MSU hockey (3-6 overall) is still fighting to turn the corner as a program. When head coach Tom Anastos said before the season that the Spartans can see the corner, it was difficult to tell what he meant by that. Now, nine games into the season, his message is becoming more and more clear.
Of the Spartans’ six losses, five have come by one goal and four of those came from teams ranked in the top-15. With the latest 3-2 loss to No. 8 Boston College on Friday, frustration could have started to creep in. Instead, MSU is trying to look at these early non-conference games as a positive, learning experience.
“You learn a lot about your team playing against the best,” senior forward and captain Michael Ferrantino said. “It kind of points out your positives and your weaknesses that much more. Not only that, but we know now that we can play with those teams.”
While it’s always good to hear the captain say that, Anastos said he is confident that this mentality is spreading throughout the locker room. Not only that, he is noticing the talent level is continuing to rise for the Spartans.
“The attitude and the work habits and the commitment and the hunger of our team the last couple years has been very high,” Anastos said. “Our talent level has improved on our team. I think our skill sets have improved, and we’ve gained some experience the last couple years. We’re going through those growing pains of gaining experience, but our team’s getting better.”
With just four seniors on the roster, MSU does not have the ability that other programs have to mix and match underclassmen with upperclassmen. While it hurts the team in experience, it also gives Anastos a chance to mold his players into the system he envisions.
Even though there have been some bumps in the road, both Anastos and the players are sticking with the system and dedicating themselves to it.
“We need to take our team and we have to improve our ability to execute at a higher pace,” Anastos said. “I love the commitment that our guys make ... we had a good week of practice. They’re working hard. They’re very resilient.”
“We are more talented and we are gaining experience and so, hopefully when all those things start to come together, that’s when we can turn the corner. Our schedule hasn’t made it easy turning the corner,” he said.
With two games against Ohio State this Thursday and Friday officially kicking off MSU’s Big Ten schedule, time will tell how the Spartans used these early non-conference games.
