In order to win the CCHA Super Six tournament and gain an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament, Michigan State must win three games in three nights.
One down, two to go.
Last night at Joe Louis Arena, MSU (20-14-5) dominated right from the get-go and beat Nebraska-Omaha, 5-0, behind a 33-save shutout from goalie Dominic Vicari.
Tommy Goebel (goal, two assists), Drew Miller (three assists) and captain Jim Slater (three assists) each had three-point games for the Spartans.
"We played really well from start to finish," said MSU head coach Rick Comley. "Our big players stepped up as they have the last few weeks. We were very focused and it was a solid win for us."
Colton Fretter scored a power-play goal just 3:28 into the game and Jim McKenzie, Daniel Vukovic and Chris Mueller also scored for MSU with Vukovic's tally being his first collegiate goal.
McKenzie now has 10 goals in his last 12 games and Fretter's 20th goal of the season leads the team. Mueller's empty-net goal was his first goal since Nov. 14 - a span of 27 games.
Vicari's fifth shutout of the season was also his 12th career goose egg.
"We play as good as Dom (Vicari) plays and, again, he played very good tonight," said Slater. "We follow him."
With the win, MSU moves on to face Ohio State in the semi-finals today at 8:05 p.m. The early game pits Michigan against Alaska-Fairbanks at 4:35 p.m.
Friday, March 18, 2005
Thursday, March 17, 2005
Murphy signs with Leafs organization
Colin Murphy, captain of Michigan Tech and a Hobey Baker finalist, has signed a three-year deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs, according to Fort McMurray Today, a paper in Murphy's home town.
He may start his professional career this weekend for the St. John's Maple Leafs of the AHL.
"I’ve always played hockey for this moment so it obviously feels good," said Murphy as he and his family pack up and head for their new home in Newfoundland.
Murphy will be back in the Houghton area this summer to finish his senior year of classes.
He may start his professional career this weekend for the St. John's Maple Leafs of the AHL.
"I’ve always played hockey for this moment so it obviously feels good," said Murphy as he and his family pack up and head for their new home in Newfoundland.
Murphy will be back in the Houghton area this summer to finish his senior year of classes.
WCHA Hands Out End of Year Awards
Thursday was the day that the WCHA named it's individual award winners and those honored on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and rookie teams. Michigan Tech had three players on those teams, one on each of the first 3 teams. Team captain Colin Murphy on the 1st, blueliner Lars Helminen on the 2nd, and netminder Cam Ellsworth on the 3rd.
All Tech honors for this season are as follow:
Nick Anderson: All-WCHA Academic Team
Ellsworth: All-WCHA Third Team, All-WCHA Academic Team
John Hartman: All-WCHA Academic Team
Helminen: All-WCHA Second Team, All-WCHA Academic Team
Bryce Luker: All-WCHA Academic Team
Ryan Markham: All-WCHA Academic Team
Murphy: All-WCHA First Team
Phil Pietila: All-WCHA Academic Team
B.J. Radovich: All-WCHA Academic Team
Pekka Saittakari: All-WCHA Academic Team
Brandon Schwartz: All-WCHA Academic Team
Tyler Skworchinski: All-WCHA Academic Team
All WCHA awards can be found at WCHA.com.
All Tech honors for this season are as follow:
Nick Anderson: All-WCHA Academic Team
Ellsworth: All-WCHA Third Team, All-WCHA Academic Team
John Hartman: All-WCHA Academic Team
Helminen: All-WCHA Second Team, All-WCHA Academic Team
Bryce Luker: All-WCHA Academic Team
Ryan Markham: All-WCHA Academic Team
Murphy: All-WCHA First Team
Phil Pietila: All-WCHA Academic Team
B.J. Radovich: All-WCHA Academic Team
Pekka Saittakari: All-WCHA Academic Team
Brandon Schwartz: All-WCHA Academic Team
Tyler Skworchinski: All-WCHA Academic Team
All WCHA awards can be found at WCHA.com.
