Mel Pearson Show summary for 11-24:
Earlier practice schedule with no school, so Mel called in
We've been getting some good bounces/break, we've earned them, but this week a bounce here or there went against us
Disappointed with results, not with how hard we played, not much difference between the two teams
We need to understand how we need to play, playing a team like that, every play matters
Didn't play as well Friday night, but much better Saturday
They're deep, we didn't do a lot of matching lines, thought we could just roll and play them
Didn't have intensity Friday, not as good of group effort, you'll have that with nearly 40 games
A couple guys were too uptight or too wired to play, need an even medium between two extremes, need urgency but can't grip stick too tight
Baltus with Pietila/Sturos, put D. Johnstone back there on Saturday instead of Baltus, liked the Saturday line, Blake was dialed in, played very well, little things, good on faceoffs, physical, skated well
Johnstone had a good Saturday too, was a little off Friday, maybe too wired, always nice to have a line you can go back with when trying different lines
Thoughts on Saturday goals, fault Jamie? Wouldn't faul Jamie, but sure he'd like 2 of them back. The 2nd goal in 3rd, was a shot that got deflected that trickled in. Didn't have stick on ice.
Then 3rd goal, shot from corner, gave up rebound and couldn't get back on wrap around. Normally he makes those two saves, but he made big saves in the game. He's the reason we're 10-2.
Joe Shawhan and Jamie have worked really hard on things. You can tell, in more control, battling a lot harder on loose pucks. They go to the net hard. A lot of activity around both goals after the whistle this weekend, don't like others or our team doing that.
On Friday:
Isolated chances both ways in 1st, we gave up more odd man rushes on Friday than all other 10 games combined, we were a little loose defensively, our forwards have to read the situation to help
1-0 Petan, good shot, hit the net, Kero got a good shot that created the rebound
We had a couple great opportunities, Kero SH chance, couldn't get that 2nd one to get some room
We've been good with 3rd period leads, but didn't play the 4x4 well
1-1 Stern, 4x4 goal, we over committed with 3 players down low, not good defensively
1-2, they threw it at a funny angle, went to the net hard, jammed the puck so it went over Jamie, MSU guy bats it out of the air, basically another 4x4 goal, penalties had just ended
Put pressure on at the end, Kero with a great chance, Gervais dove to get a stick on the Kero shot
liked our play and urgency once we were behind, maybe too little too late, but liked the urgency in our game, would like to play that way all the time
Didn't get enough guys involved offensively, partial credit to MSU, but we were also a little off, need everyone, can't have passengers
It's been creeping into our game the last few weeks, but tough loss
On Saturday:
Overall much better performance, both teams a little tired from Friday, not alot going on 1st two periods, tough to get through both defenses
We played hard Saturday
1-0 Petan, Gould assist from behind net, wish Kero could've gotten an assist, made hit that caused D to give up the puck for Gould, wanted to put more forecheck pressure on Sat
Big goal, Mel would've taken 1st goal in both games, thinking it's a key to W, just didn't sustain lead
1-1, Nelson, did not like the goal, Mel will be calling the head of officials, no whistle, after viewing replay, the puck was under Jamie, ref in poor position in corner, couldn't see if puck was frozen, whistle was in his mouth, unfortunate
2nd part is player knocks net up, even though it stay on pegs, looks like puck enters the net from behind and comes out front, net goes down, then MSU guy pushes Jamie's pads into net, didn't like that guys can stand in crease on top of Jamie, 3 factors: slow whistle, poor ref position, net comes up and looks like puck enters through the net out front, then jamming our goalie
Goals are so critical, need to make sure refs get it right, huge point in the game
Mel explained, if net is knocked up and stays on pegs, play can continue, but Mel feels puck went under the net out to the front
We had a lot of hockey left, but critical point in game, goals are so precious though, clearly see in video ref is in no position to see if puck was frozen to begin with
1-2, Leittner PPG, slight redirect, only PPG this weekend, didn't like penalty call, elbow to the head behind the play, replay doesn't show elbow, just want players to decide the game, that didn't win/lose the game, but tough
1-3, great play by Lafontaine, innocent shot at net, bad rebound, got caught between smothering or getting back in net, then MSU wrap it around, sure Jamie would like to have that back
2-3, Gould PPG
Eick penalty late, can't fault CJ, tried splitting Dmen, Williams comes way out and freezes it, with CJ full speed, no room to jump over, clips goalie pad, goalie sold it too, that bothers Mel, Jamie doesn't roll around when he's hit on Friday, Williams rolls around and throws mask off, he sold it but then right back in the game, tough penalty no way to get out of way
Questions for Mel:
Over a 1/4 through season, who is filling departure of this years seniors?
