It's been almost a year since I've posted on here for one reason or another. Lack of motivation is the leading cause, but I think it's time to bring Fish Sticks back.
Since I've last posted, many things have changed in my life. I graduated from college and am now working in northeast Indiana where the people here think hockey is the IHL's Fort Wayne Komets. Not to knock the Komets or anything - they are the reigning IHL Champs - but it's not my kind of hockey. I attended a game this season and saw more whiffed on shots, missed passes and cheap shots than I have in a mini-mite game. I spent most of the game sitting in the upper bowl at the Fort Wayne Memorial Coliseum laughing. College teams would put on a clinic against the IHL. Not to knock what they call "hockey" in Fort Wayne, but I'll stick with my guys.
Speaking of my guys, they just wrapped up their regular season a week and a half ago as Stanley Cup Champions. It was a magical season to say the least and I cherish the memories from it. I got a chance to attend the victory parade (I'll post pictures soon) to further take in the moment of my favorite sports team ever. It's been estimated that there was about 1.5 million people downtown for the parade. That's 300,000 more than there were in 2002. Hockey matters in Michigan. That fact can also put to rest why there were some empty seats at Joe Louis Arena this season. The economy sucks. People still care. Detroit is Hockeytown.
Now, we're currently in my second favorite season of the year - hockey's off season! Check back for more postings in the future.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Thursday, August 02, 2007
The Spartan Team
I started writing this song about a month ago when I was having mega flashbacks to the Frozen Four and MSU's third national championship in school history. It's to be sung to Bob Dylan's song "Hurricane."
The Spartan Team
Celebration rings out in a St. Louis night
Justin Abdelkader scored the winning goal
Only eighteen seconds left in the game
Cries out, my God, remember the name
Here comes the story of the Spartan team
The team that accomplished the ultimate dream
For something people said couldn’t be done
They beat Boston College, three to one
To be the college champions of the world
They lost Drew Miller, Coach Comley could see
And five important seniors, he said they were the key
But the team still looked good, he gave a thumbs up with his hand
We have potential to reach the Frozen, I hope you understand
The had a rough November where they skidded a little
But they beat Michigan in December in a GLI battle
And they start January in Ohio, where they split with the RedHawks
And they watched Vukovic excel
Meanwhile, all around the CCHA
Teams were looking at them, watchin’ them play
A possible contender for the conference crown
Had no idea what kind of fallout was about to go down
When a team came back from three goals down
Unlike the time before and the time before that
With these Spartans, that’s just the way things go
You’ve gotta play a game in its whole
Unless you wanna blow the game
Jeff Lerg had a fast glove hand
He was a hard worker, but got no respect
Until one day against Michigan, he made 60 saves
He had a smile on his face, even though it was a tie game
And Coach Comley proudly nodded his head
He said, look out boys, that kid’l play til he’s dead
So they rode him the rest of the year
And the opponents began to play in fear
Because this little goalie was the next real thing
Yeah, here’s the story of the Spartan team
The team that accomplished the ultimate dream
For something people said couldn’t be done
They beat Boston College, three to one
To be the college champions of the world
A month later, things aren’t going right
Western swept the team, BG spoiled senior night
While Chris Lawrence tried to keep the guys up
With the national tournament looming, they’ve gotta to figure out their stuff
Remember in December when we won the GLI?
Remember when big McKenzie leveled that guy?
You think you can get back to that game?
Think you can forget about the shame that
They felt when they lost to Bowling Green.
Bryan Lerg said, I’m pretty sure
Chris Mueller said we just could use a little break
We’ve done some good things this year, things that we’re proud
We just need some time away to get things sorted out
We just gotta shake off this bloody curse
Campus is against us, our hockey’s getting worse
We wanna turn this thing around
We know what we’re capable of
We’re good enough to take the crown
Tim Kennedy could dangle a puck like no other
He played with Abs and Crowder, the three were like brothers
The scored goals, hit, and were the top line
They were only sophomores, their talent was fine
Inside of Munn Ice Arena
Where the ice is crisp and the fans are meaner
It packs six thousand plus
But winning in there is a must
Or else, the people will dub you a bust
All the Spartans cards were marked in advance
They scored a number three seed in the national dance
Their first game was against east coast team Boston
They beat em, 5-1, and flat out tossed em
Then came defensive Notre Dame
It was a 2-1 win thanks to a Kennedy score
The Spartans advanced to the Frozen Four
Yeah, here’s the story of the Spartan team
The team that accomplished the ultimate dream
For something people said couldn’t be done
They beat Boston College, three to one
To be the college champions of the world
Their semifinal game came against Maine
They fell behind 2-0, they were looking really plain
But the Spartans, they were just getting warmed up
They scored four goals and strutted their stuff
In the end, Maine got outplayed
And the Spartans advanced to the championship game
Now Boston College was a pretty good team
Til Lerg made a huge save and Kennedy tied the game
Abdelkader scored with eighteen tics to go
Mueller added an empty netter, say it ain’t so
That’s the story of the Spartan team
The team that accomplished the ultimate dream
East Lansing celebrated the win
The boys paraded with a grin
Through the streets where they hoisted up the trophy.
