2019-20 Michigan Tech Season Thread. Broetzman has us off to a Bliss-ful start!

[MTUHuskies]

Someone with more hockey knowledge, does Tech's lack of depth at center hurt our offensive attack?

I won't claim to have more hockey knowledge than anyone, but I'd guess the the short answer is Yes. You can plug the gaps with wings, but without natural centres you will probably be losing more draws than you win and the wings will have an adjustment period before their positioning and responsibilities are habitual. Not saying it can't be done, and I think the biggest thing is to have good chemistry. If that comes with three wings, great.

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[Huskiefan906]

Decent first period, but did not get back to it until the third. Hoping Saretsky and Halonen can get it back going again tonight. Reitmeier's line was humming along in the first period last night creating chances.

Still cannot believe the refs upped the call to a major on the Buckley check. The puck was leaving his possession down the ice, but he stepped up and made a shoulder check.

So 2:00 for interference would be the only justifiable call. Then, they do the mandatory review and after watching the video up the call to a major. Totally wrong and unjustified.

I liked the D tonight, I thought they were the bright spot.

[Shirtless Guy]

Decent first period, but did not get back to it until the third. Hoping Saretsky and Halonen can get it back going again tonight. Reitmeier's line was humming along in the first period last night creating chances.

Still cannot believe the refs upped the call to a major on the Buckley check. The puck was leaving his possession down the ice, but he stepped up and made a shoulder check.

So 2:00 for interference would be the only justifiable call. Then, they do the mandatory review and after watching the video up the call to a major. Totally wrong and unjustified.

I liked the D tonight, I thought they were the bright spot.

mandatory review?

[manurespreader]

I finally got to watch a game in total and I thought it was possibly a charge as he was pretty far away when he started. Otherwise, I could not find any justification for a contact to the head call. I didn't see when any contact was made to the head, but the guy was really low and went lower just before the impact.
I thought Mankato was the better team, but that wasn't the brightest call imho.

[Huskiefan906]

mandatory review?

obligatory? checking for major?

[Huskiefan906]

Well watched Mike Hastings comments about the games and he just indicated two good games that Mankato executed enough to sweep the series.

I am still encouraged by the team overall depth, but the discussions of the lack of a pure playmaker, dominant scorer occur when you struggle to score the 3 goals necessary to win games.

Bliss, Broetzmann, Parrottino, Pietila, Saretsky, Halonen, Ganie, and Reitmeier are the skilled forwards on this team.
They need to take some chances and try to get some odd men rushes each game. During the Mel era we scored off the rush regularly.
Offense comes from defense, but not if the entire D and line is not working to create odd man chances. The crew was complaining about dump and chase hockey this weekend. I think the lack of an outlet from Mankato may have been the reason, as I still do not think of Tech as a dump and chase team.
Look at what Northern is doing, they have replaced Rockwell and Loggins and are humming. These guys mentioned above have the same level talent, but are not getting the results yet.

Smith and Misiak are the Bulldogs that get the puck off the faceoff and in the corners.

The D played well this weekend, using all but Ford and Kilunen.
I can't wait for the battle of the UP the next two weekends. Lake State is struggling with Defense and goaltending, might be a good time to see them for confidence builder, but we better
be ready for NMU with our best efforts. Tech have played BG and Mankato tough, but did not feel comfortable that the team was able to control the game.

The teams of the past had great chemistry with the likes of Neville and Baltus playing key roles amongst the more skilled players.
I think this team has the same level talent, just need to be patient and get them all playing as 5 man units again.

[JohnsonsJerseys]

Looking at the season as a whole, scoring is the big problem however credit must be given to the blue line and in net. Over the last five games against BGSU, the Whioux and Mankato, Tech gave 13 goals in those five games. For the season, we have three goalies with save percentages of 0.915, 0.923, 0.926 (0.922 average) and have posted 1.54, 2.05 and 2.16 GAA (1.98 average). Those are numbers that can win you the McNaughton and more... if you can find some other guys to put the puck in the opposing net.

[manurespreader]

Looking at the season as a whole, scoring is the big problem however credit must be given to the blue line and in net. Over the last five games against BGSU, the Whioux and Mankato, Tech gave 13 goals in those five games. For the season, we have three goalies with save percentages of 0.915, 0.923, 0.926 (0.922 average) and have posted 1.54, 2.05 and 2.16 GAA (1.98 average). Those are numbers that can win you the McNaughton and more... if you can find some other guys to put the puck in the opposing net.

I personally would prefer a more wide open type of game, but I thought Saretsky did well and was in position to score multiple times. I do think we continue to get better and in the first game we did a good job on the forecheck which has been a weakness. The PP still is a concern.

