MSU Spartans 2015-16. Got a problem with that?

[Pirateasaur]

Re: MSU Spartans 2015-16. Got a problem with that?

A little sloppy at times, particularly in the first period but a fine performance, nonetheless. I thought Deblouw looked strong out there. I hope he finally has that big year.

Concerns about offensive production were not exactly lessened and while the team has likely had very little time to work on special teams, the power play looked terrible at times and disappointing the rest of the night.

Ed Minney looked good. I suppose he technically only faced about 3 shots but he had a couple big saves.

I think Munn looks good. The aluminum bleachers give the place a livelier look as opposed to the somewhat darkness of constant green. I don't know. I'm not an interior decorator.

 

[UMICH]

Re: MSU Spartans 2015-16. Got a problem with that?

A little sloppy at times, particularly in the first period but a fine performance, nonetheless. I thought Deblouw looked strong out there. I hope he finally has that big year.

Concerns about offensive production were not exactly lessened and while the team has likely had very little time to work on special teams, the power play looked terrible at times and disappointing the rest of the night.

Ed Minney looked good. I suppose he technically only faced about 3 shots but he had a couple big saves.

I think Munn looks good. The aluminum bleachers give the place a livelier look as opposed to the somewhat darkness of constant green. I don't know. I'm not an interior decorator.

As a Michigan fan I hate the aluminum bleachers in Yost. It looks wrong, just plain wrong. We've had them for over 3 years now and I still can't get used to them. Also, the smell of roasted almonds was absorbed by the old wooden benches, it made everything in the building ooze with history. The wooden benches were louder too. The metal in there is just plain wrong. I suppose that it was long over-due but I still dislike it. I sound like a crotchety old man...

I'm not a fan of green though so it may be better from an outsider's perspective.

 

[owslachief]

Re: MSU Spartans 2015-16. Got a problem with that?

A little sloppy at times, particularly in the first period but a fine performance, nonetheless. I thought Deblouw looked strong out there. I hope he finally has that big year.

Concerns about offensive production were not exactly lessened and while the team has likely had very little time to work on special teams, the power play looked terrible at times and disappointing the rest of the night.

Ed Minney looked good. I suppose he technically only faced about 3 shots but he had a couple big saves.

I think Munn looks good. The aluminum bleachers give the place a livelier look as opposed to the somewhat darkness of constant green. I don't know. I'm not an interior decorator.

In all fairness though it's extremely difficult to gauge a team who hasn't even had itself for competition for 40 or 60 minutes until they laced em up against a bunch of mid-20-year-olds who already played 5 games (included Miami). There was noticeable improvement from period 1 to period 2, and that's the important thing.

Granted, we were basically seeing a UWO conga line to the penalty box most of the night. But - that also afforded the coaching staff a chance to try about 5 different power-play combinations.

I thought MacEachern worked the kinks out early, and Deblouw and Ebbing looked ready from the start. Haag looked a little confused at times which worried me somewhat. Stenglein played OK when given a shot at the top-line, but he had a nasty giveaway in the first which almost led to a goal. 4th line was terrific, and Hoomaian had a nifty weave through traffic and perfect pass to Milan for goal #1.

If you didn't know, you couldn't tell Osburn is a Freshman. He showed good poise and I can easily see him in our top two pairings if a couple of our veteran RD's don't step it up a bit.

 

[owslachief]

Re: MSU Spartans 2015-16. Got a problem with that?

As a Michigan fan I hate the aluminum bleachers in Yost. It looks wrong, just plain wrong. We've had them for over 3 years now and I still can't get used to them. Also, the smell of roasted almonds was absorbed by the old wooden benches, it made everything in the building ooze with history. The wooden benches were louder too. The metal in there is just plain wrong. I suppose that it was long over-due but I still dislike it. I sound like a crotchety old man...

I'm not a fan of green though so it may be better from an outsider's perspective.

