Michigan College Hockey - NCAA Hockey, College Hockey News, Power Poll, Shot of the Week

MiCHO Power Poll 02.01.2012

2012-02-01T07:00:00.001-05:00

This week's MiCHO Power Poll has been released:

1) Michigan (idle)
2) Ferris State (swept Michigan State)
3) Western Michigan (split with Bowling Green)
4) Lake Superior State (win, shootout win over Ohio State)
5) Michigan Tech (tie, win against No. 1 Minnesota-Duluth)
6) Northern Michigan (split with Miami)
7) Michigan State (swept by Ferris State)

Each week during the season, MichiganCollegeHockey.com staffers will compile the MiCHO Power Poll. Contrary to popular belief, there is no coin flip involved. The poll comprises the seven Division I teams in the state of Michigan.

Lakers gain revenge on Buckeyes...sort of

2012-01-30T23:50:00.009-05:00

By Michael David/LSSU Beat Writer

So far this season, the only team to sweep the Lake Superior State Lakers in a weekend series was the Ohio State Buckeyes. This weekend the Lakers got their revenge on OSU. They didn't sweep the Buckeyes, but did the next best thing by shutting them out 1-0 on Friday, and tying 4-4 on Saturday, with a shootout win to gain the extra point in the CCHA standings.

Friday night, the Lakers scored early in the first period on a goal by senior defenseman Kyle Haines when OSU was caught in a line change. The lone assist came from freshman forward Chris Ciotti. That would prove all the scoring Lake State would need, as sophomore goalie Kevin Kapalka earned his first shut-out of the season, and fifth of his career.

Kapalka made 34 saves on the night, and the Lakers were held 0-4 on the power-play. LSSU held the Buckeyes 0-5 with the man advantage.

Saturday nights game was an instant classic, as the teams scored back and forth, and skated to a 4-4 tie after regulation and five minutes of overtime. Ohio State would get on the board early in this one, scoring a power-play goal at 8:38 of the first period. The Lakers would answer back, with Nick McParland tying the game on a goal assisted by junior forward Dominic Mondardo and sophomore forward Kyle Jean. The Lakers used their momentum to put another puck past the Buckeye netminder, but the Big Ten officials ruled it a no goal and it was not reviewed. Ohio State would take the momentum back, as they would score at the 0:00 mark of the first period, to take a 2-1 lead into the intermission.

The Lakers came back strong in the second, when Monardo would score a power-play goal of his own to notch the score at 2. Assists went to defenseman Zach Trotman and Kevin Czuczman. The Lakers would use the power-play to take the lead 3-2, when Kellan Lain found the back of the net with assists going to Monardo and Czuczman. Ohio State would make their own comeback, and score two more goals to end the second period up 4-3.

LSSU would use the extra man again, to tie the game 4-4. This time Trotman would get credited with the goal, when his blast from the point slid between the pipes. After the end of regulation, and five minutes of overtime, each team would earn one point in the CCHA standings. Lake State was able to kill off 1:50 of a 2-man Buckeye advantage early in the OT. The Lakers would win the shoot-out 2-1, with goals from Monardo and Dan Radke to earn the all important extra point.

Kapalka was stellar in net again for Lake State, making 41 saves. He is now 4-0 in shoot-out situations. The Lakers were 3-8 on the power-play while Ohio State was 2-5.

Lake Superior (14-11-5/9-9-4-4 CCHA) will host the USA NTDP team in exhibition action next weekend.

Western Michigan splits home-and-home with BGSU

2012-01-30T11:25:00.003-05:00

By Bob Miller/Western Michigan Beat Writer

Coming off a pair of road losses to Miami, a home-and-home series with Bowling Green looked like just the ticket to get Western Michigan right back into the thick of the race for the top spot in the CCHA.

The Broncos produced mixed results against Bowling Green.

On Friday, comfortably at home at Lawson Ice Arena, Western Michigan jumped to a 3-0 second period lead on a pair of goals by Dane Walters and a single by Greg Squires and coasted to a 4-1 victory over the Falcons.

“I think this was a big win for our time,” said Western Michigan head coach Andy Murray. “Coming off a couple of defeats last weekend, we need to get back on the winning track. Bowling Green wears their jerseys with pride, too. They work hard and we talked about that before the game. I reminded them of that after the second period.”

That Bowling Green pride showed up in Saturday night's rematch.

Playing at home, the Falcons responded to Squires' early first period goal with a pair of third period goals of their own to edge the Broncos, 2-1. Bowling Green netminder Andrew Hammond blanked the Broncos with 28 saves after allowing Squires' goal at 1:21 of the first period.

The weekend split left Western Michigan tied with Miami for second spot in the CCHA standings while holding two games in hand over the RedHawks. The Broncos only trail league-leading Ferris State by one point as they await the arrival of Alaska for a two-game set Friday and Saturday.

Bulldogs move into first place with sweep over MSU

2012-01-29T20:09:00.005-05:00

By Tom Morelli/Ferris State Beat Writer

Just one week after grabbing five of six points from Ohio State, Ferris State is now in sole possession of first place atop the CCHA thanks to a pair of one-goal wins over Michigan State this past weekend.

