LSSU Lakers

[Mogerfan]

Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

I think the next month will really tell the tale of the season. We started against two tough teams and got beat 4 times. I think if we continue to play this well we will come away with at least 5 victories out of the next 8 games. We just got overwhelmed by a really talented, senior led team last night (no, I wasn't there, but it sounded like it on the internet). I really doubt our defense is going to be blowing late leads to teams like BG, Ferris, and Alaska Fairbanks. I am still pleased with the progress of the team. Remember how we got humiliated at Yost last year? Even if we lost by three, there isn't a lot of shame in this loss.

[M-HockeyNet]

I was planning on going to Bowling Green but am so tired of watching them lose that I am not sure if I will go now.I guess the sad part is that I have been watching the Lakers since the 60s and now not so sure I want to go to a game.They seem to be going the way of MI Tech and thats not good.

It is tough for fans to see how they've tumbled, but rebuilding isn't an overnight process, either. Michigan had their dark ages during the 70s and early 80s until Red came along, and it took him a good five years before they started showing results. I know a few people who went to all the games during those periods and it was rough, remembering how MSU fans used to pretty much outnumber U-M fans at Yost, but they stuck with it.

That was actually one of the more interesting things from the game at LSSU for me this weekend. I met up with a friend of mine who lives in Cheboygan. He doesn't really go to many college hockey games, so when he was looking at the banners he noticed how they just kind of stopped around '96 or something like that. When you think about all the great players and teams the Lakers had in the late 80s to mid 90s and three national championships, it just kind of makes you scratch your head and ask, "What happened?"

But LSSU definitely showed some promise this weekend again Michigan. I won't be surprised to see them in a lot of close one-goal games this season, though I suspect they'll end up on the short end of the stick in most of them (kind of like BGSU last season). But the fact that they scored three on U-M Thursday night was an accomplishment in its own right (Montoya had a 0.50 GAA against LSSU heading into the game), and in both games they took the lead and made Michigan have to come from behind to win.

[Bill]

Although they keep improving in most respects, the Lakers aren't winning many games because they still are having too much trouble scoring. A couple of the recruits they took a chance on and were hoping could really help on the offensive end this season, didn't wind up playing for the Lakers for academic and personal reasons. Also, although it's still early in the season, there has been nothing to show from some of the key returnees that were being counted on to produce more scoring (e.g. Cheesman and Osman). The bottom line is that unless some of the returnees (regardless of who) really step up their game on the offensive end, there won't be a whole lot of victories to show for their overall improved play. In another few weeks or so, we should have a better idea of what to expect from the Lakers. Scheduling has been tough on them for the first part of the season.

[michiganmidge]

Although they keep improving in most respects, the Lakers aren't winning many games because they still are having too much trouble scoring. A couple of the recruits they took a chance on and were hoping could really help on the offensive end this season, didn't wind up playing for the Lakers for academic and personal reasons. Also, although it's still early in the season, there has been nothing to show from some of the key returnees that were being counted on to produce more scoring (e.g. Cheesman and Osman). The bottom line is that unless some of the returnees (regardless of who) really step up their game on the offensive end, there won't be a whole lot of victories to show for their overall improved play.
Hey, I beg to differ with you regarding the scoring ability of the Lakers. In the 5 games they've played so far this season, they've scored 23 goals! I don't think that sounds like a team who is having trouble scoring. Albeit, 15 of those goals were against Toronto, that still makes for 3 on the weekend against Colgate (to their 5 goals), and 5 goals against Michigan (to their total of 9). I would say this is considerable improvement in scoring ability.

Also, in the exhibition game against Toronto Steve McJannet (a returning junior) scored 3 goals, as did Bo Cheesman. Matt Restoule and Trent Campbell (both sophmores) put up 2 each. Furthermore, Alex Dunn has scored in all three series, with a goal in each match-up. John Booras and Nathan Ward have also had a good showings with a goal each in the Toronto game and against Michigan. ALL of these returners are showing improvement.

