The University of Notre Dame Hockey: 09-10. Let's Live It Up!

[Jeff_Jackson_for_Pres.]

Re: The University of Notre Dame Hockey: 09-10. Let's Live It Up!

I didn't bother posting after last night's loss simply because, like IHF, it would've been the same old rehashing of the rest of this season: Crap. By the 3rd period last night, you could see the exhaustion in the faces of most of the players, particularly the Dmen.

Tonight, while they eked out a win, that exhaustion reared its ugly head late in the 3rd again. If given the chance, I bet Kyle Lawson could sleep for 24 hours straight. The Dmen did a nice job tonight. Brett Blatchford saved a goal that would've knotted the score at 1-all. If he hadn't been there to act so quickly, I believe this game might have turned out differently.

I gotta praise Kyle Palmieri for that nice pass to Calle Ridderwall in the first. That was an all-too-infrequent selfless play that led to a pretty goal.

Nick Larson's goal could be a lesson to all young hockey players. Stick on the ice = good prospects. That was a serendipitous deflection right to his stick in the high slot that allowed him to blast the PPG home.

And Sean Lorenz with the top shelf bomb on an "I can't believe that pass made it through all those red bodies" dish from Ryan Guentzel.

Kudos to the team as a whole for scoring two 5 X 5 goals. Four PPG's on the weekend was nice, but that doesn't help anyone's +/-. All in all, everyone played a pretty solid game, all injuries considered.

I would like to add that I could see Joey Lavin possibly replacing Calle as my favorite player. He's been a pleasant addition who leads on the ice quite nicely. It helps that he's got 5 points in his 9 games for ND. Not to mention the fact that I got a thing for Dmen.

Don't look now, but ND is in 5th place, tied in points with 4th place LSSU, but one win out of that covetous position.

 

[IrishHockeyFan]

Re: The University of Notre Dame Hockey: 09-10. Let's Live It Up!

This team will make you pull your hair out, won't it?

Other than losing Rich Purslow (and good GOD how he was that open with 11 skaters on the ice is hard to figure out) they played quite well for 60 minutes. And last night they were as short-handed as they've been all year, not even being able to dress 18 skaters. Go figure...

I was particularly impressed with the play of Ryan Thang. Maybe his best non-goal-scoring game of his season. And Mike Johnson played the puck about as well as I have seen him play it this year.

Once again I saw a lot of wearing down over the final 8-10 minutes, but having built a three goal lead it was easier to hold on. Had UNO scored at some point in the first two periods I think the outcome would have been entirely different, and not just because they were one goal from tying anyway.

The split leaves a regular season championship out of reach. Yeah it's been quite a reach for most of the last two months, but now its mathematical. Notre Dame controls their own destiny as far as fifth place. 3rd place is possible with either MSU or FSU faltering down the stretch. Winning out will likely still net fourth place IMO as it keeps us ahead of UM and Lake State has a bit of a murderer's row finish, with their next two series @ MU and against Ferris. Then they finish with road trips to Alaska and the grudge matches on the road @ NMU. The Irish absolutely have to win the games against Western and Bowling Green. At a combined 5-27-8 record in the CCHA, any losses there at this juncture and you deserve to be home come NCAA time. The margin for error has almost evaporated.

 

[Third Family Member]

Re: The University of Notre Dame Hockey: 09-10. Let's Live It Up!

Congrats to Coach Andy Slaggert on winning the Terry Flanagan Memorial award! Well deserved.

 

[Jeff_Jackson_for_Pres.]

Re: The University of Notre Dame Hockey: 09-10. Let's Live It Up!

This week has been a kick in the gut, so I'm taking Mr. JJfP to Kalamazoo Friday to cheer on ND. Why do I mention kick in the gut and Mr. JJfP going with me to K-Zoo in the same breath? He has never seen ND win at Lawson Arena. God I hope that trend doesn't continue.

While the occupents of the JACC have suffered injuries to seemingly everyone except Larry the Zamboni guy and Jose the usher, I'm hopeful for this weekend. ND is in 5th place, just a whisker's breadth away from a first round bye...along with most of the rest of the CCHA.

