Twice as nice for Wolverines

By Karl Henkel/at the CCHA Tournament

DETROIT - With Michigan and Miami both knowing they had bids to the NCAA Tournament all wrapped up, you'd think a little of the luster may have escaped Saturday's CCHA Mason Cup championship final.

But both clubs made sure it didn't, with Michigan coming out victorious, 2-1, in a fast-paced, back-and-forth contest in front of 17,213 fans at Joe Louis Arena. With the win, the Wolverines won both the regular-season and tournament championships this season.

"I can't tell you we're better than Miami," Michigan head coach Red Berenson said to all the Wolverine faithful afterwards. "But I can tell you we won the game."

Although there wasn't any scoring, or many shots, the first period was anything but dull. Amid the frenzy were numerous big hits, tempers short-fusing, and even a few quality scoring chances. The best opportunity was by Tim Miller, who rushed into Miami territory, drew the puck from the left wing back between the circles, before he wristed a shot that beat Jeff Zatkoff - and clanged off the far post. Late in the period, a Ryan Jones wraparound attempt nearly beat Billy Sauer, but Sauer's left pad kept the game scoreless.

In the second, Michigan struck first, as Matt Rust hit a streaking Aaron Palushaj just outside the crease and Palushaj beat an outstretched Zatkoff for the 1-0 lead.

"I didn't think he'd play this weekend," Berenson said about Rust. "He didn't skate until Wednesday, and he tried, but he wasn't very good. He could hardly walk this morning, but he came up to me and said 'I want to play (again).'"

The goal seemed to intensify Miami immediately. Just minutes after the goal, Carter Camper walked unabated in front of the Wolverine net, but Sauer was able to come up with the right pad save.

Later on, Camper had another chance as he was hit in full stride with a pass from Jones, but again Sauer came up with a glove save.

In the waning minutes of the second, a real rarity occurred, when the CCHA's Best Defensive Defenseman, Alec Martinez, was stripped of the puck in Miami territory by Kevin Porter, the CCHA's Player of the Year. Porter proceeded to walk in on a breakaway, but Zatkoff made another lightning-quick stop with the left hand.

The score remained knotted at one apiece until midway through the third period. With a faceoff to the right of the Miami net, Miller quickly won the draw and sent the puck in front of the net, where Brandon Naurato chipped it past Zatkoff.

"Right before we went out there I said I was gonna go to the net," Miller, the Tournament MVP said. "I put it through his legs and Naurato put it in."

That was all the scoring the Wolverines would need, though Miami made it close.

With 38.6 seconds remaining, Martinez fired a slapshot from the point past Sauer, closing the gap to 2-1.

Sauer, who gave up four goals against Northern Michigan last night, finished with 27 saves, while Zatkoff, the All-Tournament Team goaltender, finished with 24.

It was the Wolverines' eighth CCHA Tournament championship and sixth time they have won both the regular-season and tournament crown.

With the win, No. 1 Michigan will assuredly receive a No. 1 seed, if not the No. 1 overall seed, in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. The selections and seeds will be announced tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. on ESPN2.

There is a possibility of these two teams meeting again in the postseason, and Miami head coach Enrico Blasi said he would definitely welcome a rematch.

"If we are playing Michigan in Denver, Red and I will be very happy," said Blasi. "It would be great for the conference."

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
F Matt Siddall, Northern Michigan
F Ryan Jones, Miami
F Tim Miller, Michigan
D Alec Martinez, Miami
D Mark Mitera, Michigan
G Jeff Zatkoff, Miami
MVP - Tim Miller

Photo courtesy CCHA

NMU takes third - ND NCAA bound?

By Karl Henkel/at the CCHA Championship

DETROIT - In a game with huge and bizarre NCAA Tournament implications, Northern Michigan played spoiler, well, sort of, as they defeated Notre Dame, 2-1, to take third place in the CCHA Tournament.

According to USCHO.com, Notre Dame would have to either win or lose Saturday's consolation game – not tie – in order to make it to the big dance. This is by virtue of the number of comparison wins, and the Irish would fall one short if a draw occurred.

“I don't believe anything until I see it on paper,” a peeved Jeff Jackson said after the game. “At this point it is just all speculation."

