecheck terrorized us. Even if we would win a face off cleanly in Our zone it was 50/50 on whether or not we could break it out.

I thought Michigan was incredibly sharp last night with their passing and their speed in the neutral zone caused a lot of problems.

And on that turnover leading to their 2nd goal, the weak side D needed to see that trouble developing and get back but he did not try to recover until it was going the other way.

The lack of students was also very noticeable. I wish scheduling would try to avoid that.

I also thought Hildebrand was a little shaky last night.

Hopefully tonight our fortunes and poise with the puck will improve.

 

[Spartanforlife4]

Re: Michigan State's Eternal Optimist Thread, 2014-15 edition

We did it!!! We did it!!!

Hildy gets first, second, and third stars. He also gets my just now created 0th star, as regular season MVP. This team would not be where they are without him, and he just pulled off one of the best performances I've ever seen. Probably second best I've seen from a Spartan behind Lerg against BC in 2007.