What's new
By:
USCHO Fan Forum

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

  • The USCHO Fan Forum has migrated to a new plaform, xenForo. Most of the function of the forum should work in familiar ways. Please note that you can switch between light and dark modes by clicking on the gear icon in the upper right of the main menu bar. We are hoping that this new platform will prove to be faster and more reliable. Please feel free to explore its features.

Michigan Tech, best season in 30 years, part two!

Status
Not open for further replies.
Re: Michigan Tech, best season in 30 years, part two!

John J. MacInnes said:
From yesterday's Anchorage Daily News preview article for the UAA series: http://www.adn.com/article/20150212/time-getting-short-uaas-postseason-hockey-ambitions

"UAA has not scored an even-strength goal in 125 minutes, 8 seconds. That dates back to Scott Allen’s game-tying, extra-attacker goal with 19 seconds left in regulation in a 3-2 overtime loss at Northern Michigan."
Click to expand...

And yet BOTH the USCHO's WCHA bloggers are picking a split for Tech and UAA this weekend. I don't quite get that. Yes, it's an away series with a long trip and a late start, but these two teams seem pretty far apart in terms of momentum and firepower. Not saying UAA is a cupcake, but unless I'm missing something, it seems like the sweep would be a pretty safe prediction for everyone except Jack and Shane.
 
Re: Michigan Tech, best season in 30 years, part two!

UpNorthHockey said:
And yet BOTH the USCHO's WCHA bloggers are picking a split for Tech and UAA this weekend. I don't quite get that. Yes, it's an away series with a long trip and a late start, but these two teams seem pretty far apart in terms of momentum and firepower. Not saying UAA is a cupcake, but unless I'm missing something, it seems like the sweep would be a pretty safe prediction for everyone except Jack and Shane.
Click to expand...

Oh, come on. I get playing the "No Respect" card, but Shane does a great job covering WCHA hockey, and he's not sleeping on you guys. In fact, in your last 14 conference games, Shane has picked you to go 10-4 (3 sweeps and 4 splits), while you went 9-4-1. He also picked you would win the GLI and sweep Wisco.
 
Re: Michigan Tech, best season in 30 years, part two!

Shirtless Guy said:
Well, we gain Dane Birks, plus Evan Anderson and Mason Blacklock if they continue to be redshirted.

As for incoming freshmen that aren't in Houghton yet...I have Demico Hannoun, Jake Jackson, Brett Boeing, Trevor Cope and potentially Jake Lucchini at Forwards.
I also have Mitch Reinke, Cooper Watson on defense and possibly Angus Redmond but thats probably only if Phillips does what Copley did.
Click to expand...
I wonder about Jake Kauppila. I've seen him play for the Gamblers this year and he's a big guy that looks pretty solid, but doesn't seem to be a big scorer and he doesn't seem to be a speed guy. He signed an NLI and he's now 20 years old. Can he do another year of Junior A?
 
Re: Michigan Tech, best season in 30 years, part two!

purpleinnebraska said:
Oh, come on. I get playing the "No Respect" card, but Shane does a great job covering WCHA hockey, and he's not sleeping on you guys. In fact, in your last 14 conference games, Shane has picked you to go 10-4 (3 sweeps and 4 splits), while you went 9-4-1. He also picked you would win the GLI and sweep Wisco.
Click to expand...
I confess to being a bit annoyed by the prediction, but I'm not faulting Shane's record. Mostly I didn't understand the rationale. There have been a lot of naysayers questioning Tech's "staying power" and predicting that they'll eventually choke. Given the team's momentum, the strong road record, Phillips' solid play and the fact that they're getting healthier, calling a split seems hard to justify. Not saying UAA couldn't pull it off, but it doesn't seem like the direction they've been heading lately.
 
Re: Michigan Tech, best season in 30 years, part two!

UpNorthHockey said:
And yet BOTH the USCHO's WCHA bloggers are picking a split for Tech and UAA this weekend.
Click to expand...

I think that's a completely fair prediction. Tech has not swept in Anchorage since I started seriously following the team ('06, and I'm assuming at least a few years prior to that even).

EDIT: Also, you guys do know that Shane is a Landcow fan and Jack is a Buttmidji fan, right? :D
 
Last edited:
Re: Michigan Tech, best season in 30 years, part two!

