Re: Michigan Tech 2013-2014: Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Realignment
I thought Mel might be annoyed when comparing the two 5 min majors. When Watson was CFB, he jumped and back to the bench. For Stebner hit on MSU, on the video it looked like the MSU guy laid there but was looking up for ref reaction.
Mel Pearson show summary for 3-10:
Disappointment, our goal was home ice, had a chance up to final weekend
Our season isn't over, we have a pretty good draw, we're anxious to get going again
With 2 teams missing playoffs, it cranked up intensity, until last weekend, 6 teams that could've missed the playoffs, it was intense
We're only league in D1 hockey/basketball that leaves teams out of playoffs, it'll come up for discussion, it added down the end, but we don't play a balanced schedule, some teams played UAH 4 times, there'll be a lot of discussion if each team should get the opportunity
Seeding, LSSU/BSU tie, sometimes tiebreakers aren't equal either, if we were judged against Mankato it would've gone to tiebreaker C, we only played at Mankato, NMU only played Mankato at home, some things should be tweaked
After Saturday, both teams were disappointed in result of the game
For rules, Mel thinks WCHA is year to year, unlike 2 year rules review in NCAA, can do what you want year to year in our league, discussion will be interesting
LSSU is out, they had success early, down the stretch they couldn't win games, their #1 goalie went down
It's a good league, people thought this would be an easy league, it's a tough league, sometimes think we would've been better in old WCHA
On Friday:
On 1st/2nd, didn't like 1st period, slow start/on our heels, looked nervous, not handling puck or moving feet, bad combination, they jumped us good
We did not seem in sync, always nervous after bye, practice is not like real game, couple big saves by Pheonix
Pheonix has battled hard lately, he's dialed in, all started in practice, work ethic/compete level has improved dramatically, as focused as Mel's seen him
Players can think they're working hard, until they take it to next level, we talked with Pheonix about Marty Turco, NCAA record for wins, Marty was so competitive in practice, didn't like to give up a goal, Pheonix wasn't to that point, but now he is making tough on our guys in practice
Dirk - Esposito similar to that? He was a competitive guy, it drove him and made him successful. Same for Jamie Ramm, all good goaltenders, starts in practice.
Better in 2nd, 12 shots a piece
3rd period, thought we had a good period, isolated chances, even from start of 2nd, wasn't happy after game, compared to how we can/should play, Hastings probably felt the same
Want to keep it close on the road with a chance to win, we did that, didn't like that we weren't finishing chances
Just under 5 left, Eick in on semi-breakaway, took a backhander, good save by Huggins, we were in a good spot against a team that lost 1 time at home in November, we came up short
Mankato goal, 1-0, blown assignment, MSU all alone in front of net, no chance for Pheonix
Mankato 2-0, pass from behind the net, didn't like the goal, we had coverage on guy in front of net but left that guy to block pass, tell Dmen to stay with your guy in front of the net
Mankato ENG, 3-0 final, debated pulling goalie at 2-0, don't want to deflate your team, but a L is an L, so pulled goalie
Both teams 0-5 on PP, hat tip to PKers, MSU top 5 PP team, kept them in check, MSU PK did well too, they did some things on their PK we hadn't seen, but we also didn't skate
Told our team we did not use our speed, got locked into reacting instead of anticipating, weren't skating/demanding puck
Our best guys didn't skate, didn't get involved, MSU probably saying the same thing
On Saturday:
We were much better, overall much better hockey game, we came out and dictated pace of play
Hanna from Eick/Gould, 1-0, we talk about pushing pace, Malcomb started whole play with chip out, Eick skating up ice with speed, Gould drove the net taking Dmen with him, Hanna had seam
Tremendous year for Hanna, he leads all WCHA Dmen in conference scoring, he's a plus player, doing that as freshmen, Defense is toughest position to break into as Freshmen
Eick got double shifted a few times, he was with Petan/Kero a bit, he was having a good game, some speed with Kero, can handle work load, good skater/great shape
Got into penalty trouble in later in 2nd, Watson took one, game management, understanding situation when Stebner takes 5 min penalty, can't say it was a 5 min, but only seconds left in 2nd, have to understand as player what's going on/what you're going to do, don't want to be in position
Mel irked, MSU guy laid on ice, Watson was hit a lot harder (on the CFB earlier), Watson got up right away, tell our guys if you're hurt stay down, but get up if you're okay, MSU player lays like he's been shot, bothers Mel, tough spot for officials
We had some chances in 2nd, Huggins big saves, 22 attempted shots to 9, we were skating/hitting/making plays, they didn't have much on Pheonix, one of better periods in awhile
Mankato goal, 1-1, we were caught tired in zone, we needed weak side forward to help on coverage, a little late, one time beating Pheonix
Kero had some great opportunities he normally buries, led team with 5 SOG
Knew before OT BGSU had won, Dirk says they announced it after 2nd, Mel didn't hear that, just knew if we won he had home ice
After 3rd we knew BGSU won, and UAF a potential road trip if L, we talked about it earlier in day, if BGSU won, late in OT do we pull goalie?
