Monthly Archives: December 2008
>Zatkoff a Lone Star & More
>– As an update to an earlier post, the ECHL American Conference all-star roster was announced today…sans former RedHawks, making Jeff Zatkoff the only Miamian to patricipate in the upcoming all-star game.
– Also in ECHL news, the Dayton Bombers have placed Nino Musitelli on the 7 day injured reserve list (shoulder).
>Blasi One Win Away from 200…
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Today’s Miami Memory profiles the career of head coach Enrico Blasi. You can check it out by clicking here.
It’s important to note that the next RedHawk victory will be Rico’s 200th career win at Miami.
The Miami Icers begin the second half of the 2008-2009 season with the Ohio Hockey Classic, this weekend, in Columbus, on the campus of The Ohio State University. The RedHawks won the tournament last season.
Other Ohio Hockey Classic Notes:
– The RedHawks have only lost one game in the Ohio Hockey Classic since the first OHC. In the first OHC Miami was held winless.
– The RedHawks hold a record of 3-1 in first round games of the Ohio Hockey Classic and have won their last three consecutive OHC openers.
– Miami opens the tournament on Friday afternoon at 5:05pm against Clarkson. Ohio State will take on Army in the late game of The Classic, at 8:05pm.
>Zatkoff Seeing Stars
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The good news continues for Jeff Zatkoff today, as he was named to the National Conference roster for the 2009 ECHL All Star Game.
Zatkoff put up impressive numbers this season with the Ontario Reign, posting an 8-6-1 record, with a 2.39 goals against average; numbers that are second best in the ECHL.
Currently, he’s with the Manchester Monarchs of the AHL. In his only appearance, the Chesterfield, MI native Zatkoff is 0-1, with a 3.05 GAA.
The 17th annual ECHL All-Star game takes place on January 21, in Reading, PA. Rosters for the American Conference, will be announced later today.
Here are the former Miamians in the American Conference and their updated stats:
Marty Guerin- Charlotte Checkers (0gp, 0g, 0a)
Nino Musitelli- Dayton Bombers (24gp, 6g, 13a)
Ernie Hartlieb- Florida Everblades (28gp, 11g, 14a)
Joe Cooper- Reading Royals (24gp, 1g, 3a)
Charlie Effinger-Trenton Devils (11gp, 5-5-1, 3.14 GAA)
Mitch Ganzak- Wheeling Nailers (27gp, 3g, 17a)
>Knapp Ranked a Top 7 NCAA Pick
>Over at Hockey’s Future, the prognosticating for the 2009 NHL Entry Draft has already begun, and while the NCAA crop isn’t very deep, HF has identified seven NCAA players that could go early, come draft day. It was a nice surprise to see Connor Knapp mentioned:
At 6’5, Knapp certainly stands out. But his size isn’t the only impressive thing about the RedHawks rookie netminder. His athleticism is really quite remarkable for such a big man. He is also very focused and does an outstanding job of following plays and staying square to shooters.
Knapp has been splitting time with fellow freshman Cody Reichard, continuing a growing trend of superb goaltenders manning the nets for the RedHawks. The York, NY native has appeared in nine games thus far, posting a 7-1-1 record that includes one shutout. His 1.77 GAA ranks 11th in the nation, while his .924 save percentage ranks 22nd. He earned his lone CCHA Rookie of the Week honor back on Nov. 17.
Do you expect Knapp to be picked? What NHL teams could use a blue chip goaltending prospect in their system?
>2009 Jersey Auction Information
>Details were originally posted over on the Miami Blue Line Club website, so full credit goes to the BLC for this post, but I thought I’d share these here as well, in case anyone was unaware of this info.
– The jerseys auctioned this season will be the 2008-2009 away (red) jerseys
– All numbers will be included in the auction
– Minimum bid for each game used jersey is $200.00
– The auction will be held during the following games:
Saturday, January 31, vs. Bowling Green
Friday, February 20, vs. Northern Michigan
Saturday, February 27, vs. Ohio State
– I should also point out that certain numbers will be auctioned at certain games.
For more information, and to find out when your favorite player’s number will be auctioned, visit the Miami BLC page for more details.
**Note: If anyone would like to bid on # 23 for me, it would make an excellent late Christmas present! Hint hint!**
>Davis Yet to Find Groove in Rockford
>Hockey’s Future has released it’s assessment of the Chicago Blackhawks minor league prospects and former RedHawk forward Nathan Davis is ranked 14th on the list of the top 19 prospects. Here’s HF’s take on the Rockford IceHog:
In his first professional season out of Miami of Ohio, Nathan Davis has yet to show flashes of the brilliance he displayed in college. He has scored 3 goals and 2 assists this season in 27 games, with a team-worst -7 rating. A fourth-round pick in 2005, the 22-year-old winger will be given plenty of time to find his game in Rockford.
Davis played in today’s game against the Chicago Wolves and registered no points, but was called for a penalty late in the game. Here are his current numbers:
28 games played
3 goals
2 assists
-7 rating
10 PIM
Personally, I wonder what affects, if any, Nate is feeling from his shoulder injury that plagued his senior season at Miami. When he’s 100 % healthy, he can put up big numbers, take for example, his junior season, a 50 point season, in which he scored 21 goals. Hopefully, he can find his scoring prowess in the near future.
