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OSU Hockey

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http://www.denverpost.com/avalanche/ci_4762549

Fritsche still on the mend
By Terry Frei
Denver Post NHL Beat Reporter
Article Last Updated:12/03/2006 12:23:11 AM MST

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document.getElementById('articleViewerGroup').style.width = requestedWidth + "px"; if(requestedWidth > 0){ document.getElementById('articleViewerGroup').style.margin = "0px 0px 10px 10px"; } Last August, Ohio State junior-to-be Tom Fritsche was feeling good, in more ways than one. He was the Buckeyes' leading scorer as a freshman and sophomore, and as one of the Avalanche's three second-round choices in the 2005 NHL draft, along with Paul Stastny and University of Minnesota center Ryan Stoa, the 5-foot-11 Fritsche was looking ahead to signing with Colorado in 2007 or 2008.
Then, while Fritsche was at home in the Cleveland suburb of Parma, his severe stomach pain started.
"I didn't really know what it was," Fritsche, 20, said on the phone from Columbus, Ohio.
Doctors told him it was colitis and began routine treatment.
"They sent me home, and the first medicine they tried to give me didn't work," he said. "Then they put me in the hospital and put me on the same steroid, but through an I.V. That didn't work, either."
It turned out that Fritsche had severe ulcerative colitis, a more serious health threat. He was in that Cleveland hospital for 10 days, then was moved to a different facility and put on different medicine. At one point, it seemed surgeons might even have to remove part of his colon. Although the treatment ultimately worked, he was hospitalized for a total of 26 days, dropping from 185 pounds to 148.
"I'm not going to lie, once the first medicine wasn't working, one of the options is surgery, and that can really mess you up, so there was definitely a little bit of concern," Fritsche said.
Since getting out of the hospital, Fritsche has been living in Columbus with his brother, Dan, 21, a Blue Jackets winger who, like Tom, was a product of USA Hockey's National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, Mich. Tom Fritsche hasn't played at all this season, but has been skating with the Buckeyes in a yellow, "no-contact" jersey for several weeks. He is hoping to play in the final portion of the season for the Buckeyes, who were 4-7-3 overall and 4-4-2 in the Central


