You Know It's Offseason When...

I thought with the lack of other action going on during this time of the year, now would be a good time to get to know Gong Wang, Mitch's Misfits' newest official member. The Misfits, along with Michigan Tech hockey, are very happy to have the new addition. He can be quite loud during the games and he really gets the crowd going. To this writer's knowledge, Mitch's Misfits is the only known Division 1 college hockey student section that has an official gong. Exciting, I know.

I was lucky to get the opportunity to have a question and answer session with Wang (pictured below), who sadly during the offseason isn't getting much action. Here's the Tech Hockey Blog Exclusive interview with Gong Wang:

Tech Hockey Blog (THB): Where are you from originally?
Gong Wang (GW): ...
THB: When did you join the Tech Hockey Fanbase family?
GW: ...
THB: Do you have a favorite hockey Husky?
GW: ...
THB: What's your favorite color?
GW: ...
THB: Care to elaborate?
GW: ...
THB: What are you looking forward to most this upcoming season?
GW: ...

A little while into the interview, I realized Mr. Wang wasn't going to answer my questions. He's an stinkin' inanimate object! A wave of panic instantly came over me... I didn't want to disappoint all twenty-some of THB's readers. It didn't take me long to come up with a solution to the problem though (it's my engineering knowledge at work! ...but not really). From now on, I'll just pretend to be Gong Wang and answer all the questions like I think he would answer them if he was animate.

THB: When did you join Mitch's Misfits?
Tech Hockey Blog Pretending to be Gong Wang (THBPtbGW): I believe I made my debut at Winter Carnival, when Minnesota came to visit. Although, I'm not 100% positive because the memory of a gong is not good.
THB: What was your favorite memory this past season?
THBPtbGW: Probably when the Huskies tied the Gophers and the Badgers for the last two home series. I was pretty loud those nights.
THB: What do you think of Tech's new skating treadmill?
THBPtbGW: Oh I think it's terrific! There's no doubt about it that this makes Tech better than UND. This is the best thing to happen to MTU since you started being a student here 3 years ago.
THB: Aww, so kind of you. Now... I don't mean to get personal or anything, but... how big are you?
THBPtbGW: *laughs* About 20-22 inches or so... but I haven't measured.
THB: Quite impressive. Do you have a least-favorite WCHA hockey player who has recently left for the NHL?
THBPtbGW: Actually, I do. His name is Matt Greene.
THB: We have much in common, Mr. Wang.
THBPtbGW: Please, call me Gong.
THB: Very well, Gong. So do you do anything else besides show up at hockey games?
THBPtbGW: I've been to a tailgater in Houghton put on by the [good] Gopher fans. That was a good time. I've also made a couple of appearances at broomball playoff games.
THB: So what do you enjoy doing, Gong?
THBPtbGW: I like to be beaten.
THB: ...I guess that makes sense. I mean... you're a gong and all. It would certainly suck to be a gong if you didn't like to be beaten. Well Gong, I'd like to thank you for doing this interview with me for Tech Hockey Blog. I'd shake your hand, but... well... you know. We'll be seeing you again soon!
THBPtbGW: Happy to do it!

College Hockey Roundtable

In response to Bruce Ciskie's suggestion of a college hockey roundtable, I figured it's high time to answer these questions from a Techie's perspective.

Has the college game truly seen in increase in stickwork in recent years?

Overall across the WCHA, I'd have to say not really. Now, that being said, it actually has, but not significantly enough to become a problem to the level that it had been in the NHL in recent years. We here at MTU have been blessed with four years of Colin Murphy who could bull his way through almost anything, and four years of Chris Conner, whose blinding speed made it difficult for opponents to catch him, let alone hook him.

I do believe that where the stickwork has increased is among the perennial top-notch WCHA teams. Every team that made it out of their first round playoff series made effective use of their sticks to clog up the neutral zone. If the WCHA officials crack down on it next season, to the tune of the way the NHL did this season, most of that will clear up in a hurry.

Do officials do a good job of calling "clutch-and-grab" infractions consistently?