UpNorthHockey said:
I confess to being a bit annoyed by the prediction, but I'm not faulting Shane's record. Mostly I didn't understand the rationale. There have been a lot of naysayers questioning Tech's "staying power" and predicting that they'll eventually choke. Given the team's momentum, the strong road record, Phillips' solid play and the fact that they're getting healthier, calling a split seems hard to justify. Not saying UAA couldn't pull it off, but it doesn't seem like the direction they've been heading lately.
Click to expand...

I agree that I would likely pick a Tech sweep. I just wanted to note that Shane is probably my favorite journalist (Admittedly, that's a low bar), an ardent WCHA supporter, and a pretty shrewd hockey mind. Best of luck this weekend, and can't wait for the Tech-Kato series.
 
Re: Michigan Tech, best season in 30 years, part two!

I'd like the sweep for the precious four points. but I also realize that we have been on a long winning streak and we have struggled in Anchorage in the past.
 
huskyfan said:
I'd like the sweep for the precious four points. but I also realize that we have been on a long winning streak and we have struggled in Anchorage in the past.
Click to expand...

We need the sweep for PairWise and the MacNaughton Chase. These games are just as important as any other.
 
Last edited:
Re: Michigan Tech, best season in 30 years, part two!

These games are even more important than the Bemidji games if this team is determined to erase the "same old Michigan Tech" stigma. At least Bemidji was hot coming in - UAA has been circling the bowl for weeks now. If there was ever a time to avoid getting caught complacent, this series is it.
 
Re: Michigan Tech, best season in 30 years, part two!

FadeToBlack&Gold said:
You live in Houghton and didn't have season tickets (with your playoff tickets included)? :p
Click to expand...

I had to give them up last year because of too many conflicting commitments :(
But this year I've managed to attend... about... 9 home games, I think I've seen every team on one night or the other except Alaska. It's funny how flexible "commitments" can be when Tech is this good.

This from Facebook:
This weekend's games are a couple of late ones with the 11:07 EST Puck-Drop. Mix 93.5 FM will be replaying both games this weekend so you don't miss any of the action.
Tonight's game will be replayed tomorrow at 8am on Mix 93.5.
Saturday's game will be replayed on Sunday at 11am!
Catch both games live on Mix 93.5, pasty.net, or WCHA.tv
Click to expand...
so if I fall asleep at midnight we'll see if I can listen to the game tomorrow without looking up scores first.
 
Re: Michigan Tech, best season in 30 years, part two!

Johnstone is in the lineup tonight.

Baltus-Kero-Petan
Johnstone-Steman-Sturos
Gould-Pietila-L'Esperance
Heinonen-Neville-Hietala

Leibinger-Sweeney
Hanna-Roy
Auk-Hyland
 
Re: Michigan Tech, best season in 30 years, part two!

Interesting to see Pietila dropped to the 3rd line. Obviously a reflection of Mel's confidence in his defensive play over his offensive play.
 
Re: Michigan Tech, best season in 30 years, part two!

I don't think Mel uses the line chart as a hierarchy as many coaches do. My bet is that Gould-Pietila-L'Esperance is the starting line for the 5th(?) straight game.
 
Re: Michigan Tech, best season in 30 years, part two!

John J. MacInnes said:
I don't think Mel uses the line chart as a hierarchy as many coaches do. My bet is that Gould-Pietila-L'Esperance is the starting line for the 5th(?) straight game.
Click to expand...

You're right, the order is often somewhat random. I think the "first line" is sometimes used to reward good performance by any of the four lines.
 
Last edited:
Re: Michigan Tech, best season in 30 years, part two!

John J. MacInnes said:
I don't think Mel uses the line chart as a hierarchy as many coaches do. My bet is that Gould-Pietila-L'Esperance is the starting line for the 5th(?) straight game.
Click to expand...

I saw that Gould and L'Espy were on his line and thought that may be possible too, but who knows for sure? Our depth makes it hard to guess. It's a good thing. :D
 
Re: Michigan Tech, best season in 30 years, part two!

geezer said:
You're right, the order is often somewhat random. I think the "first line" is sometimes used to reward good performance by any of the four lines.
Click to expand...

Would be a good question for Mel show. I think it's a reward and depends on match up as well. Coaches often changes lines to see if another mix clicks.
 
Re: Michigan Tech, best season in 30 years, part two!

Good W. And nice to pick up a point on Mankato.

Sounds like Watson will be in tomorrow. Johnstone will stay in after his early exit tonight and Patrick Anderson will be in tomorrow.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top