MTU's winless streak still climbing

By Andy Bourdeau/Michigan Tech Beat Writer

Michigan Tech traveled to Anchorage with the hopes of stopping the bleeding, but it was denied by the Seawolves, as they were able to sweep the Huskies 4-1 and 4-2 on the weekend to extend MTU's winless streak to a staggering 24 games.

MTU continued to play better, but it was not enough. The Huskies lone goal on Friday came from the team leader in goals, Milos Gordic. On Saturday, the two goals came from Alex MacLeod and Dennis Rix. Both goals gave the Huskies a one-goal lead, but neither were able to hold.

Kevin Genoe played all weekend in net.

The Huskies return home for Winter Carnival hoping to end the slide. They will host Bemidji State next weekend.

Michigan State splits with Ohio State

By Matt Mackinder/Michigan State Beat Writer

Michigan State took the trip south to Ohio State this past weekend and while the Spartans wound up with a split, it continued to be the Will Yanakeff Show.

And Tim Buttery joined in the fun, too.

Friday night, Buttery scored his first goal of the season and it turned out to be the game-winner in MSU's 2-0 win over the Buckeyes.

Yanakeff pitched his second shutout of the season with a 32-save outing.

Derek Grant added an empty-netter with just over a minute to play.

Saturday night, Dean Chelios and Dustin Gazley had the MSU goals and Yanakeff made 35 saves in a 4-2 loss to OSU.

MSU (12-14-4, 8-12-2 CCHA) hosts Northern Michigan this weekend for two CCHA contests.

Bulldogs grab two wins against Alaska

By Tom Morelli/Ferris State Beat Writer

Over the weekend, Ferris State accomplished something that no other Bulldogs' squad has been able to do for the past eight years - sweep Alaska.

The series, which was pushed back a day due to severe winter storms across the midwest, saw Ferris State leapfrog the Nanooks for fifth place in the CCHA with 2-1 and 3-2 wins.

Sophomore forward Travis Ouellette opened up the scoring for the Bulldogs on Saturday by netting his third of the campaign with 1:20 left in the first period. Following a shot by Eric Alexander that went wide of the net, senior Mike Fillinger scooped up the loose puck before sending a cross-ice pass to Ouellette.

Matthew Kirzinger scored the eventual game-winning goal at the 13:37 mark of the second period with a back-handed shot from the left faceoff circle. Earning a helper on that play was senior Mike Embach.

Looking to generate some offense, Alaska pulled goaltender Scott Greenham in the final minute of the game. With 33 seconds to go, the Nanooks succeeded, as Jarrett Granberg broke-up Pat Nagle's shutout bid on a five-hole shot.

Nagle (pictured) finished with 31 saves, while Greenham tallied 23.

In the series finale, Ferris State fell behind 1-0 after 20 minutes of play but quickly erased that deficit with a pair of goals in the middle stanza.

The Bulldogs broke their scoring drought at the 7:14 mark, when Alexander took a pass from senior defenseman Zach Redmond and beat Greenham on a breakway. Nearly a minute later, Scott Wietecha gave Ferris State their first lead of the game with a powerful shot from the right faceoff circle.

Alaska would answer back at the 13:03 mark, as Dustin Sather snuck the puck past Nagle by redirecting Granberg's initial shot.

A turnover in the neutral zone by the Nanooks in the third period would help set-up the game-winning goal for the Bulldogs. After an Alaska defenseman attempted to clear the puck, Alexander intercepted it at the right faceoff circle and began charging toward the net. From there, proceeded to hit-up a wide-open Fillinger for the finish at 7:55.

Nagle stopped 29 of 31 shots to improve his record to 14-10-2.

At the other end of the ice, Greenham compiled 20 saves.

Ferris State (14-12-4 overall, 11-10-3-2 CCHA) returns to Big Rapids this weekend for a non-conference series against Alabama-Huntsville, whom they split with earlier this season.

