Re: Michigan Tech 2013-2014: Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Realignment
Mel Pearson show summary for 11-18:
Overall thoughts:
LIked 5 of our 6 periods, take awawy 2nd period Friday and we had a pretty good weekend, but have to play all 60 mins
Sova, Phillips got in, got some new bodies in the lineup
Stebner out for Sova, told Sova to keep things simple, looked real good, over last 2 years he's missed a lot of hockey, did a great job, concerned about conditioning, but came in and did a good job
Hope he helps our D core especially on PP, has a great one-time shot at blueline, he'll be on one of PP units going forward
Because he's been out, he does extra work before/after practice with Shelast and assitant coaches, he's in good shape now, but has missed 12 games this year, give him credit, he's in his best shape
On Friday:
Up 1-0 early, Hietila great wrap around, our goal was to put pressure on their Dmen, Vallis finished two checks creating turnover, nice strong move to the net by Hietila
Another good start, team ready to go, could sense we didn't seem to have energy eventhough we had early goals
LSSU top line came out after that & took it to us, made it tough on us defensively, could just tell even on Thursday, energy was not the same, a flat day, Mel concerned going into Friday
Gould scores, 2-0, he's come in and really skated, provided energy, looked fresh, big goal, thought the next goal is huge, maybe would provide some more energy if we get next one
LSSU scores early in 2nd, we had chances to clear the puck and didn't for a few different reasons
We need to learn how to handle some success, swept MSU, until they go through it and learn, unfortunately had to pay the price Friday
We didn't play a poor game, maybe a poor 5 mins, Momentum swing after LSSU 1st goal
Partial breakaway for LSSU, players/puck go into net, don't know what refs reviewed
Not sure a penalty shot should've been called, not a clear cut breakaway, Hyland reaches in, takes him down, puck does go in, but after their guy slides into Pheonix, never signaled penalty shot, but after looking at it/talking about it, they decided a penalty shot at least
Not sure they're alowed to reivew and then call penalty shot, may have determined pre-review they were going to do a penalty shot if not a good goal on the ice
Could also look at it, fortunate it wasn't called a goal with a Tech penalty to kill off, good penalty shot, good play by their Dman, they've had shootouts in CCHA for past few years, plenty of practice
LSSU 3rd goal, well executed by 3x3 by LSSU, blown coverage, watching the puck, good shot, Pheonix is off his angle, shot far side and scored. 5 min in 2nd, we're down 3-2
We rallied a bit, got better as 2nd went on
Petan, 5 min major at end of 2nd, dont' like call, reffing good to that point, scrum, very rarely this kind of thing called, especially 5 min major is extreme, use a lot of energy to kill it
LSSU scores 30 seconds into 3rd
Petan scores, down 4-3, quick shot, big goal during 5x3 PP, still had time left on 5x4
Attempted shots 33-10 in 3rd, really good 3rd, really pressing playing from behind
ENG, 5-3 final
PP is coming, good possession time, Pietila had a few backdoor chances, getting chances from blueline, better job screening, good strides with PP
PK has come a long way, good job too overall Friday and Saturday
On Saturday:
Tough loss Friday, a lot of soul searching, emphasized a good start, strong middle, great finish
Good 1st period, shots 12-5
Petan, 1-0 in 2nd, puck hits Dman, goalie and then in net, 6 goals on season, good job cycling before the puck, Kero/Pietila a lot of hard work
Don't want to call it a must win, but we really needed these 2 points, makes it tough with a lot of pressure, the players know we can't give up point at home
Dominated 2nd, we're not scoring on best chances, Rix breakway etc, their senior goalie playing well, shots 24-5, our stat keepers doing a real good job, we're in their zone a lot
In 3rd, Furne makes it 2-0 from Neville, big goal, Furne had a great scoring opportunity in previous shift, shot not quite high enough, Furne great shot upstairs
LSSU goal, 2-1, some interference on Holmberg, no call, good shot beat Jamie farside, a little bit of blown coverage
Too many penalties in 3rd, killed 3, not great penalties, Rix had 3 on the night, maybe one of the best PKers
Nice job playing with the lead after penalties, didn't give them much
Good win in front of a good crowd considering it's deer hunting
Kero 8 shots on goal, Pietila with 5, getting pucks to the net, Blake at 1 goal, he's had chances
On Anchorage weekend:
UAA undefeated on road & yet to win on the road
We have to find a way to win on the road
It'll be a tough series, not much difference between teams, they've got 3-4 good players that lead their team, experienced goalies
Travel will be tough and Olympic sheet will be different
We've played pretty well on road, but need to get over the hump
UAA got a point at Bemidji, having succes on PP, our PK will be big this weekend
Gone for 2 straight weekends, so who goes will be with us will be big decision
24 players can go to Alaska, still odd leaving 5 back home for 10/11 days, those players will stay here with Shelast
On potential lines or changes:
Really liked Gould/Furne both scored, Neville has played well with assists, that line has potential to stay
Hietila/Holmberg/Vallis line may be kept together, they've done well, Holmberg/Vallis will start scoring
Have had Rix/Eick together, rotating a 3rd, trust that line against anyone, that's big with being on road and not having last change
Eick getting opportunities, noticed his speed this weekend, wins races and creates chances
Questions for Mel:
What are travel plans to Alaska, how many can go?
