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Michigan Tech 2014-2015

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Re: Michigan Tech 2014-2015

I agree here, would take a hell of a lot of work and Mankato losses to have a chance. I am still optimistic about a home playoff series and NCAAs, but we have got to get back into gear quick to ensure the latter.
 
Re: Michigan Tech 2014-2015

Brenthoven said:
Also spotted a Tech jersey during their blip about the bubble hockey tournament.
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That was my buddy, that you've met (don't want to use real names), he's come to TK's with us before, met his wife there. He asked me to borrow a Tech jersey, since he's an alum, and knew that he'd probably be on TV. So that was my game worn #25 jersey he was wearing. :p
 
manurespreader said:
You know I'm not that worried about the McNaughton, what I'm worried about is the NCAA's. We just have so little leeway and we can't afford to lose to low down teams or we are out of the top 14 and it will be hard to get back in.

I really would like to see the team as a whole playing it's best hockey at the end and I think a number of players, especially Pietila, Petan, and Kero have improved in the last few weeks. I think you can give a lot of credit, not only to the players, but to Mel for that.

We have certainly been shooting ourselves in the foot at times and we have to start sweeping at home these next few series if we want an at large bid.

The young guys are developing very nicely, but we have to focus the whole game, get good goaltending on those long shots, and especially we can't keep playing from behind. We should know, if you are behind BG at the start of the third, it's going to be real tough. And maybe we can learn from how they did the pk and improve our pp.
Click to expand...

I agree with you guys. I'm just saying look at the big picture and body of work as a whole. We have made big strides in some areas, in others, maybe not as much as we thought.

Obviously, Phillips needs to play well for us to be as successful as we were in the first ten games....let's be honest, he stole of few of those for us. But our defense has to play well in front of him, and I will argue that the lack of defensive responsibility over the last 5 games is what is costing this team wins. If the team is playing well defensively in front of Jamie, maybe that gives him more of the confidence needed to make a few more saves or have a few more shots blocked in front.

Yes, we have to score, but it all goes back to that desperation factor - on both ends of the ice.
 
Re: Michigan Tech 2014-2015

Good show today. You have to think that Anderson, Blacklock and Kero are redshirting. Especially after Saturdays lineup was good, and they still wish Johnston, Neville and Heinonen were in there.


Mel Pearson Show summary for 1-19:
After Friday W, in a good position to win weekend, but Saturday loss can wreck a Sunday.
BG is a good hockey team. Overall we did a real good job on the weekend.
Sat it wasn't in the cards, played better than Friday except a 5 min stretch. Overall a lot of guys played better Sat over Friday.
We have to get out of this W and L pattern. We need to get on a roll.
BGSU is a tough team, there's a reason why their 3rd in the PWR. Their PK is good, goalie Friday hadn't lost a game all year.
They are skilled. And when you take Johnston, Heinonen, Neville out, these are even teams.
They're a good team. Our league is good. Years ago people were so worried about the leftovers. Mankato, BGSU, and Tech can compete with anyone out there.
You have to show up every night, you have to play, and then get some breaks.
PWR is good for fans, but we need to stay focused week to week as players. Good to get recognition, we're in a position to give ourselves a chance. If we wins some games, other stuff will take care of itself.

On Friday:
Good intensity early, but a feeling out process, 0-0 after 1
0-1, goal was reviewed, sounds like our guy pushed BGSU guy in, prob could get 10 different ref opinions on it if you asked 10, we had a similar goal at GLI waved off, new rule, goalie has to have a chance to play the puck, Jamie had no chance
0-2, we need to communicate in front of the net and let Jamie handle the puck, D should take an opposition stick/man, we did not do that
Told the team there's still a lot of hockey left, no panic, need to stay with the program
1-2, Petan, Baltus set it up, he's playing so well, can't say enough of what he's added to the team, taken advantage of the playing time, Leibinger made a good play too
2-2, Auk, 1st career, good shot, we need more offense from our Dmen, they need to get pucks through and help the offense more
Auk was +3, and Leibinger too, real strong night
2-3, BGSU PPG, Jamie's got to find the puck sitting in the crease, D could help too
We did a much better job of blocking shots, need to box people out too, keep them away from the net
3-3, Baltus, a ton of credit to him, can see his confidence growing, big goal, we need that with number of guys we have on the shelf. He's such a good person, good to see him have success. He's worked hard. He looks good, has jump and ready to play.
He's a good line mate, it's about the team, he'll do what he can to make the guys around him better. He's so positive.
We have some others struggling right now that had success last year, it'll never be the same. Success last year doesn't guarantee success again if you do the same thing. Have to work harder. Baltus spent the summer here and worked hard. Good for him.
So much of it is attitude. Can't control a lot of things, but you can your attitude and your approach to hockey or daily life.
4-3, Kero PPG, Pietila good job bringing up the puck and put it on net to get rebound, we have a lot of guys missing the net
Unfortunately it was the only lead of the weekend, 9 mins of leading, but big W, gutsy effort. They had only lost 1 game on the road all year.