Senior Derek Graham played a pivotal role in the Bulldogs' dominance, netting two assists in Friday's 2-1 win. Graham found himself in the mix once again in Saturday's 4-3 decsion, scoring a game-tying goal in the first period, and later as a set-up man for Travis Ouellette's game-winner in the third, which came while on the power-play.

The Spartans however did not stand idly, as they scored the first goals of both contests. The lone score for Michigan State on Friday came from Matt Berry, who buried a rebound on netminder Taylor Nelson with 15:48 elapsed in the second. Earning helpers on that play were Tim Buttery and Will Yanakeff.

With 18 seconds left in the frame, the Bulldogs were able to score the equalizer thanks to a power-play marker by senior captain Chad Billins. Aside from Graham, freshman defenseman Simon Denis was also credited with an assist.

Ferris State's momentum carried over to the final period, where freshman forward T.J. Schlueter net the game-winner with under seven minutes to play.

Yanakeff finished with 28 saves compared to Nelson's 24.

In the series finale, the Spartans grabbed a 1-0 lead on Mike Merrifield's goal at 4:07 of the first, only to have the Bulldogs take control of the scoreboard by period's end with markers from Graham and Corey Kane.

Senior forward Jordie Johnston made it a two-goal game by scoring his 15th of the campaign with 2:49 elapsed in the second. Michigan State however would bounce back, thanks to goals by Brent Darnell and Greg Wolfe to make it a 3-3 affair after 40 minutes of action.

An slashing penalty to the Spartans at the beginning of the third period would prove costly shortly therafter, as Ouellette knocked home Ferris State's second power-play goal of the evening less than two minutes in to complete the sweep.

Drew Palmisino totalled 25 saves in the loss for Michigan State, including 10 in the second period.

Nelson stopped 19 of 22 shots en route to improving to 13-4-1 as a starter.

The Spartans (13-11-4 overall, 8-9-3-2 CCHA) continue their road trip this weekend with a series against the Ohio State Buckeyes, whom are currently in a three-way tie for second-place in the CCHA.

In what will be their only trip to the Upper Peninsula this season, the Bulldogs (17-8-3 overall, 11-6-3-1 CCHA) head to Marquette, Michigan for a two-game set against Northern Michigan.

Wildcats and Miami do the splits

2012-01-29T18:47:00.002-05:00

By Susannah Nichols/ Northern Michigan Beat Writer

The Northern Michigan Wildcats rolled into Oxford, Ohio, and picked up a 2-1 victory against the Miami RedHawks. On Saturday, however, the No. 17-ranked RedHawks proved to be too much for the 'Cats to handle and handed their visitors a 6-0 shutout.

Justin Florek netted his fourteenth goal of the season to put the 'Cats on the board on Friday night. Erik Higby and Wade Epp were credited with assists. Tyler Gron added a goal (with some help from Matt Thurber and Kyle Follmer) to give the 'Cats a 2-0 lead by the end of the first period.

That would prove to be enough, thanks to the outstanding play of goalie Jared Coreau: the RedHawks outshot the 'Cats 30-9 over the next two periods, but Coreau only allowed one goal early in the third. He finished with 40 saves.

Coreau got the start for Saturday's game as well and kept things reasonably close for the first two periods, allowing two goals on 24 shots. However, his teammates couldn't find the back of the net and managed only two shots in the final twenty minutes.

The RedHawks, on the other hand, got two more goals on Coreau before he was replaced by Reid Ellingson who gave up two goals on ten shots. The 0-6 loss was the 'Cats' worst of the season.

Northern's record is now 12-9-5 (7-8-5-2 CCHA). The team will look to rebound next weekend when they return to Marquette to take on the Ferris State Bulldogs. Game time is 7:30 on Friday and Saturday.

MiCHO Power Poll 01.25.2012

2012-01-25T05:00:00.000-05:00

This week's MiCHO Power Poll has been released:

1) Michigan (split with Notre Dame)
2) Ferris State (win, shootout win against Ohio State)
3) Western Michigan (swept by Miami)
4) Michigan State (win, shootout loss against LSSU)
5) Lake Superior State (loss, shooutout win against MSU)
6) Northern Michigan (defeated Michigan Tech)
7) Michigan Tech (lost to Northern Michigan)

Each week during the season, MichiganCollegeHockey.com staffers will compile the MiCHO Power Poll. Contrary to popular belief, there is no coin flip involved. The poll comprises the seven Division I teams in the state of Michigan.

Spartans, Lakers split series in East Lansing

2012-01-23T09:11:00.003-05:00

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

Michigan State and Lake Superior State played two tight games over the weekend at Munn Ice Arena and each team came away with a victory.

Friday night, Kevin Walrod scored to break a 2-2 tie with 1:10 left in regulation and captain Torey Krug added an empty-net score to lead Michigan State to a 4-2 win.

Fred Cassiani staked the Lakers to a 1-0 lead only 28 seconds into the game, but Mike Merrifield tied the score midway through the period. The Spartans took a 2-1 lead only two minutes later on a goal by Brett Perlini and MSU held that lead through the second period and for most of the third before Kellan Lain evened the score with just under three minutes remaining in the game.

