Re: '12-13 Michigan Tech Season Thread: Screw the Election, Let's Play Hockey!
Wasn't able to watch anything this weekend, but yes disapointing results. Great to hear about the video scoreboard!
Mel Pearson show summary for 1-14:
Dirk - One of those weekends we should've came away with something.
Friday night no, didn't play well, UMD didn't either. We looked satisfied, looked like we though it'd be easier than it really was. Saturday better, except first 10 mins, up to the timeout, gave up 8 scoring chances.
But Saturday, everytime we got close we made a mental error.
On Friday:
UMD 20 blocked shots
We made the one error, UMD capitalized on it
We didn't fight to get to the net, we out attempted them in shots, blocked plus 20 shtos wide of the net, we played in their zone quite a bit, trying to pick corners too much
missed shots have been happening too much this year, want to pick corners and force a save, need to maximize shots on goal,
D. Johsntone had 8 shots on goal on Friday, one of few bright spots Friday, Copley as well and Dmen group good as well
PK on Friday was decent, but they were missing their PP quaterback
On UMD goal, turnover on offensive blueline, everyone moving forward, turn it over and UMD will transition you the other way
One D guy jumped up into the play, Duluth basically had a breakway the other way, a couple errors on that play
On Saturday:
Called timeout in first 3 mins, had to do it, they had 8 shots in less than 3 mins, 2 or 3 excellent scoring chances by UMD
They jumped us, we weren't ready for that, after timeout, shots were better than 0-8 like the game started
Need to figure out why we started that way, down 2-0 after 1
Copley would like to have 2nd goal back
Their goaltender played well all weekend
In 2nd, Petan goal from JJ, big goal need something to jump start team
Didn't like next UMD goal, UMD player picked Sweeney, it was obvious, officials said they just ran into each other, Sweeney got picked/hit hard, allowed UMD breakaway/goal
It was a critical point in the game
Next goal - Furne, good quick shot, good for him to get 2nd of year
UMD goal makes it 4-2, our breakaway (Rix/Eick) led to a breakaway the other way, they schooled us, 3 or 4 mental mistakes on that play
In 3rd - Seigo goal, good traffic in front of net, make it 4-3
UMD PP goal - bad penalty (C. Pietila), just guys battling along boards and Chad gives the guy a shove, can't hit that guy, couldn't kill it
D. Johnstone, nice pass by Petan, Johnstone good weekend all weekend long
We kept battling back, no quit in this team, need better starts
We shortened the bench in 3rd, our guys were gassed towards the end of the game, we played last 2 periods with more energy than first 4 periods of weekend, need to play that all the time
PK was up to 80% into weekend, 2 PP goals by UMD on Sat, good job overall
Faceoffs on Sat 46-43 MTU - important stat, indicates if you're ready to play, need intensity on faceoff, when you win faceoff, you play with the puck
WCHA record 3-10-3 - A lot of games let, focusing on one game at a time. Furne got a big goal, Sova back, Copley establishing himself as WCHA goalie. Petan, D. Johnstone and JJ playing well
Need to get Tanner going offensively, he's working hard but no numbers.
B. Pietila will take a little while to get in gear. It could be more mentally than physical.
Good things going on. All need to play well together. It's been a mistake here/there that costs us at critical times.
UMD won an NCAA champsionship a year and half ago, we won 4 games, closing the gap, we're getting there. Want to do it faster, have to build upon good things.
Drik - Had a long chat with B. Pietila on Friday, he didn't mention he lost 7 pounds during juniors.
Petan lost 5 pounds during sickness.
In both cases weight loss, phyiscally it's a lot. For Blake, food in Ufa, not good and no break, you go at it hard for 3 weeks, basically may have had a day or two off.
Sova is a little rusty, but it'll help us, it'll take a few games to get in game shape.
J. Johnstone, played Friday, not Saturday, he's having tough luck right now. Can't buy a goal. Hit a post on Friday. Confidence is low, trying to keep working hard. Jake can shoot the puck, just keep working hard, goals will come.
Good things going on with his line. Trying to take pressure off of him.
Bemidji - two OT wins last time.
Came away from that weekend with confidence. Bemidji will skate, under handle the puck, dump it out. Hard working team, will have to match thier work ethic and skate with them. Need to get the lead.
Several seniors on this team. They've been in a lot of close hockey games.
Haven't been home for a month, only 7 games left at home, need to use home ice advantage. We fed off energy of all Tech fans at GLI.
Questions - not many this week, email
dj@themix93.com
B. Pietila, point production has gone up when he moved from USNTDP to college, doesn't it usually go the other way at first.
He's in a different role here than with USNTDP and world juniors. More of an offensive guy here, checking/PK/grind line at world juniors & USNTDP. He can score. Not sure what he'll do at next level.
With the MacInnes cup - will fans be able to see it?
Mel can maybe talk about tomorrow on drive time or next week. The meeting Mel wanted to figure that out in was rescheduled for today.
Thoughts on goaltending going into Bemidji?
Copley played well Friday, gave us a chance. UMD breakaway goal was a good goal. Didn't look as sharp Saturday. Saw a lot of rubber on Friday, may have worn down. He's proved he can win and play well. Genoe has a .500 record & a senior. Jamie has really improved in practice, would like to give him a shot.
It's wide open going into this weekend, Copley may have a slight upper hand.
Bemidji doesn't beat themselves, well coached, have speed, good work ethic. It'll be a challenge for us, and we have some things to prove. Have some good things going on with Sova being back, Blake recovering. We need to imrpove in areas, puck managaement. Some of our mistakes are hard to work on in practice, game situations etc, we'll watch video.
The trophy might be at the Blueline Luncheon, also want an assitant coach there.
