MiCHO Power Poll 01.05.2011

The Michigan Wolverines won their third Great Lakes Invitational in four years last Thursday night and enter 2011 where they left 2010 as the No. 1-ranked team in the MiCHO Power Poll.

Northern Michigan and Ferris State flip-flop spots this week, while the rest of the poll looks exactly how we left it in mid-December.

1) Michigan (won Great Lakes Invitational)
2) Northern Michigan (lost, tied Denver)
3) Ferris State (lost to Bemidji State, tied Minnesota)
4) Western Michigan (swept Union on Dec. 18-19)
5) Lake Superior State (swept Nipissing)
6) Michigan State (lost to Colorado College, beat Michigan Tech)
7) Michigan Tech (lost to Michigan, lost to Michigan State)

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

Bulldogs place third in Mariucci Classic

By Tom Morelli/Ferris State Beat Writer

Ferris State lost 3-2 in the opening round of the Mariucci Classic against Bemidji State, only to skate to a 2-2 tie against host Minnesota the following night.

The Bulldogs found themselves playing catch-up on Friday night, as they went into the third period down by a 2-0 margin. Just 1:44 into the final frame, junior winger Aaron Schmit broke Ferris State's scoring drought with his second marker of the campaign. Earning helpers on the play were linemate Derek Graham and defenseman Scott Czarnowczan.

Over a minute later however, the Beavers' Drew Fisher would respond with the game-winning goal.

With two minutes remaining, junior forward Jordie Johnston narrowed the deficit to one by sneaking the puck past Bemidji State goaltender Dan Bakala.

Bakala racked-up 35 saves, while Taylor Nelson recorded 19.

In the consolation game, the Bulldogs took a 1-0 lead in the opening frame when sophomore Matthew Kirzinger scored on the power-play with 4:09 elapsed.

Toward the end of the period, Minnesota got on the scoreboard when Jake Hansen knocked-in a rebound on Ferris State netminder Pat Nagle.

Senior defenseman Brett Wysopal restored the Bulldogs' lead at 16:28 in the second by beating the Golden Gophers' Kent Patterson with a wrist shot from the left circle.

On Minnesota's first power-play advantage of the third period, Jay Barriball redirected Hansen's one-timer to even-up the score.

After a scoreless overtime, the game officials decided not to hold a shootout to determine a winner, much to the dismay of all those in attendance.

Nagle held a 32-27 edge in saves over Patterson.

Wysopal was the only Ferris State representative on the six-member Mariucci Classic All-Tournament Team (formerly the Dodge Holiday Classic).

The Bulldogs (9-8-3 overall) will resume their CCHA schedule this weekend with a pair of road games against Bowling Green State.

Wildcats tie, lose in Denver

By Susannah Nichols/ Northern Michigan Beat Writer

The Northern Michigan Wildcats closed out 2010 with a 5-2 loss to the Denver Pioneers. But they are technically unbeaten in 2011, after pulling out a 2-2 tie the next night. Justin Florek had three points in the weekend series, and freshman netminder Jared Coreau stopped 44 pucks to secure Saturday's tie.

The first period of Friday's game was offensively quiet--both teams managed just four shots. The 'Cats then jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second period, with both goals coming on the power play. Florek struck first, with his seventh goal of the season. Scott Macaulay and Andrew Cherniwchan earned assists on the play. Macaulay and Florek joined forces again to set up Kyle Follmer for the 'Cats' second goal.

But the 'Cats couldn't claim power play dominance, since four of Denver's five unanswered goals came on Northern penalties.

The Pioneers outshot the 'Cats 28-17. Reid Ellingson had 23 saves for the loss.

Northern managed only 13 shots in Saturday's contest, and were outshot 12-7 in the opening stanza. But the 'Cats had the only shots that mattered: Follmer and Kory Kaunisto set up Tyler Gron for his 12th tally of the season.

Three minutes later, Erik Higby put the 'Cats up 2-0 with an assist from Florek.

Denver outshot Northern 33-5 over the next two periods, and special teams continued to work against the 'Cats: one of Denver's goals came shorthanded, the other on their own power play.

Neither team could light the lamp in overtime, resulting in the 2-2 stalemate.

The 'Cats, now 9-9-4 (7-5-2 CCHA), return to conference play next weekend, when they host Notre Dame.