"The Lake Show" - LSSU Laker Hockey

[Mogerfan]

Re: "The Lake Show" - LSSU Laker Hockey

I can't speak for other Lakers fans, but I for one have had enough of hearing about all of these doomsday scenarios regarding Laker Hockey, the BTHC, etc. Penn State has been floating the possibility of starting D1 hockey for awhile now, this didn't come from out of the blue..

Wow. Great post AW! It's good to be talking hockey again.

I'll start this year the same way I ended last year. For the Superior Showdown against our WCHA guests, I'll pledge to send the LSSU Foundation $25 per Laker's win and an additional $10 per goal the Lakers score. It's a drop in the bucket, but a show of support nonetheless.

I think we'll see Bruneteau get quiet a few minutes to start the year, at least for a freshmen. Roque made a comment at some point that Bruneteau would be physically ready for the D-I game sooner than the other 2 blue line recruits. Trotman looked so good as a pupil out there with the seniors last year. Let's hope he's ready to be a #1 shut down blue liner and maybe even chip in some offence this year.

I think Ravn is the recruited walk on, so on paper I bet he is the #3 or at least 2B goalie. Though his stats appear nearly as good as Kalpalka, so I'm sure it will be a great competition. And don't look now, but Tyler Marble is 4-1, with a 1.4 GAA and a .954 Sv% down in TC. (yes, I know it's early, but some of us had him written off as a D-I recruit after last year).

I think Jean was a guy who had some other teams interested in him fairly early, and I think he'll be a really good Laker eventually. He had some injuries which might have slowed his development a bit, but I bet he'll be a fan favorite once he adjusts to the D-I game. Hopefully he adjusts quickly, because I agree that we'll need some help scoring after the 6th or 7th forward.

The summer went fast, but it's good to be talking hockey again!

 

[Bill]

Re: "The Lake Show" - LSSU Laker Hockey

And don't look now, but Tyler Marble is 4-1, with a 1.4 GAA and a .954 Sv% down in TC. (yes, I know it's early, but some of us had him written off as a D-I recruit after last year).

I think Traverse City played mainly expansion/new teams in the early NAHL showcase. So although Marble performed well, I agree it's a little early to see how much he's improved. Still, it's nice to see him playing as the #1 TC goalie, and doing a good job in their first handful of games. Their one loss did come to an established NAHL team (Wenatchee).

 

[Neil Diamond]

Re: "The Lake Show" - LSSU Laker Hockey

I am not surprised this is a possibility. I am hearing through the rumor mill this is very realistic and I would dismiss these sources too quickly.

Me too

 

[sm2pk]

Re: "The Lake Show" - LSSU Laker Hockey

I am not surprised this is a possibility. I am hearing through the rumor mill this is very realistic and I would dismiss these sources too quickly.

The program has gone downhill ever since Frank Anzalone was swiftly railroaded out of town anyway. It is ashame that the powers that be did that to such an honorable and successful man. Guess that wasn't the best decision in the long run.

The Truth Is Out There....
TBA

Truth,I just hope these sources are better than all the other sources yoiu have been using to make predictions the last 4 years with.

 

[sm2pk]

Re: "The Lake Show" - LSSU Laker Hockey

The last 16 games of last season,the Lakers went 3-13. If the recruits coming in can't contribute from the get go, how do we hope for a better season this year.

 

[PerkyforPrez]

Re: "The Lake Show" - LSSU Laker Hockey

I am excited for the hockey season to get under way, these are just a few thoughts going in.

How much better Schofield and Acton are going to be this year.

How do the highly touted Campbell and Lain look like on the ice.

All three of the T.C. players looked good last year in the playoffs how well are they going to adjust to this level.

The Goaltender situation that has already been mentioned on here.

The young Defencemen. Cowie will be counted on a bit more then some think he is small but he is one of the strongest lakers.

I am thinking that McParland is going to breakout this year and find that scoring touch.

Word on the street is this is a big year for Lakers coaches so it will be interesting to see how much playing time some upper classmen get if it is evident that some of the under classmen are out playing them.

 

[PerkyforPrez]

Re: "The Lake Show" - LSSU Laker Hockey

Jazz singer i almost forgot i do agree with you and ts i also am dismissing those stupid rumors.


LET'S GO LAKERS !!!

 

[AnchorsAway]

Re: "The Lake Show" - LSSU Laker Hockey

The last 16 games of last season,the Lakers went 3-13. If the recruits coming in can't contribute from the get go, how do we hope for a better season this year.

Not that i necessarily disagree, but their record in the last 16 games needs to be taken with a grain of salt..They lost in regulation then in a shootout to MSU (a team that deserved to make the tournament) in E Lansing, next they swept UNO at home...the following weekend they got stomped by Notre Dame on Friday but instead of rolling over, kept it together and got a hard-fought shootout win Saturday night...the following weekend they got swept by Miami (one of the best teams in the country) in Oxford, Friday night they lost 2-0 that included an empty net goal and if my mind serves I believe we may have had a goal called back in that one? The following evening the Lakers lost 10-4 to a Miami team that was inspired by the loss of team manager Brendan Burke, the Lakers were playing against alot more than Miami's hockey team that evening...The next weekend they split with Ferris (a top 4 team) at home (everyone rememeber that amazing finish to the friday night game!!) and then finished the season by losing on the road to Alaska (always a tough place to play), at NMU (an NCAA team) and at Michigan (NCAA team) that is a brutal way to end the season you must admit!