Hobey Baker Finalists Named
The top ten finalists for the Hobey Baker Award were named today and they include three from Michigan schools, including Colin Murphy from Michigan Tech, T.J. Hensick from Michigan and Tuomas Tarkki from Northern Michigan.
Rounding out the list are goalie David McKee (Cornell), goalie Dov Grumet-Morris (Harvard), and Bowling Green goalie Jordan Sigalet. Quinnipiac defenseman Reid Cashman was also named along with forwards Patrick Eaves (Boston College) and Colorado College linemates Marty Sertich and Brett Sterling.
Congratulations to all the finalists.
Rounding out the list are goalie David McKee (Cornell), goalie Dov Grumet-Morris (Harvard), and Bowling Green goalie Jordan Sigalet. Quinnipiac defenseman Reid Cashman was also named along with forwards Patrick Eaves (Boston College) and Colorado College linemates Marty Sertich and Brett Sterling.
Congratulations to all the finalists.
MTU's Wilson Heads to UHL
Clay Wilson from Michigan Tech will be heading to the Muskegon Fury of the UHL. Wilson will be a welcomed addition to the defensive corps on the defending Colonial Cup Champions. It is nice to see the seniors of MTU playing at the next level. Good luck to Clay Wilson and all others moving on from their collegiate careers from me and the rest of the writers here at Michigan College Hockey Online.
MTU goalie Ellsworth moving on
Growing up an hour outside of Windsor, Ontario, Cam Ellsworth loved playing goalie. In fact, he loved it so much that he chose that position over the chance to play forward.
"I was never a great skater," said Ellsworth. "I would probably be retired now if I would have stuck with forward."
Borrowing ideas and techniques from several players, Ellsworth tried to take the best of all worlds and mold himself from that.
Read the rest of the story from the Michigan Tech Lode here.
"I was never a great skater," said Ellsworth. "I would probably be retired now if I would have stuck with forward."
Borrowing ideas and techniques from several players, Ellsworth tried to take the best of all worlds and mold himself from that.
Read the rest of the story from the Michigan Tech Lode here.
CCHA hands out hardware at the Fox
The CCHA held their awards banquet last night at the Fox Theater in Detroit and four players from Michigan schools were honored among all the glitz and glamour.
Northern Michigan goalie Tuomas Tarkki was named Player of the Year, Lake Superior State forward Bo Cheesman won the Ilitch Humanitarian Award, NMU defenseman Nathan Oystrick took Best Defensive Defenseman honors and Michigan captain Eric Nystrom was pegged Best Defensive Forward.
Tarkki, who led the league with a 1.81 goals-against average and a .936 save percentage, backstopped the Wildcats to a team-best 38-point regular season. He is the seventh goaltender, the first European-born player, and the first player from Northern Michigan since Jeff Pyle in 1981, to be named CCHA Player of the Year.
The fifth annual Mike and Marian Ilitch Humanitarian Award winner, Cheesman was recognized for a wide variety of volunteer services, including three years of work with young cancer patients at Camp Quality in Petoskey.
Oystrick captained a Wildcats blueline corps that held opponents to a league-low 57 goals in 28 conference games.
Nystrom is the third consecutive U-M player to earn defensive forward honor after Dwight Helminen received it in 2004 and Jed Ortmeyer in 2003. Nystrom has a +18 plus/minus rating this season and has been a key to the Michigan penalty kill throughout the year. Nystrom also has one shorthanded goal this season and while honoring his defensive responsibilities, has contributed 14 goals and 16 assists for 30 points to rank sixth on the Wolverines.
Other award winners were: Nebraska-Omaha head coach Mike Kemp (Coach of the Year, 16-point and eight-place improvement from a year ago), Nebraska-Omaha forward Bill Thomas (Rookie of the Year with 19 goals and 45 points), Bowling Green goalie Jordan Sigalet (Terry Flanagan award - perseverance and dedication, announced he had multiple sclerosis mid-season) and Miami captain and Trenton native Andy Greene (Best Offensive Defenseman, 33 points good for fifth in the nation in D-man scoring).