Collegiate Hockey Association heading into a weekend series at Michigan State. "I can't say I'm going to be 100 percent, and I probably won't be until next year," Fritsche said. "As soon as the coaches and the doctors and myself feel that I'm strong enough and can play well enough to help the team at all, I'm going to give it a try. I think the chances are pretty good, because I'm doing a lot better. I'm looking at January, or maybe even the end of December."
Fritsche met with the Avalanche staff two weeks ago when Colorado played at Columbus, and he was introduced to players and coaches. He said the Avalanche has offered "unbelievable" support, including contact from strength and conditioning coach Paul Goldberg and general manager Francois Giguere.
Fritsche said he isn't trying to play this season as an attempt to convince the Avalanche to make a run at signing him next spring, rather than in 2008.
"If I was trying to prove that to them, I probably wouldn't even play," Fritsche said. "I am not going too fast at all because I lost a lot of weight in my legs, but I hope I can do OK."
The lowering of the free agency age in the new collective bargaining agreement has increased the incentive for NHL teams to sign college players earlier, but it's a balancing act involving individual physical development, maturity and the player's preferences. It's arguable that even if Fritsche plays down the stretch, it would be better if he plays a "recovery" senior season before signing a pro contract. The other possibility is that he could be so impressive after returning, both he and Colorado decide he's ready for the pro game.
Regardless, the Avalanche will retain his rights, knowing the colitis isn't expected to cause long-term problems.
"It's under control," Fritsche said. "I have to take medicine. You have to watch what you eat, and if something affects you, you have to throw that out of your diet. With me, it's been basically everything with milk. I use rice milk."
Ohio State coach John Markell said he admired Fritsche's determination in the health battle, which included accepting the effects - a puffy face, for example - of the steroid medications. Markell also said he believed Fritsche's NHL stock should go up because the colitis could have been giving him problems earlier, before it became serious enough for him to seek medical help, and now that it's under control, Fritsche's upside is even greater. Markell said Fritsche is one of those players who, even on the wing, is a playmaker and generator, and makes those around him better.
At some point, Fritsche probably will be displaying those traits in an Avalanche sweater.
Penguins' perils
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman's statement last week that the Penguins' tenure in Pittsburgh would be in serious doubt should the Isle of Capri not get a slots license shouldn't have shocked anyone.
It's the position the league has taken for ages, and the only change is that Ontario businessman Jim Balsillie is waiting in the wings, likely to soon be approved as the franchise's new owner. He has said he would leave the team in Pittsburgh if a new arena is on the horizon, but he also would be free to move the team once the Mellon Arena lease expires in June and he would likely push to do so if he doesn't like what he hears of alternative arena funding proposals.
The Isle of Capri is willing to build a $290 million arena as part of the casino project. Representatives of two other companies seeking the slots license have said they would put the casino elsewhere and only contribute to the cost of a new arena.
I'm not versed in Pittsburgh politics or the line-by-line details of the various casino proposals. But it's only reasonable for the gaming board to at least consider the Penguins' future as part of the decision. Yet the board also has to consider a bigger picture, and if that means taking a risk and losing the Penguins because another deal is deemed far better overall for the taxpayers, so be it.
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OSU MEN?S HOCKEY
One-time big scorer puts team goals first
Beaudoin now centers top defensive line
Friday, December 08, 2006
Scott Priestle
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Two years ago, Mathieu Beaudoin led the Ohio State hockey team with 23 goals. He scored 14 on power plays, tying for second most in the nation. If given the chance, he believes he could put up similar numbers this season.
"I?m the same player I was that season," he said.
His role has changed, though. And when he steps on the ice this weekend against Miami University, his primary responsibility will be far less glamorous than it once was.
Beaudoin centers an allsenior line that in recent weeks has drawn the assignment of guarding the opponent?s topscoring line. Against Miami, that means shadowing center Nathan Davis, who leads the nation in scoring, and bruising winger Ryan Jones ? a duo that has combined for 28 goals and 29 assists and lifted the RedHawks to first place in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and No. 4 in both major polls.
Beaudoin and wingers Bryce Anderson and Kenny Bernard likely will hop onto the ice each time Davis and Jones do.
"It?s a challenge for us," Beaudoin said. "Somebody has to do it. If it?s our line, then we?ll be ready for it. We?ll do as much as we can to keep them off the board. That?s our job this weekend."
Davis has scored 34 points (14 goals, 20 assists) and could challenge the school season record of 74 points, set by Gary DeLonge in 1978-79.
Beaudoin?s numbers are lighter, but noteworthy nonetheless. He is tied for the Ohio State lead with five goals. In the seven games they have been together, Beaudoin, Anderson and Bernard have combined for three goals, nine assists and a plus-6 rating, and the team is 3-2-2.
"They?re our best line right now," coach John Markell said.
Each has been a key member of the penalty kill in recent seasons and thus is wellschooled in defensive hockey. And they know each other well. Beaudoin and Bernard have frequently played on the same line during their careers, often with fellow senior Andrew Schembri.
Markell replaced Schembri with Anderson for the game Nov. 10 against Western Michigan, putting Schembri on a line with center Domenic Maiani and winger Tommy Goebel, and the top three lines have played well enough since then to remain intact.
Maiani?s line is the most creative, and the Matt McIlvane-Corey Elkins-John Dingle line is perhaps the most versatile. Beaudoin?s clearly has been the best defensive line, and Markell has used it as such. Whenever possible last Saturday, Beaudoin and his line mates were on the ice opposite Michigan State?s top line.
"They?re playing our systems the best," Markell said. "We had to get a line that was playing our systems. They are used to it. They?ve been here for four years, they understood the dynamics of what we want on the forecheck, through the neutral zone and in the defensive zone. All they?ve been doing is applying that. And with that, they can show the other guys how it?s done."
Markell and Beaudoin said it was not a tough sell to ask a once-prolific scorer to focus on defense.
"We know our role on the team, and it?s something we take pride in," Beaudoin said. "We know we?re not going to be the first line to get goals, but we know if we need a big stop, we?ll be out there."
 
