Thank you very much. I am very happy to be here today to discuss with you the state of Michigan Tech Hockey this season. [ Applaud me here ]The late Coach John MacInnes would be very happy with the strides that this program has taken over the past few years. This team has gone from a 4-win season only a few years ago to a team that is now much more respected. [ Applaud me here ] This team will continue its uphill climb. [ More applause, please ]
Coach Russell, I commend everything you have done since you have returned to Michigan Tech, but this time as a coach. It was rough at first and many players didn't buy into your system, along with some fans. You kept with it though and recruited your own guys... and it is really beginning to pay off. [ Applaud me, fools! ]
Today I will be discussing where we are at now and where we will be in the future. Currently, we're in a three-way tie for 7th place in the WCHA, a mere one point behind Minnesota who sits alone in 6th, and only three points behind the two teams tied for fourth place, Wisconsin and Minnesota-Duluth. This is of course not where we had hoped to be at this time in the season; but there are many reasons to remain optimistic about the future, as there is a lot of hockey left to be played. [ Applause ]
Earlier this season, we started out at a strong 4-2 record, with a sweep over Mankato. [ Insert your clapping here] After a bit of a slump, we pulled it back together and had a great showing at GLI. The team was definitely prepared for that weekend as they beat Michigan State for the first time since 1991 (?) by a score of 4-1. [ Clappity clap clap! ] For the first time in several years, we were playing in the GLI championship game, with an outstanding showing by Michigan Tech fans and alumni. This team took #1 Michigan through 4 scoreless periods of hockey, hitting two crossbars and two pipes in the process. [Applause ] Unfortunately, Michigan had 'won the cointoss' as was able to sneak one by goaltender Rob Nolan, who was just amazing all weekend long. Even though it went down as a loss in the books, it gave the team and the fans a lot to look forward to for the rest of the season. [ You know the drill ]
After faltering in North Dakota, the team went through their last off weekend, a well-used one as they bounced back and played WCHA leader and the nation's #3 team Colorado College at home, tying them the first night and defeating them 5-2 on the second night. [ Yep, more applause ] CC goaltender Richard Bachman was the WCHA's leading goaltender at that time. After that weekend however, he has fallen to the number two spot and Michael-Lee Teslak has taken over. [ Lots of applause ]
We have big goals for the rest of this year... and one of those is to get home ice for the first round of the WCHA playoffs. [ Applause ] In order to do this, we need to win conference games. [ More applause ] Our team can do great things on home ice, and hopefully they will get that opportunity. [ Keep it coming ]
Home ice or not, the team is looking forward to their SECOND trip to the WCHA Final Five in two years. [ Applause ] As most of the team has been there before, they will know what to expect this time, and you can certainly expect a much better performance this time around, along with RESULTS--the results that we're looking for! [ You know what to do ] The ultimate goal is to WIN the Final Five... and make our first appearance in the NCAA Tournament in quite some time. [ More applause ]
A future of hope and opportunity requires that all our fans have readily available support. When it comes to winning, our team has an obligation to win for the fans and making them happy. And they will meet those responsibilities. [ Applause ]
And so tonight, I propose two new initiatives that may not be new because they have probably been done before. First, I propose that each and every member of the team eat their vegetables. Many tests have shown that vegetables are healthy. If the guys remain healthy, they will probably play better. [ Applause ]
My second proposal should help the guys consistently play hard during each and every game. I suggest to them that they play each and every game as if it were the most important game of their lives. Perhaps if they always keep that in their mind while they're on the bench or on the ice, they will push themselves that much harder. The W's will then start rolling in. [ Yep, more applause here ]
Yet even with these steps, we cannot guarantee home ice playoffs, a Final Five Championship, or a NCAA tournament appearance. Michigan Tech fans must do their part as well, by attending games and cheering loudly. They must create a superior home atmosphere for which our Hockey Huskies can get their job done. [ Applause ]
With such determination and passion, ladies and gentlemen, we see the spirit and results of our Michigan Tech Hockey Huskies. They are a decent and honorable hockey team--resilient too. The team and the fans have been through a lot together. Yet we can go forward with confidence -- because the State of our season is strong, our cause in the hockey world is right, and tonight and for the rest of the season, that cause, winning, goes on. [ You're almost done ]
