Nathan Boyle wrote:
>> 2-6 is correct. The Spartans are 2-2 against BGSU, 0-1 against Minnesota, and
> 0-3 against Michigan. However, in those 8 games, the Spartans were only
>>really
>> out of 2 of them, the 7-3 loss at Yost in November and the 6-2 loss at BG in
>> are 17-1-3, the only loss coming to Alaska-Fairbanks right before
>> Thanksgiving,
>> and the three ties, all on the road at UIC, at LSSU, and at FSU.
>Actually take a closer look at the record, two of those wins over BGSU
>didn't even count in CCHA play, and as I have noted before Buddy Powers
>used every single one of those games to play with the lines, and to
>prepare for games that counted.
The second one DID count in CCHA play. The first one was scheduled when the
Spartans' trip to Anchorage to play UAA was cancelled. If Buddy chose to
use those games to "play with the lines," that's Buddy's problem. MSU's
been playing with its lines all season (except for the second line of Murray,
Suk, and Sylvester), and I don't see Mason using it as an excuse as to why
they didn't win specific games.
>Get BGSU in a game that counts and the story
>changes. MSU fnas have been useing the excuse that "they weren't on
>there game thats all, we are better than this." Wonderfull, I'm deeply
>moved, but for that matter BG is better than some of our games show if
>thats true, and so is Mich. and LSSU, and Miami, and W. Mich.
It's a scary thought to think that Michigan may be better than some of their
games show.
The argument about games that count and don't count doesn't wash. Unless you'replaying a non-Div I team, in the eyes of the NCAA, THEY ALL COUNT. Michigan
State learned that one the hard way two years ago when losing to NMU in the
first round of the GLI in a game that supposedly DIDN'T COUNT. (The last
20 may count a little more than some others, but they all still count.) Thus,
MSU's victory over BG on Oct. 15 at Munn, even though it was a non-conference
game, counts.
>I will say that Buzak is a very good goalie, and that the rest of his
>team has let him down is to blame in part.
Too many giveaways in our own zone, which is the responsibility of both the
forwards and the defensemen.
>But haveing said that I will
>say that Miami's goalie might well be the best in the CCHA, better than
>Buzak.
I never made a claim that Buzak was, this season, the best goaltender in the
CCHA. He was the best of those returning from last season, but has not shown
his status this year, and that has cost MSU.
>I would also request elaberation on what you mean by "..some of
>that by design however." This isn't like some plot by Ron Mason to lure
>other teams into a feeling of security.
I was specifically referring to the Minnesota game. If you listen to Mason
talk about it, he was more than content to play more of a defensive game againstthe Gophers, because he felt Buzak would be up to the task. He has stated
that he realized it backfired on him about midway through the third. Even
so, Buzak's save percentage in that game (45-48) was well over 90%. And the
Spartans lost the game by one goal.
>Once again I point out our loss to MSU was a game that did not count,
>early in a season with a first year coach figureing out what to do with
>what he has, and evidently learning a lot from what he has done since
>then.
And once again I'll point out it does count. Especially after March 5. Once
the CCHA playoff spots are determined, that game counts as much as any other
that BG or MSU has played all season. Just as all four UM-MSU meetings will
count, even though one "didn't count."
>> MSU's goal now is to finish second (with a very outside shot at first). Down
>> the stretch, BGSU might have a slightly tougher schedule.
>Yes, we deffinetly have a tougher schedule.
The schedule left for both teams:
BGSU MSU
2/10 at LSSU MIAMI
2/11 at LSSU MIAMI
2/17 at Mich W. MICHIGAN
2/18 at W. Mich MICHIGAN (JLA)
2/24 OSU NOTRE DAME
2/25 ------ at FSU
2/26 at OSU ------
3/3 LSSU at OSU
3/4 FSU at Miami
They basically play the same teams, except that MSU has Miami three times and
BG has LSSU three times. The Spartans also play 4 at home, 3 road, and one
neutral ice, while BG plays 3 at home, 4 on the road, and one neutral ice (the
game at OSU on the 26th is at the State Fairgrounds). BG does have the tougher
schedule, though mainly more on the location of the games as opposed to the
teams that each is playing.
>>Should
>>MSU finish
>> second and get to the finals of the CCHA, they'll set themselves up for a 3 or
>> 4 seed in the NCAA's (and most likely a trip to Worcester). They haven't
>> played a high caliber Eastern team all year (in fact, they only played one,
>> do against the best in the East.
>Being a fanatic for my team I admire your optimisim. But really I don't
>see MSU winning the CCHA, nor do I think they will finish second, nor
>will they make it to the NCAA, They simply do not have the team that is
>going to get it done this season. No offense intended.
I don't believe MSU will win the CCHA regular season crown, but do have a legit-imate shot at second (no offense accepted). As to whether they will make it
to the NCAA's, it would be tough for them at this point in the season NOT to
make the NCAA's. Provided they don't go into a huge tailspin, they shouldn't
fall far from their current #7 position in the RPICH standings. (BG is
currently 9th.)
>7 Michigan State 26 16- 7- 3 .6731 .5171 .4953 .5506
>9 Bowling Green 26 18- 7- 1 .7115 .4776 .4989 .5414
Note one big difference between the two: opponent's winning percentage. Re-
member that counts for 50% of your rating. Since the two teams finish with
teams who nearly have the same winning percentage, MSU should still have a
huge advantage in that category. If they don't catch BG and end up finishing
third (and probably not opting to play UAF, if the Nanooks beat the 10th place
team) they will have a much tougher first round opponent (at this juncture,
WMU) which would widen the gap a bit further. A win in that matchup would
put them in the semis, most likely facing BG. And then let the chips fall
where they may.
This of course depends on MSU not falling victim to Miami, who is only two
points back (the Spartans however have two games in hand on the Redskins).
I dare say you will see a much more focussed Green and White team take the
ice at Munn Arena on February 10.
And, no offense intended, but you're wrong. They DO have the kind of team
that can win championships. The talent IS there. It will all depend on how
bad they want it, and how the puck bounces. I would say that they probably
have a better team talentwise than LSSU did last year (no offense intended to
LSSU fans) and look what happened to the Lakers. (That's overall, don't imply
that I'm saying MSU is better at every position.) A lot can happen between
now and April 1 in Providence, RI.
G. M. Finniss
Michigan State University 12-4-3, 17-7-3
WVU '87, UTenn '92, MSU who the hell knows when?
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