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Dispatch

Friday, December 08, 2006
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MIAMI UNIVERSITY 5 OHIO STATE 2
RedHawks jump on goalie miscues
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Scott Priestle
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH



Joseph Palmer had a freshman moment in net for Ohio State last night, then another. Each time the puck trickled out of his glove, Miami University forward Jarod Palmer was in position to accept the gift and cash it in.
The RedHawks, in first place in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and ranked fourth in the nation, do fine without such charity. With it, they skated to a 5-2 victory before a crowd of 5,774 in Value City Arena.
The series shifts to Oxford tonight and Miami?s new Steve Cady Arena, where the crowd figures to be livelier and decidedly unfriendlier to whichever freshman is in goal for the Buckeyes, Joseph Palmer or Nick Filion. Their education continues.
"A couple bounces the other way, I thought we could have been right there," Ohio State defenseman Sean Collins said. "We played pretty well with them all night. We kept a positive attitude throughout the game. Nobody got down; everybody had their heads up. We?re just fighting to get back."
The Buckeyes are 5-9-3, 5-6-2 in the CCHA. They have run warm and cold, often from one night to the next, so they might be just as likely to win tonight on the road as last night at home.
It is, perhaps, to be expected with freshmen in net.
"You just have to make sure ? you keep it positive," Collins said.
The Buckeyes were on their heels for much of the first period but went to intermission with the game scoreless. They had the better of the play in the second period but trailed 2-1 going into the second intermission.
The teams traded goals early in the period. Miami defenseman Alec Martinez scored a power-play goal with a wrist shot from the blue line that deflected off an OSU player and past Palmer. Later in the period, Justin Mercier of Miami threw the puck almost blindly on net from the blue line; Palmer could not catch it cleanly, and as the puck lay at the edge of the goal mouth, Jarod Palmer poked it off his pads and into the net.
Miami (14-5, 10-3) scored again about a minute into the final period, when Jarod Palmer fed a charging Marty Guerin. The clincher came about five minutes later, when Joseph Palmer again flubbed a shot. Again, Jarod Palmer knocked in the rebound, giving Miami a 4-1 lead.
"We have to be a little better, a little smarter against a team like that," Ohio State coach John Markell said.
He replaced Palmer with Filion after the fourth goal but said it was "just a momentum thing. That?s what I told him on the bench."
At the other end, Charlie Effinger returned for Miami after missing seven games because of mononucleosis and made 25 saves.
Early in the second period, with the score tied at 1, he made a diving catch to rob Matt McIlvane. It was one of the momentum-changing sequences Collins referred to. McIlvane threw his arms in the air in disbelief, then buried his head in his hands.
"They?re opportunistic. They?re a good team," Markell said. "We gave ourselves an opportunity to get back in it. It just didn?t happen."
[email protected]
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OHIO STATE 2 MIAMI UNIVERSITY 2
Last-minute goal salvages tie
DeSantis scores on blast from point to force OT

Sunday, December 10, 2006

Scott Priestle




OXFORD, Ohio ? Whether from a lack of effort, lack of execution or lack of luck, the Ohio State men?s hockey team has been unable to sustain any positive momentum for the past season and a half. One member of the program recently suggested, half in jest, that it seems the Buckeyes are afraid to take the easy route.
The frequent detours might be straining a few hearts, but they have been entertaining. Take last night: Plucky but unlucky for most of 59 minutes and staring at another disheartening loss, the Buckeyes scored with 47.5 seconds left to forge a 2-2 tie with fourth-ranked Miami University in the Steve Cady Arena.
Defenseman Jason DeSantis scored the tying goal on a slap shot from the point that might have left a vapor trail. Freshman goaltender Joseph Palmer made six saves in overtime, 30 for the game, and the Buckeyes left with a point in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association standings.
"The guys gutted it out," coach John Markell said. "I?m proud of the point here."
About 90 seconds before DeSantis? goal, Miami goalie Jeff Zatkoff made a sterling save to rob Mathieu Beaudoin. A night earlier, RedHawks goalie Charlie Effinger made a similar save on Matt McIlvane.
So it was with plenty of pent-up frustration that DeSantis wound up and fired in the dying seconds. The Buckeyes already had pulled Palmer for an extra attacker.
"I got pretty good wood on that one," DeSantis said with a smile. "I tried to put everything I had into it. It jumped off my stick."
The Buckeyes (5-9-4, 5-6-3) held Miami (14-5-1, 10-3-1) scoreless on seven power plays and limited Nathan Davis ? who entered the weekend as the nation?s leading scorer ? to one assist in two games. Credit the line of seniors Beaudoin, Kenny Bernard and Bryce Anderson, who defended Davis? line throughout the two games and were on the ice for DeSantis? tying goal, as well.
Palmer, who allowed two soft goals Friday in a 5-2 loss, withstood a few flurries late in the game to preserve the tie.
"You watched a freshman weekend. There?s no other word for it," Markell said.
Freshman Mathieu Picard, who scored his first career goal Friday, earned a promotion from the fourth line and onto the power play last night and responded with his second career goal. At 9:05 of the second period, he redirected a shot from defenseman Johann Kroll past Zatkoff.
Less than a minute later, Picard lost his edge while skating back on defense, fell to the ice and wiped out Palmer. Gary Steffes of Miami calmly scored into the open net, giving the RedHawks a 2-1 lead that they carried into the final minute.
It was, perhaps, the past 18 months in a nutshell for the Buckeyes. They have been wildly inconsistent, often playing much better on Saturdays than Fridays. Markell said it will be a point of emphasis in the coming weeks. He said the coaches will try to "change the (players?) frame of mind through practice."
"If we?re ready to commit ourselves on Friday the way we do on Saturday, the second half could be a lot of fun," he said.
[email protected]
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HIO STATE HOCKEY Buckeyes lose player to London of the OHL
College coaches fear that early departures could become routine
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Scott Priestle
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

