LSSU Lakers

[Mogerfan]

[QUOTE=LakerMark] I hear Rainville has put on at 15-20 pounds of muscle over the summer....which he sure needed. Here's hoping that he can be the offensive player at this level, that he was for Jim Capy in the NOJHL.

QUOTE]

Yeah, Rainville is listed at 185 this year as opposed to 165 last year. Let's hope it is muscle and he wasn't just eating twinkees all summer.......

Seriously though, that could be big. In the two games I saw him play in last year, he had great ability, but he kept getting knocked off the puck. An extra 20 lbs of muscle should take care of that problem. Not to mention it shows a lot about his character and work ethic to improve himself as a player by spending the time in the gym.

[Lakerblue]

Well . . . its been a long Summer -- and spring -- since the Lakers last hit the ice.

This year we'll have plenty of upper-classmen (mostly juniors), which is a significant plus in NCAA hockey. The CCHA is certainly in a more defensive form lately -- with LSSU, Western, BGSU, Ferris, and even MSU playing a tight-checking defensive style. Whether this plays in LSSU's favor or not remains to be seen. But having a veteran team that is bigger, more confident, not easily rattled -- this will help. Also, the goaltending situation is about as good as its been in years. The defense is solid, if unspectacular with the puck. The forwards really need a couple guys to break out in order for the team to climb into the upper half of the league. I'm looking, as many are, at jeff Rainville. Boy, he has some moves -- but too often was tentative or ineffective in traffic. Hopefully some added bulk will allow him to get through a few more times.

The size is always good up front. They can muck in the boards very nicely. They need to be able to get into the slot and keep their stick down and fight for garbage. They showed some good signs of this last year -- and once again age, experience, and more size will continue this trend.

I think this will also help the Power Play (which has been terrible for so many years, I can't even remember when it was good . . . possibly not since Teddy Laviolette was anchoring the point). If we can get some guys who will crash that net hard, every shift, they will start to see some garbage.

The penalty kill . . . well . . . same boat as the PP. The team did a nice job last year of staying out of the box -- but teams like Notre Dame, Miami, and *** Michigan really zipped the puck around tooooooo easily. The Lakers need to find a way to really make penalty killing an art form. Remember the amazing one-man kills of Clayton Beddoes?

The fitness level is probably slowly getting to where Frank wants it. You can't expect freshmen and sophmores to come into the toughest physical fitness program in college hockey and show immediate results. But the Juniors -- this year you'll see the results. Even some of the sophmores will start to break out -- Rainville as an example. The team could win a lot of games on fitness alone -- just simply out working the other teams, spending that extra 20 seconds in the offensive zone, not allowing the defense to change. As my junior coach told us, "The last 15 seconds of a 45 second shift -- thats where the goals are found. Thats where you separate the fit athlete from the not-so-fit athlete. If you can force them into their zone for those last 15 seconds of their shift, you'll cause mistakes, cause miscues, cause sloppy coverage and sloppy positional play. And you win those last 15 seconds, you score that goal, in the gym, and on the road, weeks and months earlier." True story. (Then we went out on the ice for no-puck practices!).

And . . . . First, and hopefully last and only comment on the police blotter: The fight-drinking incident is disappointing, because it shows a lack of discipline. Maybe thats not fair, because I readily admit to my fair share of underage drinking as a student at LSSU, but when you're in the spot-light -- as the hockey team is in the Soo -- you can't do this. You just can't.

[jnacc]

So the roster on the website has changed again. Gone is that Bahen guy who I was sort of excited about. In his place is a guy named Justin Gutwald from the Indians. Anybody know what happened to Bahen? Anybody seen Gutwald play before?

I wonder if the scholarship that the former Laker senior was using (assuming he was on one) can be awrded to one of the walk-ons, or if they just have to waste it for the year.

GO LAKERS!!!

Does anyone else feel disappointed with the 04 recruiting class? Now I know they have yet to play one single game but none of them seem to be all that impressive. At least last year we had Rainville and Restoule, two players who were considered to be among the best in their respective leagues.

Kasper was a huge loss and what the h*ll happened to Bahen?!

[Bill]

With Kasper and Bahen, I would not be disappointed. Without them, I agree that the freshmen class now seems to be a bit of a disappointment, principally because those two guys had the most promise for helping the Lakers on the offensive end. At this point, we now have to hope that some of the upperclassmen have breakout seasons. I still am hoping that Derek Smith (frosh) perhaps will provide some offensive help from the blueline, another area where the Lakers haven't been very productive for quite a few years. I think that's one of the primary reasons they went after him.