On Saturday:
0-1, puck squeezed between arm/body, tough goal to give up, we were playing pretty well, have to take advantage of scoring opportunities, we hadn't and the 1st goal becomes so important
0-2, 4x4 goal, rewatching it, some blown assignments on the rush, one Dmen jumped up to make a play with Tanner, so had a F and Dman back, F did a good job, remaining Dman didn't see he had help, a lot of little mistakes
0-3, We had people back, but didn't' stop in front of net, their guy did all alone
1-3, Pietila from Gould/Anderson, we have great resiliency, we stay with it, like that about this team, we'll need Blake to play well going forward
2-3, Pietila, good pressure that shift, battled hard in the corners
PP at the end, BGSU did a good job, top PK in the nation, they don't get out of position
Game of inches, Kero off the post had the goalie beat
Told the team, like our bounceback, but we have to change, can't keep digging a hole, we have to be hungry around the net/patient too, we'll score goals, boils down to team D, giving up too many goal

Patrick Anderson played his first game ever. Didn't look out of place. We have guys who can play.
Heinonen was playing his best hockey he's played. Just starting to get it.
Johnstone is skilled, he's got "it".
Neville can come in, we miss his PK and faceoffs.
Can't replace those guys, but we have other guys that can help.
Really like this team, personalities, the work ethic.


On UAF:
They have a good team, good skating team.
Last year they came in and took it to us. We were flat.
We have a lot at stake, the guys that were here last year haven't forgotten last year.
UAF lost 2 to UAA, close games. Fairbanks looked really good against BGSU the week before.

This week: We'll continue to work on PP, PK too, have to start winning special teams battles.
We have some competition in net now too. Need more consistant goaltending.
Also will find out today about getting guys back.

Questions for Mel:

Sometimes it seems like guys are standing still too much on PP?
We had more movement earlier in the year. That can be dictated by the team we're playing, but we need more movement.
Last PP Saturday we were very tired. Can get tired mentally too, so creativeness goes away.

Pietila is good on the draws, after the faceoff is his game more suited for LW/RW?
No, struggled at wing last year, at Center he's done much better. He can really play anywhere, need to go back defensively get the puck and come up the ice. Need to get him skating a bit more.

Based on BGSU's attack on our PP? Will we make changes?
Yes, tweaking it every weekend. They have #1 PK, only given up 5 goals against.


Will there be any redshirts with freshmen?
There could be. Going through that right now. If we play anyone for 1 game, their eligibility is gone. Do what's right for players and Team
Kero, Blacklock and Anderson, need to be very careful what we do with them.


During MI series in Houghton, Tech had 4 PPG. On The PP, we were moving/rotating, capitalize often. Why haven't we seen that recently?
We've watched the tape from those games. Just got an email from a coach that watched our PP against WI, praising our use of the ice behind the net. It's a bit of how the team PK does against us.
Mel's watched all of last year's PPG too, to see how we did it. If it's not working you have to change it.
You have to know your strengths and design PP around what your guys can do. Can't have a rigid system. Need to keep adjusting as others watch your PP too.

Can you comment on progress of freshmen so far?
Overall pleased. Steman has been excellent.
Gillies a little inconsistent, bright future.
L'Esperance great strides, numbers don't show it. But a lot of good things.
Auk, big strides. Didnt' play Saturday trying to keep 7 D involved.
Blacklock tremendous strides. Now decide play or redshirt.
Anderson 1st half wiped out by injuries mono, has the OK to play. He's good, should we put him in?
Roy, he's so steady and plays well. +17 for freshmen, incredible.
Kero has looked really good, bright future.

Ask Mel if he's seen a series like the of UAA/UAF game? UAA took 64 mins of penalties in last minute of game. 4 game misconducts, 1 DQ. Nothing to UFA.
Mel watched that. It's wasn't as bad as you might think. There was a bad hit from behind. Refs trying to get control of situation.

A lot of minors/majors, but not double minors why?
Not sure, asking refs would be better. They can assess double minors, but they really don't.
The definition of double minors is a gray area. Could probably get rid of it in Mel's opinion.

Promotion. 7th man Tshirts, live remote from Wadsworth, 12-1. Great event to rally the troops, help promote hockey/MTU athletics. There will be raffles. Some ticket giveaway too.
Great crowd Saturday, we need to send them home with wins. Turnout has been fantastic.
We're bringing a recruit in tomorrow, he has followed how many people come to the games. It's important, shows young men/recruits the community is behind us and Tech hockey is coming back.
Click to expand...
 
