OU conducting hockey fundraiser

The Oakland University Hockey Booster Club has put together a fundraiser, the Oakland Hockey Mega Raffle.

Tickets are only $20 and the winner will receive the following:

2 Red Wings tickets for 3/27 vs. NY Islanders
4 Red Wings tickets for 2/29 vs, Nashville
2 Red Wings tickets for 3/12 vs. Calgary
4 Red Wings tickets for 3/17 vs. Philadelphia
2 Red Wings tickets for 3/10 vs. Phoenix
DTE concert pack (several concerts to choose from)
Free night at the Troy Marriott

And that's not all!

The winner will also receive:
$100 Kruse & Muer gift card
$100 Chili's gift card
$50 Andiamo's gift card
$50 PF Chang's gift card
$50 Shula's Steak House gift card
$50 Dave and Buster's gift card
$50 Home Depot gift card
$50 Target gift card
$50 worth of lottery tickets

And wait, there's more!

The winner will also receive:

Gift certficate to Lamia Day Spa in Grosse Pointe
Oil change gift card
2 Stoli vodka gift sets
Zoom teeth whitening gift card

Please support OU Hockey with the purchase of a $20 raffle ticket. The more you buy, the better chance you have of winning.

Please contact head coach Sean Hogan if interested.

MiCHO Power Poll 02.04.09

And the dominance continues for Michigan.

The Wolverines split with top-ranked Notre Dame last weekend in a home-and-home set that saw the Irish's 20-game unbeaten streak come to an end Friday night.

With those weekend results, Michigan is still in the top spot in the MiCHO Power Poll.

Ferris State stays at No. 2 after getting two wins (one in a shootout) against Nebraska-Omaha and Lake Superior State remains third by virtue of their home sweep of Michigan State.

The rest of the poll also remains the same.

Complete Poll

1) Michigan, 19-9-0 (split with Notre Dame)
2) Ferris State, 11-11-6 (beat, tied Nebraska-Omaha)
3) Lake Superior State, 9-11-8 (swept Michigan State)
4) Northern Michigan, 9-13-4 (swept Western Michigan)
5) Western Michigan, 7-15-6 (swept by Northern Michigan)
6) Michigan State, 7-18-3 (swept by Lake Superior State)
7) Michigan Tech, 5-18-5 (idle)

Each week, MichiganCollegeHockey.com editors Matt Mackinder and Tom Balog will compile the MiCHO Power Poll. The poll will comprise the seven Division I teams in the state of Michigan.

Squires, Olver take CCHA honors

The Central Collegiate Hockey Association announced today that forward Greg Squires of Western Michigan has been named the CCHA Rookie of the Month for January.

Squires, who plans to major in exercise science, notched eight points in 10 games in the month and moved into a tie for seventh in scoring among CCHA rookies.

He recorded a point in seven of 10 games including five straight games with an assist.

The Broncos were 3-1-1 during Squires’ assist streak, which included the freshman’s only multi-point performance (1-1-2) in a 2-2 tie at Ohio State. The White Plains, N.Y., native added an assist the next night, January 24, to pick up CCHA Rookie of the Week honors for his performance.

The 5-foot-8, 170-pound forward also recorded a power-play goal against Brown and an assist against Northeastern in this year’s Dodge Holiday Classic. Squires finished the month with five power-play points and his eight total points with the man advantage ranks his fourth among CCHA rookies.

Defenseman Nick Bailen of Bowling Green, goaltender Taylor Nelson of Ferris State and goaltender Connor Knapp of Miami earned special mention for CCHA Rookie of the Month for January.

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The Central Collegiate Hockey Association announced today that sophomore forward Mark Olver of Northern Michigan has been named the RBC Financial Group CCHA Player of the Month for January.

Olver, a 2008 draft pick of Colorado, averaged one-and-a-half points-per game tying him for the CCHA lead in points and placing eighth in the country for January.

The Northern Michigan sophomore was named CCHA Offensive Player of the Week for his 2-2-4 line at Wisconsin on January 2 and 3. Olver ended the month strongly with five points (1-4-5) in a January 30-31 series against Western Michigan.