I think that the WCHA is getting better and better at this every year. The only thing we can really ask for as fans/commentators is that the game be called evenly. Sure, as Husky fans, we see our boys called more often than the Gophers and Badgers, but that's life. I do feel that this past season was the first where, for the most part, the calls were made evenly.

One fact that gets lost in the translation around the Houghton, MI, area is that the WCHA is filled with young referees. It's going to take some time for them to get acquinted with how the league functions. The improvement from 2004-05 to 2005-06 was a huge step forward for many of these younger guys, and I hope that trend continues in the years to come.

What do you think of the "checking from behind" crackdown?

My initial gut reaction to this was, "what a stupid rule this is". Having seen it action, I think that the officials have the right idea, but there needs to be a level of discretion. Having a player automatically ejected for his mistake isn't quite the answer.

There were plenty of hits this season that did warrant the ejection. In the heat of the battle, hits like those tend to happen. That, of course, doesn't mean the player shouldn't use his head. However, I think that checks away from the boards, or checks where both players are locked up with their sticks across each other, and both players hit the boards simultaneously are not deserving of the five minute major and immediate ejection.

It's easy to get into a circular arguement here about what should be the way to judge these penalties. The only obvious thing is that the old form of discretion wasn't working. However, the new way isn't really either. Hopefully this will be tweeked into some area in between in the coming seasons.

What NHL rules change would you like to see adopted in college hockey, and which one do you want college hockey to stay away from?

As long as the NCAA stays away from the shootout, I'm happy. Shootouts as they are done in the NHL are nice, but a poor judge of how talented a team is. Cases in point include the Detroit Red Wings and Dallas Stars. The shootout just doesn't work yet. Expand the NCAA season to at least 42 and get back to me.

I love the expanded offensive zone. Imagine the Gopher or Pioneer power play with all that extra space. I have loved their power plays for years, and I can almost guarentee you that no one would be willing to take a penalty if those guys had the extra room to work.

The icing rule has been fantastic wild card in the NHL playoffs. I've often thought that teams get off far too easy by just icing the puck. Imagine what a difference this rule could make in the WCHA or in the NCAA, especially if it's your team on the offensive, and your tired opponent can't change.

What do you think of the increased use of replay in college hockey?

Replay had been sorely missed in the college game for far too long. It was great to finally give officials the chance to view goals/near goals in order to make the right call. As we all know, hockey is an extremely fast game, with the puck changing hands faster than Mike Sertich's hair falls out, so it makes sense that calls are not always easy to spot to the naked eye.

That being said, the replay was hampered by the single feed of overhead cameras. The incident in Denver in the playoffs was a great example of how inefficent the system is. There need to be more angles to view. I'm sure that this will come with time. For now, it's just nice to have such a system in place at all.

What is one random change you'd like to see made in hockey?

Despite my better judgements, I'd love to see the NCAA adopt a 4 on 4 format to its overtime sessions. With the five minute overtime already seeming short, 5 on 5 for five minutes seems to force teams to clog the neutral zone in such ways that neither team can really build any momentum. Imagine a Conner, a Kessel or a Stapleton with all that extra skating room. Oh how exciting overtime would be!

I also agree with Bruce Ciskie in that we need miced-up referees. With the NHL adopting that policy this season, it became a lot clearer to the fans why certain calls or decisions were made. Communication on this level would help even the most attentive fan, even myself (I've played hockey nearly 22 seasons and I still don't always know why certain calls are made).

I think in general, many great strides were made in the game last season. I can only hope that this trend continues, and college hockey eventually becomes a fantastic breeding ground for NHL-bound prospects so that they don't feel that they must make the jump to Canadian Juniors in order to further their careers.

Why MTU is better than UND

First of all, I'd like to say I'm very sorry to the lack of entries lately, especially to Bruce Ciskie. Laziness has taken over like you wouldn't belive. We're trying to get back on track now... and perhaps one day even answer Ciskie's questionaire.

Secondly, I'd like to say to quit laughing the title of this entry. I'm about ready to prove why and how it is so.

Michigan Tech's hockey program recently made a huge purchase in hopes of helping and improving our hockey Huskies' endurance. We are now the proud owners of a skating treadmill!

