Huskies swept by top-ranked Sioux

By Andy Bourdeau/Michigan Tech Beat Writer

Michigan Tech played at home for the last weekend of the year and did not have the outcome they had hoped as top-ranked North Dakota came to town and showed why they are No. 1 in the country, sweeping the Huskies, 6-1 and 11-2 on the weekend.

Goals from the Huskies came from Daniel Holmberg on Friday and Patrick McCadden and Carl Neilsen on Saturday.

All three goalies for MTU had a chance to play over the weekend. Kevin Genoe played all of Friday and the second period on Saturday, while Josh Robinson started Saturday in net. Carson Cramer ended the game on Saturday, playing the entire third period.

“North Dakota is an impressive team,” said MTU head coach Jamie Russell. “They are very deep and there is a reason they are No. 1.”

MTU travels to North Dakota for the first round of the WCHA playoffs this upcoming weekend.

Lakers top OSU, head to South Bend

By Bob Miller/Lake Superior State Beat Writer

Goaltender Kevin Kapalka set the tone for Lake Superior State's first round CCHA playoff series with a 48-save shutout performance in a 4-0 LSSU win Friday night against Ohio State.

The Lakers then jumped to an early 3-0 lead in Saturday night's return matchup and held off a late Buckeye charge to win the series and book passage into the quarterfinal round of the conference playoffs.

Solo goals by Dan Radke, Kellin Lane, Rick Schofield and Nick McParland fueled the Laker offense, but it was Kapalka's stellar performance in goal that stood out in the opening contest.

“(Ohio State) had some good chances and Kevin played really well,” Lake Superior coach Jim Roque told USCHO. “He saw a lot of pucks and our guys did an outstanding job around him.”

The Lakers' series victory earned them the right to travel to South Bend this coming weekend to take on second-seeded Notre Dame for the right to make the trip to Joe Louis Arena in Detroit for the CCHA championship semifinals and finals.

NMU's season ends in 2OT heartbreaker

By Susannah Nichols/ Northern Michigan Beat Writer

For the second straight year, the Northern Michigan Wildcats ended their season with a double-overtime loss. This year, it came sooner than they'd hoped: with a 2-1 win, Bowling Green defeated the 'Cats in last weekend's three-game series to eliminate them in the first round of the CCHA playoffs.

All systems were a go for the 'Cats on Friday night, when a pair of goals from Stephan Vigier and a goal and an assist by Justin Florek paved the way for a 6-3 NMU victory. The 'Cats had a staggering 42 shots to the Falcons 28, and Reid Ellingson finished with 25 saves for the 'Cats.

The 'Cats outshot the Falcons again on Saturday, 29-20, but the Falcons got the only ones that mattered. Ellingson had 18 saves in the 2-0 shutout, and the Falcons forced a game three on Sunday.

Sunday's game was scoreless late into the second period until Chad Sumison put the Falcons on the board. Scott Macaulay set up Andrew Cherniwchan to tie up the game at 6:40 of the third period.

The teams played fairly evenly in the first overtime, with the Falcons having a 10-9 edge in shots. However, Bryce Williamson only needed 34 seconds in the second overtime to get a shot past Ellingson and send the Wildcats home for the season. Ellingson had 32 saves in the overtime loss.

The loss marks the Wildcats' earliest post-season exit since Walt Kyle has been the coach. The team finishes with a 15-19-5 overall record, 12-13-3 in conference play.

MSU's season, Comley's career, ends

By Matt Mackinder/Michigan State Beat Writer

All in one fell swoop, Michigan State's season and head coach Rick Comley's coaching career ended Saturday night with a 4-3 double overtime loss to Alaska as the Nanooks swept the Spartans in the first round of the CCHA playoffs in Fairbanks, Ak.

Alaska also tipped MSU in OT on Friday night, 3-2.

"This was a hard-fought game and a hard-fought series," said Comley to MSUSpartans.com after last night's game. "I thought we played really well and the puck just didn't go our way at the end. This was not a question of effort. Our kids have grown and this team has a bright future. I think they showed a lot of courage and gave it everything they had."

