Pat Host writes...
>I think that your comments about Joe Blackburn are
>actually the opposite.  I think that without MSU's
>outstanding defense, Blackburn would be the 5th best
>goalie in the CCHA.  His positioning is mediocre,
>and he dosen't have any outstanding features (i.e.
>quick glove hand, great reflexes), and he has one
>position, paddle down.  If he played for Western
>Michigan, he would get torn apart, but on the other
>hand, I feel that if Matt Barnes, who is a much
>better all-around goalie than Joe, Mike Gresl, or
>even Jayme Platt would be brick walls at MSU.
 
Certainly, everyone is entitled to their own opinion,
but I think success is spoiling you and you're being
too critical of the local boy.  Joe Blackburn isn't
Hasek, but he certainly has come up big for MSU this
season.  He stepped in for a local legend, Chad Alban,
and posted a 1.34 and 93.5 with only two losses in
his first year as a CCHA starter.  Granted, some of the
gaudiness in those numbers is due to the fantastic MSU
defensive system, but Blackburn still has to stop the
puck.  And, as many 'tenders will tell you, it's not
easy to maintain your concentration when you face as
few shots as MSU allows.  (Just look at Vanbiesbrouck
in Philly.  Ouch.)  I don't see the Spartans that often,
but in the few games I have seen, Blackburn has looked
very solid.  As a sophomore, his numbers are much better
than Alban's were last year as a senior, with basically
the same team and system in front of him.  And, remembering
back to Alban's sophomore season, I certainly have to
give Blackburn the nod at this stage in their careers.
USA Hockey obviously felt that he was one of the top
two under-20 American netminders this winter by his
inclusion on the US WJC team.  He won both of his starts
in the WJC tourney.
 
As for Barnes, he is a talented goalie without much in
front of him, but I just don't see him coming out on top
when compared to Blackburn...especially if judging by
height.  Barnes has had a decent career for WMU given that
he was basically an afterthought for the Broncos.  (If
you recall, Mike Minard jumped ship to major junior and
Mark Magliarditi, who would be a senior this year, left
Kalamazoo after terrorizing the CCHA his freshman season.
This forced WMU to turn to Barnes, whose career otherwise
would have been about as distinguished at Taylor Gemmel's.)
 
Jayme Platt?  I can only hope that you tossed his name
in there to avoid the anger of the anti-woofing gods
this weekend. :-)
 
>Summed up, I think he's just a product of the system at
>MSU, and I've been to enough games at Munn this year and
>watched enough games on TV to know.
 
Ah, the ol' ipse dixit argument, eh?  It's funny, but as
a general rule I find myself questioning the judgment of
individuals who are compelled to point out why they're
an authority on a certain subject.  Well, at least I think
it's funny. :-)
 
Peace...
 
 
John Haeussler
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C-YA'll in Anaheim
 
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