Winners of the CCHA's individual awards were selected by the 12 head coaches in the CCHA based on their play in conference games, and coaches were not allowed to vote for players from their own team.
Northern Michigan goalie Tuomas Tarkki was named Player of the Year, Lake Superior State forward Bo Cheesman won the Ilitch Humanitarian Award, NMU defenseman Nathan Oystrick took Best Defensive Defenseman honors and Michigan captain Eric Nystrom was pegged Best Defensive Forward.
Tarkki, who led the league with a 1.81 goals-against average and a .936 save percentage, backstopped the Wildcats to a team-best 38-point regular season. He is the seventh goaltender, the first European-born player, and the first player from Northern Michigan since Jeff Pyle in 1981, to be named CCHA Player of the Year.
The fifth annual Mike and Marian Ilitch Humanitarian Award winner, Cheesman was recognized for a wide variety of volunteer services, including three years of work with young cancer patients at Camp Quality in Petoskey.
Oystrick captained a Wildcats blueline corps that held opponents to a league-low 57 goals in 28 conference games.
Nystrom is the third consecutive U-M player to earn defensive forward honor after Dwight Helminen received it in 2004 and Jed Ortmeyer in 2003. Nystrom has a +18 plus/minus rating this season and has been a key to the Michigan penalty kill throughout the year. Nystrom also has one shorthanded goal this season and while honoring his defensive responsibilities, has contributed 14 goals and 16 assists for 30 points to rank sixth on the Wolverines.
Other award winners were: Nebraska-Omaha head coach Mike Kemp (Coach of the Year, 16-point and eight-place improvement from a year ago), Nebraska-Omaha forward Bill Thomas (Rookie of the Year with 19 goals and 45 points), Bowling Green goalie Jordan Sigalet (Terry Flanagan award - perseverance and dedication, announced he had multiple sclerosis mid-season) and Miami captain and Trenton native Andy Greene (Best Offensive Defenseman, 33 points good for fifth in the nation in D-man scoring).
Winners of the CCHA's individual awards were selected by the 12 head coaches in the CCHA based on their play in conference games, and coaches were not allowed to vote for players from their own team.
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Bellissimo leaving Western Michigan
Western Michigan forward Vince Bellissimo has decided to leave the Bronco hockey program a year early and enter the professional ranks.
A 2002 draftee of the National Hockey League’s Florida Panthers, Bellissimo will begin his career with the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League.
“We appreciate Vince’s contribution to the program and wish him the best of luck,” WMU head coach Jim Culhane said.
Bellissimo recently concluded his junior season with the Broncos and was tabbed Honorable Mention All-Central Collegiate Hockey Association after concluding the campaign with 37 points (17 goals, 20 assists). The team’s second-leading scorer, he was tops on the roster with four game-winning goals. Bellissimo concluded his three-year career with 113 points (49 goals, 64 assists) and was named to the CCHA All-Rookie Team as a freshman.
Senior Pat Dwyer has also been signed to a professional contract and will begin his career with the Gwinnett Gladiators (Duluth, Ga.) of the ECHL. A team captain in 2004-05, Dwyer concluded his career with 101 points (45 goals, 56 assists). He was tabbed the CCHA Rookie of the Year as a freshman and was also named to the league’s all-rookie team. Dwyer was selected in the fourth round of the 2002 NHL draft by the Atlanta Thrashers.
“Pat has played an important role in the program during his tenure,” Culhane said. “We also wish him the best of luck as he continues his career.”
Dwyer will join former Bronco standout Jeff Campbell on the Gladiator roster.
A 2002 draftee of the National Hockey League’s Florida Panthers, Bellissimo will begin his career with the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League.
“We appreciate Vince’s contribution to the program and wish him the best of luck,” WMU head coach Jim Culhane said.
Bellissimo recently concluded his junior season with the Broncos and was tabbed Honorable Mention All-Central Collegiate Hockey Association after concluding the campaign with 37 points (17 goals, 20 assists). The team’s second-leading scorer, he was tops on the roster with four game-winning goals. Bellissimo concluded his three-year career with 113 points (49 goals, 64 assists) and was named to the CCHA All-Rookie Team as a freshman.
