Press conference … continued

Here are some extra notes from Tuesday’s press conference.

Video rentals

For conference games, all CCHA coaches have access to a video system to help analyze opponents.

But when it comes to nonconference games, finding film of opponents is more tricky.

No one in the CCHA played Maine last season and MSU head coach Rick Comley said he’s been trying to find information on the Black Bears.

Maine has agreed to do a film swap with MSU, but the Spartans won’t receive the Black Bears’ film until Thursday, when they arrive in Orono, Maine.

“You are always digging and pulling right now to get bits of information,” Comley said. “One report we had described them, and we just talked to somebody that watched them play last weekend and it was totally different.”

Showing improvement

Sophomore defenseman Matt Crandell impressed Comley with several big hits over the weekend, including an open-ice check on Friday that brought the MSU bench to its feet.

“(Crandell’s) by far our most improved returning player,” Comley said. “By far.”

Comley said for the Spartans to have success this season, a lot will rest on the shoulders of the three returning defensemen — Crandell and fellow sophomores Tim Buttery and Brock Shelgren.

“We were wondering how much better they were going to get,” Comley said. “I think improvement in the team is all based on how much better your returning players are.”

Goalie shuffle

Comley had planned on using both sophomore goaltender Drew Palmisano and senior goaltender Bobby Jarosz against Clarkson.

But his plans for the Maine series are up in the air. He said Palmisano will start Friday, but is unsure who will get the nod Saturday.

“I would like Bobby Jarosz to give Palmisano enough rest so that they are both sharp,” Comley said. “I think Palmisano is still our number one goaltender, there’s no reason not to feel that way. I have to find out with him how much he needs to play. Some goalies need to play a lot, every minute. Some goalies are good with one out of three or four (games) off. A little of it will be trial and error to see how he reacts and how he comes back after sitting a game.”

Former MSU goaltender Jeff Lerg has been receiving knee therapy in the training room and has used some of his spare time to give both netminders some advice.

“They have good dialogue in there, especially now after (Jeff’s) watched them play,” Comley said. “Without being in a coaching format, but as a friend and ex-teammate, he can give them some excellent feedback.”

Tough guys

Comley wanted to make sure his team played a physical, in-your-face style this season.

And he was pleased with his team’s physical play this weekend against Clarkson.

“It’s part of the game I like,” Comley said. “You have to have the right team to do it and this team has the ability to be very physical.”

Comley specifically mentioned freshman forward Anthony Hayes, sophomore forward Trevor Nill and Crandell as players who are excelling in throwing their bodies around.

“(Playing physical) adds excitement,” Comley said. “You can’t drop the puck in the goal in college hockey. But you certainly can hit and get the buzz going that way.”

Nice system

One major difference this year for the Spartans was adjusting to a new system implemented by Comley.

The system was taken from the Detroit Red Wings and focuses on transitions and entrance into the offensive zone.

“It’s not giving the other teams a lot to work with,” freshman forward Derek Grant said. “As we learn, we are going to get stronger at it. I think the transition game that we are incorporating into our game will beat a lot of teams off quick rushes.”

Grant said the new system works particularly well because the Spartans are much quicker this season than they were last year.

“We are a fast team and I think that helps a lot,” Grant said. “Coach has done his research and knows that. He’s using what we have here and building off it.”

Consistency kills

Coming off a weekend in which the Spartans scored 10 goals, MSU junior forward Dustin Gazley said all four MSU lines are meshing well.

He credits much of that to keeping the lines consistent — something that didn’t happen last year.

“We have a great chemistry,” Gazley said. “Coach hasn’t changed up the lineup. Last year, every other day there could have been a line change up. We’ve found a good chemistry in each line and I think that’s good. I think we are going to have a good season with that.”

Grassi pushed back … again

Freshman defenseman Matt Grassi isn’t expected to be in the Spartans’ lineup until MSU plays Western Michigan on Oct. 30.

Grassi broke his thumb after falling out of his loft on his first day on campus.

Comley said he expects Grassi to have a modified cast or splint on his thumb next week.