(Insert Bob Dylan harmonica music here)
The Spartan Team
Celebration rings out in a St. Louis night
Justin Abdelkader scored the winning goal
Only eighteen seconds left in the game
Cries out, my God, remember the name
Here comes the story of the Spartan team
The team that accomplished the ultimate dream
For something people said couldn’t be done
They beat Boston College, three to one
To be the college champions of the world
They lost Drew Miller, Coach Comley could see
And five important seniors, he said they were the key
But the team still looked good, he gave a thumbs up with his hand
We have potential to reach the Frozen, I hope you understand
The had a rough November where they skidded a little
But they beat Michigan in December in a GLI battle
And they start January in Ohio, where they split with the RedHawks
And they watched Vukovic excel
Meanwhile, all around the CCHA
Teams were looking at them, watchin’ them play
A possible contender for the conference crown
Had no idea what kind of fallout was about to go down
When a team came back from three goals down
Unlike the time before and the time before that
With these Spartans, that’s just the way things go
You’ve gotta play a game in its whole
Unless you wanna blow the game
Jeff Lerg had a fast glove hand
He was a hard worker, but got no respect
Until one day against Michigan, he made 60 saves
He had a smile on his face, even though it was a tie game
And Coach Comley proudly nodded his head
He said, look out boys, that kid’l play til he’s dead
So they rode him the rest of the year
And the opponents began to play in fear
Because this little goalie was the next real thing
Yeah, here’s the story of the Spartan team
The team that accomplished the ultimate dream
For something people said couldn’t be done
They beat Boston College, three to one
To be the college champions of the world
A month later, things aren’t going right
Western swept the team, BG spoiled senior night
While Chris Lawrence tried to keep the guys up
With the national tournament looming, they’ve gotta to figure out their stuff
Remember in December when we won the GLI?
Remember when big McKenzie leveled that guy?
You think you can get back to that game?
Think you can forget about the shame that
They felt when they lost to Bowling Green.
Bryan Lerg said, I’m pretty sure
Chris Mueller said we just could use a little break
We’ve done some good things this year, things that we’re proud
We just need some time away to get things sorted out
We just gotta shake off this bloody curse
Campus is against us, our hockey’s getting worse
We wanna turn this thing around
We know what we’re capable of
We’re good enough to take the crown
Tim Kennedy could dangle a puck like no other
He played with Abs and Crowder, the three were like brothers
The scored goals, hit, and were the top line
They were only sophomores, their talent was fine
Inside of Munn Ice Arena
Where the ice is crisp and the fans are meaner
It packs six thousand plus
But winning in there is a must
Or else, the people will dub you a bust
All the Spartans cards were marked in advance
They scored a number three seed in the national dance
Their first game was against east coast team Boston
They beat em, 5-1, and flat out tossed em
Then came defensive Notre Dame
It was a 2-1 win thanks to a Kennedy score
The Spartans advanced to the Frozen Four
Yeah, here’s the story of the Spartan team
The team that accomplished the ultimate dream
For something people said couldn’t be done
They beat Boston College, three to one
To be the college champions of the world
Their semifinal game came against Maine
They fell behind 2-0, they were looking really plain
But the Spartans, they were just getting warmed up
They scored four goals and strutted their stuff
In the end, Maine got outplayed
And the Spartans advanced to the championship game
Now Boston College was a pretty good team
Til Lerg made a huge save and Kennedy tied the game
Abdelkader scored with eighteen tics to go
Mueller added an empty netter, say it ain’t so
That’s the story of the Spartan team
The team that accomplished the ultimate dream
East Lansing celebrated the win
The boys paraded with a grin
Through the streets where they hoisted up the trophy.
(Insert Bob Dylan harmonica music here)
Monday, July 09, 2007
Congratulations to power forward Jim McKenzie who will forego his senior season at Michigan State to sign with the NHL's Ottawa Senators. It's a big loss for MSU. McKenzie wasn't a dominant offensive player, but had a divine physical presence with his 6'2 frame. He was often hampered by injuries at MSU, but when healthy, was a force. His departure was expected, and the thing I love about Spartan hockey is the commitment to excellence doesn't stop when players decide to leave early.
"We wish him the best and now the coaching staff will be on him until he finishes up his degree,'' - Assistant Coach Tom Newton as written by Lansing State Journal hockey writer Neil Koepke.
