November 6, 2009
Going Away Again
I'll be gone for another week, just as long as my last absence. When I get back I'll take a look at this weekend's games (I'll be at tonight's game) as well as next weekend's tilts at struggling Ohio State. I'll also debut this season's Ankle Biter Top 15, my computer ranking system. And of course I'll also try to catch up with all the comings and goings of both WMU's recruits and hockey alums.
Things To Know About LSSU
~ The Lakers are a .500 team in several respects. They are 4-4-0 overall, 3-3-0 at home, and 1-1-0 on the road. Kind of makes it tempting to pick a split this weekend. The only area they aren't at .500 is CCHA record where they are just 1-3-0.
~ LSSU is playing decent offensively with a 3 gpp average, and have been very consistent at it too. In 8 games LSSU has scored exactly 3 goals all but twice.
~ Defense, however, isn't so good with a 3.25 gaa average and giving up 11 goals last weekend at home to Michigan.
~ They don't take a whole lot of penalties. The Lakers average just 9.8 penalty minutes per game so far this season.
~ Scoring is by committee on this squad with 5 players tied for fourth on the team in scoring and 10 players at a half point per game clip or better. Of those 10, only 2 are from classes other then junior or senior. And keep you eye on Chad Nehring as 4 of his 5 goals this season are on the power play.
~ Head coach Jim Roque is in his 5th season as head coach at LSSU with a 61-77-25 record.
~ LSSU is playing decent offensively with a 3 gpp average, and have been very consistent at it too. In 8 games LSSU has scored exactly 3 goals all but twice.
~ Defense, however, isn't so good with a 3.25 gaa average and giving up 11 goals last weekend at home to Michigan.
~ They don't take a whole lot of penalties. The Lakers average just 9.8 penalty minutes per game so far this season.
~ Scoring is by committee on this squad with 5 players tied for fourth on the team in scoring and 10 players at a half point per game clip or better. Of those 10, only 2 are from classes other then junior or senior. And keep you eye on Chad Nehring as 4 of his 5 goals this season are on the power play.
~ Head coach Jim Roque is in his 5th season as head coach at LSSU with a 61-77-25 record.
November 5, 2009
Witkowski Feature
I normally don't highlight stories from the Kalamazoo Gazette on here. That's mostly because I figure anyone who cares enough about Bronco hockey to read my blog is already reading the Gazette sports section either in print or online. This time I'll make an exception.
Luke Witkowski Not Just Biding His Time With WMU Hockey
The reason is to reiterate a quality I was made aware of when Luke Witkowski was first recruited to WMU a couple years ago. He WANTED to come to WMU, even before the recruitment process officially began. See this excerpt from Pam Shebest's article...
This a tremendous gift to have for a program that has struggled so much over the years. Of course, some "big time" programs are full of players that dreamed of playing there since age 9, but that isn't very common among schools that aren't perennial title contenders. Frankly, this is the #1 reason I think Witkowski will be a tremendous success at WMU.
Luke Witkowski Not Just Biding His Time With WMU Hockey
The reason is to reiterate a quality I was made aware of when Luke Witkowski was first recruited to WMU a couple years ago. He WANTED to come to WMU, even before the recruitment process officially began. See this excerpt from Pam Shebest's article...
When he was 9 years old, defenseman Luke Witkowski visited Western Michigan University, watched a hockey game, went into the locker room and decided then he wanted to play hockey for the Broncos.
This a tremendous gift to have for a program that has struggled so much over the years. Of course, some "big time" programs are full of players that dreamed of playing there since age 9, but that isn't very common among schools that aren't perennial title contenders. Frankly, this is the #1 reason I think Witkowski will be a tremendous success at WMU.
November 4, 2009
Rumor Didn't Come True
The rumor that Mark Letestu may be called back up to the Penguins for their west coast road trip didn't come true. This is because Tyler Kennedy, with an undisclosed injury, returned to the line-up last night for their 4-3 win over the Ducks. That said, it appears that Letestu is only one injured player away from his first NHL game, and not just a seat in the press box like last weekend.
November 2, 2009
A Big Catch-Up
I'm back from my week away. Unfortunately I have another long week away coming up next week too so there will be another big gap in blog posts around here.
UAH:
~ I don't care what anyone thinks of the level of competition. The Broncos getting a weekend sweep on the road, against anyone, is a real accomplishment. That the Broncos did it with a pair of defensive games is something to talk about.