I was on the fence about all the metal - though if you asked me 10 years ago I would have said no. Now however the new screen and ribbon video is there, the new chairbacks, some upgrades to the mezzanine, etc. the metal is definitely a must-have upgrade ... the old fiberglass benches basically held together by bubblegum would have looked silly against all the new "bells & whistles" and chairs and stuff.

I'm also a BIG fan of the hand-rails in the aisles. Those steps always made me nervous and besides the railings actually make the arena "pop" visually a little.

 

[aallenpollreisz]

Re: MSU Spartans 2015-16. Got a problem with that?

I thought we looked OK on Sunday. A bit clunky, but, given that we were one full-team practice into the season, I guess that was kind of expected. The power play didn't convert, but it got pretty close - I find this to be promising. Overall, it looks like there's a good amount of potential there.

And, of course, with my first game back, I get a dose of McInchak and Aaron. I think the universe was trying to play some sort of joke on me. I fully expect to see those two officiating hockey games together in hell.

 

[aallenpollreisz]

Re: MSU Spartans 2015-16. Got a problem with that?

Just bought all-Saturday tickets. Section W, row 18, seat 10.

Yes, I'm having trouble containing my excitement.

 

[Pirateasaur]

As a Michigan fan I hate the aluminum bleachers in Yost. It looks wrong, just plain wrong. We've had them for over 3 years now and I still can't get used to them. Also, the smell of roasted almonds was absorbed by the old wooden benches, it made everything in the building ooze with history. The wooden benches were louder too. The metal in there is just plain wrong. I suppose that it was long over-due but I still dislike it. I sound like a crotchety old man...

I'm not a fan of green though so it may be better from an outsider's perspective.

Wood benches would be ideal for sure. Pretty sure no rink puts those in anymore. Too expensive, maybe? They remind me of all the old barns I used to play in growing up in the 90's and early 2000's.

As for the team, I think we skate pretty well and have some decent speed so hopefully the offense comes around. I thought we had some difficulty entering the offensive zone at times. Guys weren't quite on the same page and some opportunities were lost due to poor timing. As others have stated, that is not a surprise at this point.

Let's see how they perform out in Maine. There is no reason we shouldn't believe we can't win both games.

 

[UMICH]

Re: MSU Spartans 2015-16. Got a problem with that?

I'm also a BIG fan of the hand-rails in the aisles. Those steps always made me nervous and besides the railings actually make the arena "pop" visually a little.

You can thank the ADA for that. I have no idea why universities get away with not having them in Student Sections. The Big House has hand-rails in every section but the Student Sections. Why not? It isn't like Students are exampt from having a disability. There must be some loop-hole like Students don't pay full-price therefore the ADA doesn't apply. Still, you'd think that since Michigan was already rennovating the entire stadium the cost of a few more sections of hand-rails would be irrelevant.

 

[gomsuman]

Re: MSU Spartans 2015-16. Got a problem with that?

First exhibition game Sunday and it went just about as I expected. Real sloppy in some areas where the lack of practice really shows through (transition game, PK, and PP). But otherwise I was pretty impressed with the team as a whole and the freshman in particular, WOW, were they impressive. Appleton is obviously a player the coaches are going to expect a lot from this year and the other three freshmen played very well.

One player I was disappointed with was Haag. As I think owslachief mentioned briefly, He just looked lost out there on what should be a very talented line with him, MacEachern, and Appleton. Isn't Haag a junior? He sure didn't look like it Sunday. But maybe he just partied a little too hard on Saturday night...

Also did anybody else see that the Western Ontario goalie that played Sunday was a former 2nd round NHL draft pick by the Colorado Avalanche!? Looks like he "retired" from professional hockey to go to school and play hockey? So at the very least he used to be/has the potential to be a very good goaltender. (As we saw on Sunday stopping 39 shots)

 

[owslachief]

Re: MSU Spartans 2015-16. Got a problem with that?