Photo courtesy of Paul McCarthy/Ferris State Athletics

Wolverines swept away by RedHawks

By Bob Miller/Michigan Beat Writer

Michigan tumbled in the CCHA standings and on the ice this past weekend, suffering a pair of costly losses to Miami.

The two losses put the Wolverines on the three-game losing skid after last weekend's defeat by Michigan State.

Even though both games were closely contested, the Wolverines on-again, off-again struggle to generate potent offense cost them dearly.

Leading by a goal entering the final ten minutes of the opening game Friday night, Michigan allowed three unanswered Miami tallies to suffer the weekend's first loss. A.J. Treais bagged both Michigan goals in the 4-2 loss.

Despite matching the RedHawks in shots on goal, the Wolverines couldn't solve Miami netminder Cody Reichard in the Saturday rematch, losing 3-0.

The two losses to a rival in the race for the CCHA's top spot cost the Wolverines in standing positions.

Michigan tumbled to third place in the conference run-down, now trailing league-leading Miami by two points and second place Notre Dame by one point. Having played an equal number of games as the Fighting Irish, Michigan maintains two games in hand on the RedHawks.

"Be positive, but we need to be more humble,” was Michigan head coach Red Berenson's response to the solution to the Wolverine's recent malaise. “We have to make sure that everyone is doing the right thing in practice -- defense first. I do think we focused a bit more on defense this weekend than, for example, Alaska. But then we found a way to score in those games (vs. Alaska). Make sure on all the small things and all the details to play simple hockey. That's what we do when we play our best. Everyone has to chip in."

Michigan's next two weekend series are back home at Yost Ice Arena in Ann Arbor against Ohio State and Western Michigan.

Western Michigan keeps streak alive

By Karl Henkel/Western Michigan Beat Writer

Western Michigan’s turnaround story keeps getting better and better.

Last season, the Broncos finished second-to-last in the CCHA. This year, they’ve rattled off the nation’s longest unbeaten streak and the longest in school history (13) thanks to a tie and a victory against Bowling Green.

“It’s nothing we talk about,” said first-year coach Jeff Blashill. “It doesn’t benefit us to talk about it at all. You want to win every single game that you play. Every game we have from here on out is going to be critical. We’re trying to get better.”

The two teams tied the opener, 1-1, before WMU used a big third period and won the finale, 3-1.

In the opener, the Broncos fired 32 shots on net, but could only come up with one goal to show, a third-period goal by Chase Balisy. WMU failed to convert on four power-play opportunities.

Jerry Kuhn made 14 stops for Western Michigan; Andrew Hammond made 31 for BGSU (8-19-3, 3-16-3-1 CCHA).

In the second game, after WMU’s J.J. Crew and Bowling Green’s Jordan Samuels-Thomas traded second-period goals, Derek Roehl and Trevor Elias both scored their second goals of the year in the third period to boost WMU to the 3-1 victory.

Kuhn made 19 stops; Hammond made 30.

“Any time we can win games, it’s good,” Blashill said. “But you don’t judge seasons midway through the year, you judge them when they’re over. We want to continue to go out and win hockey games.”

Western Michigan (15-6-9, 9-5-8-4) next faces CCHA-leading Miami (16-9-5, 13-7-4-2) in Oxford, Ohio, Friday and Saturday. Friday’s contest starts at 7:05 p.m. and Saturday’s kicks off at 7:35 p.m.

Lakers take two from Wildcats

By Susannah Nichols/ Northern Michigan Beat Writer

Lake Superior State has earned UP college hockey bragging rights for the time being, after decisively sweeping away the Northern Michigan Wildcats this weekend. The power play was central to the Lakers' 4-1 win on Friday and their 2-0 shutout on Saturday--five of the team's six goals were scored with the extra man.

Domenic Monardo wasted no time in Friday's game; he capitalized on the Lakers' first power play at 3:04 of the first. Rick Schofield and Zac Trotman assisted. Mike Maltese tied up the game for Northern in the last minute of the period with some help from Tyler Gron and Nicholas Kosinski.

