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'12-13 Michigan Tech Season Thread: Screw the Election, Let's Play Hockey!

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  • Re: '12-13 Michigan Tech Season Thread: Screw the Election, Let's Play Hockey!

    Mel had a last minute phone call/meeting at 9AM ET, so couldn'd do a full show, so Steve Shields is in:

    Steve doesn't like the weeks off, likes to play until xmas break, but guys like a week off once in awhile

    They reviewed WCHA action, anybody can beat anybody, we've played 3 pretty good teams the first 3 weeks
    We're off to a slow start in terms of W and Losses, easier schedule is ahead, but can't say there is anythign easy in this league
    It keeps the standing tight, so when we start turning the corner we'll be in the middle of the chase

    Did Bjustad for MN struggle against us, maybe frustrated by Copley? Sure, Copley is a bigger goalie, can get frustrated trying to find spots.
    As a freshmen Copley will have ups/downs, all in all, all goalies are improving. Waiting for someone to step and give us a game where we don't need to score 3/4 goals and get away with a win.

    We're learnign how to play against teams that want to chip the puck out and get in a foot race with you. Guys need to grind out a game, win races to the puck and grind along the boards. They need to learn what it takes to win at this level.
    Most of our forwards and goalies are young guys, this isn't juniors, it's a battle, have to be strong every night.


    Questions for Steve:
    Does Steve think there'll be an NHL season?
    About 4 days ago would say yes within a month. Not sure at this point. D. Fehr has done a really good job on the side of the players keeping them together. How to make sure the existing contracts are honored.

    Do you feel players have justification to get what they're looking for? To a degree, yes, players have conceeded 7% of revenue back to owners. League has grown since last agmt, in 2004 we wasted a year to do a deal that could've been done right away beacuse owners got everythign they wanted. GMs need to sign good contracts, players shouldn't be responsible for teams to spend money wisely. Overall see both sides, there should be time to get something done. Terrible for the game if nothing gets done. Too bad GLI outdoors is cancelled. Sometimes 75% of players that have 3-5 year career are the guys that don't get to go overseas right now, and aren't getting paid right now. They shoudl speak up and say what they want to do.

    Do you think our PP will get better? Absolutely, we're very young, put pressure on a few freshmen and a lot of sophmores, not an excuse, a fact. They're putting pressure on themselves, you're going to struggle at times. We have a good setup, need to focus in practice and then execute.

    Do you think some of our best players on the PP not playign their best right now? Yeah some of our best players are not playing thier best on the PP, they need to produce if we're going to win.
    Rix doesn't playe on teh PP but he's leading the team in goals. Says somethign about him and how hard he is playing. Tells somethign to the other guys need to play harder until it starts to go in, and it will.

    Talking more about Rix, 5 goals, tied with B. Pietila. Rix great example of tyipe of guy we want on our team. Take accountability for his play on the ice, plays hard, every night. He plays when he's banged up, blocks shots.

    Goalies have to be best PKer. Copley has a really good opportunity, has looked really good and others where we want mroe. He's starting to turn the corner and learn how to fight through traffic and take control of his end. When that happens you'll see a big turnaround with Phoenix and whoel team.
    This applies to all goalies, we'll get a look at Jamie in near future. Kevin will have a chance as well.

    Who starts in goal this weekend? Not sure, Kevin came in last weekend played really well, gave us a chance on Friday. Didn't have big save when it was needed.

    We need to work on playing well when we are playing the teams that are not top ranked teams, we have to work hard and not get disouraged when we have difficulty breaking out of the zone etc. Can be a challenge for younger players.

    Will Steve Shields be back at Tech next year?
    He'd love to be back next year, he's come a long way to know enough about other parts of the game to show a kid what he's doing right/wrong, but Damon and Billy are here as assitants. Like all the coaches he works with. It's tough for Steve to jump in and talk about forecheck etc. Steve continually gives his input in between periods. His goal is to be a coach, not sure when that'll happen. Definately wants to be here, has a lot invested in these guys. Hopes it works out and Coach and Suzanne like what he's doing, but it's up to them.
    Dirk asked more specifically about his coaching goals? He's where he wants to be right now, fine tuning being a goalie coach, it transitions well to being an assistant coach at NCAA level. At some point he'd like to see what he really wants to do, have to be in it and relied on to run a bench/make decisions. Doesn't have that experience, but needs to get it at some point, needs opportunity to do it.
    Dirk thinks most volunteer coaches don't go on road trips and are at end of career. Steve is on oppisite end, going on road trips etc. Steve would like the NCAA to allow a developmental coach to be paid, especially considering how much Damon and Billy are gone recruiting. The NCAA shoudl want kids to be coached. Dirk concerned small schools may not be able to afford extra developmental coaches,. Steve doesn't want decisions made on lowest common denominator. Larger schools also have better opportunity to get volunteer coaches because they have more options in the big city to have a paying job as well. Ferris state does it very well, basically having a 3rd assistant coach, he gets on the ice and they do it within the rules. Being a D1 school can require that you spend the money to get the players and develop the players. Overall the school will have success and justify the added costs.