A lot of hockey left, but Gould has taken a step. Showing things he showed as a junior hockey player.
Petan has played well, really like Heinonen and Neville playing well. Neville doing fantastic, things you don't see in offensive numbers.
Eick playing well. Steman is playing well, he's playing against a 25 year old senior. A lot of confidence in him.
We have others like Anderson and Blacklock, Baltus, L'Esperance that haven't played as much. Sturos too, future looks good.
How are fastest players you've coached or played against?
Carl Hagland, recruited him out of Sweden, NY Rangers, burner.
CJ Eick is up there too.
How is recruiting going long term are you finding the players you want?
Recruiting is going well. Really like some of our players coming in.
We have all NLIs back from players we signed early. Joe or Billy will go through that in a bit.
Do we need to learn/remember how to play from behind?
Liked our team when we were behind this wknd. Good sign to play with urgency you need. Want to play that way all the time.
There will be times we are behind and need to stick to our systems.
Last season we beat BGSU then they turned it around and beat us. Is it possible it could happen with Mankato?
Coaches wont have to tell our team to get ready to play Feb in Mankato.
Is throwing a punch acceptable in college hockey?
Not really. No it isn't. There's been a little facemask grabbing, overall it's an emotional game.
After Saturday TO, why not have Tanner on ice when trying to tie game?
Tanner was supposed to be, he was drawn up in play. May have had somebody trapped out there. Good observation.
When watching B1G game this weekend, announcers talked about coaches playing more Freshmen in non-conference and more upper classmen in conference, do you do the same?
We've played quite a few WCHA games, and played freshmen. We'll go with guys that give us the best chance every night.
Need to get guys like Gillies/Steman/Roy, all played well. We have other freshmen we'll look at too.
What do you look for in bubble players?
Some of our bubble players have big roles. Certain guys have roles, like some play both PK and PP when they're in lineup.
Look for bubble players mainly to add energy. We have a number of players that can come in and play well. Makes it tough on coaches.
This weekend, on UAH:
Important weekend. Last conference games before Xmas. A good wknd will set us up in good position for 2nd half. Maybe 8 of 9 at home to start 2nd half.
UAH is playing very well. Best hockey since Corbitt's been there. They've got a good goalie, keep games close. We'll have our hands full.
Like our team and how we fought this weekend.
Muckalt joined the show:
Credit to MSU, proud of our team, played well enough Saturday to win. A couple tough calls at net, but a bounce here/there. They're as good as any team in country.
Want to take positive and improve, want to put ourselves in a position for a national championship.
On NLIs:
Jake Jackson - Forward in BCHL, drafted by SJ Sharks. Fantastic year, speed and as fast as anyone playing junior hockey. Will fit in nice with our tempo.
He had a chance to come in this year but hurt his knee in USHL. He has scored everywhere. He'll do that here too.
His speed will fit our pace, big time forwards. He's learned to play without the puck, a plus player 5x5.
Chris Gerrie - Olds AJHL, 5th in league scoring, leading his team. Similar to Petan. Crafty and can score. Not sure if he'll be next year or following year. Very gifted.
Mitch Newsome - '97 Forward, BCHL, a couple years down the road. Power forward similar to Sturos/L'Esperance. Can skate and knack for the net.
Jake Kauppila- Green Bay, USHL, an energy guy. Hard to play against as well.
Brett Boeing - Dubuque USHL, playing on one of best teams USHL, big minutes
Demico Hannoun - Petan's cousin. 16 goals already, shoots puck like Johnstone, big one-timer
Look at Mankato, had 2 freshmen in lineup, very veteran. We're getting ourselves into that position, where we'll have Blacklock/Anderson/L'Esperance very skilled guys that'll play a lot of hockey.
Sign of a good team, when you get depth and leadership from veteran guys.
Cooper Watson - Madison USHL, 18 year old, big physical, similar to Cliff
Mitch Reinke - Cedar Rapids USHL, high efficiency rating, moves puck, mobile, growing now. Will be a very special player once he's at Tech.
Similar to Seigo, excited about his mobility and high hockey IQ.
Half-kidding. We have about 20 coming up for a random trip. Since MN isn't coming to Houghton anytime soon, we decided to just make a trip. 