Finally, we've seen freshman Derek Smith and John Nogatch score as well.

I don't know how you can make a vast generalization on Lake State's scoring ability based on these numbers. I think the fact that we haven't won a game yet (besides our exhibition against Toronto) is overshadowing the fact that we ARE scoring. And, we did start out against two extremely tough teams.

I'm with you on the fact that the next few series of games will speak volumes as to our ability to get out from behind the 'L'. I know they can do it, and I look forward to moving up in the standings.

[Bill]

Midge,

I'm not counting the Toronto game. They still haven't shown me that they're getting over their problem of having difficulty scoring. Granted they've only played 4 real games, so it's going to take a few more weeks to get a better feel for where they are at. Most folks expected Chessman and Osman to produce this season, and so far they haven't, but again we've only had 4 games to go on. All I'm saying is the season is still early, but the Lakers have yet to show they're ready to put up a lot more goals. I do think they are slowly getting better as a team, but I still see offense as their big problem. Unless some of the guys have breakout seasons, it's difficult to see them improving a whole lot on their W-L record. The Lakers of the glory years tended to always have a couple of guys have really good breakout seasons scoring wise as they got a year or two of experience under their belts. Let's hope that happens this season.

Of the incoming recruits, I think Smith is likely to help the most on offense. I think an offensive minded defensman is something they've lacked for many years, and I think they brought in Smith because they think he can help in that area. He got a goal and an assist in the first Michigan game, so that is very encouraging. I'm anxious to actually see him play.

I don't see 8 goals in 4 games as a big improvement in scoring ability, even given that they played a couple of good teams in Colgate and UM. 2 goals a game won't get them a whole lot of wins. Again, we'll have a lot better idea in another month about whether scoring is really improving.

[jnacc]

Well people, I have said this before and I will say it again. Those who are expecting a return to the dominant team the Lakers once were in the mid 80's to mid 90's will be disappointed. It will not happen any time soon, nor may it never happen again! College hockey has changed a great deal since the 80's and competition for players is fierce and getting fiercer.

To those who simply want a competative team that will be embarrased by no one, take heart for the day has come! Despite losing their first four games, this team has a ligitimate shot at earning home ice advantage for the playoffs and once again making it to the Joe.

The Lakers proved this weekend that they can play with anyone and there is no one who should doubt the Lakers chances or ability to sweep Bowling Green this upcoming weekend.

It is far to early to give up on this team folks!

[BGFan]

Funny thing was Union was saying the same thing.....only it was a home series for them. They're still trying to figure out what happened.

Good luck trying to figure out Siggy this weekend...you're going to need it.

[TA Jen]

Penalties most certainly determined last night's game winner! The Laker's had 13 for a total of 29 minutes ...

and Michigan had 11 for 22 minutes. Both teams averaged around 30%, LSSU even had a slight edge.

You're not making your point.

[michiganmidge]

You're not making your point.
No one can expect to go 3 on 5 with Michigan and NOT get scored on. Geez. The answer to the loss is PENALTIES, plain and simple.

[Bill]

I might be going to the Saturday afternoon game at BG, although I'm not sure yet. I would really like to see the Lakers play in person to get a better feel for how the team is handling themselves on the ice. They still have to get over the scoring hump, but I'd like to see if they are at least starting to create more chances. Also anxious to see Smith and Nogatch play on D.

[michiganmidge]

I might be going to the Saturday afternoon game at BG, although I'm not sure yet.
GO, GO, GO!! You'll be glad you did. I wish I could go!

[Bill]

So what's the story on Jeff Oke? Is he being red-shirted, no longer on the team, just not showing enough in practice to play in any games yet?

[BluelineDad]

Any idea which 'D' man will not play as much, when and if Ren Fauci comes back?

[Lakerblue]

Well, that was a rough stretch.

