MSU Spartans 2016-17 (Volleyball Looks Like a Legit Alternative)

[Pirateasaur]

We have some issues with youth on defense. It was a brutal game for the non-youthful D, but I have to believe the injury on Friday had something to with that. Gatt's absence was helpful.

I think Minney can be a force. We had one senior-laden PK unit and one young one, but that power play unit of Minnesota's is just plain GOOD. Although there were two very questionable calls Saturday that gave them the chance to bury the puck on the two man-advantages.

I am putting my money on MSU finding some confidence again this coming Sunday.

EXTREMELY disappointed with Saturday's crowd ... impending weather notwithstanding. I can only hope that with the hype of the triple-header and the resulting crossover support they can fill some seats and create a buzz.

Ed Minney has definitely arrived and that is a big relief.

Also, yes, the crowd Saturday was disappointing. Friday was much better, even if I don't believe for a moment the announced number.

 

[gomsuman]

Re: MSU Spartans 2016-17 (Volleyball Looks Like a Legit Alternative)

We have some issues with youth on defense. It was a brutal game for the non-youthful D, but I have to believe the injury on Friday had something to with that. I think Minney can be a force. We had one senior-laden PK unit and one young one, but that power play unit of Minnesota's is just plain GOOD. Although there were two very questionable calls Saturday that gave them the chance to bury the puck on the two man-advantages.

I am putting my money on MSU finding some confidence again this coming Sunday.

EXTREMELY disappointed with Saturday's crowd ... impending weather notwithstanding. I can only hope that with the hype of the triple-header and the resulting crossover support they can fill some seats and create a buzz.

1. Hey, how about that goalie!? Minney looked awfully good. If he plays like that every game we will at least have a chance.

2. I agree, with a better crowd I think MSU may find a way to win one of those games this weekend. I think a lack of leadership in the student section is the real problem. Not once did they start the big "Go Green" to get the rest of the crowd to chant Go White... Instead they tried to do the whole chant between the two halves of the students (Very underwhelming FYI). Not to mention they only start other popular chants maybe 5 different times throughout the game. Makes for a very quite atmosphere.. At one point I could hear Minnesota's coach clear as day it was so quite in the arena.

3. That delay of game penalty on Saliba was just ridiculous and it led to a tie game with Minnesota having all the momentum. I didn't DVR the game and watch it again but it sure looked like Saliba was just trying to keep his balance when Minney had fallen into him. Really the special teams were the difference in the weekend when you look at it.

4. I agree with Pirateasaur, If they do decide to make a coaching change after this year the talent is there to win immediately.

5. Remember there will be no students at Sunday's game so I would expect the crowd to be very small. I wouldn't be surprised if it was only 1/5 full.

 

[owslachief]

Re: MSU Spartans 2016-17 (Volleyball Looks Like a Legit Alternative)

Ed Minney has definitely arrived and that is a big relief.

Also, yes, the crowd Saturday was disappointing. Friday was much better, even if I don't believe for a moment the announced number.

I meant to say Gatt's absence was not helpful. And no I could not believe the 5,839 for Friday, but if that's PAID attendance, I think I'd rather hear the awful truth those ticket scanners could provide (you'd think).

 

[Decatur Spartan]

Re: MSU Spartans 2016-17 (Volleyball Looks Like a Legit Alternative)

I meant to say Gatt's absence was not helpful. And no I could not believe the 5,839 for Friday, but if that's PAID attendance, I think I'd rather hear the awful truth those ticket scanners could provide (you'd think).

That Friday attendance had to a 'Paid' number. No way was that actual fanny's in the seats. And, TV announced the 'Attendance" number in the second period. So, that had to be a paid number.

As for the student section: They should go back to what they were called for decades before the arrival of tCHHCoMSU; and that is the Slap Shots. Not the "A Team". Talk about ego. The Izzone was kind of an organic coming together. Not some convoluted, made up, egotistic pipe dream.

 

[gomsuman]

Re: MSU Spartans 2016-17 (Volleyball Looks Like a Legit Alternative)

That Friday attendance had to a 'Paid' number. No way was that actual fanny's in the seats. And, TV announced the 'Attendance" number in the second period. So, that had to be a paid number.

As for the student section: They should go back to what they were called for decades before the arrival of tCHHCoMSU; and that is the Slap Shots. Not the "A Team". Talk about ego. The Izzone was kind of an organic coming together. Not some convoluted, made up, egotistic pipe dream.