See you next game. And go Huskies! [ Okay, lay it on thick here! ]
Earlier this season, we started out at a strong 4-2 record, with a sweep over Mankato. [ Insert your clapping here] After a bit of a slump, we pulled it back together and had a great showing at GLI. The team was definitely prepared for that weekend as they beat Michigan State for the first time since 1991 (?) by a score of 4-1. [ Clappity clap clap! ] For the first time in several years, we were playing in the GLI championship game, with an outstanding showing by Michigan Tech fans and alumni. This team took #1 Michigan through 4 scoreless periods of hockey, hitting two crossbars and two pipes in the process. [Applause ] Unfortunately, Michigan had 'won the cointoss' as was able to sneak one by goaltender Rob Nolan, who was just amazing all weekend long. Even though it went down as a loss in the books, it gave the team and the fans a lot to look forward to for the rest of the season. [ You know the drill ]
After faltering in North Dakota, the team went through their last off weekend, a well-used one as they bounced back and played WCHA leader and the nation's #3 team Colorado College at home, tying them the first night and defeating them 5-2 on the second night. [ Yep, more applause ] CC goaltender Richard Bachman was the WCHA's leading goaltender at that time. After that weekend however, he has fallen to the number two spot and Michael-Lee Teslak has taken over. [ Lots of applause ]
We have big goals for the rest of this year... and one of those is to get home ice for the first round of the WCHA playoffs. [ Applause ] In order to do this, we need to win conference games. [ More applause ] Our team can do great things on home ice, and hopefully they will get that opportunity. [ Keep it coming ]
Home ice or not, the team is looking forward to their SECOND trip to the WCHA Final Five in two years. [ Applause ] As most of the team has been there before, they will know what to expect this time, and you can certainly expect a much better performance this time around, along with RESULTS--the results that we're looking for! [ You know what to do ] The ultimate goal is to WIN the Final Five... and make our first appearance in the NCAA Tournament in quite some time. [ More applause ]
A future of hope and opportunity requires that all our fans have readily available support. When it comes to winning, our team has an obligation to win for the fans and making them happy. And they will meet those responsibilities. [ Applause ]
And so tonight, I propose two new initiatives that may not be new because they have probably been done before. First, I propose that each and every member of the team eat their vegetables. Many tests have shown that vegetables are healthy. If the guys remain healthy, they will probably play better. [ Applause ]
My second proposal should help the guys consistently play hard during each and every game. I suggest to them that they play each and every game as if it were the most important game of their lives. Perhaps if they always keep that in their mind while they're on the bench or on the ice, they will push themselves that much harder. The W's will then start rolling in. [ Yep, more applause here ]
Yet even with these steps, we cannot guarantee home ice playoffs, a Final Five Championship, or a NCAA tournament appearance. Michigan Tech fans must do their part as well, by attending games and cheering loudly. They must create a superior home atmosphere for which our Hockey Huskies can get their job done. [ Applause ]
With such determination and passion, ladies and gentlemen, we see the spirit and results of our Michigan Tech Hockey Huskies. They are a decent and honorable hockey team--resilient too. The team and the fans have been through a lot together. Yet we can go forward with confidence -- because the State of our season is strong, our cause in the hockey world is right, and tonight and for the rest of the season, that cause, winning, goes on. [ You're almost done ]
See you next game. And go Huskies! [ Okay, lay it on thick here! ]
9 comments:
Don't forget Huskies to drink your milk, say your prayers and eat your vitamins!!!
Short girl I love you, but please for the love of humanity never become a coach, or a motivationla speaker, or somebody has to write speeches. There is a severe lack of pathos which is rarely a good thing.
Okay, Rob Green. I won't.... But only if you promise me that you'll never become an English teacher.
Do you have ANY idea how many corrections I had to make to your last blog entry? =P
No offense, but I only applauded in my MIND.
Don't forget you have 2-games in hand on UM, UMD, and UW. So with a sweep when they are on a bye week or non-conference games, you could move into sole possession of 4th place, a la, home ice for the play-offs.
As long as the MTU Huskies beat the dirty seawolves this weekend, then I win a beer from Sioux7.
How can you call them "dirty seawolves"? They're the "lovable losers" ... :)
bwahaha, the lovable losers just handed you your ass on a silver platter.
But I still love them. :)
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