ND is averaging a still-anemic 2.5 GF. Lucky for them their GA is 6th in the country at 2.27. WMU's GF is an even skinnier 2.08 while their GA is not bad at 2.88.

ND's PP is 16th in the country at a...not robust or beefy...chubby, yeah, chubby 20.6%. Their PK is tops in the country at 90%. Now that I could term beefy. ND has scored 36 PPG's. That's better than one PPG/game. They've given up only 14 PPG's. That's less than half a PPG/game. WMU's PP is 11.4% on 14 PPG's for the season. Their PK is 77.7% while giving up 31 PPG's thus far.

ND is led by Calle...does he even need a last name? He's like Elvis. Or Madonna. (BTW, Christian Hanson was called up to the Leafs for what is most likely the rest of the season, given their huge moves...) I'm digressing. Or maybe that's drinking... Anyhoo. Calle has 23 points. He leads the team with 17 goals, 10 of which are his specialty. He's followed by Kyle Lawson with 21 points and Ben Ryan with 19 points. Kevin Deeth has 18 points, but his more impressive number is 16,104.60. WMU is led by Greg Squires with 19 points. He's followed by their leading goal scorer and PPG leader, JJ Crew (18 points, 7 goals, 3 PPG's). Rounding out their top 3 is Max Campbell with 13 points. Max. That's a manly name. You don't hear that too often anymore. I have a nephew named Max.

I've been wondering if Brad Phillips may get a start this weekend. If so, I would guess it would be Saturday, but what do I know? I'm waxing rhapsodic on the name Max... Phillips has a GA of 2.2 and a save % of .921. Mike Johnson is in the top 10 in the country in GA (2.13) and save % (.927). WMU's Riley Gill is coming off a stellar game against hotter-than-sunburn Miami and has a GA this season of 2.79 and a save % of .922 (12th in the country).

Punxsatawney Phil said we'll have 6 more weeks of winter. That means the wintry weather will end around the time teams head to JLA for the league tourney. Wouldn't it be nice if ND filled the cold weeks of snowy winter with as much hockey as possible?

 

[IrishHockeyFan]

Re: The University of Notre Dame Hockey: 09-10. Let's Live It Up!

No offense meant to Western Michigan, but if Notre Dame loses either of these games, it would amount to probably the worst loss of the Jeff Jackson era, considering how badly Notre Dame needs wins, and how poorly Western has been playing. Zero wins in the last 11 times they've taken the ice. One win in their last 18 games and just 2 in the last 22 games. It may be adding unnecessary pressure to say that these games are must wins, but they simply are. If you wish to prove you are an NCAA tournament worthy team, or want to give yourselves the most realistic chances at winning a CCHA playoff title, these are games you MUST win. Even with all the injuries there are still enough resources around to have success against a team struggling as badly as the Broncos.

Now for a lesson in history. A Notre Dame fan cannot look at this series without remembering what transpired a few years back. A top-5 Western Michigan team riding high came into town in 2001 to take on an Irish team that was almost as low as it could be at 4-16-3 and they found themselves thoroughly overwhelmed. Notre Dame took 3 points on the weekend series starting the Broncos -- who to that point were 16-3-2 on the season -- on a ten game winless streak. A 4-10-4 finish to the season (including yet another loss to Notre Dame in their final home game of the season) left Western tied with Northern Michigan for the last home ice playoff spot, a home-ice spot NMU claimed by virtue of winning the season head-to-head with the Broncos, and a home ice advantage they used to beat Western in their CCHA quarter-final. Trust me, one regular season series can make or break a year. Hell, has Western recovered from that near miss yet?

 

[mcfarljd]

Re: The University of Notre Dame Hockey: 09-10. Let's Live It Up!

