MSU Spartan Hockey - Episode VII - A New Hope

[gomsuman]

Re: MSU Spartan Hockey - Episode VII - A New Hope

How was that for some fun? Two delayed penalty goals, I think two PP goals, and overall good puck movement. It's crazy how much better we are at simply passing the puck and keeping it in the zone. No more skips over sticks or just plain off-the-mark passes. Oh, and first sweep in a year and a half!

LSSU's goalie gave up a lot of rebounds. I'm starting to see how Denver put up 129 over two days.

Only downside of tonight was the third period. I'm not sure if the team let up, or Cole told them to take a little easier so it wouldn't get chippy, but it didn't have that same intensity as the first two periods. And the 5 on 3 could have been better. Worked the puck around but didn't get off a quality shot. Odd contrast to the regular PP, so maybe it's just a matter of not practicing enough?

Wait, one more downside. The Lake State fan who screamed one word phrases in a shrill voice. NET! SKATE! GO!

Next week will be an interesting test. By far the most talented team we'll face, but they haven't set the world on fire. A couple TV games next week, too!

Danton chose not to play the top line the last 12 minutes of the game because we were in control of the game and they only had two shifts total in the 3rd... So he wanted to give those other guys a chance on the 5 on 3 powerplay and the rest of the period. It also gave some rest to the HKL line before Minnesota this weekend.

I agree this weekend will be interesting to see how we compete on the road against a very good team.

 

[Pirateasaur]

Re: MSU Spartan Hockey - Episode VII - A New Hope

I had to miss Saturday's game so it looks like I missed a very rare relaxing win.

I feel a little bad it was Whitten, York and LSSU we had to beat up all weekend. I'd like to see that program succeed under them.

Hard not to be very pleased with what we've seen so far but the next month will show us what this team is made of. An Anastos team would go on a 5 week losing streak right about now so let's hope Cole can continue to get this team to break old habits.

 

[owslachief]

Re: MSU Spartan Hockey - Episode VII - A New Hope

Only downside of tonight was the third period. I'm not sure if the team let up, or Cole told them to take a little easier so it wouldn't get chippy, but it didn't have that same intensity as the first two periods. And the 5 on 3 could have been better. Worked the puck around but didn't get off a quality shot. Odd contrast to the regular PP, so maybe it's just a matter of not practicing enough?

3rd period - more minutes from guys who haven't seen a lot of ice time - Pavelek, Crzcek etc. - plus it looked like more a keep-away style down the stretch.

 

[owslachief]

Re: MSU Spartan Hockey - Episode VII - A New Hope

Some little factoids pointed out in today's CHN article
https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2017/10/29_Roundup-Spartans-Pound-LSSU.php

* It's the first time MSU has won 4 games in October since 2009-10 (oddly, Torey Krug's first year here).
* It's MSU's best record in October since going 3-0-3 in 2010-11. In other words, two coaches ago.

One additional thing - Mitchell Lewandowki's 9 points in 6 games. With that he's tied with two others at #1 among all D1 freshmen.

 

[Spartanforlife4]

Re: MSU Spartan Hockey - Episode VII - A New Hope

Danton chose not to play the top line the last 12 minutes of the game because we were in control of the game and they only had two shifts total in the 3rd... So he wanted to give those other guys a chance on the 5 on 3 powerplay and the rest of the period. It also gave some rest to the HKL line before Minnesota this weekend.

I agree this weekend will be interesting to see how we compete on the road against a very good team.

That would explain it. Even better that we still out shot them and kept the shutout.

 

[Decatur Spartan]

Re: MSU Spartan Hockey - Episode VII - A New Hope

I be happy. Great start to the season. PP at 25%. Need to work on the PK. Goal scoring is up. Goals against is down.
Have a player in the top 25 of scoring in the country. Lethamon's save percentage is around 0.910. Good sweep. Just sorry it was against Whitten and York.
Go Green!

 

[gomsuman]

Re: MSU Spartan Hockey - Episode VII - A New Hope

That would explain it. Even better that we still out shot them and kept the shutout.

He said so on radio interview after the game. I didn't notice during the game either. Made sense to me when he explained it.

 

[owslachief]

Re: MSU Spartan Hockey - Episode VII - A New Hope

I be happy. Great start to the season. PP at 25%. Need to work on the PK. Goal scoring is up. Goals against is down.
Have a player in the top 25 of scoring in the country. Lethamon's save percentage is around 0.910. Good sweep. Just sorry it was against Whitten and York.
Go Green!

Two of them in fact! The H and L of the "KHL" line ... and with fewer games in than most of the country. I just hope the "H" sticks around for another couple years .

