Neil's Notebook: A Second Look at the Minnesota Series
11/28/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Nov. 28, 2011
By Neil Koepke, MSUSpartans.com staff writer
One of the areas in which Michigan State has improved dramatically this season from the past few years is this team rarely gets rattled.
In stressful situations over the first 14 games, the Spartans have displayed great poise.
Instead of wilting when the opponent is on a spirited run and applying great pressure, MSU's players have been in control, weathered lots of storms and found the will to push back.
In four recent games against two top-five ranked teams over the last three weekends, the Spartans battled through some tough stretches and never succumbed to intense pressure.
They stayed calm and poised in a surprising road sweep at then-No. 5 Western Michigan on Nov. 11-13 and this past weekend they were respectful but never in awe of No. 2/3 Minnesota's tremendous speed and skill. The Spartans worked hard, overcame mistakes and made enough big plays to win one game (4-3) and tie another (4-4).
A year ago, MSU didn't have the confidence and ability to pull out many close games. The Spartans lost 10 games decided by one goal or two involving an empty-net goal.
With almost all the same players, MSU has been a different team. It's playing an aggressive, puck-pursuit style, the players seem more focused, energized and with a little bit of success, confidence has soared.
Instead of fearing the worst, the Spartans embrace the challenge of holding off a team that's suddenly playing with energy and momentum. Actually, they're having fun and are excited about proving they can protect a lead or push to get back in a game.
Coach Tom Anastos, who two months ago had no idea how most of his players would react in tense situations, believes his team's experience and age are the main reasons for its noticeable poise.
Saturday's lineup included eight seniors, six juniors, four sophomores and two freshmen. Only five of the players are under 21-years-old. One player is 24, four are 23, five are 22 and five are 21. There were two players dressed that are 20 and three are 19-years old.
There's only one Spartan who is 18 - freshman right wing Tanner Sorenson.
"I think that the maturity of many of our players certainly helps in having poise,'' Anastos said. "I have to give the players credit. They believe in themselves. They see that they're making progress.
"`I think they're excited when (the coaches) come in and tell them that we're not going to lay back to prevent (the opposition) from scoring. We're going to keep at it.''
Torey Krug, MSU's junior defenseman and captain, has been saying all season that the team is willing do anything the coaches want in order to have a successful season. The players seem willing to prepare and compete hard for practices as well as in games.
"The big thing this year is everyone is trusting everyone. We're working for each other,'' he said. "It's a confidence thing. I trust my teammates so much that I'm willing to take a risk. For me, I know Brock (Shelgren) is backing me up and then Palmy (goalie Drew Palmisano) is back there to make a save.''
Friday's 4-3 victory and Saturday's 4-4 tie against Minnesota should enhance the Spartans' confidence and boost the team's reputation nationally.
The players say that if they can play a team as deep and highly skilled as the Gophers and come out with a win and tie, they can beat any team on the schedule - if they play a certain way.
"It kind of puts us on the map. We know we can play with anybody,'' Krug said after Saturday's series finale.
Anastos says success against highly ranked teams reinforces the messages the coaching staff are pushing day after day in practice.
"The most important thing is internal. Our players see what our potential is and what level we can play at,'' he said. "We weren't the most talented team on the ice (this weekend). But we competed hard and when you do that, you give yourself a chance to win.
"If we just keep getting better each week, you never know where you might end up at the end of the season. It'll require discipline on our part not to feel too good about ourselves, and at the same time, take things a day and a week at a time to make progress. We have an experienced group of guys and they get that.''
POSITIVE REVIEWS: The Spartans got plenty of compliments on the Minnesota TV broadcasts of the two games on Fox Sports North. The commentators at the game and back in the studio in Minneapolis were impressed with how the Spartans competed and executed against the Gophers.
Former Gophers coach Doug Woog, who does commentary from the studio on road telecasts, praised MSU for its offensive style.
"It was great hockey. Michigan State used to be `dump it in, pick up your wings and trap.' They don't play that way any more,'' Woog said. "They attack you and it's an entertaining brand of hockey.''
WHAT'S UP WITH ALL THESE TIES? Saturday's 4-4 deadlock between the Gophers and Spartans was the sixth in their last 12 games over the last 11 seasons.
The teams played to a 4-4 tie in the 2001 College Hockey Showcase at Munn Aerna and battled to a 5-5 draw the next season in Minneapolis.
The third tie in the run came in 2005, a 2-2 game at Munn Arena. And the teams played back-to-back ties in 2007 (3-3) at MSU and in 2008 (4-4) in Minneapolis.
For sure, it's more fun to have a winner but most of the ties in the recent series have been more exciting and entertaining that games won by one team, and over the last 10 seasons, most of the victories have gone to Minnesota.
"We've had some really exciting games,'' Minnesota coach Don Lucia said. "We've had some back-and-forth games that have ended it ties but they were fun and entertaining.''
Since 1993, the first year of the 18-season Showcase, the Gophers hold a 10-5-6 edge over MSU. One game over that stretch was a NCAA Regional Tournament game in Grand Rapids, won by Minnesota, 6-3
But Anastos' record vs. Minnesota is 1-0-1.
BACK TO CCHA PLAY: The Spartans' overall record is an impressive 8-5-1 but in CCHA play it's still 4-4 - two losses at Lake Superior State, a split with Ohio State and Northern Michigan and a sweep over Western Michigan. MSU has played six of its league games on the road.
The Spartans are eager to improve its CCHA record and climb up the standings in their two series before the holiday break. MSU plays host to Bowling Green (6-8-2 overall, 1-8-1-1) on Friday and Saturday and then faces Michigan (7-7-2, 3-5-2-1) in a home-and-home series - at U-M on Dec. 9 and at Munn Arena on Dec. 10.
The Falcons are coming off a pair of home losses against Alaska, 3-0, 2-0. The Wolverines were upended by Northeastern, 4-1, on Friday and Union, 6-3, on Sunday. U-M is headed to Alaska for games this Friday and Saturday.
"We dug ourselves a hole in the league after our first weekend (at LSSU) and we've got to make some progress over the next few weeks with several games at home,'' Anastos said.
In January, MSU plays six straight CCHA home games - two each against Miami, Northern Michigan and Lake Superior State.
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