Controversy followed Friday night's game as Comley was allegedly involved in an altercation at the end of the game, according to the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.

In game one of the series, Nick Yaremchuk was the OT hero for the Nanooks and also netted the OT winner Saturday night.

Drew Palmisano made 34 saves for Michigan State and Jake Chelios and Tim Buttery tallied in the Friday loss.

Then last night, MSU played its first double overtime contest in almost 13 years, going back to March 1998 when the Spartans defeated Ohio State in the CCHA championship game.

Dean Chelios, Dustin Gazley and Brett Perlini scored for Michigan State, Jake Chelios added two assists and Will Yanakeff finished with 30 saves.

The Spartans (15-19-4, 11-15-2-0 CCHA) now go into the offseason with their No. 1 priority to hire a new head coach. When that happens, expect full coverage here on MiCHO.

Warriors fall again to RMU, season over

By Tom Balog / Wayne State Beat Writer

For the second year in a row, the Wayne State Warriors were knocked out of the CHA playoffs by the Robert Morris Colonials in the quarterfinals.

Despite a two-point game from freshman blueliner Cari Coen, the Warriors were doubled up the Colonials 4-2 at the Tennity Pavilion in Syracuse, N.Y., on Thursday afternoon.

Coen factored into both WSU goals, assisting on senior winger Adrianna Pfeffer’s (pictured) power-play marker in the first period and scoring a power-play marker of her own 29 seconds into the third.

The score was knotted at 2-2 following Coen’s second goal of the season, but Brandi Pollock scored at 12:32 for the game-winner and Sara O'Malley picked up an empty-net goal to seal the win.

Goaltender Delayne Brian finished with 31 saves, marking her 21st performance with 30 or more saves this season. Brian also increased her Wayne State single-season record for saves to 978.

Cobina Delaney and Maria Stoa also scored for RMU and Meeri Räisänen made 20 saves in net.

WSU finished the injury-plagued season with an overall mark of 8-21-2, their lowest win total since a ten-win campaign in the 2002-2003 season.

Robert Morris advances to take on top-seeded and 4th-ranked Mercyhurst in the CHA semifinals on Friday afternoon.

Photo courtesy Mark Hicks/ Westside Photography & Wayne State Athletics

A pair of Warriors take home awards

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

Two Wayne State University defensemen received All-College Hockey America honors Thursday night at the 2011 CHA Tournament Banquet, held at the Genesee Grand Hotel in Syracuse.

Junior Jill Szandzik (pictured) was selected to the All-CHA Second Team for the second year in a row, and Cari Coen was voted to the CHA All-Rookie Team.

Szandzik entered Thursday’s quarterfinal game against Robert Morris ranked 17th in the nation in points per game by a defenseman (0.67). She ranks fourth in points by a blueliner overall (20) and sixth in terms of conference points only (8). Szandzik is a key contributor on specialty teams, particularly evident by her 12 power-play points during the regular season.

Like Szandzik, Coen has also played in every game this season. She came into Thursday tied for eighth among CHA rookies in points. Coen also had a goal and an assist in Thursday afternoon’s CHA quarterfinal game against Robert Morris.

Photo Courtesy of Mark Hicks/ Westside Photography & Wayne State Athletics

A pair of Warriors bring home awards

Compiled by MiCHO Staff
Two Wayne State University defensemen received All-College Hockey America honors Thursday night at the 2011 CHA Tournament Banquet, held at the Genesee Grand Hotel in Syracuse.

Junior Jill Szandzik (pictured) was selected to the All-CHA Second Team for the second year in a row, and Cari Coen was voted to the CHA All-Rookie Team.

Szandzik entered Thursday’s quarterfinal game against Robert Morris ranked 17th in the nation in points per game by a defenseman (0.67). She ranks fourth in points by a blueliner overall (20) and sixth in terms of conference points only (8). Szandzik is a key contributor on specialty teams, particularly evident by her 12 power-play points during the regular season.

Like Szandzik, Coen has also played in every game this season. She came into Thursday tied for eighth among CHA rookies in points. Coen also had a goal and an assist in Thursday afternoon’s CHA quarterfinal game against Robert Morris.