First exhibition game Sunday and it went just about as I expected. Real sloppy in some areas where the lack of practice really shows through (transition game, PK, and PP). But otherwise I was pretty impressed with the team as a whole and the freshman in particular, WOW, were they impressive. Appleton is obviously a player the coaches are going to expect a lot from this year and the other three freshmen played very well. )

As someone else mentioned here ... TA brought up in the presser that the training staff felt this was the best freshman class in quite a while in terms of work ethic and readiness. Appleton's stock has done nothing but rise the last several months, and Milan has always had the talent though I think now he's in a really good place health-wise for the first time / long time.

Note: I am knocking on wood!

 

[Spartanforlife4]

Re: MSU Spartans 2015-16. Got a problem with that?

It's game day. Team left Wednesday night, so they've had a day to skate and rid themselves of whatever jet lag they may have acquired. Kidna bummed there isn't even a crappy stream available.

Like I put in the Ice Breaker thread, I'm expecting a 4-2 loss or 2-1 win depending on how the team reacts. We catch Maine in their literal first game of the season, as they didn't bring in Canadians or the young guns for an exhibition before this.

 

[gomsuman]

Re: MSU Spartans 2015-16. Got a problem with that?

I'm very confident that if MSU plays well we will come away with two victories this weekend. Again that is if the team plays well... if not I expect Hildebrand to, at the very least, keep us in both games.

I'm guessing a 3-1 victory tonight. Then a 4-2 victory tomorrow.

 

[owslachief]

Well, did I say Osburn is offensively-minded. A beast on the power play, 8 SOG, and 2 goals.

 

[Spartanforlife4]

Re: MSU Spartans 2015-16. Got a problem with that?

Undefeated still!

 

[aallenpollreisz]

Re: MSU Spartans 2015-16. Got a problem with that?

4-1 tonight over LSSU. Sounded like an impressive win.

MSU off to Denver now.

 

[gomsuman]

Re: MSU Spartans 2015-16. Got a problem with that?

4 goals on the power play this weekend.. something the team hasn't seen in awhile. Freshman again seem more impressive every game they play (at least sounded like on the radio). Either way we come away 1-0-1 on the weekend which is pretty good considering the injuries that were suffered. If any of those injuries are long lasting it might not be pretty next weekend at Denver...Hopefully Hildebrand can play amazing like always and we can have a chance at a big early season win.

 

[Pirateasaur]

4 goals on the power play this weekend.. something the team hasn't seen in awhile. Freshman again seem more impressive every game they play (at least sounded like on the radio). Either way we come away 1-0-1 on the weekend which is pretty good considering the injuries that were suffered. If any of those injuries are long lasting it might not be pretty next weekend at Denver...Hopefully Hildebrand can play amazing like always and we can have a chance at a big early season win.

Who was injured? Pretty sure Keller went down last night but that is all I have heard.

 

[ticapnews]

Re: MSU Spartans 2015-16. Got a problem with that?

There were 31 penalties called in Michigan State's two games, with the Spartans going 4-18 on the power play while killing 11 of 12. Hildebrand was way too hard on himself after the game, especially considering the only goal he gave up tonight was a defensive breakdown. He was solid.

Anastos said it seemed like he had more players in the trainers' room than the locker room but he offered no details.

By the way, at the time I am writing this there is still a chance Sparty could win the tournament. If Maine and North Dakota play to a 1-1 (or 2-2) tie then both MSU and North Dakota are 1-0-1. If Maine wins the shootout that will follow, MSU will be the champion...although very few in Portland would care with Maine wining the shootout both nights...

 

[ticapnews]

Re: MSU Spartans 2015-16. Got a problem with that?

There was mass confusion at the Ice Breaker as a result of the shootout. Maine won both shootouts, but finishes third because they officially went 0-0-2. Michigan State scored the most goals of any tournament team (7) but finishes second because North Dakota only allowed 3.

Regardless, Michigan State played a great tournament. Good luck the rest of the way.

 

[gomsuman]

Who was injured? Pretty sure Keller went down last night but that is all I have heard.

Keller was one. The other was Pavelek.. Sounds like he got cut by a skate in Friday's game but was able to tape it up and finish the game. After a day for it to heal/stiffen up he wasn't able to put hardly any pressure on that leg on Saturday. Other then those two I don't think anything else was major.