This is huge, folks. Absolutely huge. It has to be the coolest thing to hit Michigan Tech since I started being a student here three years ago.

First, I'd like to express my appreciation towards Coach Russell, Strength and Conditioning Coach Kyle Bangen, and MTU sophomore winger Derby Kitti, who were all very helpful and cooperative with my visit earlier this week.

Now, for the fun part... the pictures!



As you can see, the room is currently not the most decorative, but the installation of the skating treadmill at the Hockey Education Center is BRAND-spanking new, so they have quite a bit of work left on the room. Coming soon will be rubber floors, Husky logos, etc.

As far as maintenance of the treadmill goes, the white moving pieces that simulate ice must be replaced about once every two years, and obviously more under very heavy usage. Because this treadmill is exclusively for our Hockey Huskies, once every two years should suffice.

The skating treadmill is really quite impressive. It goes as fast as 16 miles per hour and it can go to a grade as steep as 35 degrees! It's especially exciting that we are one of only FOUR Division I Hockey schools that owns our own skating treadmill. We join the likes of Ohio State, Minnesota, and Cornell. Also, North Dakota has access to a skating treadmill, but it isn't theirs and it's located offsite. HAH! Take THAT, UND!

When I got to the treadmill room, Derby was all suited up and ready to start skating. Here are a couple of pictures of him in action on the treadmill, with assistance from Kyle.



The bar directly in front of Derby is used when the treadmill is being stopped so he can grab ahold of it and glide. Also, there is the flat surface in front of the moving parts. That area is for puck handling. Since the treadmill is so new, the guys are currently getting used to it, but later on, they will certainly be doing more with it, such as the puck handling.

Behind the moving "ice" are hooks. These are to hook up bungees that bring tension to the legs. That feature will also be used more in the future... along with the 35 degree grade. Just IMAGINE skating up something so steep!

Currently, the guys who are in Houghton are working on it two times per week. The sessions last from 40 minutes to an hour. Later on in the summer, around July or August, they will be working on it three times per week.

Not only did the Tech Hockey Blog staff get some good pictures, but videos were taken of the treadmill in action. Click here (~6 MB) to watch Derby in action on the skating treadmill. It's quite a site to behold. Looks like a fairly smoothe skate. The treadmill itself doesn't seem that loud either.

When I asked Kyle what he hopes one major outcome will be to having the treadmill, he mentioned the third period. That's definitely one area where our hockey Huskies could improve in, as we have lost many close games.

Coach Russell is also very excited to have the new addition to the Husky Hockey program. He comments,

The treadmill, under Kyle's guidance, gives us a tremendous tool to train specifically for hockey. Both in season and during the off season the treadmill will improve our team's acceleration and endurance. Now, more than ever, skating will play a huge role in our team's success. Being only one of four NCAA programs to have a treadmill, it will be yet another attractive reason to choose Michigan Tech. Players can train here year round to develop their skills to get to the next level.

I'd just like to mention again how UND doesn't have their own skating treadmill, but MTU does. Therefore, MTU is better than UND now. Sorry Sioux. We'll see you on 15 and 16 December 2006 at the Ralph.

Quick update on some of our pro boys

AHL

Binghamton Senators
Brandon Schwartz, 5GP, 0G, 0A, 0PTS, 0PIM, -2

Grand Rapids Griffins
Greg Amadio, 61G, 0G, 3A, 3PTS, 125PIM, +11
Clay Wilson, 51G, 8G, 22A, 30PTS, 31PIM, +12

Iowa Stars
Chris Conner, 3GP, 1G, 0A, 1PT, 0PIM, 0

Milwaukee Admirals
Chris Durno, 48G, 17G, 16A, 33PTS, 34PIM, +7

Toronto Marlies
Brett Engelhardt, 59 GP, 11G, 25 A, 36PTS, 74PIM, +6
Colin Murphy, 40 GP, 12G, 14A, 26PTS, 27PIM, +1