IN other MSU hockey news, teenage phenom Matt Duchene, who verbally committed to MSU last summer, is out. Duchene was the No. 1 pick in the Ontario Hockey League draft last spring and opted that route over the college one. It's probably a smart one for Duchene's long-term hockey career. Duchene, 16, can now adjust in the OHL and enter the NHL earlier when he's eligible to become drafted. He'll likely sign a pro contract right out of the OHL. It's a loss for MSU, no question, Duchene was supposed to be the real deal. But he would have waited another year or two to enroll and would have probably departed after a single season for the pros had he opted for the college route.
"We wish him the best and now the coaching staff will be on him until he finishes up his degree,'' - Assistant Coach Tom Newton as written by Lansing State Journal hockey writer Neil Koepke.
IN other MSU hockey news, teenage phenom Matt Duchene, who verbally committed to MSU last summer, is out. Duchene was the No. 1 pick in the Ontario Hockey League draft last spring and opted that route over the college one. It's probably a smart one for Duchene's long-term hockey career. Duchene, 16, can now adjust in the OHL and enter the NHL earlier when he's eligible to become drafted. He'll likely sign a pro contract right out of the OHL. It's a loss for MSU, no question, Duchene was supposed to be the real deal. But he would have waited another year or two to enroll and would have probably departed after a single season for the pros had he opted for the college route.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Stanley Cup Alert: Hockey's holy grail is scheduled to be in East Lansing on July 5 with Anaheim Ducks rookie Drew Miller.
In other Spartan hockey news, I was at a BBQ at my boss' house the other day and ran into a gentleman named Art Underwood there who covered the Spartan hockey team for The State News back in the old days when Amo Bessone ran the bench in Dem Hall. He was a newspaper reporter, but said that the team would list him as the backup goalie on the roster so he could travel with the team to away games. It was such a different time back then. I've read stories about how Amo would invited the referees and opposition over to his house following games for dinner. Imagine that happening in today's world of sports.
Below is a video I created about the Michigan State Spartan's national championship run of 2007. I'd like to invite you to observe it.
In other Spartan hockey news, I was at a BBQ at my boss' house the other day and ran into a gentleman named Art Underwood there who covered the Spartan hockey team for The State News back in the old days when Amo Bessone ran the bench in Dem Hall. He was a newspaper reporter, but said that the team would list him as the backup goalie on the roster so he could travel with the team to away games. It was such a different time back then. I've read stories about how Amo would invited the referees and opposition over to his house following games for dinner. Imagine that happening in today's world of sports.
Below is a video I created about the Michigan State Spartan's national championship run of 2007. I'd like to invite you to observe it.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Who said that expansion hasn't worked for the NHL?
Congratulations to Patrick Eaves and and James vanRiemsdyk, who were the first two selections in the draft, and the first two Americans to be picked back-to-back in Draft history. Eaves is from Buffalo and vanRiemsdyk from New Jersey, and it goes to show that while TV ratings in the states aren't necessarily breaking records, participation is at an all-time high in America and more and more players are coming out of the country.
I think it was a pretty good draft for the Red Wings as well. Their first-round selection of Brendan Smith, a puck-moving defenseman should fit well in the team's future for when Nicklas Lidstrom retires. Plus, he's 6-foot-1 and has the ability to be a physical presence on the ice as well. He'll be attending Wisconsin and should be fun to monitor over the next two years.
I've finally finished the tribute video I've been working on in regards to the NCAA National Champion Spartans and look for me to post that soon.
Congratulations to Patrick Eaves and and James vanRiemsdyk, who were the first two selections in the draft, and the first two Americans to be picked back-to-back in Draft history. Eaves is from Buffalo and vanRiemsdyk from New Jersey, and it goes to show that while TV ratings in the states aren't necessarily breaking records, participation is at an all-time high in America and more and more players are coming out of the country.
I think it was a pretty good draft for the Red Wings as well. Their first-round selection of Brendan Smith, a puck-moving defenseman should fit well in the team's future for when Nicklas Lidstrom retires. Plus, he's 6-foot-1 and has the ability to be a physical presence on the ice as well. He'll be attending Wisconsin and should be fun to monitor over the next two years.
I've finally finished the tribute video I've been working on in regards to the NCAA National Champion Spartans and look for me to post that soon.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Congratulations to Nicklas Lidstrom for winning his 5th Norris Trophy and Pavel Datsyuk for winning his second Lady Byng Trophy Thursday, June 14 at the annual NHL Awards. Lidstrom is in an elite class of his own and Datsyuk is one of the most electrifying players to lace up the skates in the NHL today. Both had stellar seasons. The NHL doesn't have an award for "Toughest S.O.B." but if it did, Tomas Holmstrom would surely claim that hardware.
