MSU Spartan Hockey 2013-14: ____-ing the ____ again.

[owslachief]

Does anybody have a spare crystal ball I can borrow?

 

[Spartanforlife4]

Re: MSU Spartan Hockey 2013-14: ____-ing the ____ again.

TV schedules were just announced. A lot of 6:30 Friday games and apparently ESPN will be using college hockey to try to boost ESPNews ratings, which causes for a couple quick turn arounds with goofy 3:00 and 5:00 Saturday games.

Big Ten TV Schedule

 

[owslachief]

Re: MSU Spartan Hockey 2013-14: ____-ing the ____ again.

Oh we're picked to finish 3rd in the league this year, just ahead of Minnesota and Michigan and Wisconsin.
1. Penn State
2. Ohio State
3. Michigan State
4. Wisconsin
5. Michigan
6. Minnesota

I think we get get up to #4 though! SLAM BOOM BAM there it is.

 

[owslachief]

Re: MSU Spartan Hockey 2013-14: ____-ing the ____ again.

So much for guessing. As of today we've got a "B1G Ones to Watch" Matt Berry out for 8 to 10 weeks. Same for John Draeger. A big hit to the team for sure at both ends of the ice . So move Darnell up to the top line and insert two more freshmen.

#1 Greg Wolfe, Lee Reimer, <strike>Matt Berry</strike> Brent Darnell
#2 Matt DeBlouw, Mackenzie MacEachern (Fr), <strike>Brent Darnell</strike> Joe Cox (Fr)
#3 Thomas Ebbing (Fr), Dean Chelios, Tanner Sorenson
#4 Justin Hoomaian, JT Stenglein (Fr), Michael Ferrantino

D:
Jake Chelios, <strike>John Draeger</strike> Nicholas Gatt
RJ Boyd, Rhett Holland (RS-Fr)
Travis Walsh, <strike>Nicholas Gatt</strike> Brock Krygier (RS-Fr)

in net: Hildebrand, Yanekeff

 

[aallenpollreisz]

Re: MSU Spartan Hockey 2013-14: ____-ing the ____ again.

Ah, it's the most wonderful time of the year. Well, almost. Got to wait another month or so.

Another young team this year. Granted, some really talented underclassmen, but, still, underclassmen. And those first 10 weeks will be really tough without Berry and Draeger. (I think somebody will step up and fill Berry's skates offensively, but the last thing we need right now is more defensive instability.)

IMO, the ceiling is at 22 wins and the floor is at 11 or 12. It's a better team, but business picks up considerably this year. That B1G slate will be a grade-A meat grinder.

Anybody have a MacEachern health update? Kid was killing it in the USHL before his injury.

 

[5mn_Major]

Re: MSU Spartan Hockey 2013-14: ____-ing the ____ again.

Oh we're picked to finish 3rd in the league this year, just ahead of Minnesota and Michigan and Wisconsin.
1. Penn State
2. Ohio State
3. Michigan State
4. Wisconsin
5. Michigan
6. Minnesota

I think we get get up to #4 though! SLAM BOOM BAM there it is.

Bring it on, greek!

 

[owslachief]

Re: MSU Spartan Hockey 2013-14: ____-ing the ____ again.

Ah, it's the most wonderful time of the year. Well, almost. Got to wait another month or so.

Another young team this year. Granted, some really talented underclassmen, but, still, underclassmen. And those first 10 weeks will be really tough without Berry and Draeger. (I think somebody will step up and fill Berry's skates offensively, but the last thing we need right now is more defensive instability.)

IMO, the ceiling is at 22 wins and the floor is at 11 or 12. It's a better team, but business picks up considerably this year. That B1G slate will be a grade-A meat grinder.

Anybody have a MacEachern health update? Kid was killing it in the USHL before his injury.

When we saw him in March he appeared to be "saving it", but it's also apparent he's going to be quite a presence out there. We'll know more in 13 days!

 

[Pirateasaurus]

Re: MSU Spartan Hockey 2013-14: ____-ing the ____ again.

So much for guessing. As of today we've got a "B1G Ones to Watch" Matt Berry out for 8 to 10 weeks. Same for John Draeger. A big hit to the team for sure at both ends of the ice . So move Darnell up to the top line and insert two more freshmen.

