Re: Michigan Tech 2013-2014: Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Realignment
Mel Pearson show summary for 11-11, I think both Tech Hockey Guide and MTU Athletics Website are posting podcast, but for anyone that doesn't have time to listen to the audio below is a summary:
Crowd was outstanding, band is great, could sense excitement, team feeds off that
Two solid wins against a good young hockey team
It would've felt like a loss, if it was only a tie Saturday, big OT goal, we played hard, good to have some results
Want to win at home, Mel talked to some fans, this is the most fun at Tech hockey in the last few years, pace of play/excitement in building
On Friday, 3-0 win:
Johnstone gets first goal, difference from the road, we've been ready except @ NMU game, and get first few scoring opportunities but not scoring first in those road games
Furne made a good play, got it to David. Furne has good work ethic, maybe not best skater, needs to work harder to get from A to B, has good hockey sense, will give Ryan every opportunity to have his best year as a senior
We've played in a lot of 1 goal games on road against good hockey teams, so we've been in this situation, don't get rattled
Kero goal, 2-0, he just shot it on net, we've talked abouy it a lot, missing net too much picking perfect spot, Kero just shot the puck
We killed the penalty at start of third period, and scored right after that, big kill
Petan makes it 3-0, MSU goalie going side to side because Kero screening, big goal
PP 0-4, Mel thought B- grade Friday night, didn't score on best chances, good posession time
MSU came in averaging 30+ shots on goal, limited them to under 20 both nights, good team defense
Kero led team with 5 shots on goal, SOG Tech: 30 MSU: 19
Copley a couple key saves,hard to get in rythm with less shots like that, tough decision between Jamie/Pheonix
Jamie had a good week in practice, but Thursday decided to go back to Copley, glad we made that decision
Tough for Jamie? Yes it's tough on him, we'll talk to him again today, he's disapointed, Mel expects that, he's a great teammate, Pheonix's biggest fan, been very professional, he'll get his opportunity
On Saturday:
Baltus gets first goal, had been out of lineup for a bit, wanted to add energy with a few players that haven't played in awhile, excited for Brent, great young man, he's worked so hard, made it tough for us to keep him out of lineup
Baltus was fighting a little bit with the pace of his play, Freshmen coming into college, it can be tough right away on the road at UMD and ND, take a step back, watch some games, can get a sense of good/bad plays, moving feet etc, good solid game for Baltus
Kept Holmberg in lineup, good on faceoffs, big body, good job down low, his defensive game has improved, good for him, first time in back to back games, wanted to see how he could hold up
He's adding some things to our team, not just taking up a spot on the roster, it's been a few years of little ice time, one of hardest working players, doign extra making himself better, talked about his pace of play/speed, smart player, couldn't be happier
MSU makes it 1-1, we didn't do a good job in front of Pheonix
Tech PP goal with 2 seconds left in 2nd, Kero from Pietila, good job coming up ice with speed, we got it behind the net, all weekend, MSU hesitant to go behind the net to challenge our guys, so Blake had plenty of time
Sweeney penalty, interference, Forward chipped it behind defensemen, Riley did get a little too much of MSU player
Did not like our PK there, MSU ties it 2-2, for the most part our PKers have done a good job
Watson goes off on cross-checking, big PK, didn't like that call, barely shoves MSU guy that went down easy, both
We're playign well without the puck, blocking shots, back checking, strong in our own zone, like our team defense
Shortened bench in OT, also lost D. Johnstone, did not play 3rd or OT, had been sick all week, got tired early Friday, got hit hard in 2nd period Sat, kept him out precautionary, Double shifted some others that hadn't played a lot
Petan scores OT winner, big goal, talked about putting puck on net a lot, Blake puts it on net, good bounce to Petan
Reffing was excellent, let the players play, they weren't a factor in game too much
Shelast is our strength and condition coach, excellent job, our team is strong, haven't felt we've played a team that's a lot stronger than us this year, MI & ND have a lot of strong players, our guys love him, have to be strong along boards
Crowd stayed and were treated to an exciting finish against a good program, they have players that have played in NCAA tournament,
good for our program to play against these teams and beat theam, a good honest victory, not getting outshot 50-14 and still pulling out a win, good win
On LSSU:
Not surprised on their success, had a long talk with Jim Roque, last spring, talked hockey, he was going to make some changes on approach, they're off to a real good start, much quicker, used to be big/strong defense, now added skill/speed
They've got 2 senior goaltenders that are outstanding, difficult to score, rock solid defensive core, good juniors/seniors
We've played MI, ND, UMD, so we've seen this defensive teams before, this team is just as good as anybody, they've played some good hockey
They played UAF, Gloque, good freshmen hockey player, split against a very good UAF team
Looking through new WCHA, there are good teams there only Huntsville struggling, all other teams, any team can win, every night points are big, with only 8 of 10 making playoffs
Mankato - everyone, including Mel, picked them top of WCHA, a couple guys leave, a couple injuries, goaltender off to a tough start, got pulled the other night, they're still a good team
This is a good league, with good coaches/players, and teams that work hard, Bowling Green has talent too
They discussed other WCHA teams too, Northern and UAF
Questions for Mel:
Shane Hanna reminds the emailer of Kip Knoble with the offensive instincts?
Mel recruited Kip, good denfensmen, Hanna is not quite as good a skater, Shane might see the ice a bit better than Kip. Shane will be very good, he'll put up a number of points. Kip holds a number of offensive records for defensmen.
What is the biggest surprise of the team for Mel?
Our lack of offensive production, especially on PP. thought there'd be more goals, biggest surprise/disapointment. A lot of factors go into it, just hasn't clicked.
Also, our lack of success on the road, have played well but not enough to win. Thought we could win a couple more games, put ourselves in position, but didn't go our way.
How has WCHA played against other conferences?
Pretty well, some wins against Union, Wisconsin, played tough agaisnt some tough teams. Most WCHA non-conference games on the road as well. Fairly happy at this point. Minnesota/Mankato playing this weekend too.
What are difference in winning this weekend vs prior weekends?
If Mel knew the answer he'd be a millionare. Scoring a goal and getting the lead was a big factor. Gives the team confidence. Pheonix been rock solid at home.
WHat's biggest impact on how many NCAA bids the new WCHA gets?
6 leagues, 6 auto qualifiers. 10 at large bids, 2 main thigns W/L record and have played good competition, non-conference games are big. THat's why it's so important to schedule good teams in non-conference. Have to win those. Our league could get 3 teams in, min is obviously 1.
Congrats coach on MSU, do you have any figures on well the online video streaming is doing.
No, Mel worries about PP and others things. Mel gets emails, positive feedback on streaming.
On this weekend:
Big weekend for hunting, but encourage all hunters to get back to Houghton to support the team. Atheltic department has a few specials for families. Encourage fans to come on out.
Had T-shirt giveaway, thank you to Dominoes for pizza that were for students waiting in line. Community/students have been great support.
Is Sova cleared to play?
Yes could've played this weekend, but Mel not happy with conditioning. Dan probably not happy with Mel, need to put Dan in a good situation for success. Will watch him close today.
Tough lineup to crack. Tough decision each game on who to play. Our players have done a good job handling it when they're not in. All have done well.
Tonight at Rock House Grill: 2nd Huskies night out, 6PM, Mel and 3 other coaches will be there. Hear the basketball prospectus, and about the Football OT win.
(My only disappointment was the massive run to the exits by a lot of the fans, instead of reveling in it like the Misfits, at the end of the game. The fans could have stayed for the stick salute). That also will come with winning.
