Re: '12-13 Michigan Tech Season Thread: Screw the Election, Let's Play Hockey!
I was going to post that the prelim US World Juniors roster would be announced this morning. I see it's already been anounced and Blake Pietila is on it.
i sure hope you're going there to win Mel. last year Northern kicked Tech's *** all over the rink. beat them to every loose puck and physicially dominated Tech.
I think that was the game Mel regrets because he let some players head straight home after the game and they may have mentally already been on the holiday break.
Mel Pearson show summary from 12/3:
On Friday night:
Bad start, concered about that because of 2 games in 3 weeks,
A couple bad bounces on 1st goal, they jumped us on 2nd goal, 3rd goal unacceptable, can't give that goal up
Dirk wanted to touch on Genoe:
If he's having trouble handling the puck, why keep handling it? One 3rd goal, he made the right read to play the puck, UMD would've been first to the puck, on taht one should always go forward because he's so far towards the blue line, going back, bad things can happen
The last few weeks we've gotten down early, after weeks off. This week on Friday he had a special mtg right when guys got to the rink, to stree urgency, it didn't work.
It's not like we weren't ready, a few bounces and we were down 3-0
Dirk pointed out Mel was very concerned about a slow start Friday, talked abotu it off-air, blue luncheon, pregame interview etc, tried diff things leading up to the game and on gameday
UMD came in dealing with adversity, anytime you give them a spark, that spark carried through all weekend, disapointed we opened that door early on Friday
Remember they're 2 years removed from a championship, we're 2 years removed from winning 4 games, can still see small glimmers of that on both sides
Not much between two teams, a testament of how far we've come
Our depth was better than theirs, but we took too many penalties to use it, bad offensive zone penalties
Some calls were ticky tack, all the penalties took us out of our game
Good goal by Kero, right before that we were in danger of being down 5-0 but Genoe made a great save, this made it 1-4
Hietila goal, good quick shot
D. Johnstone goal makes it 3-4, he's played extremely well, simplified things and played more honest game, north-south, he's skating well and all in to the game,
We took over the play, generated chances, on the PP, but then we get a penalty
Mel questioned that call, their bench had a big say in that, they called a slash, tough call, and the way we couldn't kill a penalty, big call
Score looks worse than the game was, half way through 3rd, we had most of the momentum, and then a coupld calls went against us
Mel called supervisor, should've have been called, not a chippy game, they shouldn't have been called, that's reffing, we have to kill penalties, we didn't
0-5 on PP, lot of good things, Petan great chance when games was 4-3, Petan handles the puck, gave the gaolie just enough time to get over
On Saturday games:
Austin Farley for UMD had big weekend, very good for freshmen for UMD, we tried to recruit him out of Chicago, but UMD had been on him for a few years already
D. Johnstone gets Tech's first goal, didn't handle the puck, quick shot, huge goal, real tight game on Saturday, not much space, lot of checking
JJ gets the PP goal, great play by Petan, they've got some great chemistry
Our best period was 3rd, but everytime we took a penalty had no confidence, just tryign to hold on
Jujhars penalties- not upset with him at all, yes, he has to learn, but he's playign so hard, maybe a little over agressive, a coupl week ones, talked about one with him that he can't do
JJ had 8 min in box on Friday (served 2 many men), 1 on Saturday
Blake Pietila took some tough penalties this weekend, blake has to realize when he has to let up a little bit too, he's strong and in the corner, someone may go down, told refs don't call penalties because one guy is stronger
Pietila gets the next goal, talked alot about getting the puck to the net, good things will happen, Petan got it to the net, Blake puts it in
We pull goalie, they call too many men accidently, turned out it didn't matter, but Mel's seen it happen, ref went straight to the penalty box, he said he's never done that and apologized
Seigo ties the game with 50 seconds left, good patience, nice low stick side shot
This felt like a good tie
Questions for Mel:
With 1/3 of the season done, where is the team compared to what you thought?
About where he thought we'd be, maybe thought we'd have a few more wins. Knew goaltending could be an issue, thought defense would be better as a group. Overall, happy, not ecstatic. Keep in mind big picture of where this program is going. We're in teh thick of things, looking at 2nd half could make some hay.
What areas has the team improved the most on?
Our offense, we were ranked 18th/19th, good after loosing McLeod, Baker, Olson. Younger players have stepped in. Genoe has emerged a little, had some inconsistencies.
One area we need to be better at?
Defensively, last year GAA under 3. This year up in that category, combination of PK, defense and goaltending. Can't give up this many goals.
Will we practice today (Monday)?
Yes, we were spent on Saturday, can see it in locker room, haven't seen that this year. Concernead about energy. Light skate today, nice sweat, this NMU game looked great on the schedule this summer, but with two big games at UW coming up, want enough energy.
How do you coach players when refs don't call penalties consistently?
Will deal with adversity. Have to overcome that and deal with that. Mel has to watch himself, doesn't want himself to lose control and team to follow suit and get more woried abour reffing than playign the game.
How do you decide Dman pairing?
Watch practice, who looks good with each other. Want a pair who can be real good defensively. All 3 coaches, especially Whitten give input.
Any NMU memories as player? Last game Mel played against them, was a 3rd place NCAA tourney game at DECC in Duluth. We beat NMU, Mel's last game as player at Tech.
NMU Tuesday night, they play well at home. They've had a tought schedule, dealing with a few injuries. Their goalie has played well, gives them a chance every night.
Walt does a good job, always has his team ready to play. Our first game of year on Olympic sheet, different game on there. They doe a nice job on PK, pack it in and play a tight box.
On Badgers:
Great college hockey town. UW storied program, big setting. They had a good weekend against DU, got a few players back. They've played a lot better than their record. They'll present a different challenge. Wont give up much defensively. Both goaltenders playing well.
Two big games, we're tied with them in standings.
Huge games next 2 weeks, NMU, UW, UND. Need to find a way to go 4-1. If we do what we need to do, need better goaltending & PK.