That set the stage for Walrod’s heroics.

Will Yanakeff made 45 saves in the win, while Kevin Kapalka stopped 23 shots for the Lakers.

Saturday night, Dan Radke assisted on the game-tying goal and scored the winning goal in the shootout, helping the Lakers to a 2-2 tie/shootout win over Michigan State.

Lake Superior opened the scoring with Chris Ciotti finding the back of the net.

The Spartans answered with two tallies from Dean Chelios and Greg Wolfe. With under five minutes to go, Cassiani tied the game for Lake Superior.

The game would remain deadlocked through overtime and the Lakers would go on to win the shootout, 2-1.

Yanakeff stopped 32 shots and Kapalka had 37 saves for LSSU.

Lake Superior (13-11-4 overall, 8-9-3-3 CCHA) has claimed at least two points during every road series in 2011-12 except one - the Dec. 2-3 series at Ohio State. The Lakers have a chance to make up for its showing during a Jan. 27-28 rematch against the league-leading Buckeyes, which will be played at Taffy Abel Arena.

MSU (13-9-4 overall, 8-7-3-2) will be back in action next weekend in Big Rapids to play Ferris State.

Michigan gains split against Notre Dame

2012-01-22T23:10:00.003-05:00

By Bob Miller/Michigan Beat Writer

Shawn Hunwick's 38-save performance in Saturday night's rematch between Michigan and Notre Dame allowed the Wolverines to escape the two-game weekend series in South Bend with a split.

Goals by Alex Guptill and A.J. Treais were enough behind Hunwick's goaltending to provide a 2-1 over the Fighting Irish, who had handled Michigan in Friday night's series opener, 3-1, in another tight contest.

Michigan sits fourth in the topsy-turvy CCHA standings going into a bye weekend on January 27-28 before welcoming Miami for a two-game series at Yost Arena on Feb. 3-4.

The Wolverines nine-game unbeaten streak came to an end in Friday night's loss despite good netminding by Hunwick again.

"Hunwick was solid; he gave us a chance,” said Michigan head coach Red Berenson. “We were playing from behind the whole game. It was one of those games where it's down and back. On the second goal, we had a good rush, a good chance, and they go back down and the defenseman puts in a rebound on the loose puck. That's what it came down to. That's how fine the line was."

Michigan got their revenge in Saturday night's one-goal win on Hunwick's second straight solid performance of the weekend.

"I think it's good,” Berenson replied when asked about the importance of the win heading into the bye weekend. “Let's face it - we've had a good stretch of games since Alaska. It's good to bounce back tonight and not lose two in a row. Now we can think about the stretch run. It's good for our team's psyche."

Broncos drop both games on road at Miami

2012-01-22T23:06:00.003-05:00

By Bob Miller/Western Michigan Beat Writer

Western Michigan ran into a surging buzzsaw, Miami, in Oxford, Ohio, this weekend in dropping two straight games to the RedHawks.

Miami bagged a goal by Reilly Smith in each of the three periods and Luke Witkowski replied for the Broncos in the first period in the 3-1 opening-game win for the RedHawks.

Saturday night's 4-0 victory sounds lopsided at first glance, but Western Michigan simply couldn't break through against Miami goaltender Connor Knapp despite playing even with the RedHawks.

“We played a good team,” Western Michigan head coach Andy Murray told USCHO after the game. “We hit them at a time when they're playing very well. It's a 1-0 game in the third period. They had 10 shots on goal through two periods. To me, it's a pretty good game.

“We couldn't score on our chances. We just have to play hard. We have to finish some of our chances. We can't give up two breakaways in the third period when it's a 1-0 game.”

The losses drop Western Michigan into a second place tie in the CCHA standings with Miami.

The Broncos hit the ice again this coming weekend with a home-and-home series with Bowling Green.

Bulldogs knock mighty Buckeyes off their perch

2012-01-22T17:57:00.008-05:00

By Tom Morelli/Ferris State Beat Writer

There was plenty of fight inside the 'Dogs this weekend, as ranked Ferris State grabbed five of a possible six CCHA points over No. 5 ranked Ohio State by virtue of a 4-3 win on Friday and a 3-3 shootout win in the series finale.

The No. 13 ranked Bulldogs relied on their power-play to get them through the series opener, scoring on three of six opportunities.

Down by a 4-0 margin midway into the second period, it wasn't until the 13:20 mark that the Buckeyes were able to end their scoring drought, with Tanner Fritz finding the back of the net against Taylor Nelson.

Chris Crane and Darik Angeli added to Ohio State's total in the final stanza by scoring within 2:37 of each other, but the Bulldogs held steady down the stretch to prevent any sort of comeback.

Junior forwards Kyle Bonis and Eric Alexander each tallied a goal and assist for Ferris State, while freshman defenseman Simon Denis was credited with a pair of helpers.

Nelson stopped 30 shots en route to improving to 11-4-1 as a starter.

The Buckeyes' Brady Hjelle surrendured four goals on 21 shots before being replaced by Cal Heeter (11 saves) in the middle frame.