After rallying in the final minute Saturday to tie fourth-ranked Miami University, the Ohio State hockey team headed into the holiday break with a modicum of momentum. The Buckeyes have maintained a consistent effort over the past month, and players talked of being a few lucky bounces from a breakthrough.
The 2?-hour bus ride to Columbus was pleasant. There was satisfaction from the tie, anticipation of the time off and hope for the second half of the season.
Then, there was another stake through the psyche: When the bus reached campus, freshman defenseman Kevin Montgomery informed his teammates and coaches that he was leaving the program to play junior hockey.
As of yesterday, Montgomery is a member of the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League, a pseudo-professional league that has long been a pipeline to the NHL.
"It throws you for a little bit of a spin," OSU coach John Markell said. "Our players are in shock."
Assistant coaches Casey Jones and Jason Lammers, who planned to use the holiday break to recruit for future seasons, now must find a sixth defenseman for the remainder of this season. The pool of available talent is limited at this time of year.
"That?s our reality," Markell said. "Who else has to deal with that? "
Because of junior hockey?s long tradition as a de facto minor league and college hockey?s relative lack of history, college hockey has a unique relationship with the professional game.
Of the major pro sports leagues, only the NHL allows its teams to maintain rights to a draft pick even as that player competes in college, and only an NHL prospect has two avenues toward a pro contract. Montgomery is not the first player to jump from the NCAA to the OHL in midseason. More underclassmen will leave after the season, signing with the NHL organizations that drafted them.
"That?s the way college hockey is going to be now," Jones said.
Trickledown effect

Jones believes the NHL collective bargaining agreement, signed in 2005, will lead to more early departures. First, the new agreement put a cap on entrylevel contracts, so there is less risk to the NHL club. Second, a draftee becomes a free agent if he is unsigned by the end of the summer following his senior season.
Under the previous agreement, former OSU standout and Vancouver Canucks draftee R.J. Umberger had to sit out the 2003-04 season in order to be granted free agency. Under the new agreement, former OSU standout and New York Rangers draftee Nate Guenin was able to play for the Buckeyes as a senior last season, then sign with the Philadelphia Flyers in August. He did not miss a game.
The Rangers, no doubt afraid of losing Guenin, made a strong push to sign him after his junior season. Jones expects other NHL teams to make a similar push to sign their draftees as underclassmen, and for more than a few players to sign.
"It?s not that big of an investment," Jones said. "It?s going to be better for them to get a guy in a year early than to lose him."
Top-ranked Minnesota lost four underclassmen after last season, and with 14 NHL draft picks on his roster, coach Don Lucia expects to lose more after this season.
"Last year was the first time we over-recruited," he said. "We only had one senior forward, but we recruited six. Some of them knew we only had a spot for them if somebody else left. They were OK with that."
Of the four players the Gophers lost ? freshman Phil Kessel to Boston, sophomore Kris Chucko to Calgary, junior Danny Irman to Minnesota and junior Ryan Potulny to Philadelphia ? Chucko stung the most. Lucia said Flames officials called Chucko throughout the season and pressured him to jump to junior hockey, believing the schedule would better prepare him for pro hockey. (Junior teams generally play twice as many games as college teams.)
Chucko remained with the Gophers until the season ended, but the constant recruitment bothered Lucia.
"It doesn?t bode well for the relationship between college and the pros," he said. "I don?t know why they don?t understand that. I think at the college level we do a pretty good job of developing players, and it?s free development. It doesn?t cost them."
An alternative