[LakerFan24]

What is particularly disturbing to me about this freshman class is the drinking citations they have already received. Don't get me wrong - I know EXACTLY how it goes in the residence halls - I was the Brady Hall Director for the past two years - but what scares me is that we had hardly ANY problems, even for the hockey "orientation" party, from the past two recruiting classes. ALL the guys knew that being on the hockey team at LSSU is just like being on the Football team at Notre Dame - people notice you. In my opinion, the two classes that I had the opportunity to work with were all outstanding young men. Having not met any of the new guys, it scares me that they have already slipped up this bad. Wrong place at the wrong time? I don't buy that for a second. I agree with Lakerblue - very disappointing.

The good news is that I have no doubt in my mind that Captain Cheesman will show them the way this season. The exhibition game against Toronto is less than a week away, and I am pumped to be making the 12HR trip to the Soo and see the boys in action. :D

And I think I speak for all of us that are far from the UP when I ask that we all receive an update as to how the Blue-White game goes tomorrow. I, for one, will be waiting in eager anticipation...

GO BLUE! GO WHITE!

[Laker Hockey]

http://ccha.collegesports.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/100304aab.html

Hopefully Ciccone never plays in a meaningful game.

[Anchor]

http://ccha.collegesports.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/100304aab.html

Hopefully Ciccone never plays in a meaningful game.


Ok, how bout some positives about this game?
I noticed three freshman tallying points (Eves, Nogatch and Smith), and a goal from one player who skated in only 7 games last year (Pelkey). Anybody know how any of the other freshmen looked?

[Proud2baLaker]

One freshmen, Nogatch I believe, also had 2 penalties and I think there were only 3 or 4 called total. Jakaitis looked real good. Blue was on a power play and was getting a few nice shots in and Jeff kept getting them with the glove through traffic. Booras looked fast. Rainville looked stronger. As for the freshmen I dont know. I wasnt really impressed with any of them. But who knows one may step it up a bit. I was more impressed with the rest of the team.

As for the rest of the team they looked pretty good--better then last year. But it still look like a few things need to come together for them to be better. But I think the exhibition will give them a better look at what they need to work on (besides scoring of course) and they will fix it before the season acutally starts.

They played the boards pretty well and actually hit each other more then I would have expected in an intersquad game. The Blue team was definetly more offensive minded (despite the lack of goals) as they had quite a few shots (it was at least 25 in the 2 periods of play).

So....in conclusion, this is a better team this year. I think they will turn a few more heads and finish a little higher. I also feel we could see some 20 point scorers (something they havent had while Frank has been here the past 3 years) in Cheesman, Osman, Rainville, Booras or Campbell. Or maybe even someone else.

[Bill]

Does anyone know what happened with Bahen?

[LakerFan24]

Poor Willie - Lets just hope he doesn't have to go in against Michigan again!
I had reports from the Soo that it was Violin that had let in all the goals - so I was relieved when I read it wasn't...

The word on the street regarding Bahen is that he just didn't show up. Apparently he realized he didn't have what it takes to be a Laker...

[Laker Hockey]

This weekend will show us quite a bit about this team. In my opinion if they don't win by 5 goals it is going to be a long year. Quite frankly the fact that they only scored 1 goal against their top goalies scares me about the lack of scoring they are going to probably have again this year.

[sm3pk]

I agree.If the Lakers struggle this friday ,could be another very long season.If you watch these exhibtion games with other teams they are for the most part blow outs.So I guess the Lakers need a blow out or at least a huge difference in shots on goal.

[Proud2baLaker]

Quite frankly the fact that they only scored 1 goal against their top goalies scares me about the lack of scoring they are going to probably have again this year.

That fact can be scary and good at the same time. We want our guys to be able to score but we also want our goalies to be able to stop shots. I think a few goals would have been better (as long as there were plenty of shots) but not to many. We dont want it to look like they let everything in.

[jags]

Is it usual for a recruit to just "not show up". Sounds like someone dropped the ball here, did not stay on top of the situation. Seems like a big waste of time and money to scout, assess and finalize a prospect and have him pull the chute this late in the game.

