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

[owslachief]

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

4. SHOOT THE PUCK. I don't know if I have ever watched a hockey team that just refuses to shoot the puck unless your name is Mason Appleton. Also when we do shoot we need to actually get it on net, too many times we get good shots but just completely miss the net completely.

I'm glad you cap'd that, because that was probably the biggest theme on the negative side this weekend. Sounds to me like fans are just tired of yelling "SHOOT THE [euphemism] PUCK!". And fire it at the goalie too. We're young, and more apt to get a good rebound than mail it into the perfect top corner of the net.

 

[gomsuman]

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

I'm glad you cap'd that, because that was probably the biggest theme on the negative side this weekend. Sounds to me like fans are just tired of yelling "SHOOT THE [euphemism] PUCK!". And fire it at the goalie too. We're young, and more apt to get a good rebound than mail it into the perfect top corner of the net.

I wish we took more of a Penn State approach to shooting. They do a great job of shooting the puck on goal from all parts of the ice. You never know when a goalie might make a bad mistake or even better a teammate gets a juicy rebound. But those two things won't happen until you SHOOT THE PUCK. I just wish I knew if this is a coaching thing or if it is a confidence problem. The fact that Anastos came from an era of high octane offense I can't imagine its a coaching thing, but you never know.

 

[bcmsu9196]

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

I wish we took more of a Penn State approach to shooting. They do a great job of shooting the puck on goal from all parts of the ice. You never know when a goalie might make a bad mistake or even better a teammate gets a juicy rebound. But those two things won't happen until you SHOOT THE PUCK. I just wish I knew if this is a coaching thing or if it is a confidence problem. The fact that Anastos came from an era of high octane offense I can't imagine its a coaching thing, but you never know.

Penn State is a Guy Gadowsky team. His teams at Princeton used to shoot from anywhere and everywhere, and routinely put up 40+ shots on goal per game

 

[Pirateasaur]

Penn State is a Guy Gadowsky team. His teams at Princeton used to shoot from anywhere and everywhere, and routinely put up 40+ shots on goal per game

That strategy has its benefits and drawbacks. My worry is how often we would be giving up possession of the puck for very low percentage shots. We do need to shoot more but our tendency to not take GOOD shots when they are available is what drives me mad. A big part of it may be many of our young players being used to controlling play however they wanted. They might need to learn they can't get away with cute stuff anymore.

 

[gomsuman]

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

That strategy has its benefits and drawbacks. My worry is how often we would be giving up possession of the puck for very low percentage shots. We do need to shoot more but our tendency to not take GOOD shots when they are available is what drives me mad. A big part of it may be many of our young players being used to controlling play however they wanted. They might need to learn they can't get away with cute stuff anymore.

Couldn't have said it better.

 

[owslachief]

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

That strategy has its benefits and drawbacks. My worry is how often we would be giving up possession of the puck for very low percentage shots. We do need to shoot more but our tendency to not take GOOD shots when they are available is what drives me mad. A big part of it may be many of our young players being used to controlling play however they wanted. They might need to learn they can't get away with cute stuff anymore.

My guess is we were talking open shots, not necessarily Hail Mary's . I think the fear of firing is ramped up a bit during the power play for the reason you describe. Freshmen, esp. early in the season, are surprised at what happens when they don't either take the opportunities they have immediately, whether it's making a play, a touch pass or getting the puck on net. You take a moment to find the perfect receiver or corner of the net, and it can end up going the other way in a hurry regardless of where the rebound might have gone.

 

[Pirateasaur]

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

I forgot to mention that we looked great on faceoffs Saturday night. I think we won about twice as many as Denver did. Hopefully this is something that can consistently be a strength.

 

[aallenpollreisz]

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

RE: Offensive philosophy. (Too tired/lazy/on the verge of falling asleep to find the quote.)

My issue is that we're not even taking open high-percentage shots. In that Friday game against LSSU, Hirose had a wide-open chance about six feet to the right of the goaltender. He also had a wide-open fiver to shoot for. Instead of taking this shot, he passed the puck away. This instance stands out the most to me, but I'm sure I've seen other kids on our roster do similar things in the past.

It just seems like we have no pure goal-scorers, just kids who set up the the kids who take the shots. (Perhaps that explains why a good chunk of our powerplays start with endless cycling and end with turnovers.)

 

[Spartanforlife4]

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

Looks like Princton is playing a road exhibition against the U18's in Plymouth on Saturday.

Interesting to see how they play tomorrow given its their first real game. Looks like they've scrimmaged Yale and Brown, but scrimmages are always different. It'd be nice to see a win, but I'm not expecting much. After what happened up at the Soo I can't say I consider us favorites against anyone.

 

[Decatur Spartan]

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

Yeah, the Ivy teams can't begin their seasons before the last week of October. Going out on a limb and saying MSU 3-2.

