4 watered down offensive lines, and 2 useless pp units.
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MICHIGAN TECH.... 2016-17 season. The 96th season of Hockey.
- Thread starter manurespreader
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4 watered down offensive lines, and 2 useless pp units.
In his defense he was battling back from an off season injury in the beginning of the season and now look who he has been playing with as of late....
I agree tyler needs to play with someone who is a playmaker, setup man. There is no reason why tech shouldn't shorten the bench in close games. Look at the 2 games up in fairbanks, the bench was shortened both games. In the GLI game against WMU, there was a media timeout in ot, why did the same line go back out there and they happened to get scored on?
You ride your top horses at every level. Pearson has to stop giving everyone equal ice time. 27, 11, 7 would be a great line. IMHO, top 6, 7 forwards in no order are: 11,27,7,15,20,8,10.
Tech is around 40th in total offensive or goals per game this yr. That is marginal.
Shirtless Guy
Old Dirty Basterd
Re: MICHIGAN TECH.... 2016-17 season. The 96th season of Hockey.
its really hard to shorten a bench in a game that doesn't end until there is a goal...in any other game that's a max 65ish minutes, sure, but the GLI title game, idk.
JohnsonsJerseys
Michigan Tech Fan
Re: MICHIGAN TECH.... 2016-17 season. The 96th season of Hockey.
Putting all the perceived talent together sounds great in theory, however you all also making it easier for the opposing team to neutralize our top players. If you put all your stud players together, guess who the other team is going to put out against them - their top D line every time. By keeping the talent spread out, you force the other team to pick and choose how they match-up against your lines. With four equal lines, there are better odds that at some point you're going to have an advantage on the ice and that is when you have to score - those shifts when the other team has their third D pair on the ice.
Another argument against putting the talent together is that right now, I don't think we have a group worthy of that label. If anything, your #1 PP unit should be that group. And as we've all seen, even our best five against four defenders is really snake-bit, so I don't think there is any urgency to try and load up five vs five.
Ryan
Putting all the perceived talent together sounds great in theory, however you all also making it easier for the opposing team to neutralize our top players. If you put all your stud players together, guess who the other team is going to put out against them - their top D line every time. By keeping the talent spread out, you force the other team to pick and choose how they match-up against your lines. With four equal lines, there are better odds that at some point you're going to have an advantage on the ice and that is when you have to score - those shifts when the other team has their third D pair on the ice.
Another argument against putting the talent together is that right now, I don't think we have a group worthy of that label. If anything, your #1 PP unit should be that group. And as we've all seen, even our best five against four defenders is really snake-bit, so I don't think there is any urgency to try and load up five vs five.
Ryan
giwan
Really??!!
Re: MICHIGAN TECH.... 2016-17 season. The 96th season of Hockey.
This is not so much about shortening a bench or even getting the right players in.
The guys do get the puck to the net but it's how and when they get it to the net. Example can't remember the player, might have been on a PP, got the puck in the slot moving left to right, had a backhand shot but didn't take it, instead, turned and shot forehand. That was way to much time for the goalie to adjust.
Another PP moving the puck around the perimeter, passed thru the D players and either the pass was not accurate enough or the player did not adjust, but he caught the puck adjusted then shot. Sorry that will not work. The needs to be a quick and sudden release and shot or pass.
The other issue is just not enough guys crashing the net. As taught from the beginning, shot low, get the rebound and score. Why did WMU score that last goal, two of their players at the corner of the pipe.
Top shelf goals, breakaways etc all beautiful, most goals are scored messy. We need more mess. Look at the two goals we did score and the couple called off. Sudden shots, unexpected, tip ins, crashed the net.
It's not the coach, it's what the players are doing. I'm sure tMel tells them to get traffic to the net, just not doing it. Maybe Susan should have hired one of you guys instead.
This is not so much about shortening a bench or even getting the right players in.
The guys do get the puck to the net but it's how and when they get it to the net. Example can't remember the player, might have been on a PP, got the puck in the slot moving left to right, had a backhand shot but didn't take it, instead, turned and shot forehand. That was way to much time for the goalie to adjust.
Another PP moving the puck around the perimeter, passed thru the D players and either the pass was not accurate enough or the player did not adjust, but he caught the puck adjusted then shot. Sorry that will not work. The needs to be a quick and sudden release and shot or pass.
The other issue is just not enough guys crashing the net. As taught from the beginning, shot low, get the rebound and score. Why did WMU score that last goal, two of their players at the corner of the pipe.
Top shelf goals, breakaways etc all beautiful, most goals are scored messy. We need more mess. Look at the two goals we did score and the couple called off. Sudden shots, unexpected, tip ins, crashed the net.
It's not the coach, it's what the players are doing. I'm sure tMel tells them to get traffic to the net, just not doing it. Maybe Susan should have hired one of you guys instead.