Speaking of Red Wings, the pieces are starting to come together for next year. Chelios just signed a one-year contract and Hasek announced his return for another run. Signing Chelios is a bargain. He makes under a million dollars, plays with a warrior mentality, and is a great teacher for the younger kids. And obviously Hasek coming back is huge. The Dominator was stellar all last season and won't claim much salary, allowing the Red Wings to go after free agents.
The National Champs
The 2007 National Champions of college hockey have garnered a lot of attention state-wide. One of the first things I remember in my time interning on Mackinac so far was a co-worker from the sister paper here telling me how awesome that game was. Granted this person is a U-M fan and a CMU grad.
Matt Bishop, who is currently interning for the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA), told me that the Spartans are slated to visit the White House sometime in June and that Rick Comley threw out the first pitch at a Tigers game a few weeks ago. Apparently, the crowd gave him a great ovation that impressed first-base coach Andy Van Slyke.
Snoop
In a previous post I mentioned how great a CBC interview with rapper Snoop Dogg was at an Anaheim Ducks hockey game. Below is the link to the video. It's a can't miss.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=EbOomu0mo-Y
Speaking of Red Wings, the pieces are starting to come together for next year. Chelios just signed a one-year contract and Hasek announced his return for another run. Signing Chelios is a bargain. He makes under a million dollars, plays with a warrior mentality, and is a great teacher for the younger kids. And obviously Hasek coming back is huge. The Dominator was stellar all last season and won't claim much salary, allowing the Red Wings to go after free agents.
The National Champs
The 2007 National Champions of college hockey have garnered a lot of attention state-wide. One of the first things I remember in my time interning on Mackinac so far was a co-worker from the sister paper here telling me how awesome that game was. Granted this person is a U-M fan and a CMU grad.
Matt Bishop, who is currently interning for the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA), told me that the Spartans are slated to visit the White House sometime in June and that Rick Comley threw out the first pitch at a Tigers game a few weeks ago. Apparently, the crowd gave him a great ovation that impressed first-base coach Andy Van Slyke.
Snoop
In a previous post I mentioned how great a CBC interview with rapper Snoop Dogg was at an Anaheim Ducks hockey game. Below is the link to the video. It's a can't miss.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=EbOomu0mo-Y
Friday, June 08, 2007
Congratulations are due for the Anaheim Ducks for winning the 2007 Stanley Cup. I'm particularly happy for Teemu Selanne and Drew Miller. Teemu has had a tremendous career, is an ambassador to the sport in his native Finland, and seems like an all-around good guy. Drew only played two games in the Finals, but now will have his name on the ultimate prize in all of sports. And as I said in previous posts, this will completely wash away the disappointment of not being on the MSU National Championship team of 2007. Good for both of them.
Reflections from the Finals:
I think you have to give a lot of credit to Anaheim's defense. They were able to shut down the highly touted threesome of Dany Heatly, Jason Spezza, and Daniel Alfredsson. At the same time, you have to give credit to the Detroit Red Wings forwards for not disappearing in their series with the Ducks. If the injury-riddled Red Wings would have found a way to have won their series against Anaheim, there's no question who would be Cup Champions this season. And with a healthy Matt Schneider and Nicklas Kronwall, I think the Wings get there.
A lot of people enjoy making a big deal about how low-rated television ratings for the Finals were in America. I really don't care. I'll care when the buildings don't fill up with fans and fan ship continued upward trends in the NHL last season. The bottom line is that Anaheim is still a franchise in its infancy and doesn't draw a lot of national attention as opposed to an Original Six team or team they can actually market like a Pittsburgh Penguins.
It should be a very interesting off season, from free agency to observing the steps the NHL is continuing to make. Stay tuned...
Reflections from the Finals:
I think you have to give a lot of credit to Anaheim's defense. They were able to shut down the highly touted threesome of Dany Heatly, Jason Spezza, and Daniel Alfredsson. At the same time, you have to give credit to the Detroit Red Wings forwards for not disappearing in their series with the Ducks. If the injury-riddled Red Wings would have found a way to have won their series against Anaheim, there's no question who would be Cup Champions this season. And with a healthy Matt Schneider and Nicklas Kronwall, I think the Wings get there.
A lot of people enjoy making a big deal about how low-rated television ratings for the Finals were in America. I really don't care. I'll care when the buildings don't fill up with fans and fan ship continued upward trends in the NHL last season. The bottom line is that Anaheim is still a franchise in its infancy and doesn't draw a lot of national attention as opposed to an Original Six team or team they can actually market like a Pittsburgh Penguins.
It should be a very interesting off season, from free agency to observing the steps the NHL is continuing to make. Stay tuned...
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