Notre Dame came out and tested Wildcat netminder Reid Ellingson early on. Ellingson, who was playing in place of Brian Stewart, turned aside 13 first-period shots.

The game was suspiciously similar to the Notre Dame-Miami game from a day ago, in that the game continued to remain scoreless – at least until Christian Hanson sped down the left wing and backhanded a low shot underneath the pads of Ellingson. The play was set up off a tape-to-tape pass from Christian Minella. Dan VeNard also added an assist.

Early in the third at the 1:15 mark, Matt Siddall fired a shot that was stopped by the right pad of Jordan Pearce. The rebound came right to a streaking Tim Hartung, who fired a bullet into the back of the net.

Just 1:16 later, Siddall picked up a tally of his own, and suddenly NMU was on the bright side of a one-goal lead. It was potentially Siddall's final game for NMU, as he and teammate Andrew Sarauer are the only outgoing seniors

The Wildcats then sustained a flurry of Irish scoring chances, but Derek Janzen, who came in for Ellingson midway through the game, managed to keep the puck from crossing the goal line.

“By then I was all warm,” Janzen said. “The puck just looked huge to me today.”

For the game, Janzen made 25 saves, while Ellingson made 14.

“I'm so proud of this team,” a joyous Walt Kyle said, “Both of these guys (the goaltenders) deserve a lot of credit, but this guy deserves it most (pointing to Janzen).”

Notre Dame's fate for the NCAA Tournament will become clearer with the conclusion of other conference tournament games later today.

Anastos hosts Saturday brunch

By Karl Henkel/at the CCHA Championship

DETROIT - Saturday morning, CCHA commissioner Tom Anastos hosted a 'State of the Game' brunch at the Renaissance Marriott and delved into such topics as television exposure and solutions to both how to solve the growing number of ties as well as the recent trend of underclassmen forgoing eligibility to take a shot at the NHL.

One of the first topics was discussed was that of televised contests. With Comcast Local, who had picked up a good number of games this past season slowly fading on the way to shutting their operation down, Anastos stated how negotiations between the newly created Big Ten Network and the CCHA have transpired thus far.

“They have made it very clear that hockey is important to them, and they want to have a hockey presence,” Anastos said of his talks with the BTN.

According to Anastos, the Big Ten Network is not only interested in televising games between Big Ten schools (such as CCHA teams like Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State, and WCHA squads like Wisconsin and Minnesota), but also those games where only one Big Ten team is participating.

Next on the agenda was the CCHA Tournament format, which today includes all CCHA teams, who battle each other down in three-game series until four remain standing. Those four play a single-elimination tournament, including a consolation game.

“It gives all our programs opportunities,” Anastos said of the current 12-team tournament. “But at the same time our playoff games are the most poorly attended games of the season.”

Previously, the CCHA had used a six-team tournament called the 'Super Six,' which like the present format, was held at Joe Louis Arena.

“I wouldn't be surprised if there was a discussion about an eight-team format, over two weekends, as opposed to what he have now,” Anastos said. “But that's me talking.”

Also in the CCHA discussion mix was the continued planning of the 2010 Frozen Four, which will be held at Ford Field. There is also talk about holding a sporting event (other than football, of course), prior to the NCAA hockey championship.

“There has been talk of a hockey/basketball game, with the hockey on one end and basketball court at the other end,” Anastos said. “We've thrown all different ideas out.”

In terms of ties, and how to break them, Anastos said he is in favor of shootouts to determine a victor.

“You ask coaches if they like the shootout as a fan, and they are all for it, but you ask them as a coach and they don't like it so much,” Anastos said.

One big issue for the commissioner was the number of underclassmen leaving college for a shot at professional hockey. Over the years, the amount has grown close to 30 per season, while only a handful of the players actually made the opening day roster.

When asked the reason behind the expanding trend, Anastos had a simple answer.

“To the players, it's sexy,” he said.

He then explained the easy ability of NHL teams to take a chance on college players, as it is a minimum cost to sign them.

“You are talking about a $40,000 contract and an $85,000 signing bonus.”

A reason this is occurring more and more often is that the date which outgoing college hockey seniors have to sign by has been moved up to August 15 following their final year of eligibility, compared to what it used to be, close to a year later.