Re: Michigan Tech 2014-2015

huskyfan said:
I'm thinking the MacNaughton is out of touch for us - Mankato has an 8 point lead - but am still optimistic for the frozen five and the NCAAs.
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In my opion, Mankato is not as big of a problem as BGSU. Mankato is 8 points up on the Huskies, but Tech has two games in hand on the Mavs AND they play the Mavs two more times. So Tech really controls their own destiny to pull even with Mankato. If Tech wins their two games in hand and the two against Mankato, the two teams would have identical records and would have split the season series 2-2-0. Off the top of my head, I don't know what tie breakers come after head to head and conference wins but that is only for playoff seeding anyway.

BGSU actually is the team that Tech needs help to keep behind them. Tech is one point up on BGSU, but BGSU has two games in hand on Tech so in theory, they could be 3 pts up on Tech when the number of games played are even. I also feel that BGSU has the easiest schedule of BGSU, MSU and Tech to close out the season. BGSU still has 8 games against the bottom four teams in the league. They do play Ferris four times yet so lets hope the Bulldogs can spoil BGSU's climb to the top.

Ryan J
 
Re: Michigan Tech 2014-2015

redwing61 said:
Speaking of recruits, hey Shirtless, maybe you could give us a brief update. Who should we be excited about? Whose stock is rising and whose is falling?
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On defense, the biggest name to me is Mitch Reinke. He participated in the World Junior A Challenge and is currently one of the best players on the best team in the USHL. He might not be as offensively inclined (14 points in 29 games) but he's currently got a +22 rating which is tied for 2nd in all the USHL. I think he'll be a wonderful addition to the blueline and has an outside shot (very slim) of getting a chance to play in the World Junior Championships. Brett Boeing is the other stud in the USHL. He's also extremely high on the +/- (+20) and top 10 in goal, top 20 in points with a 17-13-30 line through 32 games. He's also the leading scorer on a very good Dubuque team.

In the BCHL, Jake Jackson, Demico Hannoun and the latest recruit, Jake Lucchini are all doing very well. Hannoun has 18 goal and just under a point per game thus far while Jackson (17 g) and Lucchini (18 g) are averaging over a point per game. I'm not really sure how to separate these 3 but it's pretty obvious there is talent in this group and at least one of them should step in and perform at a high level (Think Gillies).

Last on my list in Chris Gerrie. This kid has been lighting up the AJHL (45 games, 22-25-47), 4th in goals, 16th in assists, 7th in points. I think he could be the best sniper of the bunch. Right now I would rank Reinke, Boeing and Gerrie as the top 3 incoming recruits, with the trio in the BCHL not far behind.
 
Re: Michigan Tech 2014-2015

No Johnstone, Neville, or Heinonen tonight. Patrick Anderson will be in the lineup for the second straight game as the depth at forward is again stretched and tested.
 
Re: Michigan Tech 2014-2015

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Re: Michigan Tech 2014-2015

Words can't describe how big that comeback was. Finally, they fought back from adversity, came back from a late deficit, and won in OT.

The win itself was huge. Bowling Green lost to LSSU, and the rest of the WCHA has been dominant in non-conference. About as good of a night as possible.
 
Re: Michigan Tech 2014-2015

bigblue_dl said:
Words can't describe how big that comeback was. Finally, they fought back from adversity, came back from a late deficit, and won in OT.

The win itself was huge. Bowling Green lost to LSSU, and the rest of the WCHA has been dominant in non-conference. About as good of a night as possible.
Click to expand...
too bad NMU had to let a lead slip away to Penn State.
 
Re: Michigan Tech 2014-2015

Wow, I was pretty negative about a L midway through the 3rd. Good to see them pull this out.

Looked like a somewhat empty rink tonight.

Mel's postgame interview:
The guys played extremely hard, we've dug holes,
How about Joel L'Esperance, good game goals and assist in OT, with players out, we need guys like Joel to step up
Steman and CJ, the speed and work ethic great, have Steman playing against Morley, confident in that, Steman plays the same way every night
Better job on PK, a bounce or simple faceoff play, we have to do something things better, we'll get better
We needed a spark, the 2nd goal on, we played pretty well. We have to manage the puck better.
We played like we had a ton of pressure, couldn't get moving, but we got better and better.
You want to win so bad for the fans and team.
Fans are huge, we need them to pick us up when things are down.
You can never give up until the game is over. Glad we got rewarded, Pietila is getting going on.
We're missing some high end players, but love our depth and effort the guys are putting forth.
 
Re: Michigan Tech 2014-2015

I can't believe they pulled off thatnight win! They played terrible for a while...almost seemed disinterested?

They better make it happen tomorrow night....
 
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