Some players are going to leave even without pressure from the NHL. Notre Dame sophomore Victor Oreskovich and Wisconsin sophomore Matt Auffrey left for the OHL last season because neither was getting the playing time he wanted. Markell said Montgomery was struggling in the classroom, although he would have remained academically eligible.
"He said the hockey was great, but he wants to not have the pressures of school and playing hockey," Markell said.
OSU junior Tom Fritsche said the lifestyle intrigued him, as well, and last season he considered jumping to the OHL.
"It?s definitely tempting, because it?s all hockey," he said. "You get to play 60 or 70 games. But I like it here too much. That?s why I didn?t leave."
Markell said he sensed that Montgomery enjoyed his time in the program, but the schoolwork took a toll. London Knights officials were in his ear, reminding him of the alternative. Montgomery said team officials called about once per week, trying to get him to jump.
"It?s a different pitch every time," he said last week.
As a result, college coaches have to renew their pitches, as well. Their main selling point is the education.
"Especially with the new CBA, you can?t expect to sign that one contract and be set for life," Markell said. "A degree gives you something to fall back on."
So the pitches continue. Over here, Play big-time hockey and get a degree! Over there, Play big-time hockey, without the annoying professors!
The voices collide in the head of an 18-year-old with a gift for playing hockey, a goal of playing professionally and two distinct paths to get there.
"It?s not too much of a distraction," Fritsche said with a shrug. "It?s hockey. You have to deal with that stuff."
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MiamiRedHawks;685479; said:
ORD,

Just wondering your take on last weekend's 2 games with Miami.

Thanks in advance,

MRH
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Not much to say. Fredo's clearly the better team with the better coaching right now. They deserve their ranking, and we were lucky to get a tie out of the series. If last year's reversal of fortune was an anamoly, I could deal with a bad year. My frustration, however, comes from the distinct feeling that these are two programs headed in opposite directions for the foreseeable future.

Right now, Pooley is probably the hottest young coach in college hockey. He's only Associate Head Coach right now, but it seems as though the domers are grooming him to take over for the old guy. Ohio State needs to bring him home before that happens.
 
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COLLEGE HOCKEY
Buckeyes look forward to Fritsche being back
Friday, December 29, 2006
Dave Devereux
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH


Ohio State hopes forward Tom Fritsche can provide the offensive spark the team had on its holiday wish list. Fritsche, a junior who was the team?s leading scorer the past two seasons, will make his season debut tonight for the Buckeyes against Minnesota-Duluth in the Ohio Hockey Classic in Nationwide Arena.

Continued.....
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COLLEGE HOCKEY
Buckeyes win to set up rematch with RedHawks
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Dave Devereux
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH


Ohio State knew what time it would take the ice tonight. The Buckeyes were slotted for the 8:05 p.m. game in the Ohio Hockey Classic in Nationwide Arena whether it was the consolation or championship game. But Ohio State confirmed a rematch of last year?s final by cruising past Minnesota-Duluth 4-1. The Buckeyes (6-9-4) will meet Miami University (15-5-1) tonight.

Continued.....
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OHIO HOCKEY CLASSIC OHIO STATE 5, MIAMI UNIVERSITY 3
Buckeyes get back up after trailing early
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Dave Devereux
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH


Ohio State lost in a shootout in the final game of the Ohio Hockey Classic the past two years. Last night, the Buckeyes were in danger of getting knocked out early when fourth-ranked Miami University grabbed a two-goal lead in the first period in Nationwide Arena.

Continued....
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Buckeyes are figuring out how to win at home
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Scott Priestle
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Ohio State hockey players and coaches talk often of turning Value City Arena into a place opponents dread. The sheer size of the building and the sections of empty seats guarantee that the setting will never intimidate in the manner of Michigan?s Yost Arena or the old Goggin Arena at Miami University.
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