LSSU's Wheeler suspended four games

The Central Collegiate Hockey Association today announced that freshman defenseman Matt Wheeler of Lake Superior State has been suspended for four games as the result of a spearing incident that occurred in a game at Western Michigan on November 4.

The supplemental disciplinary action was taken by the CCHA after a review of the incident that occurred at 9:32 of the third period and resulted in the player receiving a major penalty for spearing and a disqualification penalty.

Wheeler will be required to serve this suspension during Lake Superior State's next two regularly scheduled series on Nov. 11-12 against Miami and on Nov. 18-19 against Ohio State.

Spartans tie Bulldogs Tuesday night

Michigan State earned a point on the road at Ferris State Tuesday night, tying the Bulldogs, 2-2. The Spartans upped their record to 5-1-2 and remained unbeaten in CCHA play at 2-0-2. Freshman goaltender Jeff Lerg (left) made a career-high 29 saves to earn the decision and improve his personal record to 1-0-1 on the young season.

The Spartans jumped out in front just 1:16 into the game, when forward Jim McKenzie beat Ferris State goaltender Mitch O'Keefe high to the glove side.

The Bulldogs evened the score on their third power-play of the first period with a goal at 14:44. Defenseman Jim Jorgensen fanned on a shot attempt, but the puck slid right to FSU's Adam Miller at the side of the net and Miller buried a shot past a helpless Lerg.

Ferris State finally broke the deadlock on its eighth power-play opportunity of the night, a four-on-three. Sophomore Matt Stefanishion's drive from the point eluded a screened Lerg at 5:47 of the middle period.

The Spartans answered just 1:14 later on a power-play of their own. Tyler Howells collected his own rebound at the side of the net and beat O'Keefe through the five-hole to knot the game at two.

O'Keefe finished with 32 saves on the night.

The Bulldogs are now 2-2-4 overall and 1-1-4 in CCHA play. They play a home-and-home with Western Michigan this weekend with Friday's game at FSU and Saturday's in Kalamazoo.

Michigan State hosts Nebraska-Omaha this weekend. Game time Friday is 7:05 p.m. while Saturday's was bumped to 5:05 p.m. allowing fans to attend both hockey and men's basketball.

CHA and USCHO recognize Turcotte

Wayne State women's goalie Valery Turcotte has been named Defensive Player of the Week by both the CHA and USCHO. Turcotte, a sophomore hailing from Jonquiere, Quebec, has been the anchor of Wayne State's potent defense.

This past weekend, Turcotte was a crucial factor in the team's sweep of Connecticut. She shut out the Husky offense on Friday night, and didn't let in a goal in Saturday's contest until late in the third period. The Connecticut goal--coming only after Turcotte staved off a flurry of shots resulting from several 5-3 Connecticut advantages--ended her shutout streak at 177:36, a new school record.

Turcotte backstops the Warrior penalty kill unit, which leads the nation with a success rate of .978 .

At the season's opening, coach Jim Fetter expressed confidence that Turcotte would have a "breakout season." Thus far, she is meeting that expectation--and it's only November.

Warrior women sweep Connecticut Huskies

After a slow start, the Wayne State women's team (2-5-2) appears to be hitting its stride--after a weekend sweep of the visiting Connecticut Huskies (2-4-0), the Lady Warriors are now on a three game winning streak, largely powered by their potent freshman class. The team blanked Connecticut 1-0 on Friday, and won 3-2 on Saturday.

Though Wayne State offensively dominated Friday's game, but were unable to score until late in the third period. While on a power play, Lindsay DiPietro and Sam Poyton set up Melissa Boal for a wraparound shot that she backhanded in to put the Warriors on the board. All three contributors to the goal were freshman.

Goalie Valery Turcotte (pictured) was also a critical factor in the game; she turned away 23 shots and remaining composed during a 6-4 Connecticut advantage late in the game. The victory was Turcotte's second consecutive shutout.

On Saturday, Boal again led the Warrior charge, knocking in a Poyton rebound to put Wayne State on the board. Poyton increased the lead to 2, and Boal and Sarah Campbell were credited with the assists.

Turcotte and the Warrior defense maintained their penalty kill perfection through the game, stifling several 5-on-3 opportunities for the Huskies.

Poyton earned her second goal of the game at 8:42 of the third period; Boal and DiPietro earned the assists.

The Huskies refused to go down quietly and managed to score two goals before the end of the game--the first an even-strength Jaclyn Hawkins wraparound, and the second coming in the last minutes of the game, when Connecticut pulled their goalie to put six attackers on the ice. However, Turcotte and the defense maintained the lead, and the Warriors won their third straight. Turcotte finished with 17 saves.

The Warriors will face 10th-ranked Minnesota State-Mankato on the road next weekend, Nov. 11-12.

