MSU-EL @ Offseason - 3/23 (On Second Thought, Let's Not Go To Tampa)

[Pirateasaurus]

Re: MSU-EL @ Offseason - 3/23 (On Second Thought, Let's Not Go To Tampa)

I'm looking ahead to next season and who we may see in uniform vs. the CIS team that comes in.

The standard disclaimer applies: strictly an academic exercise; please ... no wagering
I'm thinking there'd be five scratches for that Monday night: F *Joe Cox, D <super>‡</super>R J Boyd, Chris Sandmeyer and Branden Carney, G Nathan Phillips

Top line is Reimer, Walrod and Wolfe
Then it's *DeBlouw, Chelios (D) and Berry
Hayes, Forfar and Darnell
Hoomaian, *Keller and Sorenson

Top pairing Chelios (J) and *Draeger
Then *Holland and Grassi
*Walsh and <super>‡</super>Gatt

Goalie: Yanakeff
Backup: Hildebrand

Hayes is our captain, and Forfar and Wolfe assistant captains

* Freshmen
<super>‡</super> Transfers

hoo man, that's a lot of unproven at D. Really hope Gatt can jump in and make a difference there.

But that top line should be very good. I am excited about Berry's future and that third line is looking nice to me as well. I really have no idea what to expect out of our freshmen. I really hope Sorenson sees a nice jump in year 2 similar to what Wolfe and Reimer experienced.

I think we can be better than what most will expect but it wouldn't surprise me to see us struggle a bit, especially early in the year. Maybe even start out hot and then fizzle, similar to what OSU did this past year but hopefully not THAT bad.

But our exhibition opener is gonna be very, very interesting.

 

[owslachief]

Re: MSU-EL @ Offseason - 3/23 (On Second Thought, Let's Not Go To Tampa)

Mind you, a couple of those guys are there strictly because of reputation (have never seen Keller and Draeger skate, for example).
The D - it is what it is - biggest turnover I've ever seen and we're not sure where Grassi's game will be to start the season. He was a Prolific scorer in juniors, dangerous on the PP. One thing is for certain - the size changes. From the end of this season it's 5'9, 5'10, 5'10, 6'0, 6'2, 6'2 to 5'11, 6'1, 6'2, 6'2, 6'3, 6'4. That's an average 2 inches taller with accompanying bulk. Not to mention Torey's 29 minutes on average and size difference becomes even more significant.

Let's see if Reimer can have another nice start like he did in 2011. Walrod can sure skate like Merrifield and I think he can put up big numbers on the top line.

Sure would like to see our scrimmage come back for 2012. That should open some eyes.

 

[alnike]

Re: MSU-EL @ Offseason - 3/23 (On Second Thought, Let's Not Go To Tampa)

Let's see if Reimer can have another nice start like he did in 2011.

That nice start included 33% of his season point total (5-5=10) in three games vs. Atlantic Hockey teams in Air Force and 2x Robert Morris. Wolfe's stats are similar with about 1/3 of his points in the same games. But those games are important too as Reimer's OT winner vs. Air Force likely put his team in the NCAA's.

 

[aallenpollreisz]

Re: MSU-EL @ Offseason - 3/23 (On Second Thought, Let's Not Go To Tampa)

That Niagara-related news was enough for me to file for some vacation time in October. I might see the Friday game at Minnesota on opening weekend, and you'll have to stab me in the face for me to not be at the rink for the 10/19-20 weekend against NU.

(Assuming these tentative schedules are correct, that is. Otherwise, I'll have two weeks off in October with nothing to do.)

 

[owslachief]

Re: MSU-EL @ Offseason - 3/23 (On Second Thought, Let's Not Go To Tampa)

That Niagara-related news was enough for me to file for some vacation time in October. I might see the Friday game at Minnesota on opening weekend, and you'll have to stab me in the face for me to not be at the rink for the 10/19-20 weekend against NU.

(Assuming these tentative schedules are correct, that is. Otherwise, I'll have two weeks off in October with nothing to do.)

While we're talking Purple Eagles, is the obvious Niagara SID headline after a loss so trite you rarely see it anymore?

 

[owslachief]

Re: MSU-EL @ Offseason - 3/23 (On Second Thought, Let's Not Go To Tampa)

Tom Anastos was named chairman of the rules committee.