Saturday's contest also proved to be a nail-biter, with the majority of the action picking-up in the third.

Tied 1-1 entering the final 20 minutes of play, Ferris State pulled ahead on a marker from Bonis at the 1:10 mark, only to have Ohio State's Danny Dries score the equalizer nine minutes later.

Momentum shifted back to the Bulldogs temporarily on Matthew Kirzinger's power-play goal with seven minutes left in regulation, but the Buckeyes responded once again, this time on a tally by Max McCormick.

With neither team able to secure put the game away in the extra session, a three-round shootout was needed to declare a winner. After a miss by Jordie Johnston to begin the shootout, Bonis and Derek Graham converted on their opportunities, giving the Bulldogs a 2-0 advantage over their counterparts.

In what will be their only meeting during the regular season, Ferris State (15-8-3 overall, 9-6-2-1 CCHA) returns home for a two-game set against Michigan State (13-9-4 overall, 8-7-3-2 CCHA).

MiCHO Power Poll 01.18.2012

2012-01-18T07:00:00.000-05:00

This week's Power Poll has been released:

1) Michigan (swept Ohio State)
2) Western Michigan (swept Notre Dame)
3) Lake Superior State (split with Miami)
4) Ferris State (shootout loss, win against Alaska)
5) Michigan Tech (swept Alaska-Anchorage)
6) Michigan State (shootout win, win against Northern Michigan)
7) Northern Michigan (shootout loss, loss against Michigan State)

Each week during the season, MichiganCollegeHockey.com staffers will compile the MiCHO Power Poll. Contrary to popular belief, there is no coin flip involved. The poll comprises the seven Division I teams in the state of Michigan.

Broncos sweep Notre Dame out of Lawson

2012-01-16T16:09:00.003-05:00

By Bob Miller/Western Michigan Beat Writer

Western Michigan has faced quite the difficult scheduling stretch the past two weekends.

The Broncos' disappointment at losing a pair of home games the previous weekend against top-ranked Minnesota-Duluth was replace by the satisfaction of gaining a home sweep of third-ranked Notre Dame Friday and Saturday.

In a pair of closely-fought contests, Western Michigan used third-period goals by Chase Balisy and Kyle O'Kane for a come-from-behind 3-2 win on Friday. Balisy, Matt Tennyson and Jordan Oesterle scored a single apiece on Saturday and Frank Slubowski turned away 25 of 26 shots in a 3-1 victory.

The sweep of Notre Dame boosted the Broncos to a second place standing in the CCHA, only one point behind first-place Ohio State and four points ahead of third-place Michigan.

Western Michigan holds two games in hand on both the Buckeyes and the Wolverines.

The weekend sweep and the Broncos' 12-7-5 record was enough to earn Western Michigan eighth place in the latest USCHO.com national rankings.

Western Michigan looks to continue its winning ways and press toward the top spot in the CCHA in next weekend's trip to Oxford, Ohio, taking on reigning CCHA champ Miami in a two-game series.

Michigan tops Ohio State indoors, outdoors

2012-01-16T16:02:00.003-05:00

By Bob Miller/Michigan Beat Writer

After a stretch from early November to early December when Michigan simply couldn't win a game, the Wolverines have righted their ship.

Since Dec. 2, Michigan can't lose.

Not indoors. Not outdoors.

Not in Alaska, East Lansing, Detroit, Ann Arbor, Columbus or Cleveland.

The Wolverines have put together a string of nine games without a loss that has pulled them from the depths of the CCHA standings up to third in the conference rundown and a No. 10 ranking in the latest USCHO.com Division I poll.

Michigan's latest victim was second-ranked Ohio State. The Wolverines blanked the Buckeyes 4-0 on goaltender Shawn Hunwick's career-high 46 save shutout performance and then right back two days later with a 4-1 win in the outdoor Frozen Diamond Faceoff at Progressive Field, home ballpark of Major League Baseball's Cleveland Indians.

Although the Wolverines have been getting solid performances from each of their lines, it was the Wolverine's top line of David Wohlberg, Chris Brown and Alex Guptill that did the bulk of the offensive damage against the Buckeyes this past weekend.

In the two-game series against Ohio State, Wohlberg contributed a goals and two assists. Both Brown and Guptill chipped in two goals and two assists apiece.

The addition of Jon Merrill to the Michigan defensive corps has solidified a group that frequently struggled during the first half of the season.

Michigan head coach Red Berenson knows that the improvement is due to all phases of the Wolverines' game.

“It starts with your defensive game,” said Berenson after the outdoor contest. “Our penalty killing's been better, our zone coverage has been better, our defense is playing stronger. And Hunwick is making the saves when we do give up a shot.”

Michigan puts the streak on the line this coming weekend against another CCHA power, Notre Dame, in a pair of games in South Bend at the Fighting Irish's sparkling new arena.

Lakers split with Miami

2012-01-16T02:03:00.012-05:00

By Michael David/LSSU Beat Writer

The Miami Redhawks entered the weekend trailing the Lake Superior State Lakers by only one point in the CCHA standings, and they left Sault Ste. Marie in the same boat. The Lakers battled some questionable officiating from a rookie corps, in losing a tough 2-1 to the Redhawks on Friday, and holding off Miami for a hard fought 4-3 victory on Saturday.

