Re: Michigan Tech 2013-2014: Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Realignment
Mel Pearson show summary for 12-10:
We're all disapointed with results, not disapointed with how we played
Can't fault the effort of our players, Mel's been in the post AK situation many times and it's hard, Mel woke up at 1AM several times the week after AK
Our guys played hard/with energy, just didn't get results we wanted
We played well Friday, was concerned about Friday, at times we didn't execute as well/as sharp as we should have been, real good on Saturday
We did not give up much both games, we're not scoring, PP needs a lot of work, but defensively it's keeping us in the game
As we get to Feb/March, we'll be well schooled in playoff hockey, pretty much every game we've played has been tight 1 goal game, learning how to play well defensively
Neville/Petan/Eick did not drop off after AK, they had chances Friday, Petan had a few chances, a few odd-man rushes Friday late, they'll only get better playing together
On Friday tie 2-2:
1st period we had 4 PPs, difference in shots, 6 attempted shots for BSU in 1st, we didn't convert
Ward for BSU, PPG, killed penalties pretty well, but didn't clear the puck, want to be aggresive up ice on penalty kill, guys were leaving zone, but didn't quite clear it
Neville goal called off, official said goal on ice, went to reviw, need evidence to overturn, refs said obvious Neville kicked it, took a long time to make sure he didn't get stick on it before going in net, Mel hasn't seen it
Holmberg early in 3rd, 1-1, Daniel has played well, he's been responsible defensively, good on faceoffs, He almost had one in 2nd too, but great save by BSU
Eick from Neville, Stebner, 2-1, nice give and go, Eick shot it right away
We had some good shifts, carrying play, Watson broken stick on shot from point, Ward takes puck the other way 1x1, didn't like how our Dman played it as if it was a 2x1, should've just gone right at Ward, he wont beat you 1x1 a lot, most of a shooter than skater
Shots 38-21 Tech, couple good chances in OT, we're pushing the pace, like how we're playing, hard forecheck, aggresive on offense
We did a good job moving the puck through neutral zone, having trouble finishing, hard to preach the offense, it takes some skill, poise, puck luck
We're in a position to win every game, not getting outplayed and have no chance
We were bad in faceoffs, told team Saturday morning, that is an indication if you're ready to play, indication we were a little off
On Saturday tie 2-2:
Kero scores, 1-0, great move, talked to Tanner to use his speed more down the side, and cut into the net, what a move
Kain, 1-1, we shot ourselves in the foot, 4x4, Tech had 3 forwards and 1 Dman, would roll into a PP soon, pucks bouncing Kero/Hanna at blueline, bad bounce and they walk in on a breakaway, not a great move by BSU, Phoenix didn't get a lot of action Friday, and not much Saturday, BUS goes back hand and roofs it, tough goal, we were playign well not giving up much
Little hesitation after that facoeff win, Dmen didnt' decide to go after puck or fall back to play defense
Heinonen almost a goal, hit's pipe, and almost crosses line but BSU dman stops it
Stebner goal, 2-1, good play, always tell maybe 1 dman to join the rush, Petan gets puck to Stebner, it hits their defensmen and goes in
1:30 later, Mattson for BSU, 2-2, this is difference between this weekend and UAF, we held on to leads up in Fairbanks, Leibinger has puck, wiffed so didn't clear it, another Dman tries to fall and block it, Pheonix gets spun around, not sure how it goes in
Just need next goal for seperation, but get a bad break, Friday broken stick, Saturday can't clear it
Team was disapointed after Saturday, not a lot of happiness, all we can ask is that the effort is there, disapointment is a good sign, just not happy with results, undefeated in 5 games, should be happy with what we're doing but guys want more
We carried some play, had good opportunities, Blake had a great OT chance, turnover, walks in almost all alone, last year he would've scored, he's fighting things a bit, he'll work through it
We had 13 attempted shots in 5 min OT, they had 3, we're playing to win, no consolation with 1 pt
Every point is huge, we're slowly moving up standings, pretty good position into this weekend to have a good 1st half to be in top half of standings
Concerned abotu PP confidence? Biggest thing for MEl is improvement, not too deliberate with the puck, getting shots. Sova had a few good shots. Pieces to the puzzle are there, trying to put them together. Didn't realize Seigo would be so big. Realize we miss David Johnstone and JJ who would've been in front of the net after watch PP film from last year.
IT's a new year, things are different every year, can't expect success if you had it last year. Like where PP is headed, if we can be in this poition with the PP right now, it's okay because PP will get better.
