Re: Michigan Tech 2011-12 Season Thread, Part II: You're gonna need a bigger bandwago
Mel Pearson show:
Really excited and happy for our players - big win Saturday
Had played well lately but no wins to show for it until Saturday
On the weekend:
Dug ourselves a deep hole on Friday - fought back but gave up some weak goals
Had some glorious chances both nights, need to start finishing those
Pulled Robo on Friday to spark the team, also didn't like the second goal, he needs to battle to find the puck
Also coaches had talked about getting Genoe in, thought this was a good time, still talked about putting Robo back in to start the 2nd, but stuck with Genoe
Did not like the three goals Genoe gave up, he struggled a bit
We're playing well, we're outshooting team, out chancing teams, but not outscoring teams
No Olson, Gordic, Kero goals this weekend, once those guys get involved, we'll be dangerous
Lee is a good goalie, but we need to pur more traffic in front of net and get on rebounds
SCSU came out on Sat with an edge, for a more physical game, we wanted our guys to play tough but stay on ice, prob more 4x4 in 1st period Sat than all year
On SCSU bench minor - there was a lot of talking going on by SCSU - may have been strategy to slow down game because they mainly play 3 lines, there was way too much conversation on other side of rink
MacLeod had a good weekend, also played well at UND, playing best hockey of career - want all seniors to take full advantage of every moment they have left
On CC and WCHA Standings:
Tech can finish as high as 4th, realisticaly just need to take care of business, didn't do that against UNO and UND - and Mel knows it's a tall order
2-2-2 in last 6 games on the road
Friday will be a big hockey game, need to make Saturday interesting
It's difficult to prepare for olympic ice sheet, can't practice some things like D zone coverage
We've won on some olympic size rinks this year
Dirk - very good chance we play UNO/CC, does Mel have a preference? Mel - No
Likely if we get 3 points we get home ice - unless SCSU sweeps UMD
At the beginning of the season, if we would've known we could head to CC with a chance to get home ice we would've taken it
Wont be too difficult to figure out who to bring as the extra players, unfortunate we only get 22 players
Questions for Mel:
Why is overtime so short, even 8 min would be nice over 5 mins?
Not sure, we've discussed it as recently as last year, should the ice be redone and do 20 mins? College schedule is shorter than NHL. It'll be discussed again. Could also consider 4x4. Dirk thinks it has something to do with TV - a 20 min overtime could run into next show.
Can we take any extra guys next weekend?
Rules are that 22 players can go. During break from school (spring break) whole team can travel. Extra players at teams' expense. When you leave campus have to declare 22 player roster though.
Have you seen a coach be called by name for a penalty like Motzko?
Usually not, Mel's seen a bench minor, but nothing like that.
The situation with Olson and being speared?
Can't see spear on tape, but good call by refs. Somethign had to have happened because Brett was upset, spear is not necessary in our game. If that was a Tech player, if he ever did it again he wouldn't see the ice.
From a caller, what does he think of new WCHA in 2 years?
Mel's looking forward to it. You can do 1 of 2 things, complain about all of the changes or go with sometimes change is good. NMU rivalry will get better, LSSU could be a rivalry. Ferrris State #1 team in nation. This will also allow us to play non-conf that we wouldn't normally play. We have a couple things going with teams that haven't been to Houghton in a long time. We'll get to see some fresh new teams up in Houghton. We'll also maintain some rivals we have now. UND and UMD may stay on schedule. Hakstol talked to Mel about keeping them on the schedule when we were in GF a few weeks ago.
On CC:
This is a very good team. Coached against them last year in NCAA tourney.
Very good players, high skill uptempo game.
They're struggling right now and we've done a good job shutting down some good players.
We've got good depth, tell our team we need to play 5x5, rolling four lines is to our advantage
Our defense is rounding in to shape and playing better
Injry updates:
Chad Pietila - he could've played either SCSU game, thought about Saturday, but decided to give him a few more days, it's a nagging injury, he can play with the injury
Lickteig played instead on Sat, and he looked good, his speed will be valuable on olympic ice sheet
Holmberg is question - he's been sick and other issues
Brown's surgery went well
Thanks to fans - hope they have one more opportunity to see the team at home
