Re: Michigan Tech 2013-2014: Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Realignment
Props to ticket group for some unique way to get people in the door.
Mel Pearson show summary for 2-10:
On paper you're supposed to win, all pressure on you, so can be a tough weekend and UAH a hard working team, did what we needed to do
Some guys getting on a roll, a lot of good things from our team on weekend
Pietila 6 points, great weekend, starting to play like we expected, has his confidence, move to center has helped him, more involved in the game, nice PPG goals
The opposite, a move from C to Wing has helped J. Johnstone, played very well, good speed, can use it more playing on wing, played much better at wing than center
On Friday:
Pietila from Sturos, they enjoy playing together, and D. Johstone added a dimension on that line, can be one of better lines in WCHA
D. Johnstone on that line can help free up space for Blake P., that line has speed/grit/skill/defensive responsibility
Had some missed PP opportunities, a lot of non-PP guys sitting on bench, very deliberate on PP, maybe would've rather stayed 5x5 after 1st goal
UAH worked hard, kept us off our game
Kero 2 goals in 2nd, his 2nd big goal to get some separation, good play by Rix, Kero skated better than he has all year, noticed his speed
Pietila PPG, 4-1, PP been good the last 4 games, getting some bounces, Blake in right place at right time, he's really taking off, good for our PP, Hanna much more comfortable
Leibinger/Hyland +3, plus/minus can be deceiving but both played well, Walker goes under the radar, don't talk about him a lot, but he's been steady making right play, same for Leibinger, freshmen but expectations for him are so high, forget they're freshmen, relying on them so much
Kero 9 shots on goal, skating great, speed tremendous, Kero missed 3 days of practice due to bumps/bruises, takes good care of himself away from ice, so 3 days off, and not miss a beat
Impressed with UAH, they play hard/physical between the whistle, good disciplined weekend by both teams
need to stay out of the box, 5x5 we have more depth than a lot of teams, using that depth more helps our team, don't wear out your top players by being on PP/PK
On Saturday:
1-1 game after 1, looking at whole weekend, one period got away from UAH, other than that generally close series, credit to UAH, Corbett done an excellent job, they continue to work/play hard, UAH will beat someone down the road
Pietila in 1st, UAH tied it up after that, upset on UAH goal, good period and then mistake in our zone, bad turnover, told our team after 1st, when we play really good teams, can not make those mental errors, goals are hard to get back, have to play to our standard of play
Pietila second goal, up 2-1, good goal, gave us momentum
Rix 3-1, put it on net backhand, goalie though it would be a pass across, turning point in game, got separation
Eick breakaway, 4-1, blocked shot and goes the other way, he just shoots it, no move, it had been awhile but he can score
Gould 5-1, from Baltus, liked Baltus Saturday, wanted to get him in BG games, he's looked good in practice, but kept both days same in BG, hard to take players out when things are going well, he's looked good, he's turned the corner like Sturos, he'll be very good, working hard without the puck
D. Johnstone from Pietila, 6-2, did not like UAH goal, sloppy defense, but good answer, great pass by Blake, difficult pass to shoot, but Johnstone adjusted and great skill/goal
Neville goal, redirect from point, wanted Dmen to under handle the puck and get shots through, good job Sweeney, good for Neville
UAH PPG, 9-3, not good on PK, soft, they got a puck through and bounce
UAH scored after Wintjes went in, shows they didn't give up, credit to them playing hard and push us
Gould has taken a big step forward, great shot, 4 goals in last 4 games, starting to come on and add secondary scoring
Vallis first career goal, 10-4, nice shot, he does that in practice, team happy for Max, good sign when team is pulling for everyone else, we have to all be together, we're getting there
2-4 PP, UAH 2-3 on PP, the game does change with lead like that, but we left ourselves with room for improvement, can't give up 4 goals anytime and expect to win
On WCHA standings:
They discussed other results in the league
We have to take advantage of upcoming games, so that we are in a good spot for our bye week in 3 weeks
Crowds were good this weekend and helped us, important going forward
NMU 5 of last 8 at home, UAH in last weekend, we just need to take care of business against them
This weekend is big, stay ahead of UAF, same mindset for NMU, we control our destiny, need to continue to play well
Tech in 3rd, behind Ferris and Mankato, if Mankato slips up, the last weekend could be for a lot, standings are close
They discussed some B1G results
Questions:
dj@themix93.com
What can be said about Sova's status?
Dan has not played since the Saturday @ Ferris. Dan missed a lot of hockey they last few years, battling that, working hard in practice, can play any night. The 6 Dmen have played really well. There'll be opportunity down the road.
Dirk - Same for Jimmy Davis and Fillion?
Davis looks good. The broken hand threw him behind, now the problem is when to get him in with every game so important. The guys ahead of him playing well, including Sova. Jimmy has a redshirt possibility, we'll discuss that after the year.
Can UAH build/sustain a competitive hockey program?
Yes, they didn't have a league, so tough recruiting being an independent. They have somethign to sell, they can sustain.
When Mel was at NCAA regional not long ago, UAH was there, played Miami to a tough game.
Does Petan remind Mel of Sean Harrison?
Mel recruited and coached Sean. He might've been last Tech player to Lead WCHA in scoring. He's similar in skill leavel.
Sean was faster/quicker. Petan might have a little more high end skill.
Do you think Pietila/Sturos/Johnstone line is best since becoming head coach at Tech?
Good question, we change lines a lot, tough. They've got everything, Reid will continue to grow. Ask Mel that question next year at this time, they can be one heck of a line.
Dirk - Do lines not stay together as much as they used to? Yes, change things more to get players going etc.
Mel has every practice since he's been here in a book, can go back and see what lines were on any given day.
Dirk - Copley got both games, is he the guy?
We have 3 goalies that can play. Wanted to get Pheonix some games, hasn't played as much as Jamie lately and not back to back since GLI. We reevaluate it every week, watch practice etc.
In the home playoff hunt, great promotion.
If students come to last 3 home games, get playoff games paid for if we get home ice.
Because WCHA runs playoffs, we have to charge for playoffs, but Tech would pay for your ticket.
Also, there's a chance for student organization to win $200 to Joey's Only for whatever organization bring biggest group this weekend.
Ticket giveaway trivia. One caller had a question.
How many minutes could Wintjes play to allow for redshirting? 1/3 of games played. There's a lot of room for a player like Wintjes.
Games against UAF will be fun hockey to watch. Thanks for crowds and support.
