Spartan Hockey - Silver Linings edition

[SteveP]

Re: Spartan Hockey - Silver Linings edition

PSU also tried way too hard to become the "enforcers." It was glaringly obvious they knew they didn't have the skill to keep up so they were going to try to intimidate though hits. Or maybe I'm completely wrong and they do this every game, but I have not seen so many big hits dished out in awhile.

Seriously??? What hockey have you been watching?

Big hits are part of the game of hockey and our guys play the game the way it's supposed to be played. Rich O'Brien has been pancaking opponents for the past four seasons, nothing new for him and others.

The major on Varley was borderline - questions were raised by our fans about whether the refs made their decision based on the replay. I'm not sure about that, but I still think it was another of those calls that some college coaches have questioned this year.

From this point of view, after a slow start by both teams our side played even up with the Spartans, with the major and a couple of bad line changes proving to be the difference.

 

[Spartanforlife4]

Re: Spartan Hockey - Silver Linings edition

I'm not saying the hits were illegal, they were all clean. It just seemed a lot more physical than games I remember seeing this season, and at times it seemed they were going out of their way to make them, especially very early in the game. I was very impressed with PSU as a squad. They didn't get a large amount of opportunities but they took advantage of them when they had them.

 

[SteveP]

Re: Spartan Hockey - Silver Linings edition

I'm not saying the hits were illegal, they were all clean. It just seemed a lot more physical than games I remember seeing this season, and at times it seemed they were going out of their way to make them, especially very early in the game. I was very impressed with PSU as a squad. They didn't get a large amount of opportunities but they took advantage of them when they had them.

Ah OK then, I may have misread what you wrote. We commented that Joe Lordo and O'Brien were getting under the skin of the Spartans early on, and THEY were going out of their way to get back at them. That's what makes hockey such a great game.

Dressing Carney and having him on the bench was a classy move by Coach Anastos. I know Bondra is hurt, so I was surprised to see him dressed. I don't think he saw the ice all night.

It's going to be good for both programs to be on the Big 10 Network tonight. Hoping our guys can come away with the split.

 

[Spartanforlife4]

Re: Spartan Hockey - Silver Linings edition

Take a page from Twitch's book.

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[samboni]

Re: Spartan Hockey - Silver Linings edition

Have the Spartans hit rock bottom? Maybe. Blowing a two-goal lead at home, allowing 50 shots to a half club/half low level D1 team is disappointing. Correction....terrible. The U-18 team out-played Anastos' team and then PSU comes into Munn and out-hustles, out-hits, and out-"wants" the game tonight. Heading into the Big 6 next year, PSU is better positioned than MSU. No excuse for being out-played at home the way the Spartans have been outplayed over the past week. This week is on the coach!!! The current coach!!!

 

[owslachief]

Re: Spartan Hockey - Silver Linings edition

Have the Spartans hit rock bottom? Maybe. Blowing a two-goal lead at home, allowing 50 shots to a half club/half low level D1 team is disappointing. Correction....terrible. The U-18 team out-played Anastos' team and then PSU comes into Munn and out-hustles, out-hits, and out-"wants" the game tonight. Heading into the Big 6 next year, PSU is better positioned than MSU. No excuse for being out-played at home the way the Spartans have been outplayed over the past week. This week is on the coach!!! The current coach!!!

I wouldn't necessarily say MSU is not well-positioned for next year, although there appear to be no holidays as far as the 20 B1G games are concerned. We'll get Dean Chelios back and a D-man who I think will make a big impact as a RS-freshman in Holland. MSU will lose about 10% of their scoring - a number the likes of which State hasn't seen since the turn of the century. And if Hildebrand stays healthy, goaltending will be top-notch. From every indication, the incoming trio of forwards will be pretty **** good.

What we are seeing is the natural attrition of one man's recruiting legacy, and the influx of a new, more talented breed. Last year's program was held together with bubble-gum, bailing wire and an all-American D-man. This year we see just how much we missed him.

State will be alright.

 

[Pirateasaurus]

Re: Spartan Hockey - Silver Linings edition

I wouldn't necessarily say MSU is not well-positioned for next year, although there appear to be no holidays as far as the 20 B1G games are concerned. We'll get Dean Chelios back and a D-man who I think will make a big impact as a RS-freshman in Holland. MSU will lose about 10% of their scoring - a number the likes of which State hasn't seen since the turn of the century. And if Hildebrand stays healthy, goaltending will be top-notch. From every indication, the incoming trio of forwards will be pretty **** good.

What we are seeing is the natural attrition of one man's recruiting legacy, and the influx of a new, more talented breed. Last year's program was held together with bubble-gum, bailing wire and an all-American D-man. This year we see just how much we missed him.

State will be alright.

Exactly. We will begin to bounce back next year. I am not even slightly worried.

Also, I am gonna give credit to PSU, they played very well and are better than many people are willing to give them credit for. Something that fellow B1G team OSU already knows.

 

[Pirateasaurus]

Re: Spartan Hockey - Silver Linings edition

Anyways, some fun news to get around everybody ripping on us: JT Stenglein is currently the 6th leading scorer in the USHL and has 21 points in 8 games with Waterloo.

