Know Thy Enemy: Ferris State - Part II

This weekend Michigan State once again sees a familiar foe - Ferris State. Once this weekend is up, the Spartans will have played eight of ten games against the same two teams - Ferris State and Notre Dame. There are other teams in the CCHA, though next weekend MSU has a non-conference series against Penn State.

The first time these two teams faced each other, Michigan State ended a five game losing streak and a six game winless streak by defeating Ferris 3-1. Then just a couple weeks ago, the Bulldogs returned the favor with a 3-0 win up in Big Rapids. This weekend is another home and home with Friday night being in East Lansing and Saturday back at Big Rapids.

Michigan State leads the all-time series 67-31-5. MSU holds a 39-16-6 edge in East Lansing and a 27-14-8 edge in Big Rapids.

Confidence Building

The Spartans should have some confidence coming into this weekend after playing two very strong games against (then) #2 Notre Dame. This included an impressive 4-1 victory over Notre Dame last Saturday.  Michigan State might be in eighth place, but the team seems like it's close to a breakthrough - and perhaps a run.

Ferris State enters this weekend winning three of their last four games - this includes a home split against Ohio State last weekend. The Bulldogs are in fourth place in the CCHA - which is the final home ice advantage spot in the quarterfinal. They are tied with Ohio State - which technically sits in fifth place - the last first round bye spot - by virtue of the conference wins tiebreaker. Ferris State has 25 points in the CCHA and MSU has 16 points. A sweep might put MSU back in the hunt for a top five spot.

One step at a time though.

Ferris State Leading Scorers

Garrett Thompson   9 goals, 17 points  (3 goals came in the 3-0 FSU win over MSU)
Kyle Bonis  10 goals, 16 points
Travis Ouellette 5 goals, 14 points
Cory Kane  5 goals, 12 points
Simon Denis 4 goals, 12 points
Jason Binkley 2 goals, 12 points

Goaltenders:

C.J. Motte 9-9-3, 2.23 GAA, .926 save %

FSU PP:  17 for 78, 21.8%
FSU PK:  83 for 98  84.7%


Final Thoughts

This is the type of series that could go either way. Neither team really shows a lot of offensive fire power, though Ferris State is 3rd in the CCHA (league games only), but they only score 2.62 goals per a game. By comparison, the Spartans are tied for 8th at 2.06 goals per a game. The Bulldogs will use a defensive style to keep the game lower scoring, so the Spartans may not need a lot of goals this weekend, but they need a better effort than what they got in Big Rapids a couple weeks ago.

The first goal will go a long ways to helping the offensive confidence of both teams. MSU used an early goal last week against ND to really begin to step their game up. Ferris State is 5-1 when leading after one period, and 7-1-2 when leading after two. They are 1-6 when trailing after two.

I would expect a couple of lower scoring games - where if either team hits the three goal mark - they probably stand a good chance at winning this weekend. In the end, this is a strong opportunity for MSU to really gain on the middle of the pack in the CCHA. In order to do that, MSU has to do something they haven't done all year - win two games in a row. The best they've claimed is a two game unbeaten streak (done three times - a win & tie).

Friday's game is at 7:35 pm. Saturday is at 7:05 pm. Friday can be seen on Fox Sports Detroit or heard on 1240 AM. Saturday can be heard on 730 AM.

Weekend Recap: Bulldogs Blank Spartans 3-0

Recap

USCHO Recap // The State News Recap // Lansing State Journal Recap

MSUSpartans.com Recap//All-Access Highlights

Ferris State Recap // Ferris State Video Highlights


Thoughts

The offensive woes continue. Michigan State could only manage 23 shots on goal in the 3-0 loss. In the second period, the Bulldogs out-shot MSU 16-7 and out-scored the Spartans 2-0. That is all they needed as MSU couldn't get much going in the offensive end. Only two penalties were called the entire game. And the chances they did get seemed to miss the net. Coach Anastos made a point to talk after the game getting their quality chances on goal (it's also in the highlight video). 