Last edited:
The Troll mtu86
stuck below the bridge
Re: MICHIGAN TECH.... 2016-17 season. The 96th season of Hockey.
Great post.
The player in question was Lucchini. I was thinking the same thing as it happened... SHOOT the PUCK! But backhand shots are a lost art. Nobody wants to take them anymore. Lucch tried to turn and lost control, didn't get much of a shot off. I agree that it seems like a lot of them are looking for highlight topshelf, pop the water bottle goals.
We'll see if some work on the PP helps this coming weekend against ND. On that 5 on 3 Tech looked like pylons playing catch with the puck.. need to get it figured out soon.
This is not so much about shortening a bench or even getting the right players in.
The guys do get the puck to the net but it's how and when they get it to the net. Example can't remember the player, might have been on a PP, got the puck in the slot moving left to right, had a backhand shot but didn't take it, instead, turned and shot forehand. That was way to much time for the goalie to adjust.
Another PP moving the puck around the perimeter, passed thru the D players and either the pass was not accurate enough or the player did not adjust, but he caught the puck adjusted then shot. Sorry that will not work. The needs to be a quick and sudden release and shot or pass.
The other issue is just not enough guys crashing the net. As taught from the beginning, shot low, get the rebound and score. Why did WMU score that last goal, two of their players at the corner of the pipe.
Top shelf goals, breakaways etc all beautiful, most goals are scored messy. We need more mess. Look at the two goals we did score and the couple called off. Sudden shots, unexpected, tip ins, crashed the net.
It's not the coach, it's what the players are doing. I'm sure tMel tells them to get traffic to the net, just not doing it. Maybe Susan should have hired one of you guys instead.
Great post.
The player in question was Lucchini. I was thinking the same thing as it happened... SHOOT the PUCK! But backhand shots are a lost art. Nobody wants to take them anymore. Lucch tried to turn and lost control, didn't get much of a shot off. I agree that it seems like a lot of them are looking for highlight topshelf, pop the water bottle goals.
We'll see if some work on the PP helps this coming weekend against ND. On that 5 on 3 Tech looked like pylons playing catch with the puck.. need to get it figured out soon.
The Troll mtu86
stuck below the bridge
Re: MICHIGAN TECH.... 2016-17 season. The 96th season of Hockey.
IMHO I'd have to go with Reid as the most effective forward they had against Western. The most effective all night at getting control of the puck in the O zone and establishing a fore check. Next best was Leibinger the few times he found himself down low in the corner. Having to move him back to D for the game really hurt the fore check. L'Esperance was the usual beast, however he seems to be trying to do too much, and becoming a little less effective because of it.
I like L' with Heinonen and Steman. If they can get Steman healthy..
Now to Pedersen, as someone stated before, success in the third or fourth best junior league doesn't always translate to the college level. Example... Tyler Skworchinski who put up eye popping numbers (60-55-115 in 57 games) in the MJHL. Tyler was a fan favorite but he never put up those kinds of numbers for tech. Ryan Angelow would be another example. He put up 46 goals one year in the OPJHL. And them became mostly a defensive specialist with tech.
I trust that tMel knows what he's doing. He's got a little more experience than the rest of us
IMHO I'd have to go with Reid as the most effective forward they had against Western. The most effective all night at getting control of the puck in the O zone and establishing a fore check. Next best was Leibinger the few times he found himself down low in the corner. Having to move him back to D for the game really hurt the fore check. L'Esperance was the usual beast, however he seems to be trying to do too much, and becoming a little less effective because of it.
I like L' with Heinonen and Steman. If they can get Steman healthy..
Now to Pedersen, as someone stated before, success in the third or fourth best junior league doesn't always translate to the college level. Example... Tyler Skworchinski who put up eye popping numbers (60-55-115 in 57 games) in the MJHL. Tyler was a fan favorite but he never put up those kinds of numbers for tech. Ryan Angelow would be another example. He put up 46 goals one year in the OPJHL. And them became mostly a defensive specialist with tech.
I trust that tMel knows what he's doing. He's got a little more experience than the rest of us
Shirtless Guy
Old Dirty Basterd
Re: MICHIGAN TECH.... 2016-17 season. The 96th season of Hockey.
Trust in Mel
A good response to this is Alex Smith, who I didn't expect much from based on where he played Juniors is getting a chance and making the most of it...
Trust in Mel
The Troll mtu86
stuck below the bridge
Re: MICHIGAN TECH.... 2016-17 season. The 96th season of Hockey.
I'd rather be pleasantly surprised than set my expectations high for a freshman based on jr numbers. The play of Smith, Gerrie, and to some extent Gould have been very pleasant surprises. I'd include Reinke but I don't think he's a surprise.