Items also discussed included expansion of the CCHA, and the inevitable fate of College Hockey America losing their automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

“If we expanded, it would take away games for our smaller schools to host teams like Michigan and Michigan State, which they rely on,” Anastos said.

Wolverines over NMU, Miami next

By Karl Henkel/at the CCHA Championship

DETROIT - It would be hard for the Michigan Wolverines and Northern Michigan Wildcats to trump the Miami-Notre Dame overtime thriller of earlier in the day, but boy, did both teams try.

In a game that looked like it should have been a blowout, the Wildcats somehow managed to keep up with the CCHA regular-season champion Wolverines, but Michigan took care of business down the stretch in coming out victorious, 6-4.

“They are the number one team in the nation for a reason,” NMU's Mark Olver said after the loss.

The opening 20 minutes of play were dominated by the Wolverines, who took an early 1-0 lead courtesy of Chad Kolarik, who netted his 28th goal of the season. Michigan was also superb defensively, holding the Wildcats to just two shots on goal. NMU made one of those count, though, as Matt Butcher took a feed from Gregor Hanson and one-timed it past UM goalie Billy Sauer with just over five minutes to play in the stanza, tying the game at one.

Just 39 seconds later, though, NMU put themselves behind the 8-ball, as Billy Smith was assessed a five-minute checking from behind penalty, plus a game misconduct.

Early in period two, the Wildcats had killed it off, but Michigan remained on the offensive, firing shot after shot at NMU goalie Brian Stewart. Stewart continued to hold his own until Travis Turnbull hammered home his 14th goal midway through the session.

But the pesky Wildcats responded again when Olver backhanded a shot from in close under the pads of Sauer with 5:06 to go, knotting the game up at two apiece.

As the period was winding down, NMU's Matt Siddall took a drop pass from Nick Sirota and hit the far top corner with a wrist shot to give the Wildcats an improbable lead, despite being outshot 25-6 at the time.

“I tried a drop pass back and they took it and made a good transition,” Michigan's Tim Miller said.

At the beginning of the final frame, in what looked like a harmless rush, Michigan's Chad Langlais came streaking down the left wing and attempted a pass to Miller. The puck instead ricochet off Miller's skate and past a startled Stewart.

Immediately following the goal, while the maintenance crew at Joe Louis Arena worked on a broken piece of glass, CCHA director of officials Steve Piotrowski reviewed the goal, but determined Miller did not intentionally kick the puck in.

After a Wildcat penalty, Michigan's power play went to work with Turnbull redirecting a Mark Mitera shot 6:30 in. It was Turnbull's first career two-goal game in his time at Michigan.

But NMU again tied up this score as Jared Brown chipped one home from just outside the Michigan crease.

With the score at 4-4, and four minutes to play, Kolarik turned in the right circle and fired a shot that was – you guessed it – redirected by Miller past Stewart once again.

“Puck luck,” was how Northern Michigan head coach Walt Kyle described all of Michigan's redirected goals.

The Wolverines capped it off with a long, slow, length-of-the-ice marker by Ben Winnett with 11.2 seconds to go. “

"It was a crazy game,” Wolverines head coach Red Berenson said after the game. “If you looked at the shots and the score, there were two different games.”

For the game, Stewart stopped 36 of 41 shots, while Sauer allowed four goals on 22 shots.

Michigan will play Miami in tomorrow's CCHA championship final. NMU takes on Notre Dame in the consolation game.

Miami beats Irish in OT thriller

By Karl Henkel/at the CCHA Championship

DETROIT - The Miami RedHawks came out firing on all cylinders, but made sure to save the best for last.

In a game in which they trailed the Irish of Notre Dame in the waning moments, Miami not only tied the score to send the game into overtime, but won it, 2-1, on an overtime goal by Rochester native Alec Martinez.

Miami came out in the opening period and peppered Irish netminder Jordan Pearce with 11 shots, eight of which occurred during two RedHawk power plays. The Irish, on the other hand, were held to just three shots.

But in the second frame, Notre Dame looked much more like the team who defeated Ferris State in the CCHA quarterfinals. Still, the game remained scoreless heading into the final 20 minutes of regulation.