Penalties weakened Northern in the last two periods, as eight different 'Cats were sent to the box (and two were slapped with game misconducts). Schofield put the Lakers up by a goal in the second, and Chad Nehring and Will Acton each scored in the final period. Trotman added two more assists, and Matt Cowie had three assists.

Laker goalie Kevin Kapalka had 18 saves for the win; Northern netminder Reid Ellingson had 28 saves in the loss.

On Saturday, Northern gave Lake State a run for their money in the first: they outshot the Lakers 12-8 and killed off both their penalties. But the Lakers responded by scoring their only even-strength goal of the series: Trotman (for his fourth point of the weekend) set up Acton at 6:11 of the first.

Schofield made it 2-0 on a power-play goal early in the second. Kapalka and the Laker defense then proceeded to shut down the 'Cats for the rest of the game.

In an uncharacteristic performance, the 'Cats outshot the Lakers 31-26, but could not light the lamp.

Kapalka earned first-star status for his shutout, while Ellingson finished with 24 saves for the 'Cats.

Next weekend, the 'Cats (11-15-4, 9-11-2-0 CCHA) will look to put the brakes on this winless streak--their longest of the season--in East Lansing. The Lakers (9-12-7, 7-9-6-4 CCHA) will try to ride the momentum of their first road sweep of the season when they return to the Soo to face Alaska.

WSU's Lee up for humanitarian award

WSU Press Release

Wayne State University junior defenseman Ciara Lee is one of 25 nominees for the 2011 BNY Mellon Wealth Management Hockey Humanitarian Award, as the list was announced last week.

The BNY Mellon Wealth Management Hockey Humanitarian Award is awarded annually to college hockey’s finest citizen and seeks to recognize college hockey players who give back to their community.

Lee, a co-captain for the Warriors in 2010-11, is heavily involved in community services initiatives, particularly College Hockey America's Skate for the Cure program which raises funds and awareness for breast cancer research and prevention. She has helped organize other service endeavors, such as visits to children's hospitals and working in local soup kitchens. Lee also serves on the WSU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Photo by Mark Hicks/WSU Athletics

Bulldogs get another from NAHL

Courtesy Traverse City North Stars

Growing up in the greater Lansing municipality of Holt, Zack Dorer made the 140-mile round trip to Plymouth three or four times a week to play pee wee youth travel hockey.

While his parents packed the miles on their vehicles, a young Dorer resolved to make the sport of hockey his sole athletic focus.

Following an ultra-successful stint with the midget major Lansing Capitals in 2009-10, and a fantastic rookie season with the Traverse City North Stars this year, Dorer has taken the next step in his hockey career – committing to play his college hockey at Ferris State University.

“It’s very exciting, obviously,” said Dorer, who is slated to officially achieve his NCAA hockey aspiration when he graduates high school in May 2012. “I played baseball, golf and football growing up, but hockey has been my favorite sport since I was young. I made it my goal to play Div. I college hockey, and it’s pretty satisfying to have committed to one of my top schools of choice.”

Dorer, who racked up 15 goals and assists on 25 others in 55 games with Lansing last season, has appeared in 30 games with Traverse City this year. The 6-foot-1, 175-pounder has three goals and four assists, including a pair of shorthanded helpers – and boasts a +7 plus-minus rating with TC.

“Zack is a great kid with a tremendous amount of upside,” said North Stars head coach-GM Anthony Palumbo. “Given the presence of he and a couple of our other young defenseman, we were able to round out our defensive unit with a nice mix of youth and (junior) experience and Zack has been a big part of that. He’s responsible in our own end, and has the tools to provide some offensive punch from back there, too. We see the same things that Ferris sees – a very productive player with an immense amount of upside as well.”

Dorer cites a laundry list of coaches who have helped him achieve prominence in midgets, juniors and beyond, including Capitals coach Dean Dixon, youth coach Derek Szajner (now with Compuware midget major club), Capitals founder John Bowkus, skating coach John Martin, and the North Stars’ staff.

