THE University of Michigan 2010-2011 Season Thread

[streaker]

Re: THE University of Michigan 2010-2011 Season Thread

Not knocking Hunwick's ability in net, Streaker. We made it easy on him. Did you see MSU's odd-man rushes on Saturday?

Everything we got past him on Friday was lined up from 20+ feet out, and 3 of the 4 through goodly traffic.

I'd be the first to stand up and critique Shawn's play if it warranted it, either way. But, I think the emotional carry-over from the shenanigans superimposed any objective Sparty posting in your thread. He isn't the dirtbag some of your fellow mates are implying... especially when he is getting buzzed in his crease. No reason to go all-Montoya on them in a tie game... but I like his spunk. He maintained his composure Saturday and allowed the skate, so to speak, be on the other foot.

Friday night he received little help, and any goaltender is at a disadvantage when down 5x3 twice and screened. The book is, shoot high for obvious reasons, or get a deflection on because of his positioning. Saturday night, like Alfa suggested, his positioning was terrific, he was aggressive without over committing side to side like he usually does. And yes, I get to see him real up close for two periods each game at Yost. He made some key saves, even if you don't deem that all that difficult.

 

[kdilks]

Re: THE University of Michigan 2010-2011 Season Thread

One of the calls that got me irked friday was one of the 5-3 pp calls. (don't remember if it was the first, probably the second though) A State player was carrying the puck into the M zone along the boards. A Mich player (Scooter?) reached across the players body to play the puck. The Sparty clamped down his arm so Scooters arm was now under the spartys arm. The sparty then took a dive dragging scooter down too. The ref calls a penalty, MSU goes on the 5 on 3 and scores.

It was the second penalty. I was hoping to get another look at it on the replay board, but from what I saw the first time around, it seemed like a pretty awful call.

 

[streaker]

Re: THE University of Michigan 2010-2011 Season Thread

It was the second penalty. I was hoping to get another look at it on the replay board, but from what I saw the first time around, it seemed like a pretty awful call.

The way it was explained, he got the penalty for having his stick between the Spartan player's legs and he was a stride behind him. After that, it was the rodeo Wol4ine suggested.

 

[streaker]

Re: THE University of Michigan 2010-2011 Season Thread

Anybody hear any rumblings that Merrill is thinking of bolting after the season?

 

[alnike]

Re: THE University of Michigan 2010-2011 Season Thread

Anybody hear any rumblings that Merrill is thinking of bolting after the season?

I have not heard any rumblings, but it is a real concern.
1. His improved play since Thanksgiving, and being named the top Defenseman for the US team at the WJC.
2. The New Jersey Devils situation doesn't help. They are entering an apparent rebuilding phase with a no-name defenseman crew and a team that has salary cap issues with the contracts of Kovalchuk and Parise's free agency.
3. Last summer, the Chicago BlackHawks had significant cap issues after winning the Cup. After trading many decent players away (Byfuglien, Ladd, then the Niemi and Madden free agency), the Hawks signed a couple college prospects after only one year of school (Nick Leddy of MN and Brandon Pirri of RPI). Not saying the Devils will take the same approach, but who knows.

The Devils own the rights to Merrill, Burlon and Wohlberg. It is possible that Burlon and Merrill could lead Michigan in scoring in 2011-12, or both could be in the AHL. Michigan has had good luck with Devils prospects in the past.

 

[DominicHennig]

Re: THE University of Michigan 2010-2011 Season Thread

Hey Guys,

Here is the #19 Ferris State vs. #7 Michigan Series Video Preview: http://www.ferrisstatebulldogs.com/sports/mice/video/Michigan_Preview_1-11-11


<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/uD3S1Rgk3_I?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/uD3S1Rgk3_I?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

Always more videos at www.FerrisStateBulldogs.com/Sports/MIce/Video
www.Twitter.com/FerrisHockey

Dom

 

[streaker]

Re: THE University of Michigan 2010-2011 Season Thread

Hey Guys,

Here is the #19 Ferris State vs. #7 Michigan Series Video Preview: http://www.ferrisstatebulldogs.com/sports/mice/video/Michigan_Preview_1-11-11


<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/uD3S1Rgk3_I?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/uD3S1Rgk3_I?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

Always more videos at www.FerrisStateBulldogs.com/Sports/MIce/Video
www.Twitter.com/FerrisHockey

Dom

Good stuff, Dom.

 

[alfablue]

Re: THE University of Michigan 2010-2011 Season Thread

Dom
Like streaker commented- good stuff! Are you and Dan in a broadcast program up in Big Rapids? There's an obvious polish to your work. Especially the reporting balance- it IS an FSU program, but it's not a fanboi show, but a well covered production. You guys help make Ferris look good.

From a game perspective- hopefully, since Friday is in Ann Arbor, the crowd will help the team pull out of the Friday night stink. But Mrs Alfa and I will be missing both, with no option to watch on TV. So yell extra for us!

 

[MoFan]

Re: THE University of Michigan 2010-2011 Season Thread

Anybody hear any rumblings that Merrill is thinking of bolting after the season?

Lots of rumors in NJ about this, but I think it's still just speculation. NJ needs a lot of help but it's tough for d-men to go straight to the NHL.

 

[streaker]

Re: THE University of Michigan 2010-2011 Season Thread

Lots of rumors in NJ about this, but I think it's still just speculation. NJ needs a lot of help but it's tough for d-men to go straight to the NHL.