And Then Reality Hits:
~ After starting the season 4-0-0, and getting votes in the national polls (I'll have some of that Kool-Aid too please), WMU comes back to earth with a pair of losses at the hands of the surprisingly good MSU Spartans.
~ First up the Broncos play another solid defensive game, shutting down Corey Tropp in the process, and come within a split second (and video review) of tying things up at the end of regulation. With time winding down, and Riley Gill pulled for a sixth skater, Max Campbell put the puck in the net as time expired and the ref ruled it a goal. However, after video review, the goal was overturned and MSU skated away with a 2-1 win. Those who watched the game from home, including a majority of MSU fans on the message boards, have since claimed that the video review was blown and the goal should have in fact counted. I was out of town, I didn't see it, that's just what I've been told.
~ The next night at home, in front of a horridly small crowd (2,613) as compared to a typical crowd for a MSU game, the Broncos don't fair much better. In fact the defense falls to pieces and the offense is too little too late all night long. Just like the night before the Broncos pull Gill for the extra skater, but instead of a goal (or no-goal) WMU gives up the empty-netter with just 6 seconds left.
A One-Line Team:
I was critical after the Mercyhurst wins of WMU being a one-line team, and apparently opposing coaches figured that out too. Since those wins the first line of Max Campbell, Greg Squires, and J.J. Crew has been completely shut down and unheard from. That has limited WMU to just 2 goals per game since... mostly from one line. While Trevor Elias and Jared Katz have played very well, you are not going to win a lot of games with just one scoring line. Jim Culhane is going to have to find a way to get more then one scoring line per game because 2 goals per game just won't cut it in the CCHA.
Letestu Gets a Cup of Coffee:
~ It happened sooner then I thought it would, but former Bronco Mark Letestu is getting his first cup of coffee in the NHL. Unfortunately he isn't getting much more then that as two games in he has been a healthy scratch both nights. In fact he has already been sent back to the AHL.
~ Rumor is that Letestu could be the 13th forward for the Pens during their California road trip which begins Tuesday. We'll see if that rumor becomes reality or not.
Recruits:
~ Defenseman Dennis Brown (Omaha, USHL) has started to put up some points for the Lancers. He now has 2 goals, 5 assists, for 7 points in 9 games and leads the team in scoring among defensemen. Those totals include a 2 goal, 2 assist effort against Waterloo recently.
~ Goalie Nick Pisellini continues to get the majority of time between the pipes for Chicago. He now holds a 6-2-0 record.
~ Jordan Gidaro has only played a 2 games while I was away. And he still is not scoring for Alexandria.
~ Lucas Isley, not technically a recruit, continues to score at a solid pace for Bonnyville in the AJHL. He now holds a 13-8-21 line in 17 games this season.
UAH:
~ I don't care what anyone thinks of the level of competition. The Broncos getting a weekend sweep on the road, against anyone, is a real accomplishment. That the Broncos did it with a pair of defensive games is something to talk about.
And Then Reality Hits:
~ After starting the season 4-0-0, and getting votes in the national polls (I'll have some of that Kool-Aid too please), WMU comes back to earth with a pair of losses at the hands of the surprisingly good MSU Spartans.
~ First up the Broncos play another solid defensive game, shutting down Corey Tropp in the process, and come within a split second (and video review) of tying things up at the end of regulation. With time winding down, and Riley Gill pulled for a sixth skater, Max Campbell put the puck in the net as time expired and the ref ruled it a goal. However, after video review, the goal was overturned and MSU skated away with a 2-1 win. Those who watched the game from home, including a majority of MSU fans on the message boards, have since claimed that the video review was blown and the goal should have in fact counted. I was out of town, I didn't see it, that's just what I've been told.
~ The next night at home, in front of a horridly small crowd (2,613) as compared to a typical crowd for a MSU game, the Broncos don't fair much better. In fact the defense falls to pieces and the offense is too little too late all night long. Just like the night before the Broncos pull Gill for the extra skater, but instead of a goal (or no-goal) WMU gives up the empty-netter with just 6 seconds left.
A One-Line Team:
I was critical after the Mercyhurst wins of WMU being a one-line team, and apparently opposing coaches figured that out too. Since those wins the first line of Max Campbell, Greg Squires, and J.J. Crew has been completely shut down and unheard from. That has limited WMU to just 2 goals per game since... mostly from one line. While Trevor Elias and Jared Katz have played very well, you are not going to win a lot of games with just one scoring line. Jim Culhane is going to have to find a way to get more then one scoring line per game because 2 goals per game just won't cut it in the CCHA.