Senior Pat Dwyer has also been signed to a professional contract and will begin his career with the Gwinnett Gladiators (Duluth, Ga.) of the ECHL. A team captain in 2004-05, Dwyer concluded his career with 101 points (45 goals, 56 assists). He was tabbed the CCHA Rookie of the Year as a freshman and was also named to the league’s all-rookie team. Dwyer was selected in the fourth round of the 2002 NHL draft by the Atlanta Thrashers.
“Pat has played an important role in the program during his tenure,” Culhane said. “We also wish him the best of luck as he continues his career.”
Dwyer will join former Bronco standout Jeff Campbell on the Gladiator roster.
Sunday, March 13, 2005
MSU sweeps Miami, off to "The Joe"
Like their Ann Arbor counterparts, Michigan State (19-15-4) advanced to the CCHA Super Six by way of an overtime win over Miami-Ohio Saturday night in East Lansing.
The Spartans had eked out a 2-1 win over the Redhawks Friday night on the first two collegiate goals from junior Chad Hontvet and 25 saves from goalie Dominic Vicari.
"It's been awhile since I have scored, so there is no better time to start scoring again than in the playoffs," said Hontvet. "Anything that you can do to help your team, so it was a great night for me and our team."
Saturday night, Colton Fretter scored the game-tying and game-winning goal as MSU took a 5-4 victory. Fretter tied it at 14:54 of the third period and then sent the Spartans to Detroit at 7:45 of the extra session.
Miami led 3-2 after 40 minutes, but Tommy Goebel and Fretter scored in the third to make it interesting. Bryan Lerg and captain Jim Slater scored in the second period after Miami led 1-0 after the first.
"I don't even know how the puck came out in the slot," said Fretter, describing his game-winner. "It was just right there. We came in and we knew that (Miami goalie Brandon) Crawford-West played the first shot. So I kind of faked a shot and brought it over to my backhand and the net was wide open. I had so much time. I don't remember it."
Vicari finished with 34 saves.
Michigan State (19-15-4 overall, 12-13-3 CCHA) meets Nebraska-Omaha (19-15-4 overall, 13-11-4 CCHA) in the CCHA Super Six quarterfinals at Joe Louis Arena on Thursday at 8:05 p.m. The first quarterfinal contest features Northern Michigan against Alaska Fairbanks at 4:35 p.m. The winners of the quarterfinal match-ups will move on to the semifinals on Friday.
The Spartans had eked out a 2-1 win over the Redhawks Friday night on the first two collegiate goals from junior Chad Hontvet and 25 saves from goalie Dominic Vicari.
"It's been awhile since I have scored, so there is no better time to start scoring again than in the playoffs," said Hontvet. "Anything that you can do to help your team, so it was a great night for me and our team."
Saturday night, Colton Fretter scored the game-tying and game-winning goal as MSU took a 5-4 victory. Fretter tied it at 14:54 of the third period and then sent the Spartans to Detroit at 7:45 of the extra session.
Miami led 3-2 after 40 minutes, but Tommy Goebel and Fretter scored in the third to make it interesting. Bryan Lerg and captain Jim Slater scored in the second period after Miami led 1-0 after the first.
"I don't even know how the puck came out in the slot," said Fretter, describing his game-winner. "It was just right there. We came in and we knew that (Miami goalie Brandon) Crawford-West played the first shot. So I kind of faked a shot and brought it over to my backhand and the net was wide open. I had so much time. I don't remember it."
Vicari finished with 34 saves.
Michigan State (19-15-4 overall, 12-13-3 CCHA) meets Nebraska-Omaha (19-15-4 overall, 13-11-4 CCHA) in the CCHA Super Six quarterfinals at Joe Louis Arena on Thursday at 8:05 p.m. The first quarterfinal contest features Northern Michigan against Alaska Fairbanks at 4:35 p.m. The winners of the quarterfinal match-ups will move on to the semifinals on Friday.