West Side round-up

Both Ferris State and Western Michigan fail to win at home

Ferris State (2-2-3; 1-1-3 CCHA) lost to Alaska-Fairbanks (4-2-2: 2-1-1 CCHA) 5-2 on Friday night. UAF got their first goal on a powere play at the end of the first period, and scored quickly at the start of the second to go up 2-0 on the Bulldogs. Matt Stephanishion (assisted by Greg Rallo) scored a powerplay goal at 12:15 of the second period to put the Bulldogs on the board. UAF then scored three straight goals, and despite an abundance of shots, Ferris could not penetrate their defense, anchored by goalie Chad Johnson. In the last two minutes, Rallo managed a power play goal with some help from Eric Vesely and Dan Reidel, but UAF had done its damage. Mitch O'Keefe finished Friday's game with 34 saves.

Ferris State kept Saturday's 3-3 game close from the beginning. Adam Miller scored at 5:21 of the first period on a power play goal. The Nanooks tied up the game with a power play goal of their own. The second period opened with a Greg Rallo penalty, which resulted in a UAF penalty shot. Jordan Emmerson made good on the opportunity. In the third period, Rallo and Chris Zarb set up Mark Bomersback to tie up the game again. After another UAF goal, Ferris tied the score for the last time--Zac Pearson notched his first goal of the season courtesy of Adam Miller and Matt Verdone. Both teams managed four shots apiece in overtime, but neither goalie budged. O'Keefe finished the game with 30 saves; Johnson with 35.


Western Michigan, coming off a glorious and unexpected sweep of the then-#4 OSU Buckeyes, came tumbling back to Earth with back-to-back losses to Lake Superior State at home. Friday's abyssmal 10-0 loss decimated the Broncos' defense, and goalie Dan Bellissimo (who finished with 27 saves and 6 goals against) was pulled in favor of freshman Ryan Mensing, who let in four more goals before the final buzzer sounded and put the Broncos out of their misery.

The Broncos refused to go down in the same way on Saturday: Jeff Pierce made sure of that, scoring one minute into the second period off a Paul Szczechura assist. The Lakers tied up the game with a power play goal, but Bellissimo and the Broncos defense held steady until the last eight minutes of the game, when Lake Superior State scored two unanswered goals to go up 3-1. Despite pulling Bellissimo and peppering Laker goalie Jeff Jakaitis, the Broncos could not convert.

The Broncos and Bulldogs will face each other in a home-and-home series this weekend.

Photo courtesy of http://www.lssuhockey.blogspot.com/

Warriors getting closer

The Wayne State Warriors (0-5-1, 0-1-1 CHA) went on the road last weekend to Western New York, hoping to grab their first win of the season. Although they didn’t get the “W," they played some of their best hockey of the season and skated away with a conference point that could become very valuable later in the year.

The Warriors started quick on Friday night, getting power-play goals from both Nate Higgins and Mike Forgie to take a 2-1 lead after 20-minutes of play.

The Purps dominated the second period, out shooting the Warriors 12-5 and scoring twice to take a 3-2 lead.

Mark Nebus scored just past the 5-minute mark of the third to tie the game at 3, but Niagara went up a goal again at 13:44 on a marker by Sean Bentivoglio.

The Warriors kept fighting and with goaltender Matt Kelly pulled for the extra attacker, Adam Krug scored with just 39-seconds left to send the game into overtime.

Freshmen Les Reaney finished the game 72-seconds into overtime, beating Kelly for his third marker of the year and sealing a 5-4 Niagara victory.

Kelly finished the night 30 saves. On the other end, Jeff Van Nynatten also steered aside 30 shots.

Blueliner Steve Kovalchik recorded three assists for the Warriors in the loss.

Wayne State came out firing again in Saturday’s game two and was rewarded for their efforts with a 3-3 tie and their first point of the year.

For the second straight game the Warriors got on the board first. Defenseman Taylor Donohoe got things going for the Green and Gold with a 4-on-4 goal at 11:38 of the first.

The Eagles scored the next two and led 2-1 by 1:20 of the second period.

For the second straight game, the Warriors power play notched a pair of goals. This time Higgins and John May scored 32 seconds apart in the second to put Wayne State up 3-2.

The Purps tied it up with an extra-man marker with less than a minute left in the second to close out the scoring.

WSU fired nine shots on goal in the third and four more in the five-minute sudden-death overtime period, but neither team was able to score and grab the win.

Kelly started in net again for the Warriors and stopped 29 of 32 shots. Freshman Juliano Pagliero started his first game for the Eagles and turned away 39 of 42 shots.

Next Up…

The Warriors will return to the Coliseum in Detroit next weekend to open up their home schedule against the CHA benchmark, Bemidji State Beavers (5-1-0, 1-1-0 CHA). The Beavs split a pair on the road last weekend against Air Force, but have already swept WCHA members Minnesota-Duluth and Minnesota State.