“Coach Dixon has been there throughout the entire process giving me advice and helping me through, and coach Palumbo has been there as well,” Dorer explained. “I’ve been fortunate to have a lot of coaches supporting me along the way.”

Additionally, Dorer says his families – both biological and billet – also deserve credit for his successes.

“My parents drove countless miles, driving me back and forth, and are always behind me 100 percent in whatever I decide to pursue,” he explained. “And now being up here away from home, I have been lucky to end up with a housing family (Eddie and Molly Albert) that has put me in a great environment, in terms of living conditions and support. There are a lot of people who have played a part in getting me to this stage of my career.”

Dorer still has some time to go in juniors before moving on to the collegiate ranks, but says he’d be happy to spend that time with the North Stars.

“I’d love to be able to come back here (next season) and graduate from high school here,” he said. “We’ll see after the USHL Draft and what happens over the summer, but this has been a great place for me to live and play, and I’m thankful for all of it. But there is still a lot of season to go, and we still have a lot of wins ahead of us, and a lot of goals to attain this year.”

Dorer is the fifth current North Stars player to commit to a D-I program, along with Kelin Ainsworth (Lake Superior State), Tyler Marble (LSSU), Chris Dienes (Western Michigan) and Alec Shields (Mercyhurst). Alumni Doug Clifford (Niagara), Nilan Nagy (Holy Cross), and C.J. Motte (Ferris) have also committed this year.

MiCHO Power Poll 02.02.2011

Michigan, even in defeat, maintains their grip on the No. 1 spot in this week's MiCHO Power Poll.

Michigan State edged the Wolverines last Saturday night at Joe Louis Arena and move up to the No. 4 spot this week.

Western Michigan, with a nation's-best 11-game unbeaten streak, sits in the No. 2 spot and Ferris State, having beat MSU last Thursday, is No. 3 this week after a No. 6 ranking last week.

Northern Michigan slides to No. 5, while Lake Superior State (No. 6) and severely downtrodden Michigan Tech (No. 7) round out the poll.

1) Michigan (lost to Michigan State)
2) Western Michigan (swept Northern Michigan)
3) Ferris State (beat Michigan State)
4) Michigan State (lost to Ferris State, beat Michigan)
5) Northern Michigan (swept by Western Michigan)
6) Lake Superior State (split with Bowling Green)
7) Michigan Tech (swept by Wisconsin)

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.

WMU's Balisy earns CCHA honors

CCHA Press Release

The CCHA announced today that forward Chase Balisy of Western Michigan has been named the CCHA Rookie of the Month for January. This is the first time Balisy has earned this honor this season.

The 6-foot, 175 pound forward has been instrumental in helping Western Michigan to an 11-game unbeaten streak (7-0-4), which is currently the nation’s longest. Balisy led the Broncos to a 4-0-4 record in January, netting five goals and adding seven assists for 12 points on the month, including one game-winning tally. He scored multiple-points in four of his eight games and finished the month with a +7 rating. His 1.50 points-per-game average led all CCHA rookies in January and his 12 points were just one point shy of the rookie lead for the month.

Balisy, who played for USA Hockey’s NTDP last season, opened the month in Alaska, where he had one assist in the second game of the series. The following weekend saw the Broncos host Ohio State, where Balisy tallied a 2-1-3 chart on Friday including the game-winning goal and notched another goal the following night. His performance against the Buckeyes earned him his first CCHA Rookie of the Week honor.

The Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., native was held scoreless in the following contest against Lake Superior State, but then ended the month on a three-game, multi-point streak, starting the following night against the Lakers where he potted a goal and an assist. He completed the month by registering a 2-3-5 scoring line in a sweep of Northern Michigan, including a goal and two assists in a 6-2, Saturday night victory

Special mention for CCHA Rookie of the Month honors goes to Alaska forward Cody Kunyk, Lake Superior State goaltender Kevin Kapalka, Michigan State goaltender Will Yanakeff and Notre Dame forward Anders Lee.

Photo courtesy GS Photo