The Lakers continued to struggle on Friday nights, falling to a record of 3-8-1 for this season. The Lakers lone goal on Friday came while on a delayed penalty, and LSSU pulled goaltender Kevin Kapalka for an extra attacker. Sophomore Kellan Lain found the back of the Miami net, with assists going to Kyle Haines and Colin Campbell. Miami would score twice in the second period to secure the lead. The Lakers would play the majority of the game without their leading goal scorer Nick McParland. McParland was assessed a game misconduct at the 10:44 mark of the first period for 'checking from behind', when the Redhawk player turned his back on him at the last second.

Lake State was 1-3 on the power-play, while they held Miami to 1-5. Kapalka made 32 saves to take the loss.

The Lakers would bounce back on Saturday, though, holding off the Redhawks for a 4-3 victory. Being down 1-0 early, McParland would tie the game for LSSU with a power-play goal in the first period. Haines and Campbell would earn another assist each on the goal. Forty seconds later, junior defenseman Zach Trotman put Lake State up 2-1 when his blast from the point found the back of the net. Freshman Stephen Perfetto and Kevin Czuczman would earn assists. Miami would tie the score just minutes later to tie the score at 2.

In the second period, Campbell would score a goal of his own to put the Lakers back on top, with assists going to Matt Bruneteau and senior captain Fred Cassiani. Cassiani would score the game-winner early in the third period, snapping a wrist shot from between the circles, with Campbell earning his second assist of the game. The Redhawks would cut the lead to one, and out-shoot Lake Superior 18-2 in the third period.

Kapalka made a season high 43 saves for the victory. LSSU was 1-4 on the power-play, and Miami was 1-3.

The Lakers (13-10-3/8-8-2-2 CCHA) travel to East Lansing next weekend to take on the Michigan State Spartans.

Michigan Tech sweeps Alaska-Anchorage

2012-01-15T21:20:00.006-05:00

By Andy Bourdeau/Michigan Tech Beat Writer

Michigan Tech (11-11-1, 8-7-1 WCHA) scored 12 goals on the weekend, the most since a 2006 series against the same Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves and came away with the sweep against the 2011-12 version of UAA.

Jordan Baker completed the hat trick Saturday and added an assist for a four-point night, as the Huskies won 6-4. Friday, six different Huskies scored for the home team and they were able to come away with a 6-2 win.

Tanner Kero and Chad Pietila scored in the first period to get the Huskies on the board. In the second, Ryan Furne, Justin Fillion and David Johnstone scored to open the game up. In the third, Blake Pietila added a final goal to get the total to six.

Saturday, Bryce Reddick scored two and Baker added one in the first to go up 3-0.

Then the next four came from the Seawolves.

After the fourth goal, it was Baker getting his second to tie it back it. Then Milos Gordic added one to go up 5-4. Baker got his hat trick on an empty-net goal with 1:08 remaining.

Josh Robinson played in net both games, making 27 stops on Friday and 21 saves Saturday night.

"We needed the four points," said MTU coach Mel Pearson. "We battled all weekend and came through with the two wins. We still need to learn how to play with the lead, sometimes you get the lead too early, and we need to handle these situations better."

Michigan Tech will host the Northern Michigan Wildcats this Saturday.

FSU squeezes out four points against Alaska

2012-01-15T15:44:00.007-05:00

By Tom Morelli/Ferris State Beat Writer

When Ferris State and Alaska square-off, they seem to bring out the best in one another.

This weekend was no different for both teams, as the Bulldogs skated to a 4-4 tie with the Nanooks before pulling off a 4-3 decision in the series finale.

Ferris State played catch-up for the better part of Friday's game, answering back goals throughout the first 40 minutes of play, with the score tied 3-3 heading into the third period.

With 7:20 elapsed, junior forward Kyle Bonis notched his 10th goal of the campaign to give the Bulldogs their first lead of the game.

Unfortunately for Ferris State, their lead was short-lived as Alaska's Adam Henderson scored the game-tying goal while on the power-play a mere two minutes later.

Following a scoreless overtime, Henderson would display his talents once again by being the only player to light the lamp from either side during the shootout.

Bulldogs' netiminder Talyor Nelson faced 15 shots in the opening period to finish with 36 saves, while Scott Greenham tallied 31 stops.

As wild as the series opener was, the game of 'cat-and-mouse' between Ferris State and the Nanooks would carry over into Saturday's contest.

Though Alaska managed to grab a 1-0 lead less than two minutes in, the Bulldogs quickly halted their opponent's momentum with markers by seniors Jordie Johnston and Chad Billins to make it a 2-1 affair with two periods in the books.

Down but not out, Andy Taranto evened-up the score 34 seconds into the final stanza, before teammate Ron Myers put the Nanooks back on top by a 3-2 margin.

Ferris State would respond shortly thereafter, beginning with a game-tying goal by Matthew Kirzinger at 9:31, courtesy of Garrett Thompson and Brett Wysopal.