Things won't get much easier for MSU either, as Notre Dame comes into East Lansing next weekend for a pair. The last time the two teams met, Notre Dame swept Michigan State 3-2 and 5-1 just a month ago in South Bend. Michigan State hung tough in the 3-2 effort, but they couldn't tie the game up. The Irish controlled Saturday night, much like the score would indicate. This series marks the beginning of a very key stretch as MSU plays five of their next six at home.

CCHA Standings

	GP	W	L	T	SOW	Points	Total Points Possible
Notre Dame	11	10	1	0	0	30	81
Miami	14	8	3	3	3	30	72
Western Michigan	12	8	3	1	1	26	74
Ohio State	12	6	3	3	1	22	70
Ferris St.	14	7	6	1	0	22	64
LSSU	14	7	7	0	0	21	63
Michigan	13	4	7	2	2	16	61
Alaska	14	4	7	3	1	16	58
Michigan State	14	4	9	1	0	13	55
Bowling Green	12	2	7	3	1	10	58
Northern Michigan	14	2	9	3	1	10	52

The game last night was the only league game during the two week break. League action will pick up again this week though.

Games This Week

Sunday

Bowling Green at Canisius

Tuesday

Bowling Green at Michigan  (Big Ten Network)
Notre Dame at Minnesota  (Fox Sports North Plus)

Friday

Ohio State at Ferris State
Notre Dame at Michigan State (Comcast)
Miami at Northern Michigan
LSSU at Western Michigan
Alaska at Michigan

Saturday

Ohio State at Ferris State
Notre Dame at Michigan State (Comcast)
Miami at Northern Michigan
Alaska at Michigan  (Fox Sports Detroit Plus)
LSSU at Western Michigan

CCHA Power Rankings

1. Notre Dame (14-4-0, LW: 1). Notre Dame hasn't played in a couple weeks - will that hurt them this week at Minnesota and Michigan State?

2. Miami (12-4-4, LW: 3). Miami may have finished second in the Three Rivers Classic, but they got some great goaltending which will make them very tough to beat over the second half of the year.

3. Western Michigan (12-5-3, LW: 2). They went 0-1-1 in the GLI losing to a sub-.500 Michigan Tech team and only getting a draw against Michigan State. With that said, they are still one of the best in the CCHA.

4. LSSU (12-10-0, LW: 4). A non-conference sweep against Union looks good. They travel to K-Zoo next.

5. Ferris State (9-8-3, LW: 6). They split down in Florida before coming back up and shutting out Ferris State. They have 3 of 4 at home to really get on a roll before back to back series with Notre Dame and Western.

6. Northern Michigan (8-10-3, LW: 11). Second half charge coming? A road sweep at the (currently) second place team in the WCHA might be an indication.

7. Michigan (7-10-2, LW: 5). Michigan gets back to a full roster on the weekend (Treais is suspended on Tuesday) - can they begin a second half surge?

8. Alaska (6-8-4, LW: 8). The Nanooks look to get back on track in Ann Arbor - they haven't played a game since December 8th.

9. Ohio State (7-8-5, LW: 7). A loss to Miami and Penn State in the Three Rivers Classic wasn't their hope to end the 2012 calendar. They have to go on the road for back to back series in Big Rapids and Marquette.

10. Michigan State (5-12-3, LW: 9). The effort was there in the GLI against Western. In Michigan State's 12 losses, they've only scored 11 goals, been shutout four times, and only scored one goal five times.

11. Bowling Green (4-10-5, LW: 10). A win against Niagara last weekend, and a tie last night against Canisius have the Falcons thinking things will be better. Problem is they have Michigan, Notre Dame, Western Michigan, and Miami to start off their 2013  CCHA schedule.

Big Ten Power Rankings

1. Minnesota (13-3-3, LW: 1). The 8-1 victory over #1 Boston College shows Minnesota is the class of the Big Ten and your 2013-2014 odds on favorite to win the conference championship.

2. Wisconsin (6-7-5, LW: 5). This just shows you how far the drop off is after Minnesota. Though, Wisconsin has won four straight and is unbeaten in eight (5-0-3). Their last loss came at home to Minnesota State (4-2), the team they face on the road this weekend.