[manurespreader]

I saw Chris Brooks on TV. He was nice but man, he could smile a bit more!.. And Donahue too! They looked like they had just had their wisdom teeth pulled without novocaine.

[MTUHuskies]

I saw Chris Brooks on TV. He was nice but man, he could smile a bit more!.. And Donahue too! They looked like they had just had their wisdom teeth pulled without novocaine.

I have no problem with their demeanor immediately after a 2-1 loss.

I'd be more concerned if they were jovial and didn't care about the outcome of the game.

Yes, they did have parts of their game of which they should be optimistic, but moral victories are not what we're looking for. I, and hopefully they, expect more from this team and dissatisfaction should follow a game/series like that.

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[Lost_Husky]

I have no problem with their demeanor immediately after a 2-1 loss.

I'd be more concerned if they were jovial and didn't care about the outcome of the game.

Yes, they did have parts of their game of which they should be optimistic, but moral victories are not what we're looking for. I, and hopefully they, expect more from this team and dissatisfaction should follow a game/series like that.

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Agreed. We have yet to play a consistent 60 minutes of Tech hockey. We are playing good enough D to win, but our O isn't there yet. Hopefully we can bang home a few goals.

[Checkmate]

After playing the first 3 games of the year Ray has sat 4 of the next 6 I believe.

Captain is a healthy scratch 4 of 9 games........ Wow! Can't believe this is only surprising to me.

I can not remember seeing one healthy scratch on an assistant let alone a captain at any level. He mentioned when he named Ray there may be times he would sit, but half the time? If your a scratch you can't even be effective in the room, your leader of your team can't really even contribute off the ice. What message does this send about the coaches regard for the leadership of the team?

Personally, I think we are better with Ray in the lineup, and if he is your leader he should play and help you win. If not, then why is he captain? SMH....

Thoughts?

[Shirtless Guy]

After playing the first 3 games of the year Ray has sat 4 of the next 6 I believe.

Captain is a healthy scratch 4 of 9 games........ Wow! Can't believe this is only surprising to me.

I can not remember seeing one healthy scratch on an assistant let alone a captain at any level. He mentioned when he named Ray there may be times he would sit, but half the time? If your a scratch you can't even be effective in the room, your leader of your team can't really even contribute off the ice. What message does this send about the coaches regard for the leadership of the team?

Personally, I think we are better with Ray in the lineup, and if he is your leader he should play and help you win. If not, then why is he captain? SMH....

Thoughts?

I think there are plenty of ways he can be an effective leader without playing and at this point I don't blame Joe for picking a captain like Ray. I think its just as important having a leader that is showing the effort it takes in practice even from a guy that isn't playing.

Maybe he's wrong to have given him the C instead of an A but I don't really have a problem with this especially when Shawhan has talked about it this way from the beginning.

[MTUHuskies]

After playing the first 3 games of the year Ray has sat 4 of the next 6 I believe.

Captain is a healthy scratch 4 of 9 games........ Wow! Can't believe this is only surprising to me.

I can not remember seeing one healthy scratch on an assistant let alone a captain at any level. He mentioned when he named Ray there may be times he would sit, but half the time? If your a scratch you can't even be effective in the room, your leader of your team can't really even contribute off the ice. What message does this send about the coaches regard for the leadership of the team?

Personally, I think we are better with Ray in the lineup, and if he is your leader he should play and help you win. If not, then why is he captain? SMH....

Thoughts?

I admittedly don't know enough about the situation on why Brice was named captain, or why he's a scratch. But with my limited knowledge, I find it hard to believe he would be the captain, or even an alternate, if the dressing room wasn't so screwed up last season.

And I don't believe you need a letter to be a leader on or off the ice. I'm hoping they have a couple of those guys that are in the lineup.

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[John J. MacInnes]

After playing the first 3 games of the year Ray has sat 4 of the next 6 I believe.

Captain is a healthy scratch 4 of 9 games........ Wow! Can't believe this is only surprising to me.

I can not remember seeing one healthy scratch on an assistant let alone a captain at any level. He mentioned when he named Ray there may be times he would sit, but half the time? If your a scratch you can't even be effective in the room, your leader of your team can't really even contribute off the ice. What message does this send about the coaches regard for the leadership of the team?

Personally, I think we are better with Ray in the lineup, and if he is your leader he should play and help you win. If not, then why is he captain? SMH....

Thoughts?

When Michigan State won the NCAA title in 2006-7, their captain was Chris Lawrence. He was a 4th line plumber who scored one goal all season, and wasn't an automatic lineup choice. He was just the personality that the guys needed. I'm viewing Brice as the same type, and knowing both of them personally there are a lot of similarities. It can work, it's just not what anyone is used to.