The Bulldogs found themselves on the man-advantage just minutes later, as Thompson snuck the puck past Greenham for the game-winner, with helpers being credited to Scott Czarnowczan and Kirzinger.

Nelson, who edged out Greeham 28-20 in saves, improves his record to 10-4-1 as a starter this season.

In what might be their biggest test of the season, Ferris State (14-8-2 overall, 8-6-2-0 CCHA) heads to Columbus, Ohio this weekend for a two-game series against Ohio State, whom currently sits at the top of the CCHA standings.

Michigan State gets five of six points from NMU

2012-01-15T13:57:00.003-05:00

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

Michigan State and Northern Michigan played two tight games this weekend in East Lansing, but it was the Spartans who came out on the winning side both nights.

Ten different players scored a goal, seven had multiple points and Tyler Gron scored an extra-attacker goal with 26 seconds left in the game to give the Wildcats a 5-5 tie on Friday night.

NMU scored a goal in the final minute of each period, but the Spartans won the shootout on Matt Berry’s goal to earn the extra point.

Brian Nugent and Justin Florek opened the scoring for NMU, followed by four straight MSU goals from Chris Forfar, Anthony Hayes, Kevin Walrod and Mike Merrifield.

NMU's Matt Thurber added a goal late in the opening frame.

The teams exchanged goals in the second period, with Michigan State's Tim Buttery and Northern Michigan's Scott Macaulay each scoring.

Spartans' goaltender Drew Palmisano stopped 28 shots and Northern Michigan's Reid Ellingson and Jared Coreau combined for 30 saves on the night.

Saturday night, Brock Shelgren broke a 1-1 tie with a second-period tally and Michigan State held on to defeat Northern Michigan, 2-1, and take five of a possible six points on the weekend.

Berry scored the Spartans' first goal, while Thurber scored for the Wildcats.

Will Yanakeff made 23 saves in the win and Coreau finished with 28 saves for in the loss.

MSU (12-19-3, 7-7-2-2 CCHA) is just three points behind third-place Lake Superior State, the team MSU hosts next weekend at Munn Ice Arena.

The Wildcats (10-8-5, 6-7-5-0 CCHA) host Michigan Tech next Saturday night.

MiCHO Power Poll 01.11.2012

2012-01-11T17:30:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year from all of us at MiCHO!

Here is our first poll of 2012:

1) Michigan (win, shootout loss against LSSU)
2) Western Michigan (swept by Minnesota-Duluth
3) Lake Superior State (loss, shootout witn against U-M)
4) Ferris State (swept Colgate)
5) Northern Michigan (shootout loss, win against Alaska)
6) Michigan Tech (idle)
7) Michigan State (swept by Miami)

Each week during the season, MichiganCollegeHockey.com staffers will compile the MiCHO Power Poll. Contrary to popular belief, there is no coin flip involved. The poll comprises the seven Division I teams in the state of Michigan.

Bulldogs take two from Colgate

2012-01-09T09:10:00.004-05:00

By Tom Morelli/Ferris State Beat Writer

Just one week into the New Year, No. 17 ranked Ferris State has already crossed-off one resolution from their list - ending their three-game losing streak.

Losers of six of their last eight games heading into the weekend, it was only proper that a win (or two) was in order for the Bulldogs, whom played host to the No. 9 ranked Raiders of the ECAC.

Friday's match-up was anything but a sinch for either squad, which saw four lead changes throughout the game. Ferris State would find themselves down by 1-0 margin seven minutes into the contest, thanks to a power-play marker by Corbin McPherson. Senior forward Jordie Johnston however, would answer back at the 13:49 mark by knocking in a rebound from linemate Matthew Kirzinger.

The Bulldogs grabbed their first lead of the game on another goal by Johnston with 4:42 elapsed, only for Colgate to etch out a pair of goals to take a 3-2 lead after 40 minutes of play.

Forwards Travis Ouellette and Garrett Thompson helped set-up defenseman Aaron Schmidt's game-tying goal at 13:01 in the third, which came on the man-advantage.

With under three minutes in regulation, Johnston notched his first collegiate hat trick with helpers being credited to Chad Billins and T.J. Schlueter.

Kirzinger and Schlueter each finished with a pair of assists.

The Raiders' Eric Mihalik stopped 40 shots, compared to Taylor Nelson's 22.

For all of the dramatics provided in the series opener, Ferris State completed the sweep on Saturday under easier circumstances, pulling away with a 3-1 decision.

Following a scoreless first period, the Bulldogs took control of the game 54 seconds into the middle stanza on Ouellette's eighth goal of the campaign.

Shortly therafter, Colgate evened-up the score on a marker from Austin Smith.

Just before the midway point of the frame, Kirzinger tallied the eventual game-winner by blasting a shot from between the faceoff circles. Both Simon Denis and Thompson were credited with assists on that play.

Down a man to begin the third period, Ferris State's offense was stil able to prosper, as Thomspon scored on a short-handed marker from the blue-line.

Mihalik and Nelson tied one another in the saves department with 27 apiece.

The Bulldogs (13-8-1 overall, 7-6-1-0 CCHA) return to their conference schedule this Friday and Satuday night when they play host to Alaska.