I agree. I never like the student sections that name themselves after the coach. Obviously you should pick a name that you can for sure use for a long time... for instance a name that relates to the Arena or your mascot. Not a coach who could be gone after a few years..

 

[owslachief]

Re: MSU Spartans 2016-17 (Volleyball Looks Like a Legit Alternative)

I agree. I never like the student sections that name themselves after the coach. Obviously you should pick a name that you can for sure use for a long time... for instance a name that relates to the Arena or your mascot. Not a coach who could be gone after a few years..

They'd need a "no-confidence" vote to rename themselves, since the current name was chosen with the group itself. All those long, long years ago.

 

[Spartanforlife4]

Re: MSU Spartans 2016-17 (Volleyball Looks Like a Legit Alternative)

Northeastern tomorrow. They're 5-7-4 and though I haven't checked to see who they've played we should be competitive just based on record.

This game and the GLI will determine if it's even worth fighting for in the second half of the season or if it's better off tanking in the hopes of Anastos getting fired. Team certainly looks more competitive than last year, but still very possible we end the first half with just four wins.

 

[owslachief]

Re: MSU Spartans 2016-17 (Volleyball Looks Like a Legit Alternative)

Keep both Travis and Tyler Walsh in your thoughts today. Losing two very close loved ones in the space of 6 months is a rough deal.

 

[John J. MacInnes]

Keep both Travis and Tyler Walsh in your thoughts today. Losing two very close loved ones in the space of 6 months is a rough deal.

Who did they lose? Thanks.

 

[owslachief]

Re: MSU Spartans 2016-17 (Volleyball Looks Like a Legit Alternative)

Who did they lose? Thanks.

Mom

 

[owslachief]

Re: MSU Spartans 2016-17 (Volleyball Looks Like a Legit Alternative)

Firstly, and just so I can get a good night's sleep,
**** you Hollis.

And Merry Christmas too.

There. This is one of those games where one drops his win expectation for the season by about 7 or 8. Wow. There's a group of guys who are not conditioned to respond to adversity. Couple that with some shoddy goaltending and this is what you get. NU is a prototype of Ohio State (only not quite as good), whom State will face four times. I may just get that winter project done before win #5 after all.

 

[Pirateasaur]

Firstly, and just so I can get a good night's sleep,
**** you Hollis.

And Merry Christmas too.

There. This is one of those games where one drops his win expectation for the season by about 7 or 8. Wow. There's a group of guys who are not conditioned to respond to adversity. Couple that with some shoddy goaltending and this is what you get. NU is a prototype of Ohio State (only not quite as good), whom State will face four times. I may just get that winter project done before win #5 after all.

I didn't have quite the adverse reaction to the game as you but yes, disappointing. Before the Minnesota series I dared dream of splitting at home and then knocking off NE to go into the break strong. This feels much more familiar.

Besides falling apart in the last 10 minutes, I thought it was a fairly even game. They had an edge in the 1st, we looked strong in the 2nd. They were able to score all of the dirty goals by crashing the net, though. Something we have wanted to see from our guys for a long time. Our PP, while better at possessing the puck than years, is still unproductive.

I do feel this team is better than last season but I don't see it showing on our record. The entire B1G except Michigan has improved along with us. It might be a battle to get to 10 wins at this point. I know others have their doubts but I can't see how Hollis could justify not making a change at that point.

 

[owslachief]

Re: MSU Spartans 2016-17 (Volleyball Looks Like a Legit Alternative)

I didn't have quite the adverse reaction to the game as you but yes, disappointing. Before the Minnesota series I dared dream of splitting at home and then knocking off NE to go into the break strong. This feels much more familiar.

Besides falling apart in the last 10 minutes, I thought it was a fairly even game. They had an edge in the 1st, we looked strong in the 2nd. They were able to score all of the dirty goals by crashing the net, though. Something we have wanted to see from our guys for a long time. Our PP, while better at possessing the puck than years, is still unproductive.

I do feel this team is better than last season but I don't see it showing on our record. The entire B1G except Michigan has improved along with us. It might be a battle to get to 10 wins at this point. I know others have their doubts but I can't see how Hollis could justify not making a change at that point.

State played a solid second period - until the breakaway that NU used to go ahead 3-2, right after MSU tied it. To say the wheels came off is an understatement. The shot total was an utter lie; MSU got run over. They didn't respond, they played selfish and their goaltending sucked. Their 5-on-3 was the worst I think I've every seen. They took stupid penalties (OK, not as bad as a couple of doozies NU was guilty of - including on a friggin' faceoff).

