mtu_huskies
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Re: Michigan Tech, best season in 30 years, part two!
Good show, good questions. Mel mentioned Jimmy Davis when talking about senior night.
Latest USCHO poll: Mankato #2 Tech #3
Good show, good questions. Mel mentioned Jimmy Davis when talking about senior night.
Latest USCHO poll: Mankato #2 Tech #3
Mel Pearson Show summary for 2-23:
Team had a few days off last week, first practiced Wed, got Sat off too
Will practice Sun/Mon/Tues, may have Wed off to change things up
Wed was light, guys were still feeling the AK trip a bit Wed/Thur, heavy legs, Mel out recruiting Wed, but back Thur because a recruit was in town
1 practice does not fit all players this time of year, some travelled, some didn't go to AK, some coming off injury need more skating, like Eick/Gillies
They discussed other games:
Mel is on NCAA selection committee, can't do a lot with computerized system, like to watch for rankings too, Mel on a polling committee
ND beating BU caught Mel's eye
Surprised NMU sweep BGSU
Exciting time of year, want to play in games like this
This program has come a long way, talked to our players, it's been a long time a game this late in the season is this important, but also trying to downplay games too
Just another game, but we've been good on the road, they've been good at home
People still calling about tickets, go to Ticketmaster
You can call our ticket office, each team get's 50 comps when they're on the road, our players can use it for family etc
Usually we have another 50 tickets we can purchase, not sure we have any left
Senior night against NMU, there are tickets for that game - Jimmy Davis included in Mel's list of seniors
For the playoff series, the south suite is available, 49 tickets - $1000 per game, fun night out
Mel's wife got a suite with friends one night this year and had a great time - call for the suite that's available
On WCHA play, Ferris BSU, NMU all sweep, so not much more clarity in WCHA playoff picture - BGSU now cannot catch Tech/Mankato
Guys are excited, may need to temper them down
On WCHA playoffs, 2 teams missing, Mel thinks every team should get in, but it creates some intrigue for who will make playoffs
Mankato game is at 7:30 Friday, loud building
Guys adrenaline will be up, have to guard against that, can be overexcited, drained once you get on nice, have to keep team even keel
Can't build it up to be end all, keys to winning on the road, haven't lost WCHA road game, they're #1 PWR, will be 2/3 in country
The building will be full of excitement, as a player you want that
We can take 22 players, a lot will be determined in practice this week
Part goes into who we play/matchups, we have to be able to put any line on the ice against Mankato lines
We found out some things last weekend, used different pairs with Watson out, liked some things, didn't play Watson/Sweeney Sat even though they've been together all year
Everyone has contributed this year except redshirt players, so lineup decisions are hard
Example: Eick looks like he's ready, but hard to take someone out with so many players playing strong, don't want changes just for the sake of changes
Wouldn't believe how much of Mel's life is consumed by talking lineup, feel good with whoever we take to Mankato
Dirk - . Johnstone: maybe not a banner year goal wise, - Mel he has "it" electrifying, been battling injuries all year, not concerned about numbers, liked him with Steman/Sturos in AK, they've got chemistry David almost completely healthy
2nd in nation in goals scored, 2nd in nation in GAA, most proud of GAA.
Lead country in Ws, think about that, UND has $100M ice rink, Charter from Grand Forks to Lincoln for trips, BC, ND with so many draft picks, more wins than any of those teams big compliment to our players
Incredible, don't think we totally understand what's going on. Sometimes take it for granted, incredible,
GAA is huge too. Helps you stay in games, opportunity to win every night. About half of the GA than last year, starts wtih goalie, but D has been good and Forward much better job buying in defensively
GF, only behind Michigan's talented forwards is good.
1st in country in GF-GA margin. Proud of the guys for consistency they've brought every night. We've had lulls in games, or games that aren't our best, but credit to our guys brining it every night.
Kero - College Hockey Inc picked each state MVP. There's talented players from MI, good for Kero to get that reward. Great senior year. Fabulous job.
He's been recognized for on/off ice contributions. He plays PP, PK, wing, faceoffs, strong on the puck and great leader. Away from the rink, trains hard, diet, great student, 4.0 last semester. Tell our assistant coaches to find more Tanner Keros.