Wildcats tie, beat Nanooks

2012-01-08T15:56:00.002-05:00

By Susannah Nichols/ Northern Michigan Beat Writer

The Northern Michigan Wildcats started 2012 off right with 2-2 tie and a 7-3 victory against the visiting Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks. Andrew Cherniwchan and Matt Thurber both had hat tricks in Saturday night's victory: the first time since 1992 that two Wildcats have had hat tricks in a single game.

The Nanooks and the 'Cats were deadlocked for the first period and a half of play on Friday night, with Northern netminder Reid Ellingson seeing slightly more action than his Alaskan counterpart: UAF had 19 shots over the first two periods to NMU's 15. Late in the second period, Northern took a 2-0 lead , thanks to a power play goal from Justin Florek and an even-strength marker from Reed Seckel.

Alaska outshot Northern 13-4 in the third period and it paid off: Alaska knotted the score to send the game to overtime. Northern didn't manage a single shot in overtime; Ellingson succeeded in stopping all four of Alaska's and finished with 30 total saves on the night.

Alaska made one goal in the shootout; Northern was blanked.

Alaska maintained dominance in shots in Saturday's game, but the 'Cats made the most of their opportunities. Cherniwchan started the scoring late in the first period, on a power-play goal with assists from Florek and Stephan Vigier. UAF tied the game early in the second, and goals from Thurber and Cherniwchan (again set up by Florek and Vigier) gave the 'Cats a 3-1 lead.

The Nanooks scored again to cut the lead to one heading into the final twenty minutes, but Mitch Jones scored at 5:33 of the third period to take back the momentum for the 'Cats. Thurber's second goal of the night put the 'Cats on top 5-2.

After Michael Quinn lit the lamp for the Nanooks, they tried pulling their goalie. Thurber capitalized on the opportunity to finish his hat trick with an empty-netter. Cherniwchan added some frosting to the victory with a last-second goal to seal the 7-3 victory and his own hat trick.

Jared Coreau had 37 saves for the Wildcats in Saturday's win.

The Wildcats (10-7-4, 6-6-4-2 CCHA) will look to continue their four-game unbeaten streak next weekend, when they hit the road to take on Michigan State in East Lansing. Puck drops at 7:00 PM on Friday and Saturday.

Wolverines reinstate suspended Merrill

2012-01-06T17:54:00.003-05:00

Michigan Press Release

Michigan sophomore defenseman Jon Merrill has been reinstated to the team, effective immediately, after missing the first 22 games this season following a suspension prior to the start of the season.

"Jon's indefinite suspension has been lifted," Wolverines coach Red Berenson said. "He has paid for his poor decision and is back on the team."

Merrill, the MiCHO Rookie of the Year for the 2010-11 season, will dress for the Wolverines tonight at home against Lake Superior State.

Lakers win exhibition to kick off 2012

2012-01-05T23:58:00.008-05:00

By Michael David/LSSU Beat Writer

The Lake Superior State Lakers opened the new year facing the Western Ontario Mustangs in an exhibition, with dozens of rabid Lakers fans showing their support at Taffey Abel Arena. An uneventfull first period ended in a stale-mate, with neither team able to get a puck past the opposing net-minder.

LSSU came out strong in the second, however, and scored at the 1:46 mark when Kellan Lain (pictured) pounded a rebound into the Mustangs' net. Freshman forward Chris Ciotti and defenseman Kyle Haines earned the assists. The Lakers continued to carry the play throughout the period, and extended their lead to 2-0 when junior forward Ben Power scored a goal at 7:11 assisted by senior Kyle Pobur and freshman forward Andrew Dommett.

In the third period, Lake State had many opportunities to blow the game wide open, but missed some empty nets, and were unable to convert on some odd-man rushes. The royal blue and gold finally added to their lead, when senior captain Fred Cassiani tickled the twine at the 9:45, with assists going to Power and junior defenseman Zach Trotman.

Western Ontario finally got on the board, when the converted on a break-away to cut the lead to 3-1. Things really got interesting, though, when the Lakers took a late penalty. The Mustangs made it a one-goal game, when they pulled their goalie to give them six skaters to the Lakers four at 18:01. Lake State was able to hold off UWO for the final two minutes to secure the 3-2 win.

Sophomore Kevin Kapalka made 24 saves between the pipes for LSSU. Western Ontario, ranked 3rd nationally in the Canadian collegiate poll, was 1-3 on the power play, while Lake State was 0-3.

The Lakers return to CCHA action this Friday, visiting the University of Michigan Wolverines in a game that will be televised on Fox Sports Detroit-Plus.

Western Michigan splits at St. Cloud State

2012-01-02T13:06:00.002-05:00

By Bob Miller/Western Michigan Beat Writer

Western Michigan was barely able to eke out a split in their road series at St. Cloud State on Friday with an overtime 2-1 win.

The Broncos fell to St. Cloud 4-2 in Thursday night's series opener.

Chase Balisy was the hero for Western Michigan in the overtime victory, bagging the winner only 41 seconds into extra time.