No offense meant to Western Michigan, but if Notre Dame loses either of these games, it would amount to probably the worst loss of the Jeff Jackson era, considering how badly Notre Dame needs wins, and how poorly Western has been playing. Zero wins in the last 11 times they've taken the ice. One win in their last 18 games and just 2 in the last 22 games. It may be adding unnecessary pressure to say that these games are must wins, but they simply are. If you wish to prove you are an NCAA tournament worthy team, or want to give yourselves the most realistic chances at winning a CCHA playoff title, these are games you MUST win. Even with all the injuries there are still enough resources around to have success against a team struggling as badly as the Broncos.

Now for a lesson in history. A Notre Dame fan cannot look at this series without remembering what transpired a few years back. A top-5 Western Michigan team riding high came into town in 2001 to take on an Irish team that was almost as low as it could be at 4-16-3 and they found themselves thoroughly overwhelmed. Notre Dame took 3 points on the weekend series starting the Broncos -- who to that point were 16-3-2 on the season -- on a ten game winless streak. A 4-10-4 finish to the season (including yet another loss to Notre Dame in their final home game of the season) left Western tied with Northern Michigan for the last home ice playoff spot, a home-ice spot NMU claimed by virtue of winning the season head-to-head with the Broncos, and a home ice advantage they used to beat Western in their CCHA quarter-final. Trust me, one regular season series can make or break a year. Hell, has Western recovered from that near miss yet?

Just throwing this out there, Gill is the best goalie on a bottom half CCHA team. If he had offensive support, no way they'd be in last place. Threw nearly 50 shots at him on Saturday and we had to get a last minute goal for the sweep. He can steal some points if he's on his game.

 

[MadCityRich]

Re: The University of Notre Dame Hockey: 09-10. Let's Live It Up!

Mind if a troll drops in?

I hope the ND fans appreciate Mike Johnson; I'm sure you do.

For some reason while Wisconsin was "dumping" all world goalie coach Bill Howard, apparently Mike wasn't even approached by his hometown team. He was playing AAA youth hockey in Madison and of course went on to the USHL...he WAS NOT under the RADAR, he was out there.

If it sounds like we are family friends, yes. I have followed him since he moved here quite a few years ago. Good kid, good family. I knew ND was looking at him and it wasn't my business to ask about any scholarship situation, but obviously it turned out well for everybody.

I hope continued success with him, until you play Wisconsin!

 

[Craig P.]

Re: The University of Notre Dame Hockey: 09-10. Let's Live It Up!

Mind if a troll drops in?

If that's the worst of your "trolling", you're always welcome to drop in.

 

[IrishHockeyFan]

Re: The University of Notre Dame Hockey: 09-10. Let's Live It Up!

I hope the ND fans appreciate Mike Johnson; I'm sure you do.

Oh yeah, we do. He's played quite well. And added a measure of stability to a lineup that's been anything else but. I've opined that we're missing a lot of things around here off last year's team, both tangible and intangible, but between the pipes is where I'm most confident of all the things replacing what we had last year.

 

[Jeff_Jackson_for_Pres.]

Re: The University of Notre Dame Hockey: 09-10. Let's Live It Up!

...followed by...Ben Ryan with 19 points.

Well so much for that. I knew that blocked shot would come back to haunt him.

Looks like ND's top guys are now Calle, Lawson, Deeth and Thang.

I agree with Craig P. MadCityRich is my kinda troll.

I also agree with mcfarljd. I was looking at Gill's numbers for my post and thinking, "Man if he had anybody in front of him, WMU would be a good team."

 

[ND Hockey]

Re: The University of Notre Dame Hockey: 09-10. Let's Live It Up!

probably the worst loss of the Jeff Jackson era

<img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oG2ffHT1kXk/SdEHy1V_LsI/AAAAAAAAEq0/U5jY8AcT_CY/s400/bsu_daltoncelebrates.jpg">

 

[WeAreNDHockey]

Re: The University of Notre Dame Hockey: 09-10. Let's Live It Up!

<img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oG2ffHT1kXk/SdEHy1V_LsI/AAAAAAAAEq0/U5jY8AcT_CY/s400/bsu_daltoncelebrates.jpg">

Really? Bemidji State State played in the Frozen Four last year and has a shot at being a number one seed in the NCAA tournament this year. Western Michigan hasn't been able to get out of its own way for years now.

