Freshman Q&A: Drew Palmisano

A few notes before this week’s Q&A:

Senior goaltender Jeff Lerg was named the CCHA Goaltender of the Week for his performance in this weekend’s Ice Breaker Invitational in Boston.

Lerg stopped 63-of-66 shots and recorded a .954 save percentage on the weekend as the Spartans defeated Massachusetts 3-1 but lost to Boston University 2-1.

The senior captain’s performance held the Spartans in both games, despite being outshot 37-16 and 29-13 against UMass and BU respectively.

The Livonia native was also named to the All-Ice Breaker Team for his performance.

Former Spartan and current Florida Panther David Booth was named the NHL’s “Second Star” for the week ending Oct. 12.

Vancouver’s Daniel Sedin and New Jersey’s Martin Brodeur joined Booth on the “Three Star” list.

Booth tallied three goals and one assist in two games — including an overtime game winner against the Atlanta Thrashers.
The 2006 MSU graduate recorded 45 goals and 60 assists in his four years in the Green and White. Booth has played all three of his NHL seasons for the Panthers and has scored 28 goals and tallied 26 assists.

Booth entered this season coming off a 22 goal, 18 assist 2007-08 campaign.

Freshman Q&A

This week, The State News caught up with freshman goaltender Drew Palmisano. The Ann Arbor native has been called the “heir” to Jeff Lerg’s position by head coach Rick Comley, and it’s no secret that Palmisano is rock solid between the pipes.

Palmisano’s and Lerg’s qualities are strikingly similar. Both play a strong butterfly style, both played their USHL hockey for the Omaha Lancers and both are under 6 feet tall.

Comley said he wanted to bring Palmisano into the MSU program this year so he could learn as much as possible about the college game from Lerg.

Last season with the Lancers, Palmisano was named the 2008 USA Hockey Dave Peterson Award winner as Goalie of the Year. Also in 2007, Palmisano was named the USHL Goalie of the Year.

Here’s what the Spartans backup netminder had to say about Lerg’s influence on him, the upcoming season, and his pregame superstitions.

The State News How is it playing under senior captain Jeff Lerg?

Drew Palmisano So far it’s been a blessing. Jeff is such a great guy on and off the ice and so far I’ve learned a lot from him.

SN Who has been challenging you the most in practice thus far?

DP Right now it is probably Corey Tropp and Kurt Kivisto. They are really on my case every day and they are always trying to score on me all the time in practice.

SN How big of a difference is there between playing junior hockey and college hockey?

DP The difference between juniors and college is pretty big. Everyone shoots the puck a lot harder here and the puck moves around a lot faster. You’ve got to get used to it.

SN Are you looking forward to the new shootout rule?

DP I like doing breakaways. It gives you a chance to win the game for your team and it all comes down to what goalie is better that night.

SN What in your opinion is the best save you’ve ever made?

DP Last year Game 5 of the USHL Finals there was a 4-on-1 and our defenseman made a really great play. He stopped it really, not me. But right afterwards we went down and scored a goal to win the game.

SN Do you have any superstitions when you are getting ready?

DP I have a couple different routines I stick to. But if it’s not going right then you have to change it up a little. But for the most part, (I put on my) right side of my equipment then the left side.