 

[AnchorsAway]

Re: "The Lake Show" - LSSU Laker Hockey

I am excited for the hockey season to get under way, these are just a few thoughts going in.

How much better Schofield and Acton are going to be this year.

How do the highly touted Campbell and Lain look like on the ice.

All three of the T.C. players looked good last year in the playoffs how well are they going to adjust to this level.

The Goaltender situation that has already been mentioned on here.

The young Defencemen. Cowie will be counted on a bit more then some think he is small but he is one of the strongest lakers.

I am thinking that McParland is going to breakout this year and find that scoring touch.

Word on the street is this is a big year for Lakers coaches so it will be interesting to see how much playing time some upper classmen get if it is evident that some of the under classmen are out playing them.

I agree Perky, if the Lakers don't make it out of the first round this year (which i think they will) then I would have a hard time believing the powers that be would keep Roque around, especially if they collapse at the end of the year again, which based on the schedule should NOT happen...I would be interested to know which upperclassmen you were referring to when you wondered if some upperclassmen would lose playing time if the freshmen class plays well? On the offensive side I could see Barczuk's playing time possibly at stake along with Hobbins (wherever he ends up playing) but other than that I don't see anyone who gets regular playing time that the Lakers would realistically end up sitting. Schofield, Acton, Nehring, Cassiani,Trotman, are our core players that aren't going anywhere, the next group of Power, Monardo, Cowie, Haines, Stonehouse, and McParland all have gotten consistent lineup time since they've been here...barring a second year jinx from the Sophomores I don't see any of those guys being sat down...Of course if our large freshmen class turns up 4 or 5 gems I would LOVE to be proven wrong!!

 

[3dognight]

Re: "The Lake Show" - LSSU Laker Hockey

Well folks, putting an end to the mindless speculation the Board of Trustees today made their public statement of the Norris Project moving forward and the B of T committing to a minimum of 10 years of D-1 hockey from 2012-2022 at LSSU. As Anchor mused earlier, we (the Donor Group) did not just fall off the turnip truck, and the projects investment is the basis for a solid D-1 Program.

This commitment does not downplay the overall economics of the program, and I would hope their / our commitment would spur a commitment from fans, alums, and other supporters. SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM! Ticket sales need to rise, season Tix, single game, everything.Buy a brick, the Laker Club needs to grow, hockey program donations need to grow.....past players, fans, and the community need to step up to assure the future years are funded to the mid line of the CCHA. The University budget remains very tight, and funds cannot be diverted from university operations to support a single program.

LSSU has made a commitment, The Norris Donor Group has made a commitment, let's see the supporters of the program now do their part. They did it at BGSU, they are doing it at WMU, MTU saved football when alums and the community stepped up.

I am hopeful the LSSU supporters and community will do their part as the final piece of support this program needs to excel. It has been 15 years since the "Glory Days" of Laker Hockey.....the D-1 landscape has changed and the Lakers need to play catch up ...my question to think about is "Are you in?"

Talk and speculation will not get it done....... Time for broad program support.

Moger.......thanks for the support, hopefully the boys will cash in this year!
It is not about a few big donations....it is about widespread support for the Lakers.

 

[sm2pk]

Re: "The Lake Show" - LSSU Laker Hockey

3dognight,we need to hear from truth. I am sure he was hiding under the table at the meeting........

 

[LSSULaker889294]

Re: "The Lake Show" - LSSU Laker Hockey

Great news 3dognight. Now hopefully fans and alum will wake up and help Laker hockey out.

 

[PerkyforPrez]

Re: "The Lake Show" - LSSU Laker Hockey

Mogerfan i will match you again this year on your pledge. The brick campaine is really not that bad of a deal the 8 x 8 brick that me and my wife are getting is not all that costly.

I agree people do need to get to the games and show their support for the team. In the first half of the season last year i was disgusted with the low attendance at the games with the way they were playing.

 

[3dognight]

Re: "The Lake Show" - LSSU Laker Hockey

It sounds like no Blue / White game this year, as practice starts 2 days before the exhibition game is played.

the goalies had a great 3 days with Steve McKichan. Lots of hard work was put in. Steve will continue to work with Coach Roque and Coach Muio as a consultant during the season. He cannot work directly with the goalies, but he can continue to develop coaches drills and techniques to be reinforced for each goalie. He is a solid resource for the staff, and will do a pre season / post season session at LSSU until the 2012 program is implemented. A nice piece to support a critical area.

 

[Truth Squad]

Re: "The Lake Show" - LSSU Laker Hockey

Mogerfan i will match you again this year on your pledge. The brick campaine is really not that bad of a deal the 8 x 8 brick that me and my wife are getting is not all that costly.