Looks like Princton is playing a road exhibition against the U18's in Plymouth on Saturday.

Interesting to see how they play tomorrow given its their first real game. Looks like they've scrimmaged Yale and Brown, but scrimmages are always different. It'd be nice to see a win, but I'm not expecting much. After what happened up at the Soo I can't say I consider us favorites against anyone.

 

[Decatur Spartan]

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

Hey, Volleyball is 17-5.

 

[owslachief]

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

Hey, Volleyball is 17-5.

THANK YOU! Way to get this thing back on the rails

 

[Pirateasaur]

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

Well from reading comments from coaches it sounds like they are well aware of our missed shot opportunities and our tendency to miss the net. I wouldn't be surprised if we see a change in approach tomorrow night.

 

[gomsuman]

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

Well from reading comments from coaches it sounds like they are well aware of our missed shot opportunities and our tendency to miss the net. I wouldn't be surprised if we see a change in approach tomorrow night.

I hope so.

My prediction MSU 4-2 but I wouldn't be surprised if they lost 6-0 as well. It is hard to judge this team quite yet.

 

[Spartanforlife4]

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

Power play last night looked the best it has in years in terms of keeping possession and movement. Though to be pessimistic, I'll remain skeptical until next week when we aren't facing a sub par team in their first game.

 

[owslachief]

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

Power play last night looked the best it has in years in terms of keeping possession and movement. Though to be pessimistic, I'll remain skeptical until next week when we aren't facing a sub par team in their first game.

Good confidence builder for special teams and power play especially. One simple adjustment - take Appleton away from the point and free our best player to make a play down low (and he did).

Among the non-freshman defensemen I think Gatt is my favorite. A more than solid two-way performance last night ... I couldn't believe that was his first goal as a Spartan last night. Good game from Holland too.

Just watching Minney in goal last night, his best asset is positioning, laterally, but also savvy moving out to the shooter when needed. Good economy of movement. Pretty good glove too.

 

[Spartanforlife4]

Good confidence builder for special teams and power play especially. One simple adjustment - take Appleton away from the point and free our best player to make a play down low (and he did).

Among the non-freshman defensemen I think Gatt is my favorite. A more than solid two-way performance last night ... I couldn't believe that was his first goal as a Spartan last night. Good game from Holland too.

Just watching Minney in goal last night, his best asset is positioning, laterally, but also savvy moving out to the shooter when needed. Good economy of movement. Pretty good glove too.

Not sure if it was Princeton'a strategy or the scouting on Minney but they tried to go high almost every time. If it truly is a weakness, a team with accurate shooters like Minny, UM or NoDak will eat him alive. Certainly seemed like Princeton could've put up two or three more goals if they hadn't shot it over the glass trying to go topside.

 

[owslachief]

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

Not sure if it was Princeton'a strategy or the scouting on Minney but they tried to go high almost every time. If it truly is a weakness, a team with accurate shooters like Minny, UM or NoDak will eat him alive. Certainly seemed like Princeton could've put up two or three more goals if they hadn't shot it over the glass trying to go topside.

Or those sharpshooters at Lake State. But I chalk it up to somewhat a lack of game experience. I see him settling in.

 

[Pirateasaur]

Not sure if it was Princeton'a strategy or the scouting on Minney but they tried to go high almost every time. If it truly is a weakness, a team with accurate shooters like Minny, UM or NoDak will eat him alive. Certainly seemed like Princeton could've put up two or three more goals if they hadn't shot it over the glass trying to go topside.

I went with my dad last night who has a good eye for details. He also saw Minney for the first time last week and before last night's game he said "I wasn't sure about Minney. He leaves the top of the net wide open." Princeton definitely saw the same thing my dad did.

It doesn't matter right now. He's played well two weekends in a row.

 

[gomsuman]

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

Good confidence builder for special teams and power play especially. One simple adjustment - take Appleton away from the point and free our best player to make a play down low (and he did).

Among the non-freshman defensemen I think Gatt is my favorite. A more than solid two-way performance last night ... I couldn't believe that was his first goal as a Spartan last night. Good game from Holland too.

Just watching Minney in goal last night, his best asset is positioning, laterally, but also savvy moving out to the shooter when needed. Good economy of movement. Pretty good glove too.

I have never been a fan of using forward's as defensemen on powerplay's. This isn't the NHL where you have Ovechkin or someone like that who can handle it. Especially this year where MSU finally seems to have 4-5 defensemen who can handle the puck pretty darn well.

I was really impressed again with the overall team speed and skill. Princeton just seemed like clearly a lesser team talent-wise. I can't remember the last time I thought that.

The one downside I saw against Princeton was that a couple guys seemed to get pushed around pretty easily (lambdin took a few good hits). Now I don't know how much of that is the fact that they are 18-19 year olds playing against 22-25 year olds but if that is the price of having a highly skilled team I'll take it in a heartbeat.