If we lost/UAA won, we could be going to UAF, they way OT played out, they were dominating, would be tough to walk out losing, and going to UAF
Mankato had same convo, if they pull their goalie and score, they WCHA co-champs, L is same as T, maybe would've lost in pairwise a bit
Probably both should've pulled goalie and played 6x6, both teams disappointed, we had high expectations of home ice, we knew it'd be hard at MSU, disappointed we didn't achieve a goal
MSU lost a WCHA championship, neither team in position to talk a lot after game, Mel may talk to Hastings in Grand Rapids and a laugh a bit about potential of playing 6x6 with no goalies
We are 5 seed @ #4 BGSU
Exciting regular season in WCHA, every game had something at stake this weekend, that's what you want
Proud of our team, they played hard all year, tough 2nd half, Ferris twice, @MSU, @BGSU, played a lot of top teams in 2nd half
Not sure last time Tech hockey finished with better than .500 in league standings
Ended up .500 or better on road in WCHA, played the tough road games this year, it'll be a good series
We were 1 pt from 3rd place, goes to down to so much from the year, People wonder why Mel is upset about ref against Bowling Green in December, 1 point make a big difference, every point is huge
Guys battled hard, played toe to toe against a good hockey team
On BGSU:
Played them 4 times, know them well, December and again recently, we matchup well, things happen quick in that arena
Swept last time, it'll be much more difficult, they'll be ready,
On flipside, we have to tell our team, the past wins there doesn't guarantee anything
Our forecheck was good at BGSU, it is when we're skating, they'll tweak some things I'm sure, already watched BGSU/BSU series
Congrats to Reid Sturos national rookie of the month.
Great honor, there are outstanding freshmen players in D1 hockey, tremendous honor for him, deserving, big role in teams success, look forward to having for years.
Questions for Mel:
What grade would Mel put on regular season?
Competing for home ice/1 point form 3rd, a Solid B. Things to work on, but better than average.
Besides PP, what are areas of improvements for next season?
Need to be better defensively. Not only dmen, goaltending/forwards also. Goaltending needs to be more consistent.
Overall defensively consistent each night. Need to have a great effort, can't give up 7 to UAF and expect to be a real good team.
Does playing on small sheet at BGSU affect lineup?
Yes, a bit, with olympic sheets there's so much space. Have to be quick on smaller rink, quick is different than fast. Quick is that first 10 yards.
Attitude in locker room into playoffs?
A little surprised, after game, guys were very disappointed. That was one of our better game in last 2 months, compete, scoring opportunities, PK, goaltending.
Our team was down, they were working hard for home ice, as we got home, and talked, they came around. Hopefully refocused today and anxious to go.
We've got a good attitude and leadership, and believe we can go as far as we want.
Not all travel plans in place, no school this week, we can practice as much as we want/any time we want.
We met last night, we'll meet again this morning to structure our week. Want to be at peak performance for Friday, think about travel, practice etc.
Has a pretty good idea of what Mel wants for this weeks plan, but wants input from coaches/captains.
Have to have energy this time of year. Then execute the game plan. Need to decide days off, etc.
Dirk - You can bring everyone, will you?
Will determine that today, probably will not take everyone.
Mel - Everyone in SE MI, get out to the game, support your Hockey Huskies.
Arena concessions SUCK...the hot dogs are notoriously horrible, and nothing else is much better. Concession stands DO sell beer, but it is outrageously priced. I'd suggest you avoid sideline seats in the first 8-10 rows...tough to see in the near corners from there. Anyplace else is fine.