Letestu Gets a Cup of Coffee:
~ It happened sooner then I thought it would, but former Bronco Mark Letestu is getting his first cup of coffee in the NHL. Unfortunately he isn't getting much more then that as two games in he has been a healthy scratch both nights. In fact he has already been sent back to the AHL.
~ Rumor is that Letestu could be the 13th forward for the Pens during their California road trip which begins Tuesday. We'll see if that rumor becomes reality or not.
Recruits:
~ Defenseman Dennis Brown (Omaha, USHL) has started to put up some points for the Lancers. He now has 2 goals, 5 assists, for 7 points in 9 games and leads the team in scoring among defensemen. Those totals include a 2 goal, 2 assist effort against Waterloo recently.
~ Goalie Nick Pisellini continues to get the majority of time between the pipes for Chicago. He now holds a 6-2-0 record.
~ Jordan Gidaro has only played a 2 games while I was away. And he still is not scoring for Alexandria.
~ Lucas Isley, not technically a recruit, continues to score at a solid pace for Bonnyville in the AJHL. He now holds a 13-8-21 line in 17 games this season.
October 23, 2009
Gone For a Week
I'll be out of town for the next week and unable to post during that time. I'll be back on October 30.
Interesting Stats
Don't expect this to last, but with just two games played J.J. Crew leads the nation in points per game (3) and is second in the nation in goals per game (2). Greg Squires leads the nation in assists per game (2.5). I wouldn't put any stock into these stats so early in the season as Jim Culhane is also tied for the national lead in winning percentage this season, but I did at least think it was interesting to note.
Things to know about Alabama-Huntsville
They were scorned by the CCHA this summer in their attempt to gain admission to the conference. Now they play their second CCHA opponent of the season in just this third week.
~ UAH is 3-1-0 on the season having split with Notre Dame and sweeping Air Force. All four games were on the road.
~ The Chargers have been out-shot in every game this season, including a 51-14 margin in a 3-1 loss to Notre Dame.
~ UAH is 1-7-0 against the Broncos all-time, but this will be WMU's first ever trip to face the Chargers in their own barn.
~ Statistically this team looks very balanced. They have 5 players with multiple goals, 6 players with multiple assists, and 15 players have points in just 4 games played. In net they are led by full-time starter Cameron Talbot with a 2.25gaa and .947sv%.
~ The Chargers are coached by 1989 alum of Michigan State Danton Cole. Cole was an offensive star at MSU before a 10 year professional career that saw him float between the minors and the NHL. Cole's coaching resume includes head coaching stops in minor league hockey as well as a season as an assistant at Bowling Green.
~ Last season the Chargers went 5-20-5 on the season with only a pair of non-conference wins.
~ UAH is 3-1-0 on the season having split with Notre Dame and sweeping Air Force. All four games were on the road.
~ The Chargers have been out-shot in every game this season, including a 51-14 margin in a 3-1 loss to Notre Dame.
~ UAH is 1-7-0 against the Broncos all-time, but this will be WMU's first ever trip to face the Chargers in their own barn.
~ Statistically this team looks very balanced. They have 5 players with multiple goals, 6 players with multiple assists, and 15 players have points in just 4 games played. In net they are led by full-time starter Cameron Talbot with a 2.25gaa and .947sv%.
~ The Chargers are coached by 1989 alum of Michigan State Danton Cole. Cole was an offensive star at MSU before a 10 year professional career that saw him float between the minors and the NHL. Cole's coaching resume includes head coaching stops in minor league hockey as well as a season as an assistant at Bowling Green.
~ Last season the Chargers went 5-20-5 on the season with only a pair of non-conference wins.
October 20, 2009
Luke Witkowski Dummies Sebastion Geoffrion
This video is from the Clark Cup finals last spring in the USHL. This is apparently Witkowski's response to some taunting from Geoffrion. Pay special attention to the very first 5 seconds of the video.
This is of significance because Geoffrion now plays for Alabama-Huntsville... the Broncos' next opponent.
[Props]
This is of significance because Geoffrion now plays for Alabama-Huntsville... the Broncos' next opponent.
[Props]
October 19, 2009
Crew Honored
I doubt my vote had anything to do with it, but J.J. Crew has been named CCHA Offensive Player of the Week.
The WMU press release with some quotes from Crew.
The WMU press release with some quotes from Crew.
Weekend Catch-Up
In the USHL, recruit Nick Pisellini was in net for Chicago's only game. The Steel won 3-1 with Pisellini making 36 saves. Dennis Brown continues his defensive defenseman roll for Omaha, though it was not that great of a weekend for the Lancers.