As long as we keep the hybrid icing, don't mess with icing on PK, and push for the following*, he's done a good job .

* On a delayed penalty in a 5-on-5 situation, the team with the puck has two choices: 1. Goalie skates to the bench for an extra skater. If you score, penalty is cancelled. 2. Goalie stays on the ice. If you score, penalty is served.

 

[aallenpollreisz]

Re: MSU-EL @ Offseason - 3/23 (On Second Thought, Let's Not Go To Tampa)

So, I don't see R.J. Boyd on this list.

An obvious statement: MSU really needs some experience on that blue line. If the Boyd transfer doesn't go through, well, yikes. (That said, honestly, we might all still be saying "yikes" even if Boyd transfers.)

 

[owslachief]

Re: MSU-EL @ Offseason - 3/23 (On Second Thought, Let's Not Go To Tampa)

So, I don't see R.J. Boyd on this list.

An obvious statement: MSU really needs some experience on that blue line. If the Boyd transfer doesn't go through, well, yikes. (That said, honestly, we might all still be saying "yikes" even if Boyd transfers.)

Joe Cox may be the 12th man coming in non-scholarship this coming year. Or, it could be Bob Pond, a 6-3 defenseman out of SJHL, or it could be Boyd.
With Carney on an amazing path of recovery, even - apparently - back to the ice in the fall, and the son of yet another NHL'r in Krygier coming in, and Grassi presumably back to 100% by October, the defense, though predominantly young, will be stacked. Cannot wait to see the likes of Holland and Gatt move some bodies around .

 

[Pirateasaurus]

Re: MSU-EL @ Offseason - 3/23 (On Second Thought, Let's Not Go To Tampa)

So does anyone know the scholarship breakdown for the incoming class? Some of these guys have got to be walkons as we surely do not have 11 'ships to hand out. I am curious as to who our scholarship players will be.

It seems like every year, the next hockey season is harder and harder to wait for. I am also absurdly curious about Penn State. I know that they will really struggle against any half decent D-1 team but can they take down teams like AIC, Army or Sacred Heart? I think they will get abused terribly against teams like Air Force, Union, any Big Ten team... maybe even UCONN and Bob Morris. Especially since I don't believe filling out over half their schedule with the worst of the worst in D-1 teams, D-III and club teams is going to prepare them for the previously mentioned opponents. Teams like MSU may be pretty young, but our new guys will have spent the year competing against many of the nation's best. I wonder if PSU's player growth will be stunted at all... But really, what choice did they have? It's either that or have a train run on them nearly every weekend. I've noticed that they are pulling in a lot of 20+ year old freshmen. They are going to need to lean heavily on those players, as well as their D-1 transfers.

Of course they might surprise everybody and not be terrible.

 

[owslachief]

Re: MSU-EL @ Offseason - 3/23 (On Second Thought, Let's Not Go To Tampa)

So does anyone know the scholarship breakdown for the incoming class? Some of these guys have got to be walkons as we surely do not have 11 'ships to hand out. I am curious as to who our scholarship players will be.

It seems like every year, the next hockey season is harder and harder to wait for. I am also absurdly curious about Penn State. I know that they will really struggle against any half decent D-1 team but can they take down teams like AIC, Army or Sacred Heart? I think they will get abused terribly against teams like Air Force, Union, any Big Ten team... maybe even UCONN and Bob Morris. Especially since I don't believe filling out over half their schedule with the worst of the worst in D-1 teams, D-III and club teams is going to prepare them for the previously mentioned opponents. Teams like MSU may be pretty young, but our new guys will have spent the year competing against many of the nation's best. I wonder if PSU's player growth will be stunted at all... But really, what choice did they have? It's either that or have a train run on them nearly every weekend. I've noticed that they are pulling in a lot of 20+ year old freshmen. They are going to need to lean heavily on those players, as well as their D-1 transfers.

Of course they might surprise everybody and not be terrible.

That club team was pretty dominating, but it's difficult to imagine them making any kind of impact this coming year. For them to lead the way at Penn State would seem like a 1980 Team USA Olympic-type effort. And I don't know how the rest, who for the most part haven't played together, will put two wins back-to-back before January comes around. Still it will be exciting for the home crowd in what promises to be a jewel of an an arena.