The 5-foot-11, 160-pound forward, increased his season offensive output from nine to 21 points in January, had a hand in 50 percent of the Wildcats scoring that weekend leading them to a two-game sweep.

The Burnaby, B.C., native, who led the Wildcats in scoring and earned CCHA All-Rookie honors in 2007-08, notched five goals and seven assists in January to take the Northern Michigan scoring lead.

Olver scored two game-winning goals, most among CCHA players in January, and also recorded both a power-play and shorthanded tally. Finishing the month with a +7 rating, the sophomore forward notched multiple points in three games and had at least one point in six of eight games in January.

Special mention for RBC Financial Group CCHA Player of the Month honors goes to Alaska sophomore forward Kevin Petovello, Bowling Green sophomore forward Dan Sexton, Ferris State sophomore forward Mike Embach, Lake Superior State sophomore forward Rick Schofield, Miami junior forward Jarod Palmer, Michigan sophomore forward Aaron Palushaj, Notre Dame senior goaltender Jordan Pearce, Ohio State senior forward Corey Elkins and Western Michigan senior forward Patrick Galivan.

Tropp to return to Michigan State

Sioux Falls Stampede Press Release

The Sioux Falls Stampede announced yesterday that forward Corey Tropp has decided to return to Michigan State University and will not play for the Stampede this season.

When Tropp came to Sioux Falls last week, Michigan State officials told him it was within his rights to play for the Stampede. However, after compliance staff at Michigan State and the NCAA discussed the situation, they were unsure if he could retain his college eligibility if he would have played one game with the Stampede. Because Tropp had already enrolled in spring semester, the NCAA said Tropp would become ineligible if he played with any other team, potentially jeopardizing his college eligibility for the rest of his career.

With this new information, Tropp, his family, and family advisor felt it was in the best interest of Corey to return to campus at Michigan State and finish his spring semester. He will then reevaluate his situation at the end of the school year. Tropp's advisors told Stampede officials that Corey's college eligibility is the most important issue at this time.

“Corey informed me tonight that he had a conversation with Michigan State head coach Rick Comley prior to Stampede practice (Monday) and was told he would be reinstated once his suspension is served,” said Stampede CEO Gary Weckwerth. "Corey added that the change in heart came after some of his Michigan State teammates met with Comley and asked them to reconsider Corey's situation. This is the right thing for Corey. We are very happy for him and that he can start putting this incident behind him."

USHL officials had scheduled a hearing to discuss Tropp's pending league suspension for Tuesday morning in Sioux Falls. That meeting has been canceled. Tropp was suspended by Michigan State nine days ago after an on-ice incident occurred against the University of Michigan.

Bulldogs top, tie Nebraska-Omaha

By Tom Morelli/Ferris State Beat Writer

Ferris State earned three points (four CCHA points) in their weekend series against Nebraska-Omaha, giving them their best outing since the Alabama-Huntsville series back in December.

The Bulldogs’ offense had a great outing on Friday night, as seven different skaters scored a goal en route to a 7-1 win.

In the opening period, the Mavericks scored first on a power-play marker by Nick Van Bokern at 4:23, but Ferris State answered back five minutes later when defenseman Scott Wietecha finished off a pass from Zach Redmond and Brendan Connolly (pictured).

Senior Corey Couturier scored the game-winner with his seventh goal of the campaign at 4:11 in the following period.

With a few minutes remaining in the second, winger Justin Menke added an insurance goal, which was an unassisted marker that came while the Bulldogs were shorthanded.

Ferris State padded the stat column in the final period, with goals from Derek Graham, Justin Lewandowski, Mike Embach and Connolly.

Taylor Nelson stopped 30 shots for the Bulldogs, which matched the total of Nebraska-Omaha goaltender Jeremie Dupont.

While the second game in the series had less scoring, it certainly wasn’t lacking in drama.

Once again, the Mavericks were first to light the lamp, with Rich Purslow scoring on the man-advantage just before the end of the opening period.

Just past the midway point of the second, Nebraska-Omaha’s Matt Smith was ejected from the game for checking a player from behind. Ferris State quickly capitalized on the power-play opportunity, as Connolly scored the game-tying goal with help from defensemen Evan Case and Matt Case.