ECHL

Greenville Grrowl
Cam Ellsworth, 31GP, 19-10-1 Overall, 2.77GAA, .902SV%

Johnstown Chiefs
Brad Sullivan, 11GP, 0G, 0A, 0PTS, 2PIM

Victoria Salmon Kings
Taggert Desmet, 6GP, 1G, 8A, 9PTS, 2PIM

CHL

Corpus Christi Rayz
Frank Werner, 60GP, 7G, 6A, 13PTS, 28PIM

Tulsa Oilers
Marek Dora, 39GP, 4G, 16A, 20PTS, 34PIM

2006-2007 Season Schedule

The schedule for the upcoming season was recently released. Here's what we're looking at for the regular season:

Fri 6 Oct Lakehead (ex)
Fri 13 Oct NMU
Sat 14 Oct NMU
20-21 Oct Vermont
27-28 Oct UAA
3-4 Nov CC
10-11 Nov UMD
17-18 Nov DU
1-2 Dec SCSU
8-9 Dec UMN
15-16 Dec UND
Fri 29 Dec UM^
Sat 30 Dec HU/MSU^
5-6 Jan UMD
12-13 Jan BSU
19-20 Jan UAA
26-27 Jan CC
2-3 Feb MSU,M
9-10 Feb DU (WC)
23-24 Feb UW
2-3 Mar UMN

^GLI; bold games are home.

Looks like the Huskies will not be going to St. Cloud or Madison this year; nor will the Mavericks and the Sioux be visiting.

Once again, NMU only twice this season, unfortunately. I'd gladly trade the Beavers series for another home and home with the Wildcats.

The worst part of the schedule (to the joy of UMD fans everywhere) has to be how early on in 2007 that we will be going to the DECC. Tech's Winter Break will still be going on that time. Our tradition started two years ago to take over the DECC by bringing around 40 Misfits will come to an end. This season, we must leave it up to the guys to sweep the Bulldogs at the DECC... even though there won't be 40 Misfits there making enough noise to annoy even themselves. The vacation thing won't stop me, but it'll be hard to find 40 other willing souls to go. Guess I better get working on it right now...

Senior tribute...

Here is a tribute to our class of awesome seniors:

With this year’s crop of seniors finishing their careers, this season marks the end of an era for the hockey Huskies. Gone are the Brett Engelhardts, Colin Murphys and Chris Conners of the past six seasons. Boy, what an era it’s been.

This year’s six seniors are no exception. From the before mentioned Conner to this season’s captain, Brandon Schwartz, what this group of seniors managed to do was survive a coaching change and play well enough to enjoy a modest level of success. This included a major victory over then top-ranked Wisconsin in Madison, WI, on December 9^th of 2005.

“These guys showed a tremendous amount of leadership,” said coach Jamie Russell. “These guys bought in to what we’re trying to do here.”

Nick Anderson became a force on the power play over his last two seasons. Netting 22 career goals, 15 of them came on the man advantage. In his final year, Anderson netted nine goals and 16 points, good for sixth on the team.

Conner’s career statistics speak for themselves. In 151 games, he amassed 69 goals, 15 of which came while short handed. That total is good for second all-time in NCAA history. His 129 points are good for 34th all-time among Husky scorers.

He did finish his final season with 17 goals and 29 points to lead the Huskies in scoring. His goal total was good for his second-highest in his four-year career.

Conner has signed an amateur try-out with the Iowa Stars of the American Hockey League. He started off his professional career with a bang, netting his first professional goal in his first game against the Manchester Monarchs.

Taggert Desmet, Conner’s center for most of the last three seasons not only put up 57 points over the course of his career, but also was the main man on faceoffs much of his three seasons in the black and gold.

Desmet finished his senior year with seven goals and 17 points. His biggest goal may have been the one he netted in the third period Feb. 4th at Minnesota State-Mankato.

Desmet has already begun his professional career quickly, with one goal and six points in three games for the Victoria Salmon Kings of the East Coast Hockey League. In his debut, he notched three assists before netting the game-winning goal in overtime.

