JohnsonsJerseys
Michigan Tech Fan
Re: Michigan Tech, best season in 30 years, part two!
This is the first season since the late 1990s that I've been able to watch pretty much ever game (via crappy WCHA low-def feed). I think earlier in the season, Tech was playing lesser opponents and their upperclassmen were more ready to go out of the gate than younger teams we faced. However as the season has gone on, it is clear that Tech is playing tough teams now and the plays don't come as easily. During the Russell era, every D-zone clear was bank it up high off the glass and out to center ice. That play has its place but not as your first choice. Early in the season, Tech made a lot of D to D passes and was moving out of the zone with puck control. More recently I'm seeing more dump it off the glass and then the other team just reloads and comes right back into the zone.
Again some of this is the tougher teams across the rink, but ultimately in March and April, Tech will need to find that confidence they had early in the season when they moved the puck AND controlled it for a greater portion of the game. I have seen some very pretty goals this season from Tech. They are plays made by guys who have an above average hockey IQ and have a good instinct for where to put the puck and when. It also helps when you have team mates that can match that talent level.
I hope that Tech gets some puck luck down the stretch. We're going to need to be a team that scores 4+ goals a game if we want to sustain a long win streak to close out the season and into post season play. Jamie has been good, but we've seen the last few weeks that he is mortal and you don't want to lose a key game 2-1 or 3-2 because of lack of offense. I have no problem with Tech giving up 3 goals per game, but we need to be on a scoring pace closer to that of Mankato. Otherwise you risk one bad play losing a game for you. If you put up 4+ you can have those 1 or 2 mental errors in a game that are bound to happen and still come out winners.
Tech as four more home games that they should win and then it will be a tough grind to the end. Going to AK, regardless of the team, is never easy... Mankato on the road... Northern home and home to close it out. If the rest of the league can find a way to beat BGSU at least 1 or 2 more times, Tech is still in the driver's seat to win the league. The games against Mankato will pretty much decide that - anything less than a sweep in Mankato and it is very unlikely that Tech won't finish on top.
It's going to be an exciting February for the first time in a long time!
Ryan J
Good thing you were not on the THG chat this past weekend. Tech got down two goals and fans were saying the season was over... and the sky was falling. I'm sure the Fire Mel chants could not have been far behind. Amazing how a win calms everyone down.I have to say I'm pretty happy!. No check that, I'm REAL happy. Overall though, I like our team
This is the first season since the late 1990s that I've been able to watch pretty much ever game (via crappy WCHA low-def feed). I think earlier in the season, Tech was playing lesser opponents and their upperclassmen were more ready to go out of the gate than younger teams we faced. However as the season has gone on, it is clear that Tech is playing tough teams now and the plays don't come as easily. During the Russell era, every D-zone clear was bank it up high off the glass and out to center ice. That play has its place but not as your first choice. Early in the season, Tech made a lot of D to D passes and was moving out of the zone with puck control. More recently I'm seeing more dump it off the glass and then the other team just reloads and comes right back into the zone.
Again some of this is the tougher teams across the rink, but ultimately in March and April, Tech will need to find that confidence they had early in the season when they moved the puck AND controlled it for a greater portion of the game. I have seen some very pretty goals this season from Tech. They are plays made by guys who have an above average hockey IQ and have a good instinct for where to put the puck and when. It also helps when you have team mates that can match that talent level.
I hope that Tech gets some puck luck down the stretch. We're going to need to be a team that scores 4+ goals a game if we want to sustain a long win streak to close out the season and into post season play. Jamie has been good, but we've seen the last few weeks that he is mortal and you don't want to lose a key game 2-1 or 3-2 because of lack of offense. I have no problem with Tech giving up 3 goals per game, but we need to be on a scoring pace closer to that of Mankato. Otherwise you risk one bad play losing a game for you. If you put up 4+ you can have those 1 or 2 mental errors in a game that are bound to happen and still come out winners.
Tech as four more home games that they should win and then it will be a tough grind to the end. Going to AK, regardless of the team, is never easy... Mankato on the road... Northern home and home to close it out. If the rest of the league can find a way to beat BGSU at least 1 or 2 more times, Tech is still in the driver's seat to win the league. The games against Mankato will pretty much decide that - anything less than a sweep in Mankato and it is very unlikely that Tech won't finish on top.
It's going to be an exciting February for the first time in a long time!
Ryan J