With just over six minutes to play in the third period, and on a power play, the Irish looked to have broken the scoreless duel when captain Mark Van Guilder walked in from the left circle and fired a wrist shot over the right shoulder of RedHawks goalie Jeff Zatkoff (Chesterfield). Referee Brian Aaron initially called it a goal, but replay officials determined the puck hit the far post and never completely crossed the line.

“I stayed up on the shot, I thought I had it covered,” Zatkoff said of the shot. “It was an amazing shot.”

But just a few minutes later Notre Dame forward Evan Rankin (Portgage) lofted a backhander from between the circles that Zatkoff got a piece of with his glove hand. Unfortunately, he didn't get enough of it, and the puck fluttered just inside the right post for the one-goal advantage.

In the last minute of action, Miami pulled Zakoff for the extra-attacker. Just as it appeared the Irish were going to advance to Saturday's CCHA championship game, Canton native Mitch Ganzak's desperation slapshot with 2.3 seconds to go was redirected in front by an Irish defenseman, which sent the game into overtime.

In the extra session, off a broken play, the puck squirted to the Notre Dame blue line, where Martinez ripped a shot that deflected off Pearce's glove into the back of the net.

“I couldn't see it because there was traffic in front,” Martinez said after the game. “But then I thought it went in went in when I saw a ripple in the mesh.”

Neither team scored a power-play goal, but deficiency was to be expected, with the Irish and RedHawks ranking first and second in terms of penalty killing, respectively, during the CCHA regular season.

The RedHawks will play Michigan in the CCHA final tomorrow. Notre Dame, who failed to repeat as tournament champs, will take on Northern Michigan in the consolation game.

Lerg, Porter up for Hobey Baker

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

Michigan senior captain Kevin Porter and Michigan State junior goaltender Jeff Lerg are among the top 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award.

The 10 finalists were selected by voting from all 59 Division I head coaches and by online fan balloting at hobeybaker.com. The 25-member Selection Committee and an additional round of fan balloting (at hobeybaker.com from March 20-30) will determine this year’s winner.

Criteria for the award include strength of character on and off the ice, outstanding skills in all phases of the game, sportsmanship and scholastic achievements. This year’s finalists include five seniors, four juniors and one sophomore. Seven forwards and three goaltenders are among the group.

The Hobey Hat Trick of three finalists will be announced on April 2 and the winner will be announced Friday, April 11 from Pepsi Center in Denver during the Frozen Four. The announcement will be aired live on ESPNU at 5:30 p.m. MT.

Jeff Lerg — Michigan State, junior goalie (Livonia)
With an NCAA national title and All-Tourney accolades already under his belt, Lerg has been the nation’s busiest goaltender this season as the Spartans prepare for another title run. Leading the CCHA in wins, save percentage and shutouts, Lerg was named to the league’s First Team and was a finalist for Player of the Year honors. The finance major was also named the CCHA Scholar Athlete of the Year with an overall grade-point average of 3.75.

Lerg has also been named one of five finalists for the prestigious James E. Sullivan Award and has been invited to the Sullivan Award Ceremony in New York on April 1 at the New York Athletic Club.

Kevin Porter — Michigan, senior forward (Northville)
Consistency defines the nation’s leading scorer as the Wolverine captain has produced points in all but six of the 38 games he’s played. Porter helped guide his team to the CCHA regular-season title and was named the CCHA Player of the Year. He was also named to the CCHA First Team.

Oxford native and Boston College junior forward Nate Gerbe is also a finalist.

This 5-foot-5 dynamo packs a powerful punch, entering the Hockey East championships as the nation’s second-leading scorer with 52 points. His 27 goals are tied for third in the country after bagging three in last weekend’s playoffs. Gerbe was named First-Team Hockey East and has helped the Eagles to the past two Frozen Fours.

Michigan-Northern Michigan preview

By Matt Mackinder/Michigan Beat Writer

At the beginning of the season, Michigan wasn't expected to do much in the CCHA this season.

Neither was Northern Michigan.

Yet both made it to the semifinals of the CCHA tournament and will meet in the second semifinal tomorrow night at 8:30 p.m. Joe Louis Arena. Miami and Notre Dame play in the first game at 4:30 p.m.