Questions for Mel:
What do you tell guys about taking penalties, related to late scrum UAA?
Want to be very disciplined and let refs take care of the game. It'll be an intense series, but we need to maintain composure.
Assuming Tech makes NCAAs, will extra practice time translate into a better team next season?
Not sure, what you can't replace is experience of playing in NCAA tourney. Each year the NCAA experience helps, Mel learned a lot about situations/pressure etc.
If we're fortunate to make it, the practice time is less than the overall experience of being in the tournament. Intensity is ratcheted up another level. Hard to prepare for that. Our whole coaching staff has been in that situation.
What percent of recruiting is new commits vs. maintaining existing commits?
Talked about that yesterday, recruiting starts once you get a commitment. You get a verbal or NLI, then you continue to recruit them because others will try to get them to look at other schools. Want good relationship with those young men.
Have to stay after it, some need more contact than others. It's so important to connect with our kids, routinely, see how they're doing, they like to talk hockey. Once you get a kid, the process keeps going.
During your years as player/coach, have you experienced "Gamemanship". Fire alarms, sound in arena.
We've had a few things. We had fire alarms at Bemidji, but that was actual fire in pool area.
Ice time changes at the rink, wanted to use rink early because it was open, but denied as host put out one skater to use the ice. Not as much as you think, but it happens.
Recruiting is going well, but not many USHL players for awhile. How are thing going outside of BCHL?
We have 4 guys playing in the USHL right now. They're doing very well.
We're in on a lot of different players.
Billy/Joe went to Duluth to watch soem HS and Junior games.
We'll catch some MN playoff games Tue/Wed this week. Recruiting is ongoing, have to go to get best players. If we can't get them out of USHL, have to go where we can.
We want best fit for Tech, they aren't in only one league/one location.
Is it hard to separate current team situation and then switch gears and be looking for a player for years in the future.
You have to manage it, part of college hockey.
Every week we're watching a player, bringing someone in. Last Tuesday might've been an "off-night" but there are none, Mel was out watching a game.
This week we were going to send Joe out east and downstate, prospect tourney Mon/Tues, decided no, team time, like our recruiting, will catch the kids we were going to watch another time.
Have to manage time as a staff. Right now important to have all coaches here this week.
Who will replace Pietila in key faceoffs?
Neville, Steman very good. E. Anderson is good on face-offs. Hard, but a number of guys for key faceoffs.
Why did Mel bring in Davis as a true freshmen vs. juniors?
Given how Jimmy had played at some camps. Needed defensemen. Wanted to chagne culture/tempo, unfortunately injuries set him back for awhile.
Jimmy has been a great teammate, works hard, lifts, feel bad at time, he gives everything, true teammate. Last year he played against NMU and played very well.
Biggest learning experience this year?
Always learning something. Overall prep of a team, tried diff things.
Mix things up, take a day off, just managing our practices, changing our routine, it's okay to experiment with things. Don't need rigid regimen.
Have you ever had a goalie that would be good enough to play F/D? Vice versa?
Not sure about position player going in net. Steve Shields plays out now, played some senior hockey at F. Turco played out til he was 13. Prob smart enough.
With production ice time, do you consider Tech/Mankato to be two of the deepest teams?
Like both team's depth. Plenty of guys can score.
Have to make sure players aren't so revved up to play, there's no more gas in the tank.
Need to stay calm, with the excitement/energy. They need to be in the right zone. Wont build up game too big.
Mankato very balanced on scoring. Usually in college hockey you see 2 lines with scoring, the other 2 are minimal numbers.
Bit of a chess match, to see who Hastings puts against who.
Could put checkers against, Kero/Petan to keep them off score sheet. Other way is strength against Strength, Kero line against Mankato top line. Will be interesting.
They're good at puck possession. Force them to play without it.
Baltus most improved? He's made great strides. Heinonen tremendous strides too. Gould too. Steman too, from start of year to now. He's 4/5th on the team scoring with no PP time.
Phillips could be most improved too. Want to see that development.
Gould - how is this guy so good now. He's taken advantage of opportunity. Chemistry between him and Blake. Good summer too, got faster. Baltus/Heinonen spent time in Houghton last summer, it paid off.
