MSU hockey head coach Tom Anastos completed his coaching staff Monday by announcing the hiring of two new assistant coaches, while retaining assistant coach Tom Newton and video coordinator Adam Nightingale.
Recently-hired hockey head coach Tom Anastos announced his coaching staff Monday, retaining two coaches while adding two former MSU players.
The Detroit Red Wings have battered through the Phoenix Coyotes in the first round of this season’s NHL Playoffs, displaying the poise that it takes to make another deep playoff run as they had two seasons ago and three seasons ago.
The most beautiful, exciting and intense two-month stretch of the year begins when the NHL playoffs kick off with the Detroit Red Wings hosting the Phoenix Coyotes tonight at 7 p.m. on Versus and FOX Sports Detroit. For the next two weeks, viewers will be able to enjoy three or four games on most nights as the field gets whittled down by half and the true contenders separate themselves from the pack.
Less than three weeks after the MSU hockey team’s season came to a close, MSU Athletics Director Mark Hollis introduced former CCHA Commissioner Tom Anastos as the program’s new head coach Wednesday. Anastos, 47, served as commissioner of the CCHA for the past 13 years, played under former MSU hockey coach Ron Mason from 1981-85 and served as an assistant to Mason from 1990-92.
Rick Comley had 783 wins as a college hockey coach. Ron Mason had 924 wins. Amo Bessone had 367 wins at MSU. Tom Anastos, MSU’s newest hockey head coach, is undefeated.
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The MSU hockey team finished the season earlier than many expected, but with only two graduating seniors the Spartans will bring back plenty of experience.
Spartans swept in Alaska, including Saturday night’s double-overtime loss which ends the season.
Spartans must win next two games to keep season alive.
MSU heads to Alaska for the second time in three weeks, this time looking to advance in the CCHA Tournament.
Spartans set to venture in Alaska for first round of CCHA tournament.
In head coach Rick Comley’s last series at Munn Ice Arena, the Spartans came away with their first sweep of the season.
The game had no impact in the final standings and wouldn’t impact who MSU would play in the first round of next week’s CCHA tournament. That didn’t diminish the emotion of MSU’s win and first sweep of the season Saturday and happy close to the Spartan careers of three of their own, and significance of singing the fight song in the locker room for the first time at home this year. MSU laid everything on the line for its retiring head coach, Rick Comley, and two senior forwards, Dustin Gazley and Joey Shean, to defeat Bowling Green, 2-0, Saturday at Munn Ice Arena and send them out as winners, even though they likely didn’t expect to be in 10th place in the standings at this time of year. The Spartans importantly gave their coach and players a worthy end to careers that saw extreme dedication and commitment to a program and creating some high points along the way. The Spartans, who were tabbed to finish in third or fourth in the CCHA standings before the season, weren’t playing for a CCHA championship or even for a first-round bye, but that didn’t decrease the significance of the night or the accomplishments Comley has had at MSU. Comley’s service to the program has been outstanding and his National Title and his three straight trips to the NCAA regional finals from 2006 through 2008 stand as big accomplishments in today’s CCHA. He was honored Saturday with a tribute after the game and video that highlighted the high points of his career and nine years of keeping up the MSU hockey tradition. “I’m not a glammer and glitz guy,” Comley said.
The MSU hockey team didn’t have much control over its postseason fate this weekend, but made the most of what it could control in defeating Bowling Green, 2-0, Saturday for a weekend sweep. MSU earned its first sweep of the season and did an impressive defensive job against the Falcons to give junior goalie Drew Palmisano a shutout victory. However, the Spartans will be forced to make the long trip to Alaska for the first round of the playoffs next weekend, but honored head coach Rick Comley and senior forwards Dustin Gazley and Joey Shean out in style for their final home games. “I think there was definitely more energy,” junior defenseman Brock Shelgren said.
The goals came early and from several directions, but eventually ran out in MSU’s 2-1 win against Bowling Green on Friday. Sophomore forward Dean Chelios and junior forward Brett Perlini scored within eight minutes of each other to put MSU ahead 2-0 at the 9:02 mark of the first period. Bowling Green forward Brett Mohler scored 51 seconds later to make it 2-1 before the offense slowed down and the Spartans hung on for a late-season victory. MSU possessed the puck for later portions of the game and helped secure its second straight victory, but will need a follow-up performance Saturday to earn its first sweep of the season. “We were fine, kind of diligent and business-like,” MSU head coach Rick Comley said.
Bowling Green visits Munn Ice Arena this weekend for the last regular-season series and senior day for the MSU hockey team.
The MSU hockey team looks for a sweep of Bowling Green this weekend.