The Wolverines are a perennial CCHA contender and NCAA tournament qualifier. NMU, well, not so much. But that hasn't deterred Wildcats head coach Walt Kyle from realizing where his team stands on the eve of the semifinals.

"It's not any kind of reward, it's the opportunity to play Michigan," Kyle said. "They're a very good team and they've kind of had their way with us over the last couple years. It's going to be a good challenge. They're a very good team and it will be a difficult matchup.

"We're really pleased to be here. Anytime you get an opportunity to play for a league championship, you have to cherish the moment and we're really happy to have this opportunity."

Northern Michigan upset defending national champion Michigan State last weekend in East Lansing by winning the last two games in the best-of-three series, including the clincher in dramatic overtime fashion.

The Wolverines had their way with Nebraska-Omaha in a 10-1 win Friday night and then eked out a 2-1 win Saturday night in Ann Arbor.

"As far as Northern, I don't think anyone's playing any better hockey in our league than Northern Michigan since we saw them with those hard-fought ties (Feb. 1-2)," Michigan head coach Red Berenson said. "They swept Michigan State (Feb. 8-9) and they went on a run. They're as good as anyone. We're looking forward to the game.

"It will be anyone's game."


SEASON SERIES SNAPSHOT

Oct. 19 - Michigan 3 at Northern Michigan 1
Oct. 20 - Michigan 4 at Northern Michigan 3
Feb. 1 - at Michigan 3, Northern Michigan 3
Feb. 2 - at Michigan 3, Northern Michigan 3

WHO TO WATCH

Michigan - senior captain Kevin Porter (28-28--56), senior Chad Kolarik (27-19--46), freshman Aaron Palushaj (8-29--37), freshman Max Pacioretty (14-20--34), junior Mark Mitera (2-17--19), junior goalie Billy Sauer (26-4-3, 1.93 GAA, .926 SV%)

Northern Michigan - freshman Mark Olver (20-17--37), junior Nick Sirota (18-17--35), senior Matt Siddall (16-16--32), freshman Erik Gustafsson (0-27--27), freshman Phil Fox (13-5--18), sophomore goalie Brian Stewart (15-14-4, 2.54 GAA, .919 SV%)

MiCHO prediction: Michigan 4, Northern Michigan 2

Paskaris signs with ECHL's Bombers

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

The Dayton Bombers of the ECHL announced today the team has signed forward Stavros Paskaris. He is expected to be in the Bombers lineup for tonight’s game at Elmira.

Paskaris, a 23-year-old Dearborn native, joins the Bombers after a four-year career at Wayne State University. The 6-foot-1, 192-pound Paskaris accumulated 98 points (35g, 63a) in 136 games at Wayne State, including a breakout senior season in which he scored 14 goals and 25 assists, both career highs.

Paskaris also played two seasons with the Soo Indians of the NAHL where he picked up 115 points in 110 games from 45 goals and 70 assists.

"This is a great opportunity for me and I'm looking to make the most of it," Paskaris said.

Fetter named national finalist

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

Wayne State head coach Jim Fetter has been selected as one of the seven finalists for the American Hockey Coaches Association Division I Women's Ice Hockey Coach of the Year Award for the third consecutive season.

The award will be presented at the AHCA Coach of the Year Banquet on Saturday, April 26, in Naples, Fla. Among the finalists are three former winners, including 2006 and 2007 Coach of the Year Mark Johnson of Wisconsin.

To be a finalist for this award, you must either be voted Coach of the Year in your conference, or take your team to the NCAA Frozen Four.

Fetter has won the College Hockey America Coach of the Year award the last three seasons and led his squad to a school-record 22 wins this past year and the first national top 10 ranking in school history (10th in USA Today/USA Hockey women's poll).

Two Bulldogs get Las Vegas deals

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

The Las Vegas Wranglers of the ECHL have signed rookie forward Adam Miller and rookie defenseman Jim Jorgensen, both from Ferris State.

Miller, a Livonia native, made his pro debut Wednesday night.

Miller also finished second on FSU with 17 assists, 25 points and 104 shots on net in 36 games this past season and finished his college career with 30 goals and 47 assists for 77 points in 146 NCAA contests.

