LSSU Lakers

[jnacc]

A great win last night!!! I am sure the boys' confidence has picked up a notch or two because now they have proven they can score in clutch situations.

Who would have thought that we would be ahead of Michigan State at the half way point? Then again who would have believed that the Spartans would be in 7th place? :confused:

We sit alone in sixth place and are only one game behind for the fourth spot. Can we start to hope and expect for a fourth place finish this year?

[Bill]

Bill..where were you on the score updates?.Mogerfan had to take over.You are not slipping on us are you now?

I had the game on the web broadcast, but was occupied doing other things around the house (painting). I checked in on the score occasionally but didn't listen to much of the game.

Great comeback win. They didn't get outscored in the 3rd period for a change.

I'm not ready to get too excited about it yet though. Last night broke a string of 5 games in a row scoring only 1 goal. That kind of offense isn't going to cut it if they hope to get home ice advantage for the playoffs.

Frank needs to light a fire under them somehow.

[Lakerblue]

A good weekend, although the Friday game was like watching paint dry. I think the Lakers could've beat ND 6-1 on Friday is they converted some of their better chances. On Saturday, same problem. Notre Dame's scoring issues are worse than LSSU's. So in effect you had two teams on the ice that couldn't hit the back side of a cow with a banjo. And let me say I was sick to my stomach until the boys put in that EAG goal. I was thinking: "No way do we lose 3 of 4 points to this horrible Irish hockey team."

That was a huge goal -- SEASON SAVING GOAL. Then they pot the winner. Amazing.

Consider this: if the Lakers don't score, they tie and lose 1-1, and 1-0. Instead, we consider it a great weekend, 3/4 points won, and we keep the steady march on toward home ice in the playoffs. And you just know that the team and coaching staff must feel the same way this morning.

Now, the Irish are a terrible team. No speed, sloppy, can't pass or shoot. But to their credit, the Lakers didn't give the much -- the defense was solid. Defesive hockey can be akin to sitting in a waitingroom reading a three year old copy of Martha Stewart Living -- but until the Lakers can bring in a natural scorer, there is nothing wrong with building the team from the blue line forward.


NOw UAH rolls into town. Pretty good team, on par with Bemidji -- perhaps a shade less. I sure would be pleased if the Lakers could find a scoring touch against UAH and build momentum into the new year, charging to the home ice and -- dare we dream -- a trip to the Joe.

One last thing: Recruiting and Facilities: LSSU's hockey facilities are excellent, probably better than most schools out East and certainly better than amost every CCHA school. Facilities are more than just the stadium -- although LSSU has a perfectly respectable Stadium. The wieght rooms, training rooms, coaches rooms, meeting rooms . . . everything at LSSU is First Rate. The hockey team gets the best of the best at the school. Contrast this to the situation at Ohio State, for instance. Huge stadium, 1/4 full, and the hockey team gets whatever training facilities are left over. I think the whole "facilties" argument is overdrawn -- since University of Michigan has no problem recruiting and their rink, and facilities, are outright crap.

The question about facilities is more oppropriatly aimed at schools like Ferris, Notre Dame, Western, UAA, Wayne State . . . LSSU doesn't play in a 10,000 mega-stadium, but aside from the new beauty being built in Miami -- can you name a better set of facilities in the CCHA????

[Mogerfan]

That was a huge goal -- SEASON SAVING GOAL. Then they pot the winner. Amazing.


Totally agree. That may have been the biggest goal all year.

Francis Anzalone made it sound like Coach Poulin was REALLY ****ed off after the Laker goal. He made it sound like Poulin wasted the whole bench rest period screaming at the official while the Notre Dame team just stood there and watched him. Meanwhile Coach Anzalone was talking to his guys and coming up with an obviously effective plan to win the game. Any idea why Poulin was so upset?

[sm3pk]

Anyone listen to Franks show tonight? If so,let us know what was said...thanks

[jnacc]

[QUOTE=Lakerblue
One last thing: Recruiting and Facilities: LSSU's hockey facilities are excellent, probably better than most schools out East and certainly better than amost every CCHA school. Facilities are more than just the stadium -- although LSSU has a perfectly respectable Stadium. The wieght rooms, training rooms, coaches rooms, meeting rooms . . . everything at LSSU is First Rate. The hockey team gets the best of the best at the school. Contrast this to the situation at Ohio State, for instance. Huge stadium, 1/4 full, and the hockey team gets whatever training facilities are left over. I think the whole "facilties" argument is overdrawn -- since University of Michigan has no problem recruiting and their rink, and facilities, are outright crap.