Agree completely. Merrill is not a finished product yet- hard to say in comparison to JMFJ at 18- different styles- but I'd like to see one more season at U-M. Too many other early outs that are regretting their decision, wasting time in the AHL. Merrill shouldn't need much time at the next level to get to the Show, so I would think he'd take one more year of education as well and then test the scouting waters. Heck, he's already penciled into the lineup for next year's WJT, so I don't think the Devils are going to yank him out of Michigan just to play in the AHL. Like Alnike said, the Devils have been pretty respectful to Red. Yes, the cap situation there is troublesome, but if he isn't ready they won't sign him.

I only bring this up b/c there is also speculation on a certain Michigan blogsite suggesting "insider knowledge" that he is leaning on leaving now.

 

[M-HockeyNet]

Re: THE University of Michigan 2010-2011 Season Thread

According to The Michigan Daily, Llewellyn and Fallon suspended for remainder of the season for "violating team expectations." So fewer boneheaded penalties are expected the rest of the season as that essentially ends Tristin's U-M career. Disappointed in Fallon. He got in trouble twice with the NTDP last year--suspended a semester due to alcohol violation, then was part of the sexual harassment allegations with Merrill, Clare, Matt Nieto that saw them suspended and Fallon leave the team. Now one semester in to freshman year and suspended for another semester. Daily said he can rejoin the team next year if his behavior improves. But seriously, does he even deserve another chance?

 

[Hammer]

Re: THE University of Michigan 2010-2011 Season Thread

*raises eyebrows*

Just so you know, I added that to mgoblog.

 

[streaker]

Re: THE University of Michigan 2010-2011 Season Thread

According to The Michigan Daily, Llewellyn and Fallon suspended for remainder of the season for "violating team expectations." So fewer boneheaded penalties are expected the rest of the season as that essentially ends Tristin's U-M career. Disappointed in Fallon. He got in trouble twice with the NTDP last year--suspended a semester due to alcohol violation, then was part of the sexual harassment allegations with Merrill, Clare, Matt Nieto that saw them suspended and Fallon leave the team. Now one semester in to freshman year and suspended for another semester. Daily said he can rejoin the team next year if his behavior improves. But seriously, does he even deserve another chance?

Not surprised. Llewellyn has been steady this season and had his best stretch during the playoffs last spring. His recent play, though, has been erratic, including that bonehead move against State last weekend that sprung a breakaway for MSU. Fallon has not seen much ice and has not been a factor. This doesn't bode well for our offense for next season, though. He was looked at as one of the returning players that would need to replace the offense we are losing due to graduation.

 

[M-HockeyNet]

Re: THE University of Michigan 2010-2011 Season Thread

A user on said MGoBlog thread who claims knowledge of situation says it was alcohol related plus some stupid behavior. If true, as said, not the first time Fallon + alcohol = suspension. I figured it had to be more than one beer for Red to suspend someone a whole semester.

 

[streaker]

Re: THE University of Michigan 2010-2011 Season Thread

A user on said MGoBlog thread who claims knowledge of situation says it was alcohol related plus some stupid behavior. If true, as said, not the first time Fallon + alcohol = suspension. I figured it had to be more than one beer for Red to suspend someone a whole semester.

Saw that. Tristin was a +8 going into last week's games, too. More time for Clare and Bennett I guess. Maybe he got into trouble since he was sat out last saturday.

 

[Arpod]

Re: THE University of Michigan 2010-2011 Season Thread

A user on said MGoBlog thread who claims knowledge of situation says it was alcohol related plus some stupid behavior. If true, as said, not the first time Fallon + alcohol = suspension. I figured it had to be more than one beer for Red to suspend someone a whole semester.

Wake up call for both of them (as well as their peers). If they did indeed make bad decisions while wasted (numerous instances over time, it would seem), they have bigger problems to deal with than whether they will play hockey again for MI, or any team for that matter. Alcohol abuse is not something to be taken lightly. I hope they have the strength to seek help.

 

[MoFan]

Re: THE University of Michigan 2010-2011 Season Thread

How is Clare doing? My kids play for the same program that he played for growing up.

 

[quack]

Re: THE University of Michigan 2010-2011 Season Thread

Clare has been a healthy scratch most nights, though he'll likely get more icetime with Llewellyn's departure. Clare's looked solid when he's played - he looks like he'll be a solid defensive defenseman to this non-scout.

 

[sqeyes]

Re: THE University of Michigan 2010-2011 Season Thread

I think Clare is showing a mature feel for the game as a freshman. In his first game he was on the far side and could not make a smooth line change in the 2nd period on a shorthanded situation. He made a move and quickly pulled back to cover the rush. He had to do this action several times before the puck control was in M's hands and he could make the move safely. He did not look shakey at all from my angle. He tends to be a real stay-at-home type D. I wish him luck down the line.

 

[wooderson]

Re: THE University of Michigan 2010-2011 Season Thread

Saw that. Tristin was a +8 going into last week's games, too. More time for Clare and Bennett I guess. Maybe he got into trouble since he was sat out last saturday.

I was wondering why those two were playing on Saturday, guess now we know. I thought both guys had a few shaky moments in the defensive zone but considering it was a shutout I suppose nothing too egregious. Bennett had that really nice goal so hopefully he'll bring some offense at least.