Wolverines on to Super Six
They scored 10 goals Friday night, but Michigan needed only one Saturday night as Eric Werner's goal 2:05 into overtime snapped a scoreless tie and sent the Wolverines past Notre Dame and into the semi-finals of the CCHA Super Six next weekend.
It was also the final Michigan game at Yost Ice Arena this season.
"Tonight was a really good win for us going into the Super Six," said Werner. "You're going to be in overtime games. To win championships, you have to play overtime games and that was a good victory for us. Coach said that it was going to be a tougher game, a tighter game and we knew that we had to play better than last night."
Al Montoya made 19 saves for the shutout.
Friday night, U-M scored seven in the second period en route to a 10-1 win. Notre Dame actually held a 1-0 lead after the first 20 minutes.
Milan Gajic, Chad Kolarik and Brandon Rogers all scored twice and Gajic added two assists. Captain Eric Nystrom, Jeff Tambellini, Mike Woodford and Kevin Porter rounded out the scoring for Michigan.
Montoya played the first 39:45 and had 10 saves. Noah Ruden played the next 14:51 and stopped three shots and then Mike Mayhew finished up the final 5:09 and had to make just one save. The Irish also played all three of their goalies - Morgan Cey started, followed by David Brown and Rory Walsh.
"The puck went in," said Gajic of the second period. "We were pretty good on the power play. We had a couple of power-play goals there. If you have a good power play to start off with and you score a couple of goals there, it just keeps on going."
The Wolverines (28-7-3) will face the lowest remaining seed at 4:35 p.m. on Friday in the first semifinal at Joe Louis Arena.
It was also the final Michigan game at Yost Ice Arena this season.
"Tonight was a really good win for us going into the Super Six," said Werner. "You're going to be in overtime games. To win championships, you have to play overtime games and that was a good victory for us. Coach said that it was going to be a tougher game, a tighter game and we knew that we had to play better than last night."
Al Montoya made 19 saves for the shutout.
Friday night, U-M scored seven in the second period en route to a 10-1 win. Notre Dame actually held a 1-0 lead after the first 20 minutes.
Milan Gajic, Chad Kolarik and Brandon Rogers all scored twice and Gajic added two assists. Captain Eric Nystrom, Jeff Tambellini, Mike Woodford and Kevin Porter rounded out the scoring for Michigan.
Montoya played the first 39:45 and had 10 saves. Noah Ruden played the next 14:51 and stopped three shots and then Mike Mayhew finished up the final 5:09 and had to make just one save. The Irish also played all three of their goalies - Morgan Cey started, followed by David Brown and Rory Walsh.
"The puck went in," said Gajic of the second period. "We were pretty good on the power play. We had a couple of power-play goals there. If you have a good power play to start off with and you score a couple of goals there, it just keeps on going."
The Wolverines (28-7-3) will face the lowest remaining seed at 4:35 p.m. on Friday in the first semifinal at Joe Louis Arena.
WSU women ousted by Niagara
The Wayne State women were ousted from the College Hockey America women's tournament yesterday as Niagara and goalie Nikki Rudy pitched a 3-0 shutout over the Warriors.
Freshman goalie Val Turcotte made 28 saves in the loss.
Charde Hoyle-Levy, Jessica Clermont and Amy Jack (empty-net) scored for the Purple Eagles. Rudy finished with 34 stops.
WSU finishes 13-17-3 overall and 6-6-0 in CHA play.
Niagara will play Mercyhurst, 9-1 winners over Quinnipiac on Saturday, in the finals today at 2:00 p.m.
Freshman goalie Val Turcotte made 28 saves in the loss.
Charde Hoyle-Levy, Jessica Clermont and Amy Jack (empty-net) scored for the Purple Eagles. Rudy finished with 34 stops.
WSU finishes 13-17-3 overall and 6-6-0 in CHA play.
Niagara will play Mercyhurst, 9-1 winners over Quinnipiac on Saturday, in the finals today at 2:00 p.m.
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