3. Michigan (7-10-2, LW: 2). Still can't figure Michigan out, maybe once they have a full roster things will click.

4. Ohio State (7-8-5, LW: 3). Despite the loss to Penn State, I have them here.

5. Penn State (8-11-0, LW: 6). They are undefeated against Big 10 teams.

6. Michigan State (5-12-3, LW: 4). Worst record among the Big 10 teams gets them here - though we'll see in a few weeks how they stack up against Penn State.

Other News:

The NHL Lockout is over!!!!!!!!!! 

So somehow this seems appropriate:

The Dance Of Joy

Know Thy Enemy: Superstitions Change-Up

The Michigan State Spartans come into this weekend still in search of offensive answers. The Spartans come into the weekend winless in six games (0-5-1), and they have only scored six goals in those six games - which includes two shutouts. As a result, Michigan State sits in a tie for ninth place with a 3-8-1-0 CCHA and 4-10-2 overall record.

The Ferris State Bulldogs are looking to reclaim last year's magic which put them in the national championship game before dropping a tough game against Boston College. Ferris currently is in fifth place in the CCHA with a 6-5-1-0 league mark and 7-6-3 overall mark. They are winless in three games (which oddly enough started after a win against Michigan), going 0-2-1 in their last 3 contests. Ferris State was swept by Western Michigan last weekend (4-2, 2-1).

Ok, everyone knows that when things aren't working out too well, it's time to change up the superstitions. These previews have usually always been out by Thursday (if not before then). I'm fairly certain this is the first one that I've done on a Friday. In addition, I'll poke fun (albeit sometimes lamely) at the other school. Well, we're going to brag Ferris State up today. All in hopes that this is the mojo change. And yes, I'm well aware that no matter what I do - it doesn't impact the performance of the hockey team.

Ferris State started the season somewhat stronger than Michigan State. Ferris State beat Miami (shut them out). Ferris State also shut out Michigan. Ferris State went to the Frozen Four last year (and the national championship). Ferris State is the defending CCHA Champions (people might not remember this). Ferris State is coached by a Spartan (Bob Daniels). Ferris State is ranked 19th in the country.

Michigan State holds a 66-30-15 all-time record against Ferris State, and this includes a 38-16-6 edge at Munn. Ferris State has won four straight against MSU.

The game can be seen on Comcast Ch. 900 or heard on the Spartan Sports Network or 1240 AM. The puck is scheduled to drop at 5:05 pm on Saturday. This is the only game between the two teams this weekend. MSU will break for the holiday after this game - and return in action at the GLI on December 29th against Western Michigan.

Stats that make you go Hmmm...:  This is the longest winless streak for Michigan State since a six-game winless streak from January 17, 2009 to February 6th 2009.. That streak saw MSU go 0-5-1. That streak was snapped with a 1-0 victory over........Ferris State.

Ferris State Leading Scorers:

Kyle Bonis             8 goals, 13 points

Garrett Thompson  6 goals, 12 points

Travis Ouellette      4 goals, 11 points

Cory Kane             4 goals, 10 points

Justin DeMartino    3 goals, 10 points

Jason Binkley         1 goal, 10 points

Goalies:

C.J. Motte    7-6-3, 2.20 GAA, .930 save %

Historically - this is not the type of team that lends themselves to helping you break out of an offensive slump. They will like to play a grind-it-out type game, a trap game, and if at all possible - a 2-1 game. That doesn't mean they don't have talent up front, but you usually don't see them in many 6-5 type games (reverse jinx!). This is a game where MSU will have to be patient - get traffic in front - and don't be afraid to pepper the goalie (but with traffic in front). They need to grind out some garbage type goals. First goal in this game will be huge - because it might be the only goal scored (reverse jinx!). I just don't see the offensive slump ending this weekend and don't be surprised if Motte puts up a shutout or a strong one GA game (I'm working under the theroy that this is like a no-hitter in baseball.....).

And I don't consider myself THAT superstitious. (wink, wink)

Go Green!

