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

[eye4talent]

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

As a fan, that's the only part of his answer I did not like hearing, even though it's true. Coaches shouldn't point to turnarounds at other programs to establish a padded schedule for their own reclamation project, IMHO. While I highly doubt it was Mel's intention, doing that comes off as a coach trying to write himself a free pass for X number of years.

I agree. that's exactly what i thought. Look at Mankato. they were bottom of the barrel last year. This year under a new coach, ranked #9 in the country and poised to make the NCAA tournament. i've heard 30 years of excuses. At some point, the excuses have to stop.

That being said, i do believe in Mel and what he is doing. i believe he can build a consistent winner. it just might take a little longer than i expected.

 

[midwest hockey]

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

Tech is headed in the right direction. The losses are not surprising, given the youth of this team. Anyone (seemingly most, given the reduced energy on this thread) who is truly shocked and dismayed by the season was being far too optimistic. Teams this young, especially goaltending, don't win consistently at this level. Period. The program is in good hands, and I don't just mean Mel--Damon, Bill and Suzanne are first class also. Top notch folks, the bunch of them. Trust me when I say they are head and shoulders ahead of their competition. I would know, because my son has met a lot of that competition in the past months; that's why the recruiting results are what they are. Things will turn. Everyone needs to relax a bit, and I think that's what Mel is really trying to say. The only mistake Mel can make is to get down and have that infect the kids--he is clearly not doing that. As for the nWCHA, I consider it an advantage in recruiting, not a detriment. MTU will be in the hunt for a playoff spot on an annual basis, starting next year.

 

[purpleinnebraska]

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

I agree. that's exactly what i thought. Look at Mankato. they were bottom of the barrel last year. This year under a new coach, ranked #9 in the country and poised to make the NCAA tournament. i've heard 30 years of excuses. At some point, the excuses have to stop.

That being said, i do believe in Mel and what he is doing. i believe he can build a consistent winner. it just might take a little longer than i expected.

Agree with you - to a point. But It was easier for Hastings to turn it around here because he had more talent left to him. You guys have some incredible Fr-So players like Petan, Pietela, Khaira, Eick, but not much in the Jr-Sr group (no offense) and that lack of depth is hurting you now. The biggest advantages we had over you last weekend was 3rd and 4 lines that played a lot of minutes and we wore you down. That won't be corrected very easily, even in one more year. But Mel has put together a very solid core.

 

[Wi.Huskies Fan]

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

I was wondering if all conferences of Div. 1 hockey have this many bye weeks in a season or is it just the WCHA? It seems there are more this season....or is it just me?

 

[Shirtless Guy]

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

I was wondering if all conferences of Div. 1 hockey have this many bye weeks in a season or is it just the WCHA? It seems there are more this season....or is it just me?

The big reason this season has been so bad is Michigan Tech had to schedule NMU on two Tuesday nights instead of weekend AND MTU isn't travelling to Anchorage so they have 2 less games on the schedule compared to last year...plus some years it doesn't seem as bad when bye weeks fall near christmas break or around Thanksgiving. Next year should be better because all our NC games should fall on weekends and we'll either have 2 or 4 extra games depending of we head to Anchorage and/or Fairbanks.

 

[stuckinwi]

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

The big reason this season has been so bad is Michigan Tech had to schedule NMU on two Tuesday nights instead of weekend AND MTU isn't travelling to Anchorage so they have 2 less games on the schedule compared to last year...plus some years it doesn't seem as bad when bye weeks fall near christmas break or around Thanksgiving. Next year should be better because all our NC games should fall on weekends and we'll either have 2 or 4 extra games depending of we head to Anchorage and/or Fairbanks.

I thought I heard somewhere that the Alaska trip was going to be over Thanksgiving with both schools on back to back weekends. Any truth to that still?

 

[geezer]

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

Tech is headed in the right direction. The losses are not surprising, given the youth of this team. Anyone (seemingly most, given the reduced energy on this thread) who is truly shocked and dismayed by the season was being far too optimistic. Teams this young, especially goaltending, don't win consistently at this level. Period. The program is in good hands, and I don't just mean Mel--Damon, Bill and Suzanne are first class also. Top notch folks, the bunch of them. Trust me when I say they are head and shoulders ahead of their competition. I would know, because my son has met a lot of that competition in the past months; that's why the recruiting results are what they are. Things will turn. Everyone needs to relax a bit, and I think that's what Mel is really trying to say. The only mistake Mel can make is to get down and have that infect the kids--he is clearly not doing that. As for the nWCHA, I consider it an advantage in recruiting, not a detriment. MTU will be in the hunt for a playoff spot on an annual basis, starting next year.

