MSU Blue Line Club Supporting Spartan Hockey Since 1962 NEWSLETTER • VOL. 1, 2016-17 Young Spartans Gain Confidence as Big Ten Play Begins By Neil Koepke MSUSpartans.com When Michigan State opened the college hockey season in mid-October, there were a myriad of questions to be answered about the direction of the new-look Spartans. How would MSU replace graduated standout goaltender Jake Hildebrand? Where would the scoring come from? And how would the Spartans respond with 10 freshmen on the roster and most playing key roles? Two months into the season, after experiencing the usual growing pains and some low and high moments, the answers to the prominent questions are starting to come. For sure, it’s taken some time for Michigan State to come together as a team and get its game in sync. But it’s apparent forward Villiam Haag. that there has been steady improvement, and that the skill Minney started the season sharing the goaltending duties level of this team is higher than in recent seasons. with freshman John Lethemon. In the first seven games, Min- The low moment of the season was the opening weekend ney made four starts and Lethemon three. when the Spartans got swept at Lake Superior State, 6-1, 7-3. Minney showed steady improvement and he was rewarded Ouch! That was misery for the players, coaches and fans. with both starts against Ferris State – a home loss and crucial Steady improvement followed, and despite some disap- road win – and played at a high level against North Dakota. pointing losses, Michigan State showed it was more competi- For two seasons playing behind Hildebrand, an NCAA West tive, and several players elevated their game. All-American in 2015, Minney showed tremendous patience Sticking to the process and improving steadily led to the and a good attitude, waiting for his turn to play. highest moment of the season. The Spartans stunned No. 5 This season, Minney was determined to make the most of North Dakota over Thanksgiving weekend with a 4-3 victory his opportunity to play regularly. and 2-2 tie at Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, one of the most “I feel like I worked my way up to it. I’ve been chomping at difficult buildings to play in throughout college hockey. the bit the whole time trying to get ready with my chance,’’ said MSU enters Big Ten play in December with a 4-6-1 record Minney, one of college hockey’s tallest goaltenders at 6-foot-5 and more confidence and swagger than it had after a 0-4 start. and 197 pounds. “I worked hard in the summer to get ready. I Seven freshmen and four sophomores were in the lineup at feel like I’ve gotten better each week, and the more you play North Dakota, and yet six seniors were still playing major roles and have some success, it helps your confidence.’’ and providing solid leadership. In the win at North Dakota, Michigan State held a 4-1 lead There were plenty of bright spots to savor as the Spartans midway through the third period. But UND scored two goals were close to wrapping up the first third of the season. within 31 seconds, the lead was down to one goal, and the Two of the biggest positives are the rise of junior goalten- Fighting Hawks applied tremendous pressure after the two der Ed Minney, who played in only four games and started one quick goals. in his first two years in the program, and the exciting, up-tempo “It’s hard not be nervous when you’re 2-2 at North Dakota,” play by the forward line of freshman Patrick Khodorenko at Minney said with a laugh. “At the same time, as a goalie playing center with sophomore Mason Appleton on right wing and back to back games, the guys are looking to me to get a feel for freshman Taro Hirose on left wing. the game and if they see me back there panicking, everyone is After an uneven start, Minney has looked poised and going to be getting on their toes. But when I’m back there and comfortable under pressure, and you can see his confidence the other team is shooting from the point and I’m in control, growing with each game. calm and making saves, everyone gets a confidence boost.’’ Khodorenko, Appleton and Hirose are highly skilled and That’s what Minney is doing for his team, and his team- have developed into MSU’s most productive line. The trio is mates appreciate his level of play and consistency. capable of lifting fans out of their seats, and especially threat- Continued... ening on the power play with defenseman Zach Osburn and Blue Line Club President’s Letter 2016-17 SCHEDULE As I am writing this, we are coming to a close on the non-conference OCTOBER Sun. 2 UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO (Exhib.) T, 2-2 (OT) portion of the schedule. While the win-loss record isn’t exactly as good as Fri. 14 at Lake Superior State L, 1-6 everyone had hoped it would be, the team is playing hard and showing Sat. 15 at Lake Superior State L, 3-7 Fri. 21 No. 6/6 DENVER L, 1-2 improvement while integrating 11 new players. Most definitely, the future Sat. 22 No. 6/6 DENVER L, 1-3 is bright for Spartan hockey. Fri. 28 PRINCETON W, 6-2 NOVEMBER I encourage all members to take a look at the luncheon and reception Fri. 4 MICHIGAN TECH W, 3-2 (OT) Comcast 900 Sat. 5 MICHIGAN TECH L, 1-5 Comcast 900 schedules and attend as many as possible. These events are fun, informa- Thur. 10 FERRIS STATE L, 1-4 tive and, most importantly, support Spartan hockey. We are trying differ- Sat. 12 at Ferris State W, 4-3 Fri. 25 at No. 5/5 North Dakota W, 4-3 ent locations than usual for these events, and would really appreciate any Sat. 26 at No. 5/5 North Dakota T, 2-2 (OT) feedback you have. DECEMBER Sun. 4 USNTDP U-18 Team (Exhib.) W, 5-1 This past summer, as everyone is aware, we lost the legendary Ron Fri. 9 No. 11/11 MINNESOTA * 6:30 p.m. BTN Sat. 10 No. 11/11 MINNESOTA * 8 p.m. BTN Mason. His support of the Blue Line Club over the years was nothing short Sun. 18 NORTHEASTERN 3:05 p.m. of extraordinary, as was everything else he did. I personally appreciated his 52nd Annual Great Lakes Invitational friendship and all of the help he gave during my service to the Club, which Thur. 29 Western Michigan [1] 7 p.m. FS Detroit is why I wanted to pay tribute to him when designing the membership pin Fri. 30 Michigan/Michigan Tech [1] 3:30/7 p.m. FS Detroit for this year. I hope everyone wears it with pride, not only for the Club and JANUARY the Michigan State Hockey program, but for Coach Mason. The Club estab- Fri. 6 at Wisconsin * 9 p.m. BTN lished the Ron Mason Endowment Fund when he retired from the Athletic Sat. 7 at Wisconsin * 8 p.m. BTN Fri. 13 at Penn State * 7 p.m. Department. I would strongly encourage all members to donate to this Sat. 14 at Penn State * 7 p.m. BTN Fund in his memory. Fri. 20 at Michigan * 6:30 p.m. BTN Sat. 21 MICHIGAN * 7 p.m. BTN Alan Corrie FEBRUARY Fri. 3 WISCONSIN * 7 p.m. Blue Line Club President Sat. 4 WISCONSIN * 7 p.m. Fri. 10 Michigan [1] * 7:30 p.m. FS Detroit Sat. 11 at Michigan * 7:30 p.m. Fri. 17 OHIO STATE * 7:05 p.m. Koepke: Young Spartans Gain Confidence as Big Ten Play Begins Sat. 18 OHIO STATE * 7:05 p.m. Fri. 24 PENN STATE * 7 p.m. BTN Sat. 25 PENN STATE * 7:05 p.m. “Minney had an incredible game. He’s probably the reason we won that MARCH game,’’ MSU senior right wing and captain Joe Cox said after the win at UND. Fri. 3 at Ohio State * 7 p.m. “He’s making the saves we need him to make and he’s making the big saves Sat. 4 at Ohio State * 8 p.m. we need to win games.’’ Fri. 10 at Minnesota * 7:30 p.m. ESPNEWS Sat. 11 at Minnesota * 8 p.m. Said MSU coach Tom Anastos: “Ed Minney is playing very well. He had a productive off-season and he’s in a good place mentally and physically. He Big Ten Tournament Thu. 16 Quarterfinals [1] looks very comfortable, he’s in control and his confidence is growing. And Fri. 17 Semifinals [1] our team has confidence in him. He was ready for this and he’s responded. Sat. 18 Championship [1] Now, it’s keep improving and consistency.’’ * - Big Ten game | All times ET On the offensive side of the puck, Appleton, Khodorenko and Hirose [1] - Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Mich. All games broadcast on BTN, FS Detroit and Comcast are available on BTN2Go.com have made a major impact and appear to have the potential to develop into Rankings are USCHO.com/USA TODAY-USA Hockey one of the best lines the Spartans have had in several seasons. Through the first 11 games, Appleton led MSU in scoring with five goals and six assists for 11 points. Hirose was tied for second with two goals and 2016-17 Home Game Promotions five assists for seven points, while Khodorenko was in a four-way tie for 1-800 GO STATE or MSUSpartans.com for fourth with six points (2-4).