I agree people do need to get to the games and show their support for the team. In the first half of the season last year i was disgusted with the low attendance at the games with the way they were playing.

I will pledge a wall of bricks for a top half finish an a whole building of bricks for a trip to Joe Louis Arena.

The Truth Is Out There
TBA

 

[Truth Squad]

Re: "The Lake Show" - LSSU Laker Hockey

Not that i necessarily disagree, but their record in the last 16 games needs to be taken with a grain of salt..They lost in regulation then in a shootout to MSU (a team that deserved to make the tournament) in E Lansing, next they swept UNO at home...the following weekend they got stomped by Notre Dame on Friday but instead of rolling over, kept it together and got a hard-fought shootout win Saturday night...the following weekend they got swept by Miami (one of the best teams in the country) in Oxford, Friday night they lost 2-0 that included an empty net goal and if my mind serves I believe we may have had a goal called back in that one? The following evening the Lakers lost 10-4 to a Miami team that was inspired by the loss of team manager Brendan Burke, the Lakers were playing against alot more than Miami's hockey team that evening...The next weekend they split with Ferris (a top 4 team) at home (everyone rememeber that amazing finish to the friday night game!!) and then finished the season by losing on the road to Alaska (always a tough place to play), at NMU (an NCAA team) and at Michigan (NCAA team) that is a brutal way to end the season you must admit!

You are right they should have won all 16 of those games and been in first place. It is a wonder with logic like that the team is sinking fast in the standings and with fans attending the game. At least they can't finish 12th place this year, I think maybe they can.

I do love the land of make believe and keep dreaming of single digit finishes up there Laker fans. Someday ninth place will be yours once again.

The Truth Is Out There...
TBA

 

[AnchorsAway]

Re: "The Lake Show" - LSSU Laker Hockey

You are right they should have won all 16 of those games and been in first place. It is a wonder with logic like that the team is sinking fast in the standings and with fans attending the game. At least they can't finish 12th place this year, I think maybe they can.

I do love the land of make believe and keep dreaming of single digit finishes up there Laker fans. Someday ninth place will be yours once again.

The Truth Is Out There...
TBA

I wasn't implying that should have won most of those games at all, quite to the contrary I was pointing out that the schedule was obviously too tough for the Lakers (Although I doubt there are more than a handful of teams that could have went through that gauntlet with much of a record over .500). As far as your other comments go I am always optimistic and excited about the prospects a new season bring for my favorite team regardless of last year's performance, expectations, etc. everyone starts out at an equal 0-0 record. If hoping that my team has a good season and makes a playoff run means that I am in the land of make believe then so be it.

 

[3dognight]

Re: "The Lake Show" - LSSU Laker Hockey

I was disappointed in last years stretch run as well.
A quality team, in contention for home ice needed to split at Alaska / NMU / or take one at SCum..... To find points in some combination during that stretch.

The formula for improvement this year is not magic;
1) Win consistently vs teams 5-11 (65%-ish) Steal a game or two from top 4 teams on occasion.
2) Avoid the long slides, rally after a loss or two and play well.

To accomplish that (no magic here either)
1) Strong in Goal (BMW/ K2)
2) More than one line scoring (to provide better match ups w/ rolling lines)
3) Special teams
4) I am concerned with the D match ups, forwards must be strong 2 way players.

That said, I am hoping the big recruiting class will create competition for PT and make Vets work harder......the standard for progress should be home ice for round one, a win in that series would be BIG.

I have never been a "Pollyanna" the Lakers need to make progress, but they certainly have the potential.....they need to turn that potential into real measurable progress. I believe that low expectations allows mediocrity to masquerade as success......in athletics; "You are what your record says you are".

The Superior Cup games should be a GREAT home series....see you there!

 

[Bill]

Re: "The Lake Show" - LSSU Laker Hockey

Although the D seems to be a concern because of the loss of Gysbers and Kaunisto, in the games I actually saw last season I think the two of them made quite a few mistakes to the extent that I believe they had much better Junior seasons than Senior seasons. But yes, the returning and new D still must step up this season.

 

[Lakerchum]

Re: "The Lake Show" - LSSU Laker Hockey

Although the D seems to be a concern because of the loss of Gysbers and Kaunisto, in the games I actually saw last season I think the two of them made quite a few mistakes to the extent that I believe they had much better Junior seasons than Senior seasons. But yes, the returning and new D still must step up this season.

Gysbers and Kaunisto logged a ton of minutes the last 2 years so everyone will have to step it up this season a little bit. The 2 new d's will get a baptism by fire with the way the first half schedule shakes out. At notre dame, miami and michigan with ferris and northern at home. Let's all hope last years second half doesnt end up in the first half this year or it could be a long season. I would think the word "quick" would be getting used a lot. Quick feet, Quick decisions, Quick passes, Quick shots because thats what is going to be coming at the Lakers starting in 2 weeks. The Lakers have always had to out hustle and outwork the opposition and that hasnt changed. I hope the coaching staff is working the **** out of the guys because you know the Enrico Blasi and Jeff Jackson's are with their teams.

Looking forward to the start of the hockey season..Go Lakers!