3 of 4 on the road to start the season (another two on the road coming up).

Against two tough teams.

BGSU should be a decent series for LSSU. They played well against University of California in Ann Arbor. Penalties ate away the team's spirit (see below discussion). But otherwise the boys played hard. 0-4 is NOT where they want to be. Matt Violin certainly is able to carry a team on his shoulders -- this weekend would be a good time to show his skills. Getting Fauci back soon is a must. Otherwise, BGSU is going to be in for the fight of the season -- an angry LSSU team out to get in the WIN column should bode well.

I refrained from posting anything last week because my profound hatred for anything related to UM colors any logic, reason, or common sense. Ergo, its best just left alone. But some things are eating at my craw -- and since this is the place to air those things (my wife suitably tired of hearing about them), here it goes:

Regarding the officials: Funny how supporters of two teams can see things differently. I was sitting at the Joe with some fellow LSSU alumni, all reasonably decent hockey players in our day, and we were making the following observations throughout the game:
1) LSSU needs to learn to keep the sticks down. A clean hit turns into a penalty when the stick slips up even shoulder height.
2) Michigan was not called for the variety of picks and interference plays throughout the game. This has been a staple of berenson hockey from the outset, but now this is supposedly illegal. The Lakers certainly weren't getting away with those types of interferences. Sour grapes? Perhaps -- I warned everyone I'm extremely biased. But when a Michigan players is cutting through center ice, and his team-mate locks up with an LSSU forward who doesn't have the puck -- thereby preventing him for backchecking the UM player -- thats interference. And after watching games from around the country on the dish, these plays are being called for two minutes.
3) Penalty timing is significant. Checking the box score after the Thursday and Saturday games, a person might come to the conclussion that the PP time was equal, the penalty time was equal, etc. . . My old coach used to say: "Its not always if a penalty is called, but when a penalty is called." In other words, he was saying a penalty at certain points of a game can alter momentum, positively or negatively, alter the flow for one team, get another team back on track with some PP time, etc. . . . So it was that it seemed every time LSSU was starting to carry the play, starting to assert some offensive zone pressure, WHAM, a cheap call behind the play. Curiouser and curiouser.

But, please don't take my remarks at total face value -- since I'd rather have a hot-maple syrup enima than share a beer with UM people. Personal choice. I don't waste time with pompous scum or bandwagon-wanna-be-pompous scum.

[jnacc]

Good post Lakerblue and some good insights! I mentioned on another thread, after some UofM clowns were calling Frank a crybaby, that Michigan set up picks all night in all three zones but were never called on any of them! That is BIASED officiating, plain and simple!

That of course is irrelevant since Michigan, and to a lesser extent Michigan State, have always been given that "edge" by the men in stripes and it is something the Lakers will just have to deal with.

I am confident that if they play the same way they did against Michigan, they will sweep Bowling Green.

[spiehler]

I won't be surprised by much of anything this weekend. BG has only two games under its belt-not against top-notch competition-and had to go to overtime in exhibition against U. Windsor. BG is solid in goal, and most of the defense is experienced. We're counting on the freshmen to boost an offense that was anemic last season.

LSSU has lost four close games, and sounds like the Lakers are working hard. The teams split last season, so I'll take the easy way out and predict a split, LSSU Friday, spoiling BG's home opener.

Anyone for a 0-0 tie? :D

[michiganmidge]

I'm a little bit behind in the details here ... but, what is Ren Fauci's injury and when did it happen?

[Proud2baLaker]

Apparently Facui injured his knee in the exhibition game. The word is he will be back for this weekend but I dont know.

[eddo]

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=38&u_sid=1241704

if the article is right, bowling green is suspending 7 players.. should make for an interesting series this weekend..

[BluelineDad]

I won't be surprised by much of anything this weekend... :D

Neither will I....the surprise came out in the news this morning...Bowling Green suspended 7 Players.