I would assume that full scholarships mostly went to guys who signed LOI's late last year, and partial scholarships to some of those who signed this spring.

 

[owslachief]

Was mildly surprised to see Macheachern go 4 rounds before Deblouw esp. with a good combine showing for the latter.
3rd round: Maceachern, Draeger
4th round: Holland
7th round: Deblouw

 

[Pirateasaurus]

Re: MSU-EL @ Offseason - 3/23 (On Second Thought, Let's Not Go To Tampa)

Was mildly surprised to see Macheachern go 4 rounds before Deblouw esp. with a good combine showing for the latter.
3rd round: Maceachern, Draeger
4th round: Holland
7th round: Deblouw

Well, no matter what it's always good to see that we are bringing in talented players.

Anyways, I was checking out this site for some reason and it has what appears to be a fully up to date roster for next year. What i found interesting is that it lists RJ Boyd, Joe Cox and Bob Pond. Did we get these guys in the fold or is this roster just going off of old anticipation?

http://www.collegehockeynews.com/reports/roster.php?td=32

Bob Pond sounds like a name from the 70's or 80's or something.

Also i noticed that at least according to this place, we no longer have a game against a canadian school. I thought we were playing windsor or something? Are we just going straight into the Minnesota series?

 

[owslachief]

Re: MSU-EL @ Offseason - 3/23 (On Second Thought, Let's Not Go To Tampa)

http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/062812aaa.html

YES! It's a good day to be a Spartan Hockey fan. The script is back.

 

[Spartanforlife4]

Re: MSU-EL @ Offseason - 3/23 (On Second Thought, Let's Not Go To Tampa)

New unis for this season. First glance: big improvement, especially the aways. The script is incredible though, if I'm not mistaken those are throwbacks to the '84 team?

UPDATE: Per The Twitter, Anastos himself is reporting black pants with a white stripe for the regulars, and green pants with a white stripe for the throwbacks.

 

[Pirateasaurus]

Re: MSU-EL @ Offseason - 3/23 (On Second Thought, Let's Not Go To Tampa)

New unis for this season. First glance: big improvement, especially the aways. The script is incredible though, if I'm not mistaken those are throwbacks to the '84 team?

UPDATE: Per The Twitter, Anastos himself is reporting black pants with a white stripe for the regulars, and green pants with a white stripe for the throwbacks.

Man, everything about these throwbacks are amazing right down to the green pants. It says that the first time they will be worn will be at the GLI but i really hope they bring them out earlier than that. At least wear them a lot after the GLI, maybe?

The new ones are a big improvement as well. I really was not a fan of our current home or away jerseys.

And that script just looks sooooooo MSU hockey. It will be good to see it in action again.

 

[aallenpollreisz]

Re: MSU-EL @ Offseason - 3/23 (On Second Thought, Let's Not Go To Tampa)

Very happy with the throwback third and fourth sweaters. And the new everyday sweaters aren't too bad, either.

Kind of wish the throwbacks were MSU's everyday competition sweaters, but, well... oh well. I'm pretty happy with what Nike came up with here.

 

[owslachief]

Re: MSU-EL @ Offseason - 3/23 (On Second Thought, Let's Not Go To Tampa)

I had hoped for one thing more - it's pretty minor, and that's crossed hockey sticks behind the Spartan helmet on the shoulders. Definitely a winning group though. I didn't mind the bronze, but it certainly has no place with the throwback shade of green.

 

[RegalFan]

Re: MSU-EL @ Offseason - 3/23 (On Second Thought, Let's Not Go To Tampa)

Lost another recruit. Justin Bailey signs with the Kitchner Rangers today. Made the announcement on his Twitter feed.

 

[MaizeRage]

Re: MSU-EL @ Offseason - 3/23 (On Second Thought, Let's Not Go To Tampa)

Lost another recruit. Justin Bailey signs with the Kitchner Rangers today. Made the announcement on his Twitter feed.

But they added Cody Milan. All in all, not a terrible trade off.

 

[owslachief]

Re: MSU-EL @ Offseason - 3/23 (On Second Thought, Let's Not Go To Tampa)

But they added Cody Milan. All in all, not a terrible trade off.

Correction: 53 points in 61 games, drafted by 3 junior leagues, and an All-Stater as a freshman. Yeah, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=215lQ9_vXj8&feature=related">this</a> is a good get.