Re: Michigan Tech 2013-2014: Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Realignment
Mel Pearson show summary for 1-27:
Mel was a little late, Dirk went over Friday highlights on his own
Played much better after 1st period, 1st could've been our worst of the season, maybe partly due to the bye
We also took early penalties, put us on our heels, Jamie made subtle saves to keep it close
big factor scoring the goal right after FSU goal, Blake showed his strength, outmuscled Ferris guy, got puck to the net
2nd was our best period of weekend, good scoring opportunities, opposite of 1st,
3rd was even period between the teams, but we got the goal, good for Sturos, starting to score
Biggest difference in new WCHA is how they play, much more defensive posture game first, and then rely on other team making mistake, we haven't completely adjusted to that
We have a team with old WCHA that can skate up/down, may need to get grittier
Sturos is where Mel thought he'd be, slow start, freshmen worried about scoring/points, need to come in and not hurt your team, then take next step of helping team offensively, from an even player to plus player
Dirk - Pucks not sliding normal? When temp gets this low, more snow on ice, need to mess with temp of your ice plant, a lot of snow on the ice, ice gets so cold, temp, they messed around with temp a little bit, noticed it in practice too
On Sturos PP goal, practiced it, get puck in from point, Sturos standing in front of net, Ferris allows that on their PK, we need to recognize what's open, struggled with that on PP, miss Siego, he had a feel of what would be open, can't teach that, vision/hockey smarts
Saturday game:
credit to Ferris, top 10 team, experienced, played desperate, they put in Williams and they had the jump, we were flat
We needed a spark, partly all penalties we took, 3 times we were on PP and took penalties to nulify, 0-7 PP a little misleading, some were short, don't get all guys into the game with special teams, so hard to stay in mentally
Gould walks in all alone, beats Williams, just hit cross bar, 1/4" lower it's in, a goal would've been energy in building and on bench, every play counts, key turning point
When Ferris has lead, they clamp down, keep it simple, we weren't patient after that, couldn't get anything going
Only good penalties are ones saving a goal, we took a lot of penalties in offensive zone, haven't done that for awhile, not sure if too jacked up, need to be even keel
Ferris scores, 2-0, pick D. Johnstones pocket during 4x4, only allowed them 11 attempted shots in 2nd, didn't have much going until that goal, took a lot of wind out of our sails
We had two PPs early, could see we didn't have much energy, we were discouraged, we had subtle chances watching tape, Williams got over on a Petan and Furne chance
They're good, their best players are their older players, been in a national championship game, took them awhile to get to where they are, getting a team that competes every year, their seniors are their best
We're disappointed, difficult to sweep a top 10 team, have to play almost a perfect game
Kero/Petan/Furne line quiet, petan was in box, have to be careful, they want to do well, Petan/Kero are leaders, they got frustrated, penalties, PP not working, easy to get discouraged, need to stick with game plan, first time in a long time, we let adversity get to us
It's 1 game against a very good team, in thick of things for home ice/playoffs
On WCHA playoff picture:
Number in mind to get home ice? Dirk thinks 6 or 7 games.
We need to take care of our games, and don't worry about others. If you can win 8 you'll be in game for home ice. We have 5 at home, need a few wins on the road. We can do that.