And the latest on the injury front has Ben Ryan out for at least the regular season. Around here another significant injury may not be news anymore.

 

[StillaLeafsFan]

Re: The University of Notre Dame Hockey: 09-10. Let's Live It Up!

And the latest on the injury front has Ben Ryan out for at least the regular season. Around here another significant injury may not be news anymore.

On a positive note, it looks as though Teddy Ruth will return to the lineup this weekend vs. WMU. Calabrese is back skating again. Maday and Minella could be back in as little as 3 weeks. Let's stay positive...I realize it's difficult in the injury department.
Here's hoping for ND's first series sweep of the season. I can't believe I'm saying that in February...

 

[IrishHockeyFan]

Re: The University of Notre Dame Hockey: 09-10. Let's Live It Up!

Just throwing this out there, Gill is the best goalie on a bottom half CCHA team. If he had offensive support, no way they'd be in last place. Threw nearly 50 shots at him on Saturday and we had to get a last minute goal for the sweep. He can steal some points if he's on his game.

While I agree that Gill is a tremendous player, I don't think one player should stand in the way of any team winning. I've never been one to treat the goalie as such a special player, giving them too much credit when the team wins, or shielding them from most of the blame when the team loses. As you said, Miami needed a late goal to keep Western from stealing a point or more but they went out there and got the late goal and secured the sweep. I still see these two games as Notre Dame having the better players (whoever is dressed), the better coach, and a whole lot more to play for. They should find a way to win, regardless of whether or not Riley Gill stands on his head.

 

[Sugarisland]

Re: The University of Notre Dame Hockey: 09-10. Let's Live It Up!

IHF.....be careful what you say about Riley Gill. It could come back to haunt you Miami threw everything at him and he was a stone wall. On the goalmouth scramble where Miami scored the winner.....if the Bronco had pushed the puck toward the boards instead of the slot, the game would have gone to a shootout. If Gill plays like he did on Saturday, no way will ND leave Kalamazoo with all 6 points. And, you never know when this underperforming team (WMU) will have a game where they will find the net. You have a keeper in Johnson. I've seen him play and he is pretty good.

 

[Jeff_Jackson_for_Pres.]

Re: The University of Notre Dame Hockey: 09-10. Let's Live It Up!

Either I divorce Mr. JJfP, or I never take him to Lawson again. Ever.

While it was nice to visit with Sugarisland and Lawson legend, Bill Shepherd, the penalty box official, that was not the point of driving up there.

Of course, neither was the rotten egg dressed in blue that was laid on the ice. Wow. Riley Gill didn't even need to show up and WMU would've won this game.

This was a Bronco team that had managed only 14 PPG's...the whole season...and they scored TWO against the (supposed) top PK team in the nation. This was a team that had averaged giving up at least one PPG/game...the whole season...and they shut ND down. And to add insult to injury (no pun intended), they added a shortie...while killing off a 5-minute major. This was a team that had absolutely nothing to play for. They stink. They know it. They knew their season was in the crapper when they had mustered only TWO wins...since Halloween...playing a team that had absolutely everything to play for...4th place all alone, first round bye, home ice, pride, something.

All season I hadn't really worried much about goaltending or defense. Those were decent to solid basically all season. Special teams have also been solid. It was offense that was the question mark. Tonight, from Mike Johnson to Brad Phillips and all points in between, this effort stunk. No sugar coating. No injury excuses. Just reeked. ND should've been able to beat Western with a 3rd string goalie in net and Calle Ridderwall in the stands. I can't even enjoy the fact that Joe Lavin got his 1st goal with his new team because this game was lost and out of hand by the 10 minute mark of the first period.

I hope the Radisson by the campus has large mirrors in the rooms because this team needs to take a good long look at the image staring back and ask themselves, "Am I really doing all I can to help this team...or not?" Because if the answer is "not," even Coach Jackson can't fix that.

 

[mcfarljd]

Re: The University of Notre Dame Hockey: 09-10. Let's Live It Up!