I'd rather be pleasantly surprised than set my expectations high for a freshman based on jr numbers. The play of Smith, Gerrie, and to some extent Gould have been very pleasant surprises. I'd include Reinke but I don't think he's a surprise.
rustedblades
New member
Ride your horses maybe you're not in overtime.
This is not so much about shortening a bench or even getting the right players in.
The guys do get the puck to the net but it's how and when they get it to the net. Example can't remember the player, might have been on a PP, got the puck in the slot moving left to right, had a backhand shot but didn't take it, instead, turned and shot forehand. That was way to much time for the goalie to adjust.
Another PP moving the puck around the perimeter, passed thru the D players and either the pass was not accurate enough or the player did not adjust, but he caught the puck adjusted then shot. Sorry that will not work. The needs to be a quick and sudden release and shot or pass.
The other issue is just not enough guys crashing the net. As taught from the beginning, shot low, get the rebound and score. Why did WMU score that last goal, two of their players at the corner of the pipe.
Top shelf goals, breakaways etc all beautiful, most goals are scored messy. We need more mess. Look at the two goals we did score and the couple called off. Sudden shots, unexpected, tip ins, crashed the net.
It's not the coach, it's what the players are doing. I'm sure tMel tells them to get traffic to the net, just not doing it. Maybe Susan should have hired one of you guys instead.
It's easy for us to sit back on the lazy boy and coach, that's half the fun of it. End of the day it all falls on the head coach. He can do what he wants.
We roll our 2 lines as pp units, 11 14 15, 20 27 19. Sometimes when 14 is not in the line up, 9 and 16 are tossed in. At some point you have to mix it up if it isn't working, why keep sending the same guys out? Granted the majority of the players numbers are down this year, but what has 19 and 14 done to prove they belong out there?
The 3 freshman that deserve everything they are getting and then some are 20, 5, 37.
manurespreader
Still upright
Re: MICHIGAN TECH.... 2016-17 season. The 96th season of Hockey.
There will not be a MPS show today. the team is not in Houghton.
As far as Notre Dame goes, they are as good as western. They split with PSU early in the year, and their only bad loss was a split at Umass. They beat BC the weekend before the break and then of course swept Alaska this last weekend.
They play a very similar game to WMU but I don't think they set up a guy behind the opponents net like WMU does and they are not quite as big a team size wise, though they are bigger than us. The biggest thing with them is you have to score the first goal. They are 9-0 when scoring first. They like to get into your zone down low and forecheck you really hard. They also bring the weak side defenseman at least half way into the zone once the puck is being battled for behind the goal line. WMU did that on occasion as well. Their top player is Anders bjork, and oglive is second scoring wise. Their pp runs at 20% and the pk at 84.
My impression from previous years,( I have not seen them play this year,) is that they really can close you down if they get the lead once they are into the second period and they definitely have help from the referees at home, Especially if they fall behind. You have to be very disciplined to beat them. They are not particularly senior laden but have a lot of juniors.
There will not be a MPS show today. the team is not in Houghton.
As far as Notre Dame goes, they are as good as western. They split with PSU early in the year, and their only bad loss was a split at Umass. They beat BC the weekend before the break and then of course swept Alaska this last weekend.
They play a very similar game to WMU but I don't think they set up a guy behind the opponents net like WMU does and they are not quite as big a team size wise, though they are bigger than us. The biggest thing with them is you have to score the first goal. They are 9-0 when scoring first. They like to get into your zone down low and forecheck you really hard. They also bring the weak side defenseman at least half way into the zone once the puck is being battled for behind the goal line. WMU did that on occasion as well. Their top player is Anders bjork, and oglive is second scoring wise. Their pp runs at 20% and the pk at 84.
My impression from previous years,( I have not seen them play this year,) is that they really can close you down if they get the lead once they are into the second period and they definitely have help from the referees at home, Especially if they fall behind. You have to be very disciplined to beat them. They are not particularly senior laden but have a lot of juniors.
rustedblades
New member
Looked good too! Got a lot of ice time, killed penalties, a few shots and on in the last couple of minutes with empty net.
Hope he can stay for a while.
rustedblades
New member
Both games are listed on NBCSN
mtu_huskies
New member
It's on my TV Guide and the DVR has been set. Nice surprise. Hopefully the athletic department gets the word out so fans will watch across the country. Not often we'll see Tech on a more mainstream channel and national broadcast like this.
mtu_huskies
New member
Re: MICHIGAN TECH.... 2016-17 season. The 96th season of Hockey.
But with a channel as common as NBCSN, you could hit up Buffalo Wild Wings and have them turn on the game and grab some wings!
But with a channel as common as NBCSN, you could hit up Buffalo Wild Wings and have them turn on the game and grab some wings!
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