24 players can go. For travel, we'll bus to Chicago on Tuesday, fly out early Wednesday to Anchorage, direct flight. Spend a week in Anchorage, Wed to Wed, then head to Fairbanks for 3 days and then leave midnight Saturday night, to Seattle for 1 hour, Seattle to Minneapolis, bus to Houghton, Hope to be back Sunday 7PM.
It's hard travel. Asked the leagues, if we travel to Alaska can we get bye week the following week. And if we go for 2 straight weekends, we really should get a bye the next weekend, but that didn't happy.
How many NLIs will be signed this signing period? Have had a couple issues getting NLI's back. Had hoped to talk about it this morning. The problem in hockey is players don't typically live at home, need parents signature if under 21, it's sent to player then sent to parent, then sent to Tech. Don't have them all back, expecting 9-10 guys to be under NLI.
A couple don't have to resign as they signed last year. Most are in, got one this morning that had to be sent back because it's missing a parents signature. So will wait to talk about it. We think we have a real good class coming in next year.
We have losses to some top ranked teams, split with 15th ranked. When will we start getting some poll ranking?
It'll take time. We have to get to a winning record, until we're above 500, we won't be in polls. That's how it should be. Sometime Mel has issues with teams being ranked with a losing record.
We've had a tough schedule, we may have toughest. It's been a tough non-conference, next year, UMD/Michiagn at home, so things will balance out a bit better than this year.
What is #1 goal of this years team?
The team sets the goals for themselves. We have 5 on our goal board. Mel speculating on their #1, to Mel it's home ice in playoffs. If we're home in playoffs, we have a good record, good chance to get to Grand Rapids, then it's a single game knockout for NCAA bid. Get to NCAA and GLI are also goals.
Winning GLI was a top goal last year as well. Have emphasized that every year Mel has been here.
Other odds and ends:
No Mel Pearson show next Monday with team still in Anchorage. Will have next Mel Pearson show on Tuesday 12/3.
Fun trip, big week, want that first road win. Need to be ready to play. Will probably change a few things, the first game is toughest with the time change etc. We've ben ready on road except 1, our team knowns how importants points are in WCHA.
UAF is Olympic as well. These are the only UAA games, so important for potential tie-breaker.
Jamie Phillips came in and had a real good game. That'll help us. He hasn't played much, didn't see many shots in 1/2 period and was good in 3rd.
Pheonix from Fairbanks area, he'll be anxious to play around home. Either one of 3 goalies can play and win.
Matt Wintjes, telling him to be patient. He's looked good in practice. He'll get his opportunity at some point. Stay positive, work hard and he has done that. Great attitude, true team players.
How has goaltending coach been?
He's been really good. Caught up in deer hunting, so gone this week in WI hunting, he's done a nice job with goalies. Key to good goaltender.
Assistant coaches, what will they be up to during Alaska week?
They'll flip-flop, Whitten will be at UAA, Muckalt will be recruiting in BC. Whitten will go to the USHL and Muckalt will be at Fairbanks.
NLI new release will be released later this week, can read about recruits. The assitant coaches have done a real nice job, and excited about the future.
Is it different to have both assistants at game?
Ye,s nice to have extra voice/eyes, and they can spend time with players. We do a lot of individual video, want both coaches to go over shifts with the players.
For Saturday lineup changes, assistant put in thier input for player changes. Mel listens to them and values their opinions but has final say.
For week in Alaska, we'll try to do some team bonding things, maybe some curling.
Thanks to fan, liked the energy in our building, really helps our team.