The defending CHA champion Beavers took the season series from the Warriors last year with a 3-1 record.

ACHA Wrap Up, 11-7

Lakers Split Weekend
By Chris Moore

The Grand Valley State Lakers played two GLIHA games against rival Robert Morris College-Chicago this past weekend, looking to revenge their championship loss to the Eagles last year.

On Friday, GVSU was missing their star Mike Johnson and came out slow, allowing the first goal of the game to RMC. After a harsh locker-room talk by Coach McLean, the Lakers jumped back on path in the second, scoring two quick goals to take the lead 2-1. Phil Murray scored the first off a beautiful pass from Jeff Tejchma and Nate Morang scored the second. RMC tied it up later in the second with a blast from the point to keep the game in a stalemate 2-2. The third was a tight period, with both goalies playing strong, sending the game into overtime 2-2. In overtime, RMC was able to win a battle in front of the net to put a rebound in to win the game 3-2, much to the chagrin of the Lakers. Shots for the game were even, with both teams ending up with 30. Goaltender Chris Moore ended with 27 saves.

On Saturday, GVSU was determined to get revenge on RMC and came out flying, with Mike Kadzban scoring to tie the game up at 1 early in the first. RMC would fight to a 3-1 lead until Nate Beverwyk scored to make the game 3-2. Inconsistent play hurt the Lakers all night, as goals by Matt Burns and Tim Hillebrand would not be enough. RMC sealed the game on an empty net goal to win 6-4 despite GVSU out shooting RMC 43-22. Kevin Chapman started his first game in net with the Lakers and played solid, making 17 saves.

GVSU opens next weekend against Western Michigan (D1) at home on Saturday and plays a rare Sunday game against Michigan State at Munn.

Spartans and Grizzlies split

The Oakland University Golden Grizzlies looked flat and uninspired Friday as the visiting Michigan State Spartans skated to a 6-3 victory at the Onyx in Rochester, MI.

MSU opened the scoring just 2:04 into the first when Scott Anderson scored the first of his three goals, and the first of three unanswered Spartan goals in the first period. Will McMahon would score a goal with 37 seconds left in the first, but that would be as close as the Grizzlies would get as MSU cruised to a three-goal win.

Saturday the Grizzlies visited the Spartans in East Lansing and again couldn't get anything going in the first two periods, heading into the locker room 4-2 after the second period, with both goals coming from forward Jonah Rogowski.

"I was feeling like it was déjà vu. Last year we headed into the Michigan State game with a 10-0 ACHA record (this year the Grizzlies were 11-0) and the Spartans took it to us. This year it was happening all over again," stated Hogan.

However, Grizzly forward Jordan Ingram would come out to net two in the first half of the third to tie the game. Brent Cooper would finish the Spartans off with less than four minutes remaining and seal a 5-4 win for OU.

Next Up: The Grizzlies will play their first of four straight home games this Friday night as the Ferris State Bulldogs come to the ONYX for a GMHL match up. The Grizzlies beat the bulldogs 9-3 in Big Rapids just over two weeks ago.
Around the ACHA…

D-2
Central Michigan 8, Oakland (D-3) 2

Davenport 8, Ferris St. 1

Michigan 8, Bowling Green 1
Michigan 6, Ferris St. 3

ILLINOIS 8, Eastern Michigan 3
ILLINOIS 8, Eastern Michigan 7

Michigan-Dearborn 7, KENT STATE 5
Michigan-Dearborn 4, KENT STATE 2

OHIO 5, Western Michigan 3
OHIO 3, Western Michigan 1

D-3
Albion 0, Oakland 11

Kalamazoo 0, Calvin 17
Calvin 13, Hope 4

Muskegon CC 4, Hope 9

Lansing CC 5, Northwood 4

Michigan State polishes off NMU

The eighth-ranked Michigan State Spartans completed its first weekend sweep of No. 12 Northern Michigan since 2001 with a 5-0 victory Saturday night at Munn Ice Arena.

Spartan goaltender Dominic Vicari registered his 14th career shutout and first against the Wildcats with a 15-save performance. The triumph bolstered the Green and White's record to 5-1-1 on the season.

"It felt good to get a shutout," said Vicari. "And with the win and the sweep it makes it even better."

Colton Fretter, Zak McClellan (first collegiate goal), Bryan Lerg, captain Drew Miller and Tim Crowder (pictured) all scored for MSU. Fretter, Lerg and Miller all added an assist as well.

"I really don't remeber what I did after the goal, I was so excited," said McClellan. "I just remember all the guys coming together. It's a great feeling and nice reward to see that puck land there."