Pretty excited to see him in green and white. Hoping he can have a quick impact on our offense next season.

 

[owslachief]

Re: Spartan Hockey - Silver Linings edition

Anyways, some fun news to get around everybody ripping on us: JT Stenglein is currently the 6th leading scorer in the USHL and has 21 points in 8 games with Waterloo.

Pretty excited to see him in green and white. Hoping he can have a quick impact on our offense next season.

It's so nice to watch those numbers. Hoping Mac² gets well and he can finish his final juniors campaign strong.

 

[Pirateasaurus]

Re: Spartan Hockey - Silver Linings edition

It's so nice to watch those numbers. Hoping Mac² gets well and he can finish his final juniors campaign strong.

Yeah, he started out so well with going at a near point/game clip until his injury and seems to have struggled since coming back. Hopefully he can regain his form.

Also, why isn't Stenglein a draft prospect? Is he too old now? He scored a lot in previous years and has really nice size so I don't know why he didn't catch interest.

 

[owslachief]

Re: Spartan Hockey - Silver Linings edition

Yeah, he started out so well with going at a near point/game clip until his injury and seems to have struggled since coming back. Hopefully he can regain his form.

Also, why isn't Stenglein a draft prospect? Is he too old now? He scored a lot in previous years and has really nice size so I don't know why he didn't catch interest.

He's got the size, but maybe not the hands. The gaudy numbers could have something to do with his Waterloo teammates, some of whom collectively own the top 10 in scoring. He's got a July birthdate so he'd be eligible. Let's see what the final rankings show.

 

[Pirateasaurus]

Re: Spartan Hockey - Silver Linings edition

He's got the size, but maybe not the hands. The gaudy numbers could have something to do with his Waterloo teammates, some of whom collectively own the top 10 in scoring. He's got a July birthdate so he'd be eligible. Let's see what the final rankings show.

I am sure his Waterloo numbers are certainly boosted by his teammates but he still scored almost exactly a point per game on his other two teams this year so he must have some touch. Either way, he is gonna be a good one.

 

[owslachief]

Re: Spartan Hockey - Silver Linings edition

I am sure his Waterloo numbers are certainly boosted by his teammates but he still scored almost exactly a point per game on his other two teams this year so he must have some touch. Either way, he is gonna be a good one.

No reason he can't be an outstanding college hockey player.

 

[sm2pk]

Re: Spartan Hockey - Silver Linings edition

What do State fans expect when they hire a guy to coach who has never coached but one year as an assistant and that was over 20 years ago. That's like hiring a short order cook to be the head chef at a 5 star restuarant.

 

[owslachief]

Re: Spartan Hockey - Silver Linings edition

What do State fans expect when they hire a guy to coach who has never coached but one year as an assistant and that was over 20 years ago. That's like hiring a short order cook to be the head chef at a 5 star restuarant.

I certainly wouldn't hire you to write comedy material.

 

[Spartanforlife4]

Re: Spartan Hockey - Silver Linings edition

Is Hildebrand starting to get worn down, or have these last three games just had some bad breaks? His GAA was just under 2 going into the Ferris series. Starting at the game in Big Rapids he's given up 5, 3, and 3. Can't fault a guy for giving up three every once in awhile but this streak is certainly out of the ordinary.

 

[owslachief]

Re: Spartan Hockey - Silver Linings edition

Is Hildebrand starting to get worn down, or have these last three games just had some bad breaks? His GAA was just under 2 going into the Ferris series. Starting at the game in Big Rapids he's given up 5, 3, and 3. Can't fault a guy for giving up three every once in awhile but this streak is certainly out of the ordinary.

I would put the blame squarely in the hands of the defense and those helping, who have suddenly developed brain-lock when clearing or moving the puck. The turnover-fest these last 4 games has been as bad as '08-'09.

I mean, 50 shots last Saturday for pete's sake! (and 3 goals = a .940).

 

[Spartanforlife4]

Re: Spartan Hockey - Silver Linings edition

That is PSU's style though. Either way we shouldn't be giving up that many shots. I thought we'd find out what the actual cause of the offensive woes were last week. In a way I think we did, and it's definitely a mix of both. Our offense showed they had the capacity to score, but also missed a lot of chances. Friday I thought they could have put up at least 7 on the board. Saturday they just weren't very good in the 2nd or 3rd periods but they should have had at least 4 in the first. I'm starting to accept that they just aren't going to capitalize on the majority of chances.

As I said in another thread, I have zero expectations for this weekend. Last weekend has pretty much caused me to sit back and pray we can somehow pull off a 2012 BGSU playoff run, hopefully with two more wins.

 

[Spartanforlife4]

Re: Spartan Hockey - Silver Linings edition

*Sigh...*

I missed the first goal. We played well for about the first seven minutes and then about a five minute stretch in the third. For the rest of this game this ran through my head. Especially on the power play.

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[streaker]

Re: Spartan Hockey - Silver Linings edition

*Sigh...*

I missed the first goal. We played well for about the first seven minutes and then about a five minute stretch in the third. For the rest of this game this ran through my head. Especially on the power play.

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What probably sucks the most is, if everything stays the way it is right now, you'll end up going to Alaska twice in two weeks. That's just insult to injury to end the last season in the CCHA.