    Big weekend at Bemidji:
    Guys are working harder to get better.
    This is a big weekend to get some points. If we can get on a roll, the top of the standigns aren't far away.


    Last note: Steve thanks everyone in the community/students that have come out. The crowds have been great/supportive, it's makes a huge difference to the players. We have knowledgable fans in this community. The fans have been great, appreciate that we play an entertainig style, it goes a long way to helping the program getting the crowd support.

    Comment


    • Re: '12-13 Michigan Tech Season Thread: Screw the Election, Let's Play Hockey!

      Good show!. I note that in the media poll someone had us 12th.! maybe more than one someone. I'd love to beat his team! Geesh.
      MTU: Three time NCAA champions.

      It never get's easier, you just go faster. -Greg Lemond

      Comment


      • Re: '12-13 Michigan Tech Season Thread: Screw the Election, Let's Play Hockey!

        Originally posted by manurespreader View Post
        Good show!. I note that in the media poll someone had us 12th.! maybe more than one someone. I'd love to beat his team! Geesh.
        I'm not surprised someone put us at 12. Bemidji, Mankato and UAA have all had decent early performances while Tech has a young team, unresolved goaltending questions and a recent losing culture.
        However, whoever put us that low overlooked the tough early schedule, the team's scoring potential and the mature defense corps. I think we expected a tough early run.

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        • Re: '12-13 Michigan Tech Season Thread: Screw the Election, Let's Play Hockey!

          1st day of the signing period, any idea who is signing NLIs for us today?

          Comment


          • Re: '12-13 Michigan Tech Season Thread: Screw the Election, Let's Play Hockey!

            Originally posted by mtu_huskies View Post
            1st day of the signing period, any idea who is signing NLIs for us today?
            Marcus Ericsson
            Chris Leibinger (Confirmed)
            Mike Neville (Confirmed)
            Reid Sturos
            Tyler Heinonen
            Michigan Tech Legend, Founder of Mitch's Misfits, Co-Founder of Tech Hockey Guide, and Creator/Host of the Chasing MacNaughton Podcast covering MTU Hockey and the WCHA.

            Sports Allegiance: NFL: GB MLB: MIL NHL: MIN CB: UW CF: UW CH: MTU FIFA: USA MLS: MIN EPL: Everton

            Comment


            • Re: '12-13 Michigan Tech Season Thread: Screw the Election, Let's Play Hockey!

              Originally posted by Shirtless Guy View Post
              Marcus Ericsson
              Chris Leibinger (Confirmed)
              Mike Neville (Confirmed)
              Reid Sturos
              Tyler Heinonen

              how long is the signing period? do they have to sign now?
              "The top three worst things I've seen in hockey? The invention of the trap. The invention of the morning skate. And the invention of the extremely ugly uniform."

              —Brett Hull

              Comment


              • Re: '12-13 Michigan Tech Season Thread: Screw the Election, Let's Play Hockey!

                Originally posted by eye4talent View Post
                how long is the signing period? do they have to sign now?
                My statement was in error, I was thinking about who is coming in next year, that is not a requirement to sign, just that they are a certain age and receiving some scholarship money to attend. Period is November 14 to 21.
                Michigan Tech Legend, Founder of Mitch's Misfits, Co-Founder of Tech Hockey Guide, and Creator/Host of the Chasing MacNaughton Podcast covering MTU Hockey and the WCHA.

                Sports Allegiance: NFL: GB MLB: MIL NHL: MIN CB: UW CF: UW CH: MTU FIFA: USA MLS: MIN EPL: Everton

                Comment


                • Re: '12-13 Michigan Tech Season Thread: Screw the Election, Let's Play Hockey!

                  all is quiet in here these days. hopefully the Huskies can split this weekend, a sweep would be huge.

                  looks like one of the new recruits is on this guy's top 10 watch list for Mr. Hockey in Minnesota.

                  http://www.westerncollegehockeyblog....key-watch-list
                  "The top three worst things I've seen in hockey? The invention of the trap. The invention of the morning skate. And the invention of the extremely ugly uniform."