Wildcats' goalie Bill Zaniboni made 11 saves through 26:45 and was relieved by Derek Janzen after Lerg's goal. Janzen finished with five stops.

"We got out-played tonight, we got out-coached tonight and we got out-goaltended," NMU head coach Walt Kyle said. "They've got a very good team and we knew that coming in. Tonight, to their credit, I thought they took a lot of stuff away from us."

Friday night, Crowder scored 2:30 into overtime to give MSU a 5-4 win. Crowder's overtime goal materialized as Potter fed Ethan Graham in the Michigan State zone. Graham then sprung Crowder on a breakaway and he put the puck in the top corner past Zaniboni.

"He's got that long stick and that long reach," MSU head coach Rick Comley said of Crowder's game-winner. "When he gets in that position he usually scores."

Miller, Jim McKenzie, Chris Lawrence and Corey Potter added goals for the Spartans. Rob Lehtinen, Mike Santorelli, captain Nathan Oystrick and Darin Olver scored for NMU.

Vicari made 18 saves and Zaniboni stopped 17.

Michigan State's next action will come tomorrow versus Ferris State at Ewigleben Ice Arena in Big Rapids. The Wildcats host Michigan this weekend.

Wolverines post sweep over Notre Dame

Michigan played two different games last weekend, but still came away with a sweep of Notre Dame in a home-and-home set.

And though the four points look great in the CCHA standings, Wolverines’ head coach Red Berenson said the weekend wasn’t as easy as it looked.

"I think they are a much improved team,” said Berenson of the Fighting Irish. “They are hard working and they played a good system. They are hard to play against and they had their chances to win this weekend. Even though they were behind most of the time, outside of tonight when they got ahead, but they played hard and they are going to be a team down the stretch. I think they are a good team and it is a good win for us."

Friday night in South Bend, Michigan led 4-2 heading into the third period and 5-3 midway through the final frame. Then U-M and ND combined for five goals in the final 7:29 as the Irish drew as close as 6-5. Freshman Andrew Cogliano (pictured) scored the final two goals of the game to close out the win.

While on the power play in the first period, Chad Kolarik notched his first goal of the season. He later added an assist for his second multi-point game of the season and 12th of his career. Jason Bailey recorded his first career goal and point 5:55 into the second period. Brandon Naurato earned his first career goal at 11:22 of the second period.

Kevin Porter had a goal and an assist and captain Andrew Ebbett added two assists. Travis Turnbull and T.J. Hensick also scored for the Wolverines. Noah Ruden made 26 saves for the win.

Back home in front of 6,814 fans at Yost Ice Arena, Kolarik scored twice to pace Michigan to a 4-2 win. Cogliano and Hensick tallied the others and Billy Sauer stopped 27 shots in getting the victory in net.

"After I scored my goal last night, I made a little joke about getting the monkey off my back,” said Kolarik. “I was pressing way too hard, I was thinking about it all the time. It is definitely a big lift to get those first three goals."

Cogliano extended his point streak to a team season-best six games. He has seven goals and 15 assists and five multi-point efforts during the stretch.

Berenson, though happy with the wins, knows the season is still young.

“Right now, our power play has a lot of confidence and momentum and a lot of depth,” said Berenson. “It is good to see Chad Kolarik score; he has not scored up until this weekend, and he has had three this weekend. It is good to see Cogliano off to such a good start; he is dangerous on the power play. T.J. and Porter are more experienced and so on, so I think we are getting a real semblance of a real good power play. That can sputter from time to time, but right now that is a big part of our game. Obviously, we will have to improve on our five-on-five and other parts of the game."

Michigan travels to Northern Michigan this weekend for a pair.

MTU swept by Denver

Michigan Tech traveled to the two time defending champion Denver Pioneers house this weekend and were unable to come away with any WCHA points. Denver was too much as they swept MTU, 5-2 and 4-3.

The Huskies goals on Friday were from Nick Anderson and Jordan Foote. One in the first period and one in the second. MTU continued to struggle in the third stanza, giving up one goal and not capitalizing on their chances.

Saturday was a closer game and ended up at 2-2 going into the third. The second period may have been the best period of hockey the Huskies played all year, but it did not continue in the third, as MTU gave up two quick goals, and could not come back.

The goals on Saturday were from Brandon Schwartz, Taggart Desmet and Chris Conner. Conner now has a team leading 7 goals and 12 total points.

Next for the Huskies:
Conner and the Huskies now get set to take on an evenly matched opponent in St. Cloud State Friday and Saturday. SCSU comes into this weekend 1-4-1 in the WCHA. MTU needs to get points at home and start climbing in the WCHA.

Other Stats:
Conner comes into this upcoming series with a 4 game point streak. Lars Helminen had his first multi-point effort of the season with a pair of assists.