While I agree that Gill is a tremendous player, I don't think one player should stand in the way of any team winning. I've never been one to treat the goalie as such a special player, giving them too much credit when the team wins, or shielding them from most of the blame when the team loses. As you said, Miami needed a late goal to keep Western from stealing a point or more but they went out there and got the late goal and secured the sweep. I still see these two games as Notre Dame having the better players (whoever is dressed), the better coach, and a whole lot more to play for. They should find a way to win, regardless of whether or not Riley Gill stands on his head.

Seriously, if you would have seen his play in that Saturday game, you wouldn't have written this. He looked like Hasek out there with some of his kick saves. The only reason we did get that last goal, was because his teamates threw 3 Miami players on top of him, there were easily 6 guys laying in front of the net and he was at the bottom of the pile, and Miele was able to rifle a slapshot into the top of the net. I think it was a given that there was more talent on the Miami roster than the WMU, but sometimes that doesn't matter. (see: Andrew Volkening vs Michigan last year, or Matt Dalton vs you last year)

 

[yuenight_for_IRISHICER]

Re: The University of Notre Dame Hockey: 09-10. Let's Live It Up!

JJFP, I think it might not be Mr.JJFP only. I simply should never have any optimism of this team at all. NEVER.

After 2 sleepless days I felt dying last night and thought, well, it's WMU, maybe I can just get up and check the ND win... then I went to sleep till this afternoon...

the first time was to Bemeji
the 2nd was to UAH
and ..

NO MORE

 

[IrishHockeyFan]

Re: The University of Notre Dame Hockey: 09-10. Let's Live It Up!

Seriously, if you would have seen his play in that Saturday game, you wouldn't have written this. He looked like Hasek out there with some of his kick saves. The only reason we did get that last goal, was because his teamates threw 3 Miami players on top of him, there were easily 6 guys laying in front of the net and he was at the bottom of the pile, and Miele was able to rifle a slapshot into the top of the net. I think it was a given that there was more talent on the Miami roster than the WMU, but sometimes that doesn't matter. (see: Andrew Volkening vs Michigan last year, or Matt Dalton vs you last year)

I've seen Gill play plenty of times. He was good enough. After watching what could only incorrectly be called Notre Dame's "effort" last night, I stand by what I said earlier. The way Notre Dame's goalies played in this one, then the way the rest of the team took the night off once the score was 3-0, Dave Gilbert could have skated over to the Bronco net, thrown on a helmet and borrowed some skates, and Western still would have won this one, likely by the 5 goals they ended up winning by.

It's one thing to lose to Miami in their building. It's one thing to lose to a Ferris State team having its once every 6 or 7 year outstanding season. It's one thing to lose to a (similarly to Notre Dame) struggling Michigan team, that while much lower in the standings than they normally are is still loaded with talent and generally thought to be well coached. It's an entirely different thing to lose -- this g09d@mm bad -- to a team that hadn't won in 2 months, doesn't have a single skater who would replace anyone on your top two forward or defensive lines, and has a coach that no Western rooter would mind no longer seeing behind the Bronco bench.

This isn't a loss that can be blamed on too many injuries. Or the referees. Or a hot goalie. This is a loss that can be blamed on two things that Notre Dame can control each and every time they take the ice. Effort and focus. In case they need help in locating those particular items, I'd suggest checking in the middle of their chest cavity. Maybe they're in there. Somewhere.

 

[Sugarisland]

Re: The University of Notre Dame Hockey: 09-10. Let's Live It Up!

Gill played well Friday night but he did not have to as IHF pointed out. However, tonight was different. SOG 55-16 in favor of ND! ND had a breakaway and numerous point blank chances.....all stopped cold by Gill. When ND scored in the third, that goal easily could have been a tie or go ahead goal.....but it was not. Even though Roehl had a hat trick,I still thought Gill should have been first star. Excellent performance!

I haven't seen all the scores yet but it appears that ND and LSSU wil be tied for 8th.....and LSSU has an extra win and 2 games in hand. With games at BGand with Mich left, travelling in the first round is a possibility. Injuries, chemistry, suddenly questionable goal tending, inability to score.......whatever is going on..........could make points difficult to come by.