#1 Greg Wolfe, Lee Reimer, <strike>Matt Berry</strike> Brent Darnell
#2 Matt DeBlouw, Mackenzie MacEachern (Fr), <strike>Brent Darnell</strike> Joe Cox (Fr)
#3 Thomas Ebbing (Fr), Dean Chelios, Tanner Sorenson
#4 Justin Hoomaian, JT Stenglein (Fr), Michael Ferrantino

hmm, no Bondra, Haag or Connor Wood? I have no idea how these freshman will look but I did like Wood's speed in the game against the U18 team last year. That game, by the way, more than any, displayed our dire need for some quicker feet out there. And for some reason, I have Bondra pegged as a breakout player this year.

EDIT: Also, any news on the Joe Cox knee front? I believe he had surgery in the spring? We all saw what that did to Leveille so I am a little uneasy about it. I was actually guessing him as one of our impact freshman.

 

[owslachief]

Re: MSU Spartan Hockey 2013-14: ____-ing the ____ again.

hmm, no Bondra, Haag or Connor Wood? I have no idea how these freshman will look but I did like Wood's speed in the game against the U18 team last year. That game, by the way, more than any, displayed our dire need for some quicker feet out there. And for some reason, I have Bondra pegged as a breakout player this year.

EDIT: Also, any news on the Joe Cox knee front? I believe he had surgery in the spring? We all saw what that did to Leveille so I am a little uneasy about it. I was actually guessing him as one of our impact freshman.

TA said a couple months back Cox is ready to go. And yes HE WILL be impact. I'm sure Bondra will be a contributor - especially with his speed. If he's put it all together, then opening day won't look like week #3, say. The below is, of course, all for fun and I'm sure you can plug in any number of right-handed shots for right-handed shots, left, etc.

On the other hand ... Media Day today, and apparently Cox is almost ready. So yeah, Haag good see action right from the start. I'm intrigued by a guy who lead his Jr. league in Sweden in scoring.

 

[Pirateasaurus]

TA said a couple months back Cox is ready to go. And yes HE WILL be impact. I'm sure Bondra will be a contributor - especially with his speed. If he's put it all together, then opening day won't look like week #3, say. The below is, of course, all for fun and I'm sure you can plug in any number of right-handed shots for right-handed shots, left, etc.

On the other hand ... Media Day today, and apparently Cox is almost
ready. So yeah, Haag good see action right from the start. I'm intrigued by a guy who lead his Jr. league in Sweden in scoring.

I have a feeling Cox may redshirt, unfortunately. This same time last year, I watched Leveille in A couple captain's practices and he looked very much like he was forced to sit the summer out. He did improve a lot as the season wore on but he was just too far behind. I would hate to waste a year by him just being buried on the depth chart by November.

I really hope I am wrong, though. I don't know the extent of the injury but the time frames seem similar.

Regardless, this is the time of year I start perusing rosters, 2012 stats and schedule/results for many teams, particularly our opponents. Pretty excited to see how much this team has improved.

 

[owslachief]

Re: MSU Spartan Hockey 2013-14: ____-ing the ____ again.

I have a feeling Cox may redshirt, unfortunately. This same time last year, I watched Leveille in A couple captain's practices and he looked very much like he was forced to sit the summer out. He did improve a lot as the season wore on but he was just too far behind. I would hate to waste a year by him just being buried on the depth chart by November.

I really hope I am wrong, though. I don't know the extent of the injury but the time frames seem similar.

Regardless, this is the time of year I start perusing rosters, 2012 stats and schedule/results for many teams, particularly our opponents. Pretty excited to see how much this team has improved.

Leveille's issues if I recall (this was for start of 2011/12 season, correct?) went deeper than physical. With Berry out until possibly early December and Bondra himself on the mend, it would surprise me if Cox didn't get on the ice sooner than that.

I also have to admit doing a little roster watching not only for MSU and not only for the fast-approaching season but in other circles too. One OHL organization recently picked off two u-m prospects in less than two weeks. No one's immune.

 

[owslachief]

Re: MSU Spartan Hockey 2013-14: ____-ing the ____ again.

