Sports: 1992-93 Icers Seek Continued Success

1992-93 ICERS SEEK CONTINUED SUCCESS

Last year, in what experts believed was a rebuilding year, the MSU hockey team surprised everyone with its fourth trip to the NCAA Final Four in seven years. This year, coach Ron Mason won't sneak up on anyone, with 19 returning lettermen and a slew of talented freshmen. However, Mason, soon to become the winningest coach in college hockey, maintains modest objectives. 'Our goals are to gain the home-ice advantage for the CCHA playoffs, be recognized in the national polls and proceed to our league finals,' says Mason. 'We just want the chance to be involved in post-season play.'

Despite the losses of CCHA Player of the Year Dwayne Norris, All- American defenseman Joby Messier, and goaltender Mike Gilmore--the second best in MSU history--the Spartans still have plenty of weapons. Sophomores Mike Buzak and Eric Kruse, with a 9-1-1 combined record, will alternate at net. As Mason notes, they are both 'tested in game conditions and . . . know what to expect.'

Besides Messier, MSU also lost defensemen Doug Garbarz and Michael Stewart, who signed early with the New York Rangers. Senior co-captain Wes McCauley, juniors Nicolas Perreault and Steve Norton will anchor the defense along with four prospective freshmen--Ryan Fleming, Chris Smith, Chris Sullivan and Bart Vanstaalduinen. Says Mason, 'We'll try to plug in our freshmen whenever possible.'

On offense, Mason must replace the explosive combo of Dwight Norris and Peter White, MSU's fourth and sixth all-time scorers. Senior co-captain Brian Smolinski, CCHA honorable mention, and sophomores Rem Murray and Steve Suk must pick up the slack. In addition, Rob Woodward, Bart Turner, Michael Burkett, Kelly Harper, Steve Guolla and Matt Albers must provide support, along with a talented group of newcomers like Ryan Folkening, Anson Carter, Brian Clifford and Mike Ware.

Joining Mason on the bench are assistant coach Tom Newton and newcomer David McAuliffe, a former Spartan who coached at Western Michigan two years. He replaces Tom Anastos, who left to pursue private business.

MSU's schedule includes two holiday tournaments--the Nissan/Jeep Classic in Anchorage, Alaska, and the Great Lakes Invitational at Detroit's Joe Louis Arena. MSU's CCHA opponents will include newcomers Notre Dame and Kent (Ohio). On January 26, MSU will stage its Celebrity Hockey Auction at East Lansing's Medical Access Center. (For details, call the Ralph Young Fund at 517- 355-8314.)

UNIQUE VIEWPOINT

When the presidential candidates debated at MSU's Wharton Center in October, Ron Mason watched the televised event while sitting on President Bush's seat in Air Force One. (Trainer Dave Carrier knew the plane's security chief.) 'I was tempted to use the president's phone to call our recruits,' recalls Mason with a chuckle. 'But it would probably violate some NCAA rule, and if it didn't, they'd pass one for sure.'