Jorgensen, from Sault Ste. Marie, had a goal and seven points in 28 games this year in Big Rapids. He ends his college career with 38 points on eight goals and 30 assists.

Spartans get Merrifield for '09-10

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

St. Louis Bandits forward Mike Merrifield has committed to Michigan State University for the 2009-10 season.

Merrifield, from Beverly Hills, leads all first-year North American Hockey League players in scoring with 18 goals and 56 points after 55 games. The 18-year-old’s plus-33 rating ranks second in the league.

"Playing hockey for Michigan State has been a dream of mine since I was seven years old,” said Merrifield. “I can't be happier. I want to thank the Bandits organization for helping this become a reality.”

"One thing you never have to worry about with Mike is his work ethic and commitment to play, and play hard,” said Bandits coach-GM Jon Cooper. “The fact that he has exceptional skill and speed is icing on the cake.”

Merrifield is the seventh Bandit from this year’s team to commit to a Division I program this season.

Clackson leaves WMU for Philly

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

The Philadelphia Flyers signed their second Michigan college hockey player in two days today and also the second to leave school with eligibility remaining.

Yesterday, the Flyers inked Michigan Tech junior goalie Michael-Lee Teslak and today signed Western Michigan junior forward Matt Clackson.

Clackson, a 22-year-old Pittsburgh native, was Philadelphia's seventh-round pick (215th overall) in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. He had three goals and six points with 87 penalty minutes in 35 games for the Broncos this season.

Matt's younger brother, Chris, just completed his sophomore season in Kalamazoo. He is undrafted.

MTU's Teslak inks with Flyers

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

Junior Michael-Lee Teslak will forgo his senior season for Michigan Tech after signing a free agent contract with the Philadelphia Flyers yesterday.

After passing a physical, Teslak will dress tonight in Hartford for the Philadelphia Phantoms of the American Hockey League in a game against the Hartford Wolf Pack, an affiliate of the New York Rangers.

“This is something that he has dreamed about for a long time," MTU head coach Jamie Russell said. "We told him during the recruiting process that we could develop him and get him to the next level. We are proud of him and we wish him the best in his career."

Teslak compiled a 26-33-11 record in 73 career games with the Huskies. He ranks third in career goals-against average (2.66) and third in save percentage (.910). Last season, he led the WCHA and finished third in the nation in GAA (2.00) and was also named to the All-WCHA third team. Teslak was also named WCHA Player of the Week four times during his career.

In other news from Houghton, senior forward Tyler Shelast signed a two-year entry-level deal with the Dallas Stars and was assigned to the Iowa Stars, their AHL affiliate. Senior forward also Peter Rouleau signed with the ECHL's Idaho Steelheads. (UPDATE: Rouleau was released March 20).

Wildcats upset Michigan State

By Matt Mackinder/Michigan State Beat Writer

Michigan State will miss CCHA championship weekend for the first time in 17 years after losing to Northern Michigan in a quarterfinal series last weekend in East Lansing.

Matt Butcher's overtime goal on a power-play rush gave NMU a 3-2 win over Michigan State on Sunday night at Munn Ice Arena. The Wildcats now advance to next weekend's CCHA Championship weekend in Detroit, while Michigan State won't be there for just the second time in 27 seasons.

Michigan State had forced the overtime session with a goal by Nick Sucharski with just over three minutes remaining in regulation.

Both goaltenders were superb in the game. NMU's Brian Stewart finished with 41 stops, while Jeff Lerg made 34 stops. Lerg allowed just six goals in the series, but the Spartans struggled to score on Stewart in games two and three, putting just three goals past the netminder after a five-goal outburst in game one Friday night.

"We told our guys that if we scored on the power play tonight we were going to win," Northern Michigan head coach Walt Kyle said. "(Michigan State) had been so good on their power play that we had to expect them to do something. I thought that five-on-five there were times that we played very well and we had our chances. Their power play was much more effective than ours throughout the weekend."

"I thought the week off kind of hurt us; we just never seemed to get back to where we were," added MSU head coach Rick Comley. "But we played pretty well. I thought Stewart was magnificent. I thought their team played hard, worked within themselves, and I thought Walt did a really good job with that team. We had plenty of scoring opportunities, but we just couldn't get the puck in enough. We were fortunate enough to be able to tie it. You had a feeling in overtime that they were going to spring it, that we were going to have all kinds of pressure on them, and they were just going to pop something loose, and then they got the chance with the power play."