Hailing from Heinola, Finland, Pekka Saittakari didn’t compete in nearly as many games as the rest of his fellow classmates, dressing for only 91 games total, but when he did play, he made sure he left it all on the ice. Saittakari finished his senior season +5.

A staple of the blueline, John Scott’s impact to the defensive corps was never felt as heavily as it was during the early stages of this season, when he was forced to sit out the first 14 games. After his return, the Huskies did the seemingly impossible, beating Wisconsin in their own building, and rattling off a consecutive streak of WCHA series with points of eight. Scott had his best offensive season, netting three goals, giving him seven goals and twelve career points.

The final senior, Schwartz, had huge shoes to fill. Following Murphy would be tough for anyone. After some early growing pains, Schwartz settled in, netting 10 goals and 26 points, good for second on the team.

Schwartz took his 82 career points, and signed an amateur try-out with the Binghamton Senators. After a pair of games, he is still searching for his first point.

While wins were few and far between for these seniors, all six of them brought something special to the team, and will be sorely missed next season, not just by the team, but also by the fans, especially the Mitch’s Misfits, as this class was instrumental in helping the Misfits become a reality.

Quick UND Recap; Post Season Begins

One word can easily sum up this past weekend for the Huskies in Grand Forks: DISAPPOINTMENT.

Unfortunately, the Huskies couldn't manage one single goal all weekend. They put together about 4 good periods of hockey, but had nothing to show for it.

One of the biggest highlites of the weekend had to have been the BRILLIANT powerplay the Huskies excuted on their first up-one-man opportunity of the series. (That was a long sentence.) I am still in awe over its greatness. Besides the fact that they didn't score on it, everything else was perfect... In my three years of watching Michigan Tech hockey, those were, without a doubt, the two most beautiful minutes I'd ever seen. Can't even describe it...

And at the UND games, it was a MeanEgirl first... I got to see my first penalty shot. I must say, I was VERY nervous... and scared for Teslak. Luckily for all of us, Kaip didn't get off the best of shots. Teslak denied it and there was much rejoicing from Section 311.

Two games. 10 GA. 0 GF. Several unhappy MTU fans.

However, everything we've done up to this point no longer matters. Post season is now. We'll be headed to Madison this upcoming weekend to face the Badgers (23-9-3, 17-8-3 WCHA). Looks like star goaltender Brian Elliott is getting back in his groove after his injury that kept him off the ice for weeks. This is bad news for the Huskies, who really need him to SUCK this weekend, so they can be this year's miracle upset.

If the hockey team doesn't get it together this weekend, it will of course be our seniors' last games as college hockey players. But, with all odds against them... If they somehow manage to pull a couple of victories out, they'll be headed to St. Paul next weekend to compete in the Final Five. That would be excellent... as their band is already suited up and ready to go.

Tech Blog Up and Running

Alright, people have been telling me that MTU needs a hockey blog. Well, here it is. Sure, it's pathetic right now, but we'll see how it goes. I'd like to get more writers for it, but again, we'll see how it turns out. Since the season is nearly over for the Huskies, this blog isn't going to go far for the remainder of it. Next year, however, I hope this is big!

Now to get to hockey talk - this weekend, the Huskies will be playing their last regular season series for the 2005-2006 season. They find themselves in Grand Forks to take on the UND Fighting Sioux. Tech, who is 7-21-6 (6-14-6 WCHA) are looking to spoil home ice for North Dakota, who are 21-14-1 (14-12-0 WCHA). Chances are looking pretty good that Michigan Tech will finish 8th in the conference this season, which is quite the improvement from the 10th place they had been becoming very well acquainted with for the past two years.

In the two teams' last 10 meetings, the Sioux hold a slight edge, winning ten games to the Huskies' zero. North Dakota is the only team that Coach Russell has yet to get even a point from. I'm really hoping it will happen THIS WEEKEND, as I'll be there! It'll be my second visit to Grand Forks and 3rd and 4th times in the Ralph Engelstad Arena. Hopefully I enjoy the outcome a little bit more this time around.

Bare with me as this hockey blog gets up and running. I'm new at hockey blogging, and blogging altogether. I'm going to be looking for more writers for this blog as well.