If the scoring does not improve I can see the wins being in single digits again this season. The game has changed and so should the coa........

You all know where I am going so good luck this year, I hope your season gets better as right now you have a number of questions to be addressed!!

[Lakerblue]

When an incoming recruit "just doesn't show up," it seems to be for academic reasons. Chances are, he had some NCAA Clearinghouse troubles (if I had to guess).

Everyone likes to see their team put up 5-6 goals (or more) against the exhibition teams. I think it'll be close like the last few years. But I wouldn't read too much into that score.

I think we'll see some increase in scoring through the season, but I expect it to be more evenly distributed thorughout the line-up. 9-10 goals from 6-7 players would really be more likely than a 20-30 goal season from one guy. And I say that because of the increased experience of the players, physical fitness levels, and a strong defense that will allow the "Grinding Laker Low Play" to develop.

The best Frank teams would grind out a 0-0 game, or a 1-1 game, until the 3rd -- then their better fitness and constant grinding, along with air-tight defense, would frustrate and exhaust the opposition. And suddenly 1, 2, 3 goals would pop in. Nothing was better than listening to MSU and UM chuckleheads yamming on and on about "goon hockey," while the Lakers just slammed them into the boards over and over and over.

We'll see very very soon . . . .

[LakerMark]

Ok, here's the deal on Matt Bahen, according to Coach during last nights Laker Hockey Show.

Matt was recruited to come here a couple years ago. After he committed, his mom died, and he had some obvious troubles with that. Once Kris Kasper dropped out due to academic ineligibility, Coach Roque contacted Bahen to see if he still wanted to come. Apparently, Matt was pretty impressed that the Lakers still wanted him. He signed, and was enrolled for his freshman year, but had a breakdown attributed to the loss of his mom, and just couldn't come to Lake State. Coach said he's getting some help in dealing with his problems, but it's unfortunate, because the Lakers could have recruited another guy in his place. But, rather impressively, Coach said although it's unfortunate for the team, hopefully Matt will be able to get the help he needs.

As far as Kasper is concerned, Coach said last night that Kris told him that he had taken the SATs, so Frank waited for the results. After a few months, Frank tried to find out how Kasper had scored on his SAT, and called his team in Canada, and Coach was informed that he had never taken the test. That's when the team approached Bahen to come to LSSU.

Hope this clears the air for everybody.

[jnacc]

LakerMark -are the you the 101 radio DJ?


On another point, is anyone else here woried about the new emphasis on "enforcing" the rules to get rid of the clutch and holding? I am afraid that what it will do is make aggressive teams to cautious and it seems to me that they want to make college hockey the "no hit" league and would punish teams such as the Lakers.

What is the deal with taking away three to five feet of space behind the nets? This will definatly hurt the Lakers as low play is their specialty.

[sm3pk]

Ok..First game is Friday...how is team looking and how are guys morale for this season?

[Mogerfan]

Well it is good to finally know the story on Kasper and Bahen, even if it is bad news all around. I feel for Bahen, it is too bad that the effects of losing his mother may also have cost him a promising NCAA career. As for Kasper, it sounds like that guy took Frank for a ride. Maybe I'll take a quick trip down to Peoria and heckle him in his ECHL debut.

I think that the talent (such as it is) with this years Lakers is clearly in the Sophomore class. I was hoping for a diamond in the rough-type player in this years freshman to compliment this years sophomores. Hopefully one of the current frosh will be an impact player, but as Bill said, Bahen and Kasper were the two most promising candidates. On a bright note, the INCH website listed Eves as one of the 10 impact players to come out of the NAHL this year.

I don't usually make "predictions," but here are my "goals" for the Lakers this year:
1. Double digit CCHA wins
2. At least 10th place (one more rung)
3. Two players score 20 CCHA points
4. At least one win against a team that finishes in the top 4 places (we were 0-10 against UM, MSU, tOSU and MU last year)
5. At least one win in a game I SEE! (Vs NMU, @UNO and @WMU are the likely ones I will attend)

GO LAKERS!!!

[Who_is_Lake_State?]

Hey, new to this forum, but heres my take on this season for the Lakers.

1) They will finish last!
2) They will lose this weekend in the exihibition game to Toronto!
3) They will have MAYBE 2 CCHA wins!
4) None of their players will score more than 10 CCHA points!










WE ARE LAST PLACE....uh I mean LAKE STATE!!!!