Andrew Sarauer and Phil Fox scored NMU's other goals and captain Bryan Lerg tallied the other goal for the Spartans.

"We averaged 43 shots a game and when you're generating 43 shots, you're giving yourself a pretty good chance to score," Kyle said. "It was hard-fought series, I knew it would be, and Northern finished the year like we all thought they would. This was going to be the toughest series and it turned out that way."

Still, Comley thinks MSU will get an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.

"Our league, because it was so top-heavy this year, has really hurt things," said Comley. "Knowing the system pretty well, I would think we'll probably get in, unless there are two or three upsets in the other leagues. But who knows. We'll just have to wait and see."

Saturday night, Stewart made 42 saves and Ray Kaunisto got the game-winner eary in the third period as the Wildcats took a 2-1 win. Tim Crowder scored on the power play late in the second period to tie the game, but MSU could not solve Stewart in four extra-man opportunities in the third period. Lerg made 28 saves, including 12 in the final frame.

Friday night, Michigan State tallied three power-play goals and blew open a tight game with three third-period scores to post a 5-1 victory. Tim Kennedy and Crowder each had a goal and an assist and Lerg made 24 saves in the win. Bryan Lerg, Justin Abdelkader and Sucharski also scored for the Spartans, while Mark Olver scored for NMU and Stewart finished with 35 saves in 53:44 before Derek Janzen made three saves over the final 6:16.

NMU (19-19-4) faces top-ranked Michigan at 4:30 p.m. this Friday in the first semifinal in Detroit. The Spartans end the playoffs with a 24-11-5 overall record.

Wolverines sweep aside Mavericks

By Matt Mackinder/Michigan Beat Writer

The Michigan Wolverines are going to the CCHA semifinals after sweeping Nebraska-Omaha last weekend at Yost Ice Arena.

Saturday's 2-1 win had an electric atmosphere that saw a UNO parent get ejected from the arena.

"It was great," said goalie Billy Sauer. "After the mêlée in the second period, it was fun. You see one of (Nebraska-Omaha's) parents getting thrown out and that is the fun of college hockey. That is why the crowd is there."

Michigan jumped out to a two-goal lead in the first period with goals by Brandon Naurato and Carl Hagelin and held off a late-charging Maverick team to advance to Joe Louis Arena this weekend.

"Billy had to come up big," U-M head coach Red Berenson said. "It was not an easy weekend for a goalie. There were times he didn't get many shots, and then there were times when he got many quick shots and point-blank shots. I thought he was definitely a factor. When you only give up one goal against, you are in all the games -- whether the puck is going in for you or not, you have a chance. We got the goals we needed, and he gave us the goalkeeping we needed. "

Sauer made 26 saves in the series clincher, but just 12 in a 10-1 rout Friday night.

Led by Chad Kolarik's third hat trick of the season and Mark Mitera's three-point (goal, two assists) output, 16 of 18 Wolverines tallied points on the night, including seven with multi-point efforts.

Kolarik had missed four games with an injury, but didn't appear to miss a beat.

"It felt like it was my first game at Yost again," Kolarik said. "It was pretty exciting. I was waiting four weeks for this day, so I had all my energy in this one. I definitely couldn't have imagined I was going to get a hat trick. I was hoping to get maybe three shots on goal. It was good. I didn't expect anything. I was hoping to get maybe a couple of assists and that (Kevin) Porter would put a few in for me."

Porter, Hagelin, Naurato, Travis Turnbull, Danny Fardig and Louie Caporusso also scored for Michigan, while Aaron Palushaj and Max Pacioretty each had two assists.

"We got the bounces tonight," Berenson said. "I cannot remember a game this year where the puck was going in like it did tonight. We know UNO is a much better team than the score. We were opportunistic tonight and we didn't give them a lot. They have some top players who were on their heels and we got the early goals."

Shawn Hunwick played the final 2:52 of the game and stopped both shots he faced.