Jordan Gidaro had a single game with weekend for Alexandria in the NAHL. He continues to take a lot of shots, take dumb penalties, and not score anything.
Mark Letestu saw his first game action of the season Friday for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the AHL. He had 5 shots and 2 assists on the night in a 6-3 win for the Penguins. He also had an assist in a 4-3 shootout win Saturday and scored the game winning shootout chance.
On Sunday Pat Dwyer just missed a hat trick in a 5-3 losing effort for Albany in the AHL.
It's early, so this probably doesn't mean a whole lot yet, but the CCHA has the best winning percentage of any conference in non-conference play at .671 with a winning record against all 5 of the other conferences. Taking away games against the AHA and CHA and the CCHA still has the best record against the "Big 4" conferences.
WMU's next opponent, Alabama-Huntsville, is 3-1-0 on the season after splitting with Notre Dame to start the season and then sweeping Air Force on the road this weekend.
Jordan Gidaro had a single game with weekend for Alexandria in the NAHL. He continues to take a lot of shots, take dumb penalties, and not score anything.
Mark Letestu saw his first game action of the season Friday for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the AHL. He had 5 shots and 2 assists on the night in a 6-3 win for the Penguins. He also had an assist in a 4-3 shootout win Saturday and scored the game winning shootout chance.
On Sunday Pat Dwyer just missed a hat trick in a 5-3 losing effort for Albany in the AHL.
It's early, so this probably doesn't mean a whole lot yet, but the CCHA has the best winning percentage of any conference in non-conference play at .671 with a winning record against all 5 of the other conferences. Taking away games against the AHA and CHA and the CCHA still has the best record against the "Big 4" conferences.
WMU's next opponent, Alabama-Huntsville, is 3-1-0 on the season after splitting with Notre Dame to start the season and then sweeping Air Force on the road this weekend.
Initial Thoughts
The Good:
~ First and foremost, the Broncos won both games this weekend. But you already knew that. Friday's game was a dominating performance and it was only the stellar play of Lakers goalie Ryan Zapolski that kept the game from being 10-1 instead of 5-1. Saturday was a tight game, but most importantly the Broncos found a way to win it and didn't let a 2-0 second period deficit get to them.
~ The Broncos were not afraid to sacrifice the body to block a shot.
~ J.J. Crew on the first line... brilliant. That line played a part in 6 of the Broncos' 9 goals on the weekend including a hat trick for Crew on Friday and the game winner both nights. Crew gets my vote for CCHA Offensive Player of the Week.
~ Trevor Elias is a play maker.
~ Ian Slater is vastly improved over last season adding an aggressive fore check to his game. He's fast, strong on his skates, and his stick handling is light years ahead of last season.
~ Riley Gill looked great all weekend.
The Bad:
~ The team seems to be a bit too one dimensional. The first line was great and whatever line Elias plays on does OK, but the offensive depth beyond that is missing. Sure other lines had chances and have potential, but as of week one the top line is the only dangerous scoring threat.
~ The Broncos seem to have a problem with not being able to deliver a hit without an elbow or stick up in the air. This led to the parade to the penalty box Saturday for WMU, and all that time short handed is a big reason why that game was as close as it was. That said, the refs did call excessively tight games both nights, even by CCHA standards.
~ Play in the defensive zone was pretty sloppy at times. Indiscriminate puck clears that didn't always clear the zone and failing to cover the "back door" seemed to be common problems.
The Indifferent:
~ The freshmen defensemen, the three in the line-up that is, all have solid skills and skate very well. However all three of them are playing like freshmen, as you'd expect, and made many mistakes both nights. While they played great at times they also missed covering players and sometimes tried to play the puck instead of the body which allowed opponents to get by them.
~ Special teams... the power play was 4 for 17 on the weekend, which is decent, but they also allowed a shorthanded goal and several shorthanded opportunities. The penalty kill stopped 15 of 16 chances, very good, but despite the stops they seemed to have the same issues as last season that led to the Broncos having one of the worst penalty kills in the CCHA.
~ First and foremost, the Broncos won both games this weekend. But you already knew that. Friday's game was a dominating performance and it was only the stellar play of Lakers goalie Ryan Zapolski that kept the game from being 10-1 instead of 5-1. Saturday was a tight game, but most importantly the Broncos found a way to win it and didn't let a 2-0 second period deficit get to them.
~ The Broncos were not afraid to sacrifice the body to block a shot.