 

[Pirateasaur]

Two of them in fact! The H and L of the "KHL" line ... and with fewer games in than most of the country. I just hope the "H" sticks around for another couple years .

It's still early but I think if they stick together for another year the can be one of the best lines in the B1G. Maybe THE best? Hard to imagine after the chronic offensive drought this program has been through.

 

[Pirateasaur]

Re: MSU Spartan Hockey - Episode VII - A New Hope

As for this weekend, Minny is only 5-3 so far but they've played a pretty tough schedule. I anticipate this being one of the toughest tests for this team the entire year.

 

[owslachief]

Re: MSU Spartan Hockey - Episode VII - A New Hope

It's still early but I think if they stick together for another year the can be one of the best lines in the B1G. Maybe THE best? Hard to imagine after the chronic offensive drought this program has been through.

Heck, they're already on pace to top Kennedy-Abdelkader-Crowder of 2007-08 . Those guys couldn't even register a point a game .

Oh yyyyeeaaaahhh - there's still the Big 10 competition to come.

 

[owslachief]

Re: MSU Spartan Hockey - Episode VII - A New Hope

Just picked up our first 2020-21 D-man commit: Michael Feenstra from the Fox Motors U16 team. These guys keep getting bigger; as a 16-year-old, he's 6'2 168#

 

[wsummers]

Just picked up our first 2020-21 D-man commit: Michael Feenstra from the Fox Motors U16 team. These guys keep getting bigger; as a 16-year-old, he's 6'2 168#

By my count that’s 13 future Spartans recruited by Cole so far. On the other side at least 4 players commited to the A team are no longer coming.

For next year, scheduled incoming: 1 goaltender, 2 dmen, 5 forwards to replace 3 players to graduation, plus a possible player or two leaving.

 

[wsummers]

It's still early but I think if they stick together for another year the can be one of the best lines in the B1G. Maybe THE best? Hard to imagine after the chronic offensive drought this program has been through.

Not sure if they will be the best line, but after a few years of 3 third lines, it’s nice to have a line that actually is a threat to score when they are on the ice.

 

[gomsuman]

Re: MSU Spartan Hockey - Episode VII - A New Hope

By my count that’s 13 future Spartans recruited by Cole so far. On the other side at least 4 players commited to the A team are no longer coming.

For next year, scheduled incoming: 1 goaltender, 2 dmen, 5 forwards to replace 3 players to graduation, plus a possible player or two leaving.

Joe Exter must really know how to recruit. Cole has said many times he is the head guy when it comes to recruiting.

Also interesting to see guys committed to Anastos no longer coming. Is it Cole no longer wanting those guys? Or those guys not wanting to play for Cole?

 

[owslachief]

Re: MSU Spartan Hockey - Episode VII - A New Hope

Joe Exter must really know how to recruit. Cole has said many times he is the head guy when it comes to recruiting.

Also interesting to see guys committed to Anastos no longer coming. Is it Cole no longer wanting those guys? Or those guys not wanting to play for Cole?

That is typical as I understand it.

The first one to jump ship was Noah Lalonde, who is a 2018 commit to LSSU. I see that Bederka (D) and Moyle (F) are no longer committed and have not announced to another school. Are there others?

 

[wsummers]

That is typical as I understand it.

The first one to jump ship was Noah Lalonde, who is a 2018 commit to LSSU. I see that Bederka (D) and Moyle (F) are no longer committed and have not announced to another school. Are there others?

Ty Farmer is also now uncommitted even though he signed.

 

[owslachief]

Re: MSU Spartan Hockey - Episode VII - A New Hope

Ty Farmer is also now uncommitted even though he signed.

Geez, yes there it is. I assume because he's waiting for at least 2018-19 to land a spot on an NCAA team (if NCAA is his thing), it's no "major penalty" to him.

EliteProspects.com last showed him as a 2018-19 freshman for MSU. Way back when he was on track as a 2016-17 freshman, his development suffered a setback with an injury, and the previous regime rightly asked him to work on his game another year. I can then imagine that DC over the summer asked him to work on his game for an additional year, and TF had had enough.

 

[Pirateasaur]

Re: MSU Spartan Hockey - Episode VII - A New Hope

We hardly have any roster spots opening up the next two years. I'm not sure how Cole will manage the roster in the future because chronic lopsided class sizes do not promote program consistency.

Also, if we snag any points in Minneapolis this weekend I will be happy.

 

[owslachief]

Re: MSU Spartan Hockey - Episode VII - A New Hope

The effort was good tonight, except Schierhorn was unhumanly good. The KHL line whew! But I'm pretty sure Schierhorn is an alien. Lethemon's not bad either. In fact, how do you take the job away from him right now?