The question about facilities is more oppropriatly aimed at schools like Ferris, Notre Dame, Western, UAA, Wayne State . . . LSSU doesn't play in a 10,000 mega-stadium, but aside from the new beauty being built in Miami -- can you name a better set of facilities in the CCHA????[/QUOTE]

I fully agree. I think the only facility that can compare to what we have at LSSU is the B.E.C. at Northern. Yes sure size matters but like they always say, it all depends on how you use it. U.N.O has a great arena, first class and from what many have told me, NHL caliber but they can't fill it and 8000 fans in a 15000 seat arena looks far worse than 2500 fans in a 4000 seat one.

[eddo]

Any idea why Poulin was so upset?


probably becuase it was the ugliest goal that i have seen all year? it was a bad shot from the point that got deflected in off of a stick that was behind the skater.. if his stick was where it should have been, there would have been no goal.

Not saything that i didn't like it (i'll take em however we can get em)... or that we didn't deserve it (lord knows the way the play.. the deserve a lot more)... it was just a really ugly goal.

[Laker Hockey]

Pretty interesting interview.

http://msn.foxsports.com/story/3298952

[Lakerblue]

Holy Crap-o-la . . . that was a darn fine interview. Wow. And Fox Sports? My my my my my . . .

Just wait until this big nasty Laker Machine starts rolling . . . .

[Proud2baLaker]

Jakaitis named CCHA goaltender of the week (http://ccha.collegesports.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/011005aab.html)

[Lakerblue]

Its all rolling downhill now . . . I'll tell you what, those points from the Irish series are going to loom large large large. Suddenly, the Lakers are poised to jump into the Top Four -- just three points behind 3rd place Omaha.

The season, as I see it, will boil down to those key four road games following the UAH games: At Michigan State and At UAF. Four huge, key road games against teams that have struggled, and against teams that are battling the Lakers for league position. The Lakers must at least hold serve in these games -- eg, splits.

That is why I think a good solid showing, offensively, against UAH, might get the ball rolling.

[Shirtless Guy]

What did you guys think of Notre Dame? Does MTU have a pretty good shot at winning their game tuesday against the Irish?

Shirtless Guy

[Bill]

[QUOTE=Lakerblue]
The season, as I see it, will boil down to those key four road games following the UAH games: At Michigan State and At UAF.

Agreed. Since they haven't been able to sweep anyone at home (yet), if they don't pick up at least 3 or 4 points in those four games, it will be extremely difficult for them to get home ice advantage for the CCHA playoffs. You can't recover from getting swept on the road if you aren't able to sweep anyone at home.

[sm3pk]

It was a nice article to read on Jakitis and it was even nicer to see that he only had very good things to say about Anzalone.I also agree the next 4 league games are of huge importance and I plan on being at State for those games.

[LakerFan24]

Is anyone planning on making the trek to MSU next weekend? It is such a HUGE weekend for the boys, I am going to journey back to good Ol'MI from Iowa at least for the Saturday Night game. Man would I love to see the guys pull off a sweep in Munn - what a jump in the standings that would cause!

I'm in - who's comin with? Here we go LAKERS, HERE WE GO!

[Mogerfan]

I had hoped to make it over to EL for the MSU series, but it isn't going to happen. For the consolation prize I do get to see Notre Dame play Wisconsin here in Chicago that weekend though. Maybe I'll wear my Laker jersey and taunt the Wisco fans about 92.......

I stumbled across this on the AHL website.

http://www.soundtigers.com/news/release_101304.htm

Keith Aldridge was named Captain of Bridgeport. He has a goal and eight assists with a team leading "+6" in 32 games.

[michiganmidge]

Is there a Blueliner lunch today???

[Mogerfan]

I was thinking what an exciting weekend this was in the league, even though the Lakers are playing non-conference. With so many teams so close and battling for home ice, all these games are SO important. Then I read Weston's column about how this is the doldrum time of year becuase it is too early to get excited about the tournament. I don't think I quite get her. Maybe there is some dry sense of humor there that I'm missing........ :confused:

Looks like Scoran, Fauci and Co. will have their hands full with that Ross kid and his linemates this weekend. It aslo sounds like they have a decent netminder. Hopefully our lines 2-4 can outplay thier 2-4 lines and their D-men, and we can get that non-conference record up nearer to .500. I'll be curious to see if Violin gets the call both nights or if he splits the duties between the two. Did Frank talk about that on the show Monday?

GO LAKERS!!!

[Bill]

Lakers went back to their bad habit of getting outscored in the 3rd period. No way they'll get home ice in the CCHA if that continues.

[sm3pk]

Bottom line is still the same for Lake State. With no stick handlers,you dont score. Lakers lose games or tie games because not playing well. They lose and tie because they simply cant score.Lakers need to beat these CHA teams and not come away with loses and ties. Does nothing for momentum and has to drag the players down for league games.A tie with Huntsville at home is not a success.