6 might get you home ice, Ferris/Mankato will have a say, most teams still have to play them
Every weekend is important, we have to get points every weekend, doing that will be in good shape, just want to make the playoffs, so tight, once you're in, new season
With our team we can beat anyone on any given night, still want home ice, it's a goal
UAH will have a lot to say too, they play in Alaska this weekend, NMU, Houghton, they play all the teams in the thick of it, they wont quit, their coach has done a good job
Games in hand are nice, but need to win them. Need to focus on 1 game at a time
Goaltending situation has to sort itself out, Jamie did a good job, not much a factor Saturday, didn't have to do much, Mel watched other WCHA game, Bemidji goalie gets shutout, made critical saves at critical times, can really sway the game, looking for that
Both goalies playing pretty well, Pheonix hasn't played since LSSU for 1 period, looked sharp in practice, we'll see him, maybe need to split them until 1 grabs the job, we haven't had that yet, our goalie hasn't stolen a game this year
Like when BG goalie beat us 3-2 in Houghton, We need a couple of those games, both are capable of that
Every game is so close, need goalie to step up, Williams did that Sat, great save on Petan after rebound, real nice game for him
On defense:
Dirk - sova our for awhile, Hyland settled in to top 6
Defense okay, overhandled pucks at times, weren't sharp, thought we'd be better after Friday
Sova he can play, we want him to player better, he's a senior
Davis looked real good in practice, we have some depth
On BG coming up:
Different style than FSU, more wide open, offensive, we caught them at a good time in Houghton, their coach said they were tired/long grind
They're explosive and can score, real good defensemen that will play in Olympics
They're a good team, coach's 4th year, they play the right way, and play hard, they have their best player back
We need everyone going well to win on the road
Questions for Mel:
Does Mel think we can make home ice and how important is it?
Yes we can make it. This team has all the ingredients to make a good run. It's nice we're getting healthy, 2 improvements needed. PP needs continue to make progress. We have done that, even though numbers don't show it.
Our goaltending too, we have to get a guy that gets hot and on a run. That'll steal a game for us for a night we might be off.
Is home ice that important? Because of balance in WCHA, not most important, #1 is getting in, but being home is an advantage. On the road we'd be fine too.
What does Pearson have to say to fans that have become apathetic/frustrated?
Good question, have to turn the page back a few years ago to see how far we've come. We all want success, quicker than it's come.
Look at GAA, where we were, A TEST of EMERGNECY SYSTEM, not sure what I missed
Feel good about players on this team and underclassmen. Really feel good about recruits.
Told people this league would be tough, Told fans and our team. We have to make adjustments and get a little grittier. Overall ecstatic about program, other than overall wins, and goals. No one said it'd be easy. We have a chance to make home playoffs. Look back a few years, we would've been ecstatic at a chance for home ice.
Can't wait to see when our goalies are juniors/seniors. A few years ago we had Josh Robinson/Brett Olson great leadership, trying to recreate that leadership and culture. We're not far off. Keep talking about 1 goal losses, 1st step to get a chance to win, 2nd step get talent to get over the hump. It's coming.
On PP and offense, if numbers don't improve in danger of missing playoffs?
Not in danger, we can survive without that. Those things help ensure we do get in. Would help our cause to move up in standings. It's like a puzzle, have a system that maybe people don't fit in, so have to change system. Like baking a cake, at times it seems like we don't have all the ingredients for the cake.
PP question, why are guys that haven't scored much on PP unit? While leading scorers are on bench?
All leading scorers on PP, Pietila/Kero/Furne/Hanna etc all on PP units. Doesn't always work to have all top scorers on a single unit, need chemistry on PP. Trying to find that. Mel's lost a lot of sleep over, thinking of chemistry, have vision of what we need but don't have certain types of guys that would fit the vision and scenarios. As we go forward in recruiting, have issues to address.
Like pulling out old puzzle, can't find a few pieces. We'll get it going, only takes 1 week to have success and confidence. It'll snowball.
How do you determine scholarship money?
All teams have 18 full scholarships. 29 players, you can split it up however you want. Some on tuition, some books, some of both. Like a salary cap. Adujust it and how to spend it to get best team possible.
You said team hasn't adjusted to new WCHA grit/style, has it affected how you recruit?
It has a little bit. You still need skill guys, but need skill that gets greasy. We have to do that, learn to play a certain style. Get out of comfort zone.
Need to find way to get through 5 guys to get to net and scoring opportunities. It was the same at MI, played in CCHA, played BC or MN they get up/down the ice. Need a team that can do both, skate/skill and grind it out. Can play olympics sheet or small rink.
BG is a big weekend. Been in playoff mode for awhile, this is the reason we schedule ND, Duluth, MI etc. To be ready for this time of year on road against a good team. Most importantly, need energy and jump we didn't have. Great to get some points before 5 home games, we'll be ready.
Thanks to fans that came out!