~ J.J. Crew on the first line... brilliant. That line played a part in 6 of the Broncos' 9 goals on the weekend including a hat trick for Crew on Friday and the game winner both nights. Crew gets my vote for CCHA Offensive Player of the Week.
~ Trevor Elias is a play maker.
~ Ian Slater is vastly improved over last season adding an aggressive fore check to his game. He's fast, strong on his skates, and his stick handling is light years ahead of last season.
~ Riley Gill looked great all weekend.
The Bad:
~ The team seems to be a bit too one dimensional. The first line was great and whatever line Elias plays on does OK, but the offensive depth beyond that is missing. Sure other lines had chances and have potential, but as of week one the top line is the only dangerous scoring threat.
~ The Broncos seem to have a problem with not being able to deliver a hit without an elbow or stick up in the air. This led to the parade to the penalty box Saturday for WMU, and all that time short handed is a big reason why that game was as close as it was. That said, the refs did call excessively tight games both nights, even by CCHA standards.
~ Play in the defensive zone was pretty sloppy at times. Indiscriminate puck clears that didn't always clear the zone and failing to cover the "back door" seemed to be common problems.
The Indifferent:
~ The freshmen defensemen, the three in the line-up that is, all have solid skills and skate very well. However all three of them are playing like freshmen, as you'd expect, and made many mistakes both nights. While they played great at times they also missed covering players and sometimes tried to play the puck instead of the body which allowed opponents to get by them.
~ Special teams... the power play was 4 for 17 on the weekend, which is decent, but they also allowed a shorthanded goal and several shorthanded opportunities. The penalty kill stopped 15 of 16 chances, very good, but despite the stops they seemed to have the same issues as last season that led to the Broncos having one of the worst penalty kills in the CCHA.
October 16, 2009
Things to Know About Mercyhurst
1 - They had a rough weekend in Alaska to start their season losing 5-3 to UAA and 5-1 to UAF. Needless to say they are also probably a bit tired from all the traveling in the early part of their season. This is the second consecutive season they have traveled to Alaska for an early season tournament and lost both games.
2 - Their leading scorers from last season, Steve Cameron (22-28-50) and Scott Pitt (15-30-45) are back for their junior season.
3 - Their top goaltender from last year, Ryan Zapolski (2.22gaa, .934sv%) is also back for his junior season.
4 - The Lakers had a respectable 22-15-3 record last season, however they were only 2-6-0 non-conference.
5 - Their head coach is the highly respected and successful Rick Gotkin who has a 384-254-49 record over 22 seasons. Gotkin has coached for all but one season of Mercyhurst hockey's existence.
This weekend's games between WMU and Mercyhurst are both at Lawson Ice Arena. Friday's game is at 7:35pm and Saturday, due to the 3:30pm start of the Central/Western football game, will be at 8:05pm.
2 - Their leading scorers from last season, Steve Cameron (22-28-50) and Scott Pitt (15-30-45) are back for their junior season.
3 - Their top goaltender from last year, Ryan Zapolski (2.22gaa, .934sv%) is also back for his junior season.
4 - The Lakers had a respectable 22-15-3 record last season, however they were only 2-6-0 non-conference.
5 - Their head coach is the highly respected and successful Rick Gotkin who has a 384-254-49 record over 22 seasons. Gotkin has coached for all but one season of Mercyhurst hockey's existence.
This weekend's games between WMU and Mercyhurst are both at Lawson Ice Arena. Friday's game is at 7:35pm and Saturday, due to the 3:30pm start of the Central/Western football game, will be at 8:05pm.
Letestu Activated
Former Bronco Mark Letestu has been activated from injured reserve by the Pittsburgh Penguins and assigned to their AHL affiliate the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Letestu underwent knee surgery during training camp and has missed three games so far in the AHL season. It is not yet known if Letestu will be available for this weekend's game.
October 15, 2009
And The Captains Will Be...
Western Michigan athletic media relations released their official season preview at the end of the day yesterday. While there isn't a whole lot of new information for those who follow the team regularly, there was one tidbit of truly new information... the captains.
Tyler Ludwig, no surprise here, will wear the "C" for the Broncos this season. Joining him in leadership will be Jordan Collins and Cam Watson each wearing the "A". A third "A" will be split between Chris Clackson for home games and Ian Slater for road games.
Tyler Ludwig, no surprise here, will wear the "C" for the Broncos this season. Joining him in leadership will be Jordan Collins and Cam Watson each wearing the "A". A third "A" will be split between Chris Clackson for home games and Ian Slater for road games.
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