                  —Brett Hull

                  Comment


                  • Re: '12-13 Michigan Tech Season Thread: Screw the Election, Let's Play Hockey!

                    let's assume for a second that we get the same type of game that we had last week. The other team chips the puck to neutral ice and tries to out run to it, hoping for something to happen.
                    The question I am posing is this. Do our defensemen have the speed to get back to the puck in a foot race and if not will we change our style to counteract that style. In other words can we be patient enough and good enough to take advantage of fewer chances to score? Secondly, I would think the pp will be of great importance this weekend.

                    We will know a lot by late tomorrow night I guess.
                    MTU: Three time NCAA champions.

                    It never get's easier, you just go faster. -Greg Lemond

                    Comment


                    • Re: '12-13 Michigan Tech Season Thread: Screw the Election, Let's Play Hockey!

                      Stephen Anderson tweeted that Genoe will likely start tonight in net and Jamie Phillips is the other goalie that traveled with the team

                      Comment


                      • Re: '12-13 Michigan Tech Season Thread: Screw the Election, Let's Play Hockey!

                        To update on the NLI question, looks like the list could be pretty long. Not sure how it will all shape out but here is my best guess:
                        Marcus Ericsson
                        Chris Leibinger (Confirmed)
                        Mike Neville (Confirmed)
                        Reid Sturos
                        Tyler Heinonen
                        Jake Jackson (Confirmed)
                        Joel L'Esperance
                        Dylan Steman
                        Michigan Tech Legend, Founder of Mitch's Misfits, Co-Founder of Tech Hockey Guide, and Creator/Host of the Chasing MacNaughton Podcast covering MTU Hockey and the WCHA.

                        Sports Allegiance: NFL: GB MLB: MIL NHL: MIN CB: UW CF: UW CH: MTU FIFA: USA MLS: MIN EPL: Everton

                        Comment


                        • Re: '12-13 Michigan Tech Season Thread: Screw the Election, Let's Play Hockey!

                          Huskies!
                          Originally posted by mtu_huskies
                          "We are not too far away from a national championship," said (John) Scott.
                          Boosh Factor 4

                          Originally posted by Brent Hoven
                          Yeah, but you're my favorite hag.

                          Comment


                          • Re: '12-13 Michigan Tech Season Thread: Screw the Election, Let's Play Hockey!

                            Wow that was gloomy for awhile tonight, way to fight back and much needed W



                            Mel's postgame thoughts:
                            Happy for our players, they battled hard through this slump, they've stayed positive and worked hard
                            Key to the game was 2nd goal at end of 2nd period, got us back in the game
                            Walsh kicking out juicy rebounds, didn't get puck to the net enough in 1st period, as we continued we got some rebounds
                            PP goals, sometimes they go in and we did that tonight
                            Good for Jujhar with his goals, he's gotten better, was just telling our assitants how much better Jujhar has gotten since week 1
                            D. Johnstone played like a warrior, he won battles, races and kept puck moving, goals will come
                            Genoe made critical saves in 3rd, he battled
                            Good first 15 mins, didn't give them anything, and then Nielsen misses puck and they score, they fed off momentum
                            Good start and finish, need to take care of in-between
                            BSu went into a defensive shell 2nd period, can be frustrating, similar to UNO, backed off our forecheck some, in 3rd we went back to 2 guy forecheck again
                            We drew them into penalties, they could've been called for a few more and we capitalized on the PP
                            We have a lot of individuals that can play better, feel good about tomorrow

                            Comment


                            • Re: '12-13 Michigan Tech Season Thread: Screw the Election, Let's Play Hockey!

                              Very nice comeback Tech.
                              "If you leave ignorance and stupidity alone, ignorance and stupidity will think it's ok."
                              -Gallagher

                              R.I.P.
                              Grandpa G. ~ Feb 11, 1918-Oct. 6, 1999
                              Grandma ~ Jan 2004
                              Dad ~ Nov. 4, 1958-April 21, 2008
                              Grandpa S. ~ June 21, 1932-November 11, 2013

                              Comment


                              • Re: '12-13 Michigan Tech Season Thread: Screw the Election, Let's Play Hockey!

                                Just need to play like the 3rd and OT tomorrow... completely dominated the OT period.
                                MTU Hockey fan since I was carried to a game in 1986 - for those counting... that's a lot of depressing hockey. Still love it.

                                Surrounded by Badger Red in Wisconsin. Such an ugly color, but the beer and cheese are delicious...

                                2014-15 WCHA (*Regular season portion) Pick-em Champion (**Forgeting a Week Methodology)

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