Michigan (29-5-4) will travel to Joe Louis Arena next weekend for the CCHA Tournament Championship this weekend. Their semifinal game on Friday against the upset-minded Northern Michigan Wildcats will begin at 4:30 p.m.

LoVecchio bolts Broncos for AHL deal

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

The Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League announced Friday that the Boston Bruins have signed left wing Jeff LoVecchio to an amateur tryout agreement.

LoVecchio, 22, joins Providence after three seasons with the Western Michigan Broncos, where he collected 35 goals, 38 assists and 73 points, along with 98 penalty minutes, in 113 games. His most productive offensive campaign came as a sophomore, scoring 19 goals, dishing out 15 assists and collecting 34 points, all career-bests. LoVecchio suited up in a personal-high 40 games while also registering a high of 46 PIM as a freshman.

A native of Chesterfield, Mo., LoVecchio was named a finalist for the CCHA Defensive Forward of the Year Award in 2006-07. The nod came one year after the former WMU captain was tabbed as the school's Suzanne Klop Rookie of the Year.

Bulldogs' season comes to an end

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

Ferris State's late-season run came to an end yesterday with a loss to Notre Dame in the CCHA quarterfinals in South Bend.

The Bulldogs had won Game 1 on Friday night, 2-1, but fell Saturday night by a 6-3 mark and then Sunday, 2-1.

Cody Chupp and Justin Menke scored Friday and Mitch O'Keefe made 25 saves.

Saturday, Zach Redmond had a goal and an assist and Mike Fillinger and Corey Couturier also scored for the Bulldogs. O'Keefe stopped 30 shots and also assisted on Fillinger's power-play goal.

Then yesterday, O'Keefe steered aside 25 shots and Adam Miller scored the lone goal as FSU's season came to a close.

Ferris State finishes 18-16-5. Notre Dame moves on to play Miami on Friday night at Joe Louis Arena.

Tech's season ends at North Dakota

By Joseph Lakeland / Michigan Tech Beat Writer

The Michigan Tech Huskies made a run at No. 2 North Dakota, but fell just short in their opening round WCHA playoff series in Grand Forks.

Friday night’s opener was a mismatch as the Fighting Sioux rolled to a 4-0 shutout victory at the Engelstad Arena.

The Huskies came back on Saturday, though, and surprised North Dakota with a 3-2 overtime victory.

The Sioux looked solid early and led 2-0 after 40 minutes of play.

Jimmy Kerr got the Black and Gold on the board with a power-play marker early in the third and then Tyler Shelast quieted the crowd of 11,638, tying the game shorthanded with just six seconds left on the clock.

Shelast was the hero in the extra frame as well, scoring on the power play at 1:59 to give MTU the win and force a game three on Sunday.

Michael-Lee Teslak stopped 24 shots in what would prove to be Tech’s last win of the season.

“That group deserved that win. We have not had a lot of bounces go our way this season and these guys deserve it,” said head coach Jamie Russell. “They didn’t give up tonight.”

Shelast picked up on Sunday where he left off Saturday, scoring just past the midway mark of the first to put Tech up 1-0.

T.J. Oshie scored the next two for North Dakota and the Sioux held on for a 2-1 victory.

The Huskies finished the year at 14-20-5 overall and 9-15-4 in the WCHA.

Photo courtesy of Michigan Tech Athletics

Playoff recaps 3.16.2008

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

NORTHERN MICHIGAN 3, MICHIGAN STATE 2 (OT): Matt Butcher's power-play goal at 11:04 of overtime crushed the defending National Champion Spartans and sent the 'Cats on to the CCHA Championship Semifinals at Joe Louis Arena. The Wildcats will skate into MoTown as the #4 seed and face top seeded and top ranked Michigan on Friday at 8 P.M.

NOTRE DAME 2, FERRIS STATE 1: The Bulldogs run came to an end on Sunday as the Fighting Irish escaped with a one-goal win at the Joyce Center. Adam Miller scored FSU's lone goal and Mitch O'Keefe made 25 saves in the loss.

NORTH DAKOTA 2, MICHIGAN TECH 1 : Tyler Shelast scored the first goal of the game, but that's all MTU could muster offensively at the Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks on Sunday. Michael-Lee Teslak stopped 22 shots as the Huskies finished the season at 14-20-5.