This post makes me feel happy inside. And you know it's true.

 

[Shirtless Guy]

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

I thought I heard somewhere that the Alaska trip was going to be over Thanksgiving with both schools on back to back weekends. Any truth to that still?

I will ask, I'm pretty sure two schools are planning on doing that year but I'm not sure Michigan Tech is one of them, or what effect Alabama-Huntsville had on that plan. I might sit down with Mel tomorrow and if I get the chance, I plan on getting some answers about NC schedules and I'll try and ask about Alaska trips, if they know. Ran into Mel and Steve Shields at the library tonight. They were out with former Husky Jimmy Roy who currently works as director of player development for the Winnipeg Jets. Gave Jimmy a little crap about making sure Jake Jackson is on their radar for late in the draft.

 

[mtu_huskies]

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

Re: the comparisons to Hastings/Mankato there are some similarities, extremely injured the year before Hastings/Mel took over, but am I accurate in saying the players/system Hastings wants to play is much more similar to Jutting than Mel's system compared to Jamie recruits/players? It's harder to turnover a roster/have immediate success when you're going from big/physical to good skating and fast. Eick and Gould have played a lot more than I had guessed, but if they fit Mel's system more than upperclassmen maybe it makes sense.

Good comments by Midwest Hockey, did their son commit to Tech?

 

[Biddco]

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

I was wondering if all conferences of Div. 1 hockey have this many bye weeks in a season or is it just the WCHA? It seems there are more this season....or is it just me?

I felt the same way! I Thought you had one week off every "semester" of hockey. but this year there are has been four or five it seems.

 

[stuckinwi]

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

I will ask, I'm pretty sure two schools are planning on doing that year but I'm not sure Michigan Tech is one of them, or what effect Alabama-Huntsville had on that plan. I might sit down with Mel tomorrow and if I get the chance, I plan on getting some answers about NC schedules and I'll try and ask about Alaska trips, if they know. Ran into Mel and Steve Shields at the library tonight. They were out with former Husky Jimmy Roy who currently works as director of player development for the Winnipeg Jets. Gave Jimmy a little crap about making sure Jake Jackson is on their radar for late in the draft.

I'm hoping the Alaska thing happens as that makes for a fantastic trip and I know my brother and I would be going. I'm sure others would take advantage of it.

 

[Burnt Orange Husky]

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

I'm hoping the Alaska thing happens as that makes for a fantastic trip and I know my brother and I would be going. I'm sure others would take advantage of it.

Does the University offer any type of assistance for fans traveling to away games or are we just on our own, e.g., discounted airline fares, where to go and where to stay, tickets in a group of Tech fans, etc.

 

[stuckinwi]

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

Does the University offer any type of assistance for fans traveling to away games or are we just on our own, e.g., discounted airline fares, where to go and where to stay, tickets in a group of Tech fans, etc.

On your own up until the last one there. There is a block of tickets reserved for the away team's fans. Whether you buy them or not is up to you. I never buy them at the Kohl Center because sitting at the glass in the Kohl center sucks and I like to be up high to see everything.

 

[huskyfan]

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

the Alaska / Thanksgiving / back to back weekends is still a go.

 

[manurespreader]

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

Regarding non conf games. the coach mentioned last year than u n d wanted to schedule some games, is that going to happen?

 

[Flashy Man]

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

Buffalo fired Lindy Ruff. TSN's Bob MacKenzie is reporting Ron Rolston may be the front runner. Played for Tech in the late 80's.

 

[Thecalkid]

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

Will the red wings alum game be up at the colosseum with the winter classic and all at comerica

 

[Shirtless Guy]

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

Regarding non conf games. the coach mentioned last year than u n d wanted to schedule some games, is that going to happen?

here is what I am aware of:
MTU-MSU 2for1 w games in Houghton next year.
MTU-Mich 2for1 w games in Houghton 2014-15 season.
MTU-UMD 1for1 w games in Houghton 2014-15 season.
MTU-ND 2 games in ND at some point
MTU-Wis 2 games in Madison at some point

 

[bigblue_dl]

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

Will the red wings alum game be up at the colosseum with the winter classic and all at comerica

huh?

2 for 1's and 2 for nones? Yuck, I'd have told the Big 10 douchbags to shove it up their asses.

 

[aparch]

MTU-Mich 2for1 w games in Houghton 2014-15 season.

Aww! How cute! You guys can wear thirtieth annivirsary patches to commemorate how long it's been between visits!


And 2-for-1's? Ha! Suckers! Way to help the B1G schools with added home dates.