PK killed all 4 Saturday, BUS got 1 real good chance, PK good mostly all weekend,
#1 in league in GAA, huge, you know the offense will come, BSU came in with plenty of goals scored, we shut them down
On recuits, NLIs:
Signing date is 2nd Wed in November. Got letters all in. Address a lot of our needs. #1. Speed and Skill, added some scoring to the mix and some size/toughness a lot of character too, alot of guys C or As on their team
Not sure if these guys will come in 2014 or 2015, based on how their years play out. A lot of kids sing NLI for either this year or year after.
How much do you know or gut feeling at this stage on timing for comeing to school? A little bit right now. Like an injuries affect it. Want kids to come in over ready so they can contribute to the team.
Evan Anderson in BCHL:
Big tall forward. Good start, top 10 in BCHL. He'll add offensve, late bloomer out of Denver. Can play wing/center.
Alex Gilles another top 10 in scoring in BCHL. Same line as Evan at Salmon Arm. He's a very good offensive player, can skate.
Dane Birks drafted by Pittsburg. Assitant GM for Pens called and talked about Dane and his progress. He's smart skating Dman, will fit in well with our young Dman. Has offensive instincts.
Mason Blacklock, top 5 in scoring, then got hurt. Nothign major, out 6 weeks. Off to a great start, still leads team in goals even though out of lineup. Great skater, dynamic.
Demico Hannoun, Vernon BCHL, maybe most talented of all forwards. He can score some goals. Petan's cousin. He'll add offense, probably will play center.
Brett Boeing, Dubuque USHL, came out of Shattuck. Scorer, good speed. Similar to Petan. Not sure if 2014 or 15. Playign very well.
Matt Roy - big strong kid Detroit, USHL, has had some injuries, concussion, knee out 6-8 weeks. Will monitor when he gets back. Similar to CLiff Watson, big poised.
Others that had already signed.:
Auk - USHL good numbers, plays on PP. Can sakte, great hockey IQ.
L'Esperance had good night in USHL the other night, 4 goals. he's starting to come on. Big tall centerman.
Jackson injured a bit, off to slow start adjusting from MNHSL to USHL. Got first goal the other ngiht. Playing well from all reports. He'll be terrific, Eick like skater.
Dylan Steman - in Cedar Rapids, like Neville. Can play PK, PP, great on faceoffs.
Real good class. Add to all of our needs, make us a better team.
Dirk - Know any guys coming in for sure in 2014?
Birks, Anderson, Blacklock, Gilles. Schuldt on defense. Didn't mention him. Real tough kid. He'll bring physicallity. Great student/character.
L'Esperance, Steman, and then make some decisions after that.
Big class. Very talented.
Questions:
From coaching standpoint. What is a way to attach teams that pack it in?
Need a good transition game. Take advantage of offensive rushes. PP has to be good. When we're in the zone, need more traffic to the net, take away goalies eyes. Defensment have to be involved in zone, get shots through. Use back of the net, can't just use corners.
With 20 plus future commitments does this affect recruiting strategy?
How does it affect future recruits?
We have a few in the fold. That's how it is in this day and age. We have room for players, we have a strategy and a list on a board in our office with future years teams, 4 years out. Can slot in needs or projetions. We'll have early departures, have to project a little bit.
Fall of 15 or 16 depending on our board. Hasn't affected us with future recruits.
Dirk - How often do you look at the board?
Once a week. It's a moving target. Trying to project draft choices/free agents. Will Pheonix be here 4 years? He's getting NHL interest. Always aware/1 step ahead.
Trivia for tickets:
Bowling Green goalie for their national championship against UMD in '84? Sertich was at Duluth. He coaches in area.
Gary Kuseck? 3 OT game.
Bowling Green coach for 1984 championship, in Hockey East now. 468 wins.
Jerry York
On Bowling Green:
Lost to UAH Saturday, good for UAH. They will not be happy.
We're right there with them in the standings. We'll play them 4 times in next month. Mel picked BG top 3 in WCHA. They're a good team, they've lost some tough/tight games.
Overall team play, play together, well defensively. Very aggresive on PK and forecheck.
And then a weekend off. We're one of few that has not had a weekend off. We've held up well. Shelast doing a great job with strength/conditioning.
Encourage everyone to come out. Big weekend. Teddy Bear toss on Saturday ngiht. Bring a stuffed animal to throw on ice.
At least Tech is moving up in the standings.