>Zatkoff, Robitaille, & More
>– Jeff Zatkoff made 19 saves for the Manchester Monarchs in his first AHL game, however, it was in a losing effort as the Manitoba Moose beat the Monarchs, 3-2 on Wednesday night. Alec Martinez also added an assist on the first Manchester
goal.
– Foxsports.com 
has compiled a list of the top ten NHL trades of the past year. Featured on the list is Sharks’ defenseman Dan Boyle, who comes in at number two on the list, after being acquired from the Tampa Bay Lightning in July.
Check it out here.
– Randy Robitaille has been selected to play for Team Canada’s Spengler Cup team. The Spengler is the second oldest international tournament in the world and is held in Davos, Switzerland. The first winners of the Cup were the Oxford University Ice Team, in 1923.
You can read the rest of the article and check out the rest of the rosters by clicking here.
>Zatkoff Gets the Call & More
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– The Manchester Monarchs have announced that they have called up goaltender Jeff Zatkoff from Ontario of the ECHL. This is due to Jonathan Quick’s call up to Los Angeles, under emergency conditions.
– The RedHawks has moved up to number two in the latest USCHO Division I poll. Other CCHA notables are Michigan (12), Nebraska-Omaha (16) and Alaska (18).
– Still no official word tonight on Nino Musitelli’s reported shoulder injury. He hasn’t been placed on the IR as of yet.
– The New Jersey Devils have taken defenseman Andy Greene off of the injured reserve list, after recovering from a broken hand. Greene may return tonight, against Toronto, or tomorrow night, when the Devils take on the Sabres.
– After a six point weekend against RPI, sophomore forward Carter Camper has been named as one of the CCHA Players’ of the Week.
>Report: Musitelli Injured
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I’ve received more than one report that Nino Musitelli left Dayton’s game on Sunday night against Charlotte in the third period with a dislocated shoulder and that he’s going to be examined and placed on the IR as early as tomorrow.
I’ll try and track down the official word on this and post an update as soon as I find out.
>What a First Half!
>Wow…what a conclusion to the first half to the season, with a 7-1 win over RPI today. I think the question of “is this a rebuilding year or a reloading year” has most certainly been answered, given our play thus far. I for one would have never thought we’d be one point out of first place in the CCHA, with a 12-3-3 record and four consecutive weekend sweeps going into the New Year. What a nice surprise that is!
So now, without further ado, here are my first half awards, complete with cheesy names:
Gary DeLonge Most Valuable Player Award: Carter Camper, SO, 11 goals, 15 assists
Top Newcomer Award: Chris Wideman, D, 0 goals, 15 assists, +8 rating
Bobby Marshall Defensive Player of the Year: Kevin Roeder, 1 goal, 1 assist, + 6 rating
SDS Pizza Most Improved Player: Gary Steffes, JR, 6 goals, 5 assists, + 13 rating
Rich Shulmistra Goaltender of the Year Award: Connor Knapp, FR, 7-1-1, 1.77 GAA
So, there you have it. Our ‘Hawks are off until 2009, where they’ll meet the Clarkson Golden Knights, along with Army or Ohio State at the Ohio Hockey Classic, in Columbus. In the new year, the RedHawks get right back into it with a weekend series at Michigan, followed by a Michigan State homestand and then a trip out west to Omaha to take on the Mavericks. Another thing to keep in mind: The end of season home and home with Ohio State may indeed have meaning this year, as the Buckeyes, led by the stellar play of Dustin Carlson, are lurking in 6th place in the CCHA with a record of 11-6-1. I certainly didn’t see John Markell getting 11 wins out of that team the entire season. It’s sure to be a great matchup, come late February.
The CCHA standings have also been updated on the top left corner of this page. As you’re aware, there are some major surprises this season in the league. Here are my top three:
1. Michigan State (4-11-3)
– The Spartans were picked to be near the top of the CCHA, led by veteran goaltender and team captain, Jeff Lerg. This young MSU squad is 0-9-1 in their last 10 games. Next up for the Spartans, the Great Lakes Invitational on December 26.
2. Northern Michigan (3-10-3)
– The Wildcats have also been struggling as of late, going just 1-7-2 in their last 10 (not counting an exhibition win over the USNDTP this weekend). Projected fourth in the preseason coaches’ poll, Walt Kyle’s ‘Cats have quickly fallen out of CCHA title contention and will most assuredly go on the road for the first round of the playoffs.
3. Ohio State (11-6-1)
– One of the hottest teams in the country now…imagine that, the Buckeyes! OSU has strung together a 9-1 record in their last 10 with a solid weekend sweep in November over a very good Nebraska-Omaha squad. In the new year, conference play for the ‘Bucks has tight matchups at Bowling Green, at Ferris State, home with Western Michigan, and a long trip to Alaska. OSU is certainly a team to watch and very well could make it’s way into a top 4 finish.
Who would you hand out awards to, based on first-half play?
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