The varsity team will divide in two tomorrow for a green vs. white at 5pm. There will be quite a few local news media celebrities (TV, radio and print) as honorary coaches - it's team Miller vs. team Newton. In addition to getting a taste of the skill level out there, it will be interesting to see who's wearing the C('s) and A's.

 

[Hammer]

Re: MSU Spartan Hockey 2013-14: ____-ing the ____ again.

Torey Krug just scored his first regular season NHL goal against the Wings on the power play.

 

[owslachief]

Re: MSU Spartan Hockey 2013-14: ____-ing the ____ again.

Nothing like Fred Heumann giving a first-intermission pep talk.

 

[owslachief]

Re: MSU Spartan Hockey 2013-14: ____-ing the ____ again.

About tonight:

State won by a satisfying 4-1 margin over a familiar CIC team, but what didn't show were signs of some separation between the skill level coming in, and the skill level recruited by the previous coach. A couple seniors have apparently hit their ceiling (maybe even a couple seasons ago). It was nice to see the 47 shots - and for the most part not the shoot-wherever/whenever variety but real chancey-like shots. And ladies and gentlemen, I give you two freshmen who are going to be TROUBLE for opponents. Villiam Haag showed fearlessness and maturity in his game, and MacEachern, if he sticks around for a couple more years - should give Spartan fans a ton of optimism. There is nothing he can't do. Goal scorers tonight were Dean Chelios (welcome back ), Haag (fr), Joe Cox (fr) via a lovely two-on-one and, for variety, a successful penalty shot by Michael Ferrantino. The only disappointment perhaps was a scoreless minute or so of a two-man advantage.

 

[streaker]

Re: MSU Spartan Hockey 2013-14: ____-ing the ____ again.

I caught part of the game and my impression is that State has upgraded their speed and size. Haag looks like a solid player. I don't think Western Ontario is very good and they were only rolling three lines due to illness and injury. Their goaltender was solid, though. Farrentino could have scored a dozen last night, finally got one to go. I don't think Hildebrand was tested too much, either.

 

[aallenpollreisz]

Re: MSU Spartan Hockey 2013-14: ____-ing the ____ again.

Granted, it's only one game - and, really, it wasn't an actual game - but I thought Haag was dynamite last night. I really think his size and skill will translate well into the college game. All the credit in the world goes to Anastos on that signing. Actually, many of the freshmen looked pretty good last night, in fact.

Also, I hope Ferrantino can bottle whatever the heck he got into last night. Kid was playing out of his mind in the last half of that game.

Anyway, the next six games are against teams from Massachusetts: @ UMass x2, No. 1 Mass.-Lowell, No. 19 Boston U., and AIC x2. First four games will be a meat grinder. Kind of odd to start the season with an idle weekend, but, well, that's how the schedule shakes out.

 

[owslachief]

Re: MSU Spartan Hockey 2013-14: ____-ing the ____ again.

While UWO was short-handed, the Spartans were without their top two goal-scorers from last season (Berry and Sorenson), the latter of whom will sit out 3 more games for violation of team rules.

But with arguably their best D-man out for another 6 weeks or so, I think they're piecing together a pretty good defensive 6 to carry them through. Krygier got a lot of playing time in the 3rd period and looks to be a common presence in the power play. Need to see more from Rhett Holland, but as it was his first test back from a red-shirt season, I'm certain he'll hit his stride nicely. Up ice he showed a physical side for sure.

 

[aallenpollreisz]

Re: MSU Spartan Hockey 2013-14: ____-ing the ____ again.

Oy.

@chrissolari 3h: MSU hockey coach Tom Anastos announces freshman F Villiam Haag from Sweden will serve a 1-game suspension for NCAA eligibility issue.
@chrissolari 3h: Anastos also suspended F Tanner Sorenson for 4 games. He will miss the UMass and UMass-Lowell series.

 

[owslachief]

Re: MSU Spartan Hockey 2013-14: ____-ing the ____ again.

Oy.

@chrissolari 3h: MSU hockey coach Tom Anastos announces freshman F Villiam Haag from Sweden will serve a 1-game suspension for NCAA eligibility issue.
@chrissolari 3h: Anastos also suspended F Tanner Sorenson for 4 games. He will miss the UMass and UMass-Lowell series.

:: mild panic ::
I was hoping the Sorenson suspension included the UWO game. That's too much to hope for.