Overtime wasn’t enough to decide the contest, so the only way a winner could be declared was via shootout. This marked the fourth CCHA game that went to a shootout for the Bulldogs, with all the previous ones resulting in losses.

Connolly was first to convert on the shootout, but his goal was answered shortly thereafter by the Mavericks’ John Kemp.

Down to their last player, it was up to Redmond to give the Bulldogs their first shootout win. The assistant captain didn’t disappoint, beating goaltender Jerad Kaufmann with a glove-side shot.

Nelson collected 34 saves and improved to 5-3-4 this season, while Kaufmann stopped 30 shots.

Ferris State (11-11-6, 8-8-4-1 CCHA) competes against Michigan State this weekend in a home-and-home series. Friday’s game will be played at 7:05 p.m. in East Lansing and can be seen on Fox Sports Detroit. The following night, the Bulldogs travel back to Big Rapids to complete the series, with the opening faceoff scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Photo courtesy of FSU Athletics

Wildcats sweep Broncos in K-Zoo

By Karl Henkel/Western Michigan Beat Writer

After a rather successful road series against Ohio State last weekend, Western Michigan returned home and reverted back to its losing ways, dropping two games to Northern Michigan.

WMU’s four-game unbeaten streak ended with a 6-5 loss to NMU in the opener.

The Broncos took nine penalties in the game that contributed to a 6-2 deficit before a triumphant comeback attempt.

Captain Chris Frank cut the lead in half before Cam Watson netted two straight goals. After pulling netminder Riley Gill for an extra skater, Western Michigan came close, but could not tie the game before the end of regulation.

Brian Stewart had 30 stops for NMU and Gill had 26 for WMU.

In the second game, Kyle O’Kane and Sean Weaver gave Western Michigan leads of 1-0 and 2-1, respectively, but Northern Michigan tallied three straight scores and held off the Broncos to win 4-3.

NMU’s Phil Fox scored two power play goals in the last 1:47 of the second period to give the Wildcats a 3-2 lead. Justin Florek extended the lead before WMU’s Max Campbell rounded out the scoring.

Stewart made 26 saves and Jerry Kuhn had 23 for Western Michigan.

WMU (7-15-6, 4-11-5-1 CCHA) will play a road series against Nebraska-Omaha (13-10-6, 8-8-6-3 CCHA). Friday and Saturday’s start times are 8:05 p.m.

Northern Michigan (9-13-4, 6-10-4-3 CCHA) squares off with BowlingGreen (9-16-3, 6-13-1-0 CCHA) in a two-game home series.

Lakers sink Warriors in twin-bill

By Tom Balog/Wayne State Beat Writer

The long-awaited matchup between the tenth-ranked Wayne State Warriors and the No. 5 Mercyhurst Lakers in Erie, Pa., turned out to be not much of a matchup at all with the home team cruising to a pair of 4-2 wins and a share of first place in the CHA.

Wayne State’s nine-game unbeaten streak and perfect mark in the CHA came to an end on Friday afternoon at the Mercyhurst Ice Center.

Mercyhurst jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead on goals by Geena Prough and Meghan Agosta.

Senior center Lindsay DiPietro got the Warriors on the board with a power-play marker at 8:36, but Jess Jones added another to give the home team a 3-1 lead after one period of play.

Former Laker Natalie Payne (pictured) cut the lead back to one, scoring her sixth of the season at the 10-minute mark of the second.

Vicki Bendus put the Lakers back up by two goals for good with an extra-strength marker at 14:30 of the second to wrap up the scoring.

Lindsey Park was peppered in the WSU net, but was rewarded with third star honors after making 39 stops.

Hillary Pattenden was forced to make only 12 saves between the pipes for MC.

Saturday’s finale was all Mercyhurst with the Lakers blasting out to a 4-0 lead by the 11:21 mark of the second period.

Jess Jones led MC with a pair of markers and Cassea Schols and Jesse Scanzano also scored for the Lakers, who have now won 16 of their last 17 games.