Other than that, it was another enjoyable night at the library.

 

[Pirateasaur]

State played a solid second period - until the breakaway that NU used to go ahead 3-2, right after MSU tied it. To say the wheels came off is an understatement. The shot total was an utter lie; MSU got run over. They didn't respond, they played selfish and their goaltending sucked. Their 5-on-3 was the worst I think I've every seen. They took stupid penalties (OK, not as bad as a couple of doozies NU was guilty of - including on a friggin' faceoff).

Other than that, it was another enjoyable night at the library.

We did get to witness a real, live 2 on 0! We didn't score but it sure was fun while it lasted.

I just don't know what Hollis is thinking right now. Attendance has slowly dipped every year and is now at record lows and there is almost no positive chatter surrounding the program. The number of bears that used to go flying always impressed me but not last night.

 

[gomsuman]

Re: MSU Spartans 2016-17 (Volleyball Looks Like a Legit Alternative)

State played a solid second period - until the breakaway that NU used to go ahead 3-2, right after MSU tied it. To say the wheels came off is an understatement. The shot total was an utter lie; MSU got run over. They didn't respond, they played selfish and their goaltending sucked. Their 5-on-3 was the worst I think I've every seen. They took stupid penalties (OK, not as bad as a couple of doozies NU was guilty of - including on a friggin' faceoff).

Other than that, it was another enjoyable night at the library.

Don't forget MSU had a 2 on 0 rush with Appleton and Hirose (I think) and didn't score in the 1st period. That alone could have sparked the team a little bit in the first.. instead it was momentum the other way.

Yes, rough game all around. Minney was nothing like the Minney who showed up against Minnesota. I thought perhaps a goalie switch was needed after the second soft goal he gave up to try to spark the team but then again we all know how good our coach is.

 

[owslachief]

Re: MSU Spartans 2016-17 (Volleyball Looks Like a Legit Alternative)

Don't forget MSU had a 2 on 0 rush with Appleton and Hirose (I think) and didn't score in the 1st period. That alone could have sparked the team a little bit in the first.. instead it was momentum the other way.

Yes, rough game all around. Minney was nothing like the Minney who showed up against Minnesota. I thought perhaps a goalie switch was needed after the second soft goal he gave up to try to spark the team but then again we all know how good our coach is.

Now, if we only had a wheelbarrow ...
I'd like to clone Appleton, Hirose and Khoderenko 3 times, but I know the technology is not there yet. I liken it to one of my favorite movies: Westley: My brains, his steel, and your strength against sixty men, and you think a little head-jiggle is supposed to make me happy?

So Hirose = brains, Appleton = steel, Khoderenko = strength. That's really simplistic but you get the idea.

 

[Decatur Spartan]

Re: MSU Spartans 2016-17 (Volleyball Looks Like a Legit Alternative)

Mom

Bad year for the Mason Family. Prayers lifted.

 

[Decatur Spartan]

Re: MSU Spartans 2016-17 (Volleyball Looks Like a Legit Alternative)

Don't forget MSU had a 2 on 0 rush with Appleton and Hirose (I think) and didn't score in the 1st period. That alone could have sparked the team a little bit in the first.. instead it was momentum the other way.

Yes, rough game all around. Minney was nothing like the Minney who showed up against Minnesota. I thought perhaps a goalie switch was needed after the second soft goal he gave up to try to spark the team but then again we all know how good our coach is.

Coach? MSU has a Hockey Coach? Really! Wow. Huh. Imagine that. Who is it?

 

[Decatur Spartan]

Re: MSU Spartans 2016-17 (Volleyball Looks Like a Legit Alternative)

I was willing to give tCHHCoMSU until after GLI to get it together. Don't think I can wait that long.
FIRE HIM NOW!

 

[Spartanforlife4]

Don't forget MSU had a 2 on 0 rush with Appleton and Hirose (I think) and didn't score in the 1st period. That alone could have sparked the team a little bit in the first.. instead it was momentum the other way.

Yes, rough game all around. Minney was nothing like the Minney who showed up against Minnesota. I thought perhaps a goalie switch was needed after the second soft goal he gave up to try to spark the team but then again we all know how good our coach is.

That 2 on 0 was disastrous. Rather than just go for a breakaway they slowed up to create the 2 on 0 and it threw all the rythym off. Neither player looked comfortable and they passed so much they outsmarted themselves and ended up with a terrible angle moving away from the net.