Matt Tennyson had staked the Broncos to an initial lead midway through the first period, but St. Cloud got the equalizer in the middle period. Both regulation time goals were scored on the power play.

“We're not a pretty team,” Western Michigan head coach Andy Murray told USCHO after the Broncos' win on Friday. “We play pretty hard, though. We should have won last night going away, but we didn't score on our chances.”

Those chances in Thursday's loss referred to by Murray took the form of 31 shots that the Broncos directed toward Ryan Faragher in the St. Cloud net.

Only two of those 31 shots found the back of the net for Western Michigan. J.J. Crew in the first period and Shane Berschbach in the second period provided the firepower for the Broncos, staking them to a 2-1 lead heading into the final 20 minutes.

St. Cloud's Jared Festler solved Frank Slubowski in the Bronco net twice in the third period and the Huskies added an empty-net goal for the 4-2 win.

Western Michigan continues their holiday 'tour de WCHA this coming weekend,' hosting reigning national champion Minnesota-Duluth for a non-conference two-game series.

Bulldogs lose both games in Catamount Cup

2012-01-01T20:24:00.004-05:00

By Tom Morelli/Ferris State Beat Writer

Ferris State went into the Catamount Cup looking for an extra holiday gift or two, but instead were only able to unwrap a lump of coal.

Special teams proved to be the downfall for the Bulldogs, who surrendured two power-play goals against RIT in the opener, followed by another three against host Vermont on Friday night.

On Thursday, Ferris State was unable to muster any offense, losing a 3-0 decision to Atlantic Hockey's RIT.

The Tigers took advantage of a holding call against the Bulldogs early on, with Chris Saracino sneaking the puck past goaltender Taylor Nelson for his first of the campaign.

Later in the frame, Mark Colavecchia tallied an even-strength goal to make it 2-0 RIT after 20 minutes of play.

At the 5:19 mark of the second period, the Tigers notched another goal while on the man-advantage, with this one coming courtesy of Adam Hartley.

Cameron Burt had an assist on all three goals for RIT.

Earning the shutout victory for the Tigers was Shane Madolora with 23 saves, compared to Nelson's 16.

Ferris State had a much better showing against Vermont the following night, but was unable to overcome a potent Catamount offense in a 4-2 loss.

Down by a 2-0 margin heading into the middle stanza, the Bulldogs cut their deficit in half thanks to a shot by sophomore Justin DeMartino that found the back of the net. Earning helpers on that play were junior Eric Alexander and sophomore Scott Czarnowczan.

Momentum would swing back to Vermont later in the period, as Kyle Reynolds scored on the power-play to make it a 3-1 affair.

With 1:35 remaining in the second, Ferris State pulled within one when senior forward Jordie Johnston finished off a pass from freshman defenseman Simon Denis while on the power-play.

A slashing call on the Bulldogs' Tommy Hill midway through the third would prove fatal, as the Catamounts' Colin Markison cashed-in on the man-advantage to put Vermont ahead by two.

Netminder Rob Madore stopped 24 shots for the Catamounts to secure his third victory of the season.

At the other end of the ice, freshman C.J. Motte dropped to 4-4-1 as a starter, recording 20 saves.

Ferris State (11-8-1 overall) is set to play their next four games at home, beginning with a non-conference series against Colgate on January 6-7, before returning to their CCHA schedule the following weekend when they host Alaska.

Lakers take second at Catamount Cup

2011-12-31T00:57:00.006-05:00

By Michael David/LSSU Beat Writer

The Lake Superior State Lakers took second place at the Catamount Cup, which took place in Burlington, Vermont.

Thursday night, the Lakers defeated the host team Vermont Catamounts by the score of 5-3. After going down a pair in the first period, LSSU's Kellan Lain cut the deficit in half in the second. His goal was assited by Colin Campbell and Kevin Czuczman.

Less than two minutes later, senior Kyle Haines tied the game at 2 on a goal assisted by Fred Cassiani and Domenic Mondardo. The Lakers would take the lead at the end of the period, cashing in a power-play goal by Cassiani. His tally was assisted by Campbell and Haines.

Late in the third period, Nick McParland and Kyle Jean would add empty net goals for the Lakers to secure the victory. Monardo and Czuczman assited on McParland's empty-netter. Vermont would add a power-play goal of there own, to end the score at 5-3.

In net, Kevin Kapalka made 25 saves for the Lakers. Both teams went 1-4 on the power-play.

Friday night, the Lakers dropped the championship game to the fiesty Rochester Insitute of Technology Tigers, who ran the gauntlet on CCHA teams, defeating Ferris State the night before. The Lakers once again found themselves in an early hole, trailing 1-0 after the first period, and giving up two goals in a 36-second span to go down 3-0.

Halfway through the second period, the Lakers finally found the net, when McParland scored a goal assisted by Andrew Perrault and Buddy Robinson. LSSU was unable to find any more offense, and ultimately fell to RIT 3-1. McParland would also be named to the All-Tournament team.

Sophomore goaltender Kevin Murdock made 25 saves in the loss. Lake State was 0-2 on the power-play, while they held the Tigers 0-3.

The Lakers (12-8-2) will host Western Ontario Tuesday night in exhibition play.