For the second straight game, Payne and DiPietro lit the lamp for WSU.

Delayne Brian stopped 30 shots in net for Wayne State, while Pattenden turned aside 23 for Mercyhurst.

Wayne State will take a week off before facing the Niagara Purple Eagles at the City Sports Center in Detroit on Feb. 13-14. WSU swept NU on their home ice, 5-3 and 4-2, back in early December.

LSSU outclasses Spartans in the Sault

By Michael David/Lake Superior State Beat Writer

The Lake Superior State Lakers swept the Michigan State Spartans over the weekend, shutting them out Friday night, 2-0, and pulling out a 4-2 win on Saturday.

Friday night, Laker netminder Pat Inglis earned his first career shutout, blanking the Spartans on the back of 20 saves.

Tyson Hobbins put the Lakers up 1-0 in the first, with assists going to Fred Cassiani and Troy Schwab.

In the second period, Nathan Perkovich gave Lake State some insurance with a shorthanded marker when a shot from outside of the blue line careened off Jeff Lerg's glove and into the net. Matt Cowie earned the only assist on Perkovich's shortie.

Lerg made 30 saves in net for the Spartans.

On Saturday night, the Lakers had to battle back from a two goal deficit.

Kurt Kivisto netted a shorthanded goal of his own to put the Spartans up 1-0 in the first. Matt Schepke then added a power-play goal to put Michigan State in the driver's seat, 2-0. The Lakers came back with a power-play goal of their own only 20 seconds later when Steven Kaunisto found the back of the net with a shot from the point.

The Lakers took control of the game in the second period, with Brad Cooper and Will Acton both scoring goals on the rebound to give their team the 3-2 lead. Lerg seemed to have little help in front of him, as the aggressive Lakers jumped on the loose pucks.

Lake State put the game away in the third, when Perkovich scored on a five minute power-play to put the Lakers up 4-2. Perkovich also had two assists in the game, while Rick Schofield added three helpers of his own.

Inglis made 36 saves for the Lakers, while Lerg stopped 35 shots.

The Lakers head down to Ann Arbor next weekend for a CCHA match up with the Michigan Wolverines.

Wolverines split with No. 1 Irish

By Matt Mackinder/Michigan Beat Writer

Top-ranked Notre Dame had their 20-game unbeaten streak ended Friday night by Michigan in South Bend, but the Irish rebounded with a win Saturday night in Ann Arbor.

Goaltender Bryan Hogan made 28 saves and Travis Turnbull and Tim Miller scored for the No. 7 Wolverines in the 2-1 win Friday night.

The UM penalty killers also wiped out all five Notre Dame power play chances.

"The [penalty kill] did a pretty good job, mind you they had their chances in the first period," said Michigan head coach Red Berenson. "[Bryan Hogan] had to be sharp. Tonight, we did all the things we needed to do to survive."

"I was really proud of our penalty kill tonight," Miller said. "We've been emphasizing Notre Dame's power play all week. We wanted the challenge; we were ready for the challenge and I thought we did a great job."

Last night back at Yost Arena, Aaron Palushaj and Robbie Czarnik each posted a power-play goal in the third period, but it wasn't enough as the Irish picked up a 3-2 victory in front of a season-high crowd of 6,983, which is the third-highest total since the 1996-97 renovation of Yost.

Ryan Thang converted on a penalty shot for Notre Dame in the first period and it was the first time an opponent scored on a penalty shot since March 2, 1997.

Hogan finished with 19 saves and Michigan captain Chris Summers assisted on both goals.

"I thought we got better as game went on," said Berenson. "I thought we were better in the third than we were in the first. Michigan has to come out and play well. This has been our trademark and I can't tell you that we did that. Give Notre Dame credit. They're a tough team to play against, but we still needed to play better and that didn't happen. So then it became their kind of game - a good road game. Our crowd stayed in the game and they had something to cheer about in the third period and we nearly pulled it off."

Michigan (19-9-0, 13-7-0 CCHA) hosts Lake Superior State next weekend. Both Friday and Saturday's contests will start at 7:35 p.m. Saturday's game will be televised by Comcast channel 900 and the NHL Network.