[manurespreader]

When Michigan State won the NCAA title in 2006-7, their captain was Chris Lawrence. He was a 4th line plumber who scored one goal all season, and wasn't an automatic lineup choice. He was just the personality that the guys needed. I'm viewing Brice as the same type, and knowing both of them personally there are a lot of similarities. It can work, it's just not what anyone is used to.

Personally I don't see a problem with it. I like Brice and whether his in our out doesn't seem to be all that important. Of course, there are a lot of things I like that others don't.... like cold weather, or snowshoeing, or Kimchi.

[MTUHuskies]

Personally I don't see a problem with it. I like Brice and whether his in our out doesn't seem to be all that important. Of course, there are a lot of things I like that others don't.... like cold weather, or snowshoeing, or Kimchi.

I agree with all of this. Except kimchi

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[Checkmate]

When Michigan State won the NCAA title in 2006-7, their captain was Chris Lawrence. He was a 4th line plumber who scored one goal all season, and wasn't an automatic lineup choice. He was just the personality that the guys needed. I'm viewing Brice as the same type, and knowing both of them personally there are a lot of similarities. It can work, it's just not what anyone is used to.

Sorry if the format is funky. Writing this on my phone.

I apologize but I don’t think I got my point across properly.

Playing time is all the boys have as collegiate hockey players. Being a upperclassmen and having playing time puts you in a position of leadership based on natural pecking order type stuff. No you don’t need a C or an A. But the voice of guys who play half the time don’t have the same power. It just how it is. It is basic basic team dynamics.

Naming a guy captain then sitting him in the stands undermines the leadership he has been recognized with by being given the C. And by doing so you disrespect the entire structure of leadership.

The leadership of the group is the conduit from the team to the staff! A coach who does not understand these very basic team dynamics has some serious problems.

Ray should be playing, most certainly if it is not a big difference with him out of the lineup as others are suggesting. Hopefully Joe can recognize his error and repair the damage that most certainly has occurred. The coaches need to have the back of their team leadership and vice versa.

Chris Lawrence may have been a 3-4th liner who scored 7 points but I am guessing the 2 games he missed that season he was not a scratch.

[MTUHuskies]

Sorry if the format is funky. Writing this on my phone.

I apologize but I don’t think I got my point across properly.

Playing time is all the boys have as collegiate hockey players. Being a upperclassmen and having playing time puts you in a position of leadership based on natural pecking order type stuff. No you don’t need a C or an A. But the voice of guys who play half the time don’t have the same power. It just how it is. It is basic basic team dynamics.

Naming a guy captain then sitting him in the stands undermines the leadership he has been recognized with by being given the C. And by doing so you disrespect the entire structure of leadership.

The leadership of the group is the conduit from the team to the staff! A coach who does not understand these very basic team dynamics has some serious problems.

Ray should be playing, most certainly if it is not a big difference with him out of the lineup as others are suggesting. Hopefully Joe can recognize his error and repair the damage that most certainly has occurred. The coaches need to have the back of their team leadership and vice versa.

Chris Lawrence may have been a 3-4th liner who scored 7 points but I am guessing the 2 games he missed that season he was not a scratch.

Are you saying Brice should be playing because he has the C? Even if he's not the guy that give you the best chance to win by having him on the ice?

Or are you saying Brice should not have the C because he isn't the guy that gives you the best chance to win when he's on the ice?

I will not claim to know more about the dynamics of the dressing room than Shawhan does. He has said many times he likes Brice's work effort and passion for the team. If he thinks someone else give him a better chance to win, I don't want Brice, or anyone else, in the lineup just because there is a letter on his chest.

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[Shirtless Guy]

Are you saying Brice should be playing because he has the C? Even if he's not the guy that give you the best chance to win by having him on the ice?

Or are you saying Brice should not have the C because he isn't the guy that gives you the best chance to win when he's on the ice?

I will not claim to know more about the dynamics of the dressing room than Shawhan does. He has said many times he likes Brice's work effort and passion for the team. If he thinks someone else give him a better chance to win, I don't want Brice, or anyone else, in the lineup just because there is a letter on his chest.

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I personally think in some ways Brice not playing is a sign that his leadership is working. If he's not playing that means others are giving the effort to earn playing time and beat out the leader and his max effort. Not to say that him playing more often would be a bad thing.

I do think I'd have a bigger concern if Brice didn't make the traveling party but he played at Robert Morris and at BGSU. I'm guessing he was one of the extra skaters they brought to UND. If we start seeing him not make the traveling party for a road series, I will 100% agree that this was a mistake but that hasnt happen yet.