Mel Pearson Show summary for 11-10:
Didn't play overly well Sat, but found a way to grind it out. Good for our guys.
2nd period Sat, we got away form game plan. Trying to do way too much ourselves, and in areas we haven't, that opened up their transition game.
New UAA would be better Saturday, in talking to UAA, there hasn't been a lot of pace in their games/opponents, so got more used to it after playing Fri.
It was a special weekend with '65 team here, great honor for all that were inducted, Tom Bissett, solid individual
Great much of guys the '65 team, had met a few, having them together fun to see, Al Holm told our guys, we're all here this weekend - Don't lose!
The jerseys we gave the '65 guys are neat, current players presented the jerseys to the alums, neat that Jeri MacInnes could be here, mother of MTU Hockey
Classy of UAA to be out there for ceremony, Mel told them that, side note by Mel: we have to get our banners redone, bigger/bolder
On Friday:
Great 1st period, a few pipes, concerned at how we'd handle it after UM weekend, let down will happen, very concerned, credit to players, they practiced well and came out good
1-0 PPG Heinonen, UAA did a good job on PK, but noticed they give the guy near the crease room, Heinonen banged it home
PKers were good all weekend, they have a couple 5 min majors, guys stayed in shot loanes
2-0 Gould, went straight in, can say that's a great goal, spin around and shoot it up high
Good for Gould, has played well this fall, came back quicker, Shelast has done a real good job with our guys, can see the benefit with Gould, quicker this year
He's a junior, he's put a little more commitment into game/conditioning, giving himself a chance before he's even on ice. Want good pace to the game. He can shoot the puck as good as anyone on our team, see it in practice.
We'll need him, our main guys wont score ever night. Will need Neville, Heinonen, Gould, L'Esperance, Baltus etc.
Evan Anderson: been out with mono, hasn't skated with our team since first few days with coaches
Mason Blacklock: didn't do anything last 1.5 months of summer, knees, dr. told him to stay off them, just starting to get in shape
Shutout for Jamie, played well, they had maybe 7 scoring chances, we had 18
Had a moment the puck did go in, UAA moves his arm forwards and catches puck, goal waved off, Mel saw overhead, new rule in college hockey, can't interfere with goalie even outside crease, wanted to make sure refs understood that
On Saturday:
1st 8 mins similar to Friday, ready to play, haven't played from behind since 1st weekend
Felt good about our team when we came out playing well
1-0 Hanna, good quick shot, might've grazed a UAA player
PP shortly after, looked out of sync, made a few adjustments, but credit to UAA, they were aggressive and we weren't ready for that, work ethic on PP wasn't as good as it needs to be
Told Coach Shawhan, some nights you just don't have offensive creativity, looked like that Sat
Petan off for roughing, this is where game changes, we were in control before that, plus Leibinger's penalty too, contact to the head
We'll look at penalties today, told video guy to get all the penalties, don't like the penalties we're taking, can't keep doing this against good teams, Leibinger has to learn
Down to 5 Dmen, hard to do it Saturday after hard game Friday, after that we weren't the same
Saw some mistakes later in game due to mental fatigue, those majors hurt us. 2nd/3rd period were changed because of the penalty in 1st.
Ever consider brining a forward to play 6th Dspot after Leibinger out? Definately, but didn't. Didn't feel we had anyone we were ready to throw back there, will practice guys back there.
2-0, Petan, good play by Alex, a lot of bodies in front, Sturos right on top of goalie taking away his vision, these guys shoot puck hard, hurts to get hit, credit to Reid playing in front of net
Gillies penalty in neutral zone, while we're on PP, Dirk didn't agree with 5 min, new rule is get away from blind side hit, Alex hits him from behind, not to the head, Mel to get confirmation if this was correct implementation of rule
5 min major then, any momentum we had is gone, we have to manage game better, understand when you can hit a guy
2-1, Brown PPG, we did a real good job on that PK but puck found its way in
Pietila tripping, 10 min misconduct, good call, good penalty, we were frustrated, we'll have to learn to play within rules, UAA is on edge of holding you in zone, can be frustrating, told refs to lets us skate, it's within rules, need to keep our heads and play through it
3-1, Heinonen ENG, last year he had 2 all year, he's played hard and played well, Mel's got faith in these players, on ice in last min of game
Hats off to our players, didn't give up scoring chance when they pulled goalie
Jamie 26 saves, playing well, moments they had chances, Allen came in on breakaway after turnover, Jamie stayed with him
Great win, they're a tough team, they were 4-0-1 at one point, hard to sweep teams, we found a way
Good for our players, they've kept their heads on straight
They discussed WCHA:
Bemidji might've played toughest schedule, UND, Minnesota, UAF, Mankato
Questions for Mel:
When was full mask rule instituted in college hockey?
1st 3 years, Mel had no face protection, and senior year it was a full masks. so 1980-81, wish we could wear half shields, only league at our level for full face shield.
How do you keep guys from letting polls, PWR from going to their heads?
They'll see it, but we try to concentrate on standard of play and things we need to work on better.
We've got a lot to prove every week, one game at a time. We discuss it, we don't hide it. Mel had the poll on a piece of paper and tore it up infront of team. That's really what it's worth.
Does Mel plan on starting Jamie until he looses, and when does he get a breather?
Yes, plan to continue to play Jamie. At UM they played one goalie a lot, Turco, Shields etc. It's a good formula, it's only 2 games week. He can get a day off in practice if needed.
Does Mel like L'Esperance on Wing or Center?
He's played wing, because of our centers. He can play Center, but like big body on wing. Less responsibility on wing in our system. Can be hard for Freshmen playing low in defensive zone, Steman can handle that, better skater/quicker.
Would you like to see major penalties reviewed to make sure the call is right?
They should, want the call to be right. We don't play that many games, don't want to kick a guy out for bad call.
Reminder, back home the week after against Mankato. Get your tickets. Thanks to fans for supporting the team. Only 4 home games before Christmas, get your tickets. Real good forwards, had great games with them in Mankato.
Sanford center can be loud, they'll be ready. They skate well. We've played teams that have good pace, UM, Ferris. We have to be prepared.
Like the attitude of our team. Like our PP/PK. Have to play the game, and get some bounces.