Krug Earns First NHL Point

Earlier tonight, we posted about how this week has been a week of firsts. Torey Krug continued a week of firsts as he earned his first NHL point tonight in Boston's 3-1 win at Ottawa.



Krug (#47), at the bottom of the video, is patient in moving the puck out of the zone - as he makes the initial outlet pass. Milan Lucic finishes the play off. Krug is credited with the second assist. Congrats to Torey on his first NHL point.


National Championship

Boston College handled Minnesota tonight 6-1, so they will move on to play Ferris State on Saturday Night (ESPN 2, 7:00 pm)

A Week Of Firsts

This week has been a week of firsts. Torey Krug made his NHL debut on Tuesday against Pittsburgh logging in just over 18 minutes of ice time, getting two shots on goal, blocking one, and posting an even rating (he was on the ice for four goals total - two even strength goals for both teams).

That's not bad, and Torey looked comfortable out there. 

"I thought he handled himself well," Bruins coach Claude Julien said. "I like the way he moved the puck. I think everybody who knows the game realized that he's a good puck-mover, his mobility was obvious, and the only thing I would tell you is that you could see him in the defensive zone really thinking about trying to play within our system, and sometimes he was maybe just a fraction of a second delayed, which is totally normal. But once he knew what he had to do, he went. So there was no hesitation once his mind was made up, and that will only get better as it becomes second nature, and that's totally, as I said, totally natural for a guy playing in his first game."

Even though it is expected he'll start next season in Providence, he certainly seems to be setting himself up well for a long and successful career in the NHL. He said he was most disappointed that they didn't win. Would you expect a former captain to say anything less?

Krug is playing tonight in Ottawa.  As of this post, he has 7:10 in ice time, one shot on goal, one blocked shot, and an even rating.

Frozen Four

Congrats are in order to Ferris State. The Bulldogs defeated Union earlier today 3-1 to reach their first national title game in program history. Ferris State is coached by former Spartan Bob Daniels. They'll take on the winner of Boston College-Minnesota (BC currently leads 1-0) on Saturday night. That game can be seen on ESPN2.

The winner of that BC-Minnesota game is going to be a heavy favorite, but do not sleep on the Bulldogs who play a system extremely well. If Ferris State gets a lead, they are very tough to beat.

ECHL Playoffs

Dustin Gazley had a goal and two assists in the first two games of the ECHL play-offs, but it wasn't enough as Elmira dropped both games in Reading by scores of 4-1 and 4-2. Elmira must now win the final three games of the series, all at home, to advance in the ECHL playoffs. Elmira finished the Eastern Conference with the best regular season record. Game three is Friday night.

Ferris State, Union Adavance To Tampa, Cornell Trolls UM, Krug to NHL

Ferris State and Union became the first two teams to advance to the 2012 Frozen Four in Tampa Bay, Florida. Union defeated UMass-Lowell 4-2 in the East Regional Final. Ferris State defeated Cornell 2-1 in the Midwest Regional Final. For both programs, it is the first ever trip to the Frozen Four.

Ferris State is lead by former Spartan Bob Daniels behind the bench.

Props to Cornell

Cornell is often credited for inventing all those cheers you hear at college hockey rinks today, especially at Yost Ice Arena. I don't know if Cornell was trying to punish UofM for this, but the pep band decided to play the MSU Fight Song during the game - perhaps to get in the minds of the Wolverines. It sure looks like Hunwick noticed.

Cornell Band Trolls Michigan Hockey Team - Amazing videos are here

One has to wonder if it worked though, because Michigan tied the game just minutes later, though Cornell won in overtime.

Krug to the NHL

There is a noon press conference at Munn Ice Arena today where it is expected that Torey Krug will officially announce that he has signed with the Boston Bruins and will forego his senior season at MSU. Torey was a great player and leader on the blue line for Michigan State, and we wish him the best in his professional career.

What this does do is leave a big hole on the team that someone will need to step in and help replace. Michigan State does have a pair of transfers R.J. Boyd and Nick Gatt who should help settle down what would otherwise be a very young blue line. Jake Chelios may have to take the biggest jump next year.