Monthly Archives: September 2008
>CCHA Media Day
>Just a quick summary here, as I’m heading out the door.
– Justin Mercier was named to the preseason all-conference first team
– Carter Camper was named to the second team
– Miami was ranked third in the coaches poll and fourth in the media poll.
You can view the rest of the polls and all conference teams here.
Some quotes now, from Rico:
“We feel real good about our team We have a lot of seniors with a lot of experience. We feel good that the culture is very stable and our guys understand how to prepare and play and what the process is throughout the entire season and what it takes to really compete at a high level. Every team here prepares well and understands so I think our guys really get that.
“As far as our freshmen goaltenders are concerned they are young but we feel that they can play for us. But it will remain to be seen who will emerge as number one but to start off I think both are going to play.
“As far as Justin Mercier is concerned, obviously the coaches felt very strongly about picking him on the All-Conference Preseason Team. He is one of the guys who is capable of putting up some big numbers and hopefully he continues what he started a year ago.”
>Updates from Around the NHL
>Just a short update here. I’ve compiled this post of where our Miami alumni are, training camp wise after all the cuts, reassignments, and whatnot.
Los Angeles Kings:
Assigned goaltender Jeff Zatkoff to Manchester of the AHL
Montreal Canadiens:
Assigned forward Mike Glumac to Hamilton of the AHL
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins:
Assigned forward Nino Musitelli to Dayton of the ECHL
Other notes:
– Ryan Jones is still in the hunt for an NHL roster spot in Nashville
– Marty Guerin will be attending the Hartford Wolfpack AHL camp
– Nathan Davis is attending the Rockford IceHogs AHL camp
– Mitch Ganzak is in camp with the Binghamton Senators of the AHL
– Alec Martinez is still in camp with the LA Kings
– Kevyn Adams may indeed be a Chicago Blackhawk on opening night, as he was a free agent invitee. He’s had a solid camp for a veteran player.
>Musitelli Finds the Net in Debut
>Thanks to reader Andrew for the following.
Musitelli Scores in Exhibition Debut:
Nino Musitelli and Elgin Reid were credited with goals, as the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins posted a 2-1 win against the Binghamton Senators in preseason action on Friday night at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena.
The Penguins took a 1-0 lead 11 minutes into the game, when Musitelli swooped in from behind the net to pounce on a loose puck. His backhand smack sent the biscuit fluttering over a prone Mitch O’Keefe.
Congrats Nino!
>Jones Continues Hot Streak
>
Things just keep getting better for Ryan Jones. He scored his first official preseason goal of the season in a 4-2 Nashville loss to the Atlanta Thrashers, although he had one goal and one assist in two rookie games against the Thrashers earlier in the week.
Jones in front of the net?? Really?! Who knew! The NHL.com game summary reports that Ryan was also selected as the game’s third star by the Nashville media.
Brandon Felder, over at HockeyBuzz is becoming my new best friend. Here are some post game quotes from Jonesy, from Felder’s column:
(Jones received the number three spot on Felder’s Five, based on his performance tonight)
Ryan Jones on his 1st pre-season experience: “The game was a lot faster than even the games a couple days ago so it took me a few minutes to realize that guys would be on you that much quicker. I was a little nervous.”
Jones on his deflection goal: “It was a great play. Mikey won the draw and Kleiner did a good job of getting the shot through. All I had to do was go to the net, which basically what I try to do all the time, and put a stick on all the pucks that come through and it went in.”
Jones will be in the lineup on Friday when the Predators travel to Columbus to take on my Blue Jackets. What a bittersweet moment it’ll be for me…Ryan Jones, playing against my favorite team and for a division rival.
FRIDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE:
From The City Paper:
ALONG CAME JONES: Forwards Ryan Jones and Patric Hornqvist both did a great job of establishing themselves in front of the net. Jones was able to redirect a shot by Klein past Atlanta goaltender Ondrej Pavelec.
“We played a possession game down low,” said Jones. “All around we did a pretty good job. We kept them off of the scoreboard which is pretty important when you are out there.
“I’ve done a decent job down low. There are still a few plays where I could have done a better job, but overall I think our line has done a great job of cycling the puck down low and playing that possession game.”
Jones knows there is no security for a prospect. He has played in two rookie games as well.
“I’m just trying not to stretch out of my game,” Jones said. “I don’t want to be somebody I’m not.”
>Murphy Commits to Miami
>
News coming late tonight that Miami has landed it’s second hockey commitment this week. Forward Cody Murphy ,a 17 year old from Highwood, Illinois, has committed to play hockey at Miami beginning in the 2010 season and currently plays for the Cedar Rapids Roughriders of the USHL. Here’s what some are saying about Miami’s latest catch:
From the Select 17 Camp Report:
Cody Murphy-Never really able to put things together and score like he is capable of, but is still incredibly talented. A good skater with excellent finishing ability.
From the Western College Hockey Recruiting Board:
Cody Murphy-Columbus(USHL)-Very fast with good finishing ability and a nice shot.
Murphy’s Stats from Team Illinois:
2007/2008- 24 GP, 14 G, 8 A, 24 PIM
2006/2007-26 GP, 6 G, 10 A, 32 PIM
2004/2005- 28 GP, 18 G, 19 A, 32 PIM
>Davis Assigned to Rockford
>
The first round of cuts for the Chicago Blackhawks leaves former RedHawk forward Nathan Davis a victim of circumstance as he has been assigned to the Blackhawks AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs.
No surprise here. Davis was a long shot to make the roster anyway, but hopefully, will see some ice time with the ‘Hogs.
Where do you see Nathan fitting in with Rockford? Do you think his shoulder will stay healthy throughout the season?
>Boyle at Sharks Camp Update
>
Ryan Garner over at HockeyBuzz has a nice recap of the San Jose Sharks Teal-White Game. In it, he has a brief observation of former RedHawk defenseman Dan Boyle, in his first season with the San Jose Sharks:
“Dan Boyle and Joe Pavelski were the best players on the ice. Boyle went through the entire team a couple times (no spin-o-rama required) and was really strong at the point on the power play, holding the puck in and controlling it.”
No surprise here, as we all know Boyle has been a standout defenseman in the NHL for the past several years.
>Jones Scores Goal, Preds Drop Rookie Game
>
Per Nashville Predators Official Website:
“Mike Sanotrelli picked up a goal and an assist and Ryan Jones netted a goal as the Predators rookies rallied from one-goal down on two occasions, before eventually dropping a 3-2 shootout decision in Monday night’s rookie game against the Atlanta Thrashers at the Sommet Center.”
Great for Jonesy!
UPDATE:
The Predators, today, found themselves in the “W” column of game two of the rookie series against the Thrashers. Sounds like Ryan Jones had another solid day.
The standout line of Mike Santorelli paired with Andreas Thuresson and Ryan Jones would combine for the lone five-on-five goal of the game with 2:50 expired in the middle frame. Santorelli’s second goal is as many days came on a rebound attempt – he slammed an initial stuff attempt home by Jones.
Jones therefore gets credit for the assist! One goal and one assist for ol’ number 26 (now 28) in two games against Atlanta.
>Zatkoff Update
>
Jeff Zatkoff saw his first NHL preseason action last night, as the Kings traveled to Kansas City to take on the St. Louis Blues.
Zatkoff reportedly played a decent game, but allowed one goal, to veteran Paul Kariya.
Also, letsgokings.com has a nice interview with Kings goaltending coach Bill Ranford who had a few things to say about JZ:
Ranford on Zatkoff and the tandem he shared at Miami of Ohio vs. Bernier who played as a starter at Lewiston:
I think the best way to explain that we had two individuals. We had Jeff Zatkoff and Jonathan Bernier; one playing junior as a starter and one flip-flopping in Miami. Over a two-year process, Zatkoff might get maybe 50 starts and then Bernier would probably get close to 100 to 120 starts. As far as a development process, we were concerned. We talked with the school and they felt strongly that Jeff would move into the No. 1 role. He was handed that role last year and it was a real learning experience for him being able to play the bulk of the load. I think he grew as a goalie. The way you grow as a goalie is by playing games.
Ranford on Zatkoff’s continued development if he finds himself in a tandem for the net in Manchester:
There’s going to be a four-way battle for it. You never know; injuries come into play. You never know what’s going to happen after the two spots are taken here in L.A. It’s going to be a four-way battle down in Manchester until we decide which way the guys go. So right now the way our organization works, we’ve got two guys here in L.A. There’s going to be two guys battling in Manchester; and then probably one guy in Ontario down the road here, and one in Reading. Our hope is that it’s a good goalie battle right to the bitter end and they make it tough for us to make a decision on who goes where.
On a side note, I just realized something with Zats’ mask. Yes, it’s a Manchester paint job, but it’s very similar to the design he wore as a RedHawk. Look below and note the large white space in the middle between each logo:
>RedHawks to Begin Season Ranked 8th In USA
>USA Today has released it’s first NCAA Division I hockey poll of the season. Our Miami RedHawks come in at number eight on the list. Here now, the always exciting top fifteen teams:
1. Boston College
2. University of Michigan
3. University of Notre Dame
4. University of North Dakota
5. Colorado College
6. University of Denver
7. University of New Hampshire
8. Miami University
9. University of Minnesota
10. Boston University
11. Clarkson University
12. Michigan State University
13. University of Wisconsin
14. Northern Michigan University
15. St. Cloud State University
This is the 25th consecutive week that the RedHawks have been ranked in the top 10. Personally, I think slotting us in the number eight spot is just right. We lost a lot this offseason and I think there is a general condern of just how well we’ll perform this season, under such circumstances.
What do you think? Too high? Too low? What about the other teams?
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