Photo Courtesy of Mark Hicks/ Westside Photography & Wayne State Athletics

Ferris State gets nod from USHL D-man

Courtesy USHL

The Tri-City Storm have announced that defenseman Jason Binkley has committed to play collegiate hockey at Ferris State University.

"Ferris is a perfect size school – not too big or too small – and has reputable coaches and a solid hockey program," said Binkley. "They play in a great hockey conference in college hockey and will really help me become a better overall defenseman."

Binkley is second among Storm defensemen in scoring with 12 points (2g, 10a) in 42 games this season. It is the first USHL season for the 18-year-old native of Powell, Ohio, who has collected four assists over his last five games. He was selected by the Storm in the 2009 USHL Entry Draft.

"Coming to the USHL has better prepared me mentally and physically on and off the ice for the collegiate level," said Binkley who plans to major in business at Ferris State. "Playing for the Storm has made me a better skating defenseman and expanded certain skills that have enabled me to earn a scholarship."

Binkley will be joined at Ferris State by fellow Storm defenseman Simon Denis, who has also committed to the school. Three other current USHL players are also committed to Ferris State: Dominic Panetta (Indiana Ice), Ken Babinski (Omaha Lancers) and C.J. Motte (Waterloo Black Hawks).

The Bulldogs are a member the CCHA and have 10 USHL alumni on the roster this season: Eric Alexander (Lincoln Stars/Chicago Steel), Chad Billins (Waterloo Black Hawks), Kyle Bonis (Indiana Ice), Scott Czarnowczan (Green Bay Gamblers), Justin DeMartino (Waterloo Black Hawks), Mike Embach (Indiana Ice/Chicago Steel), Zach Redmond (Sioux Falls Stampede), Aaron Schmit (Chicago Steel), Scott Wietecha (Cedar Rapids RoughRiders) and Brett Wysopal (Tri-City Storm).

In addition, Bulldogs assistant coach Mark Kaufman is a former head coach in the USHL (Sioux Falls Stampede 2003-05, Rochester Mustangs 1988-92).

"We are happy for Jason, who has played well for us this season," said Storm head coach-GM Drew Schoneck. "We look forward to the rest of the year with him and wish him all the best with the Bulldogs next season."

Photo courtesy Tri-City Storm

Krug honored as Spartans' MVP

Michigan State Press Release

The Michigan State hockey program announced its team awards during the annual team banquet, held Tuesday evening at the Eagle Eye Golf Club.

Sophomore captain Torey Krug was the recipient of two awards, voted Most Valuable Player and the recipient of the Dr. John Downs Outstanding Defensive Player Award. Former skater Anson Carter, who played 11 seasons in the National Hockey League, was honored as the program’s Distinguished Spartan.

Krug was the CCHA ‘s top-scoring defenseman during the 2010-11 regular season. The Spartans’ captain finished 21st in league scoring with 19 points in CCHA games. The Livonia native’s 10 goals in conference play were also the most of any CCHA defenseman, and good for 17th place among the league leaders. Named the Spartans’ 44th captain in team history by a vote from his teammates, Krug – a preseason CCHA All-Conference selection - averages more than 27 minutes of ice time per game. His 11 goals this season place him in a tie with former All-Americans AJ Thelen and Brad Fast for ninth place for single-season goals by a defenseman in the MSU record book. Krug, who owns 26 points this season overall, recorded the first hat trick of his career – and only the second by a defenseman in Spartan history - on January 7 in MSU’s 4-3 overtime win over Michigan at Munn Ice Arena. Krug has contributed offensively for sure – he ranks fourth among active players in career scoring – but has also been doing his part inside the Spartans’ blue line, blocking a team-high 60 shots this season.

Brett Perlini is this year’s recipient of the Outstanding Offensive Player honors. Perlini finished 14th in the CCHA and second on the Spartans in overall scoring with 29 points. Drafted in the seventh round of the 2010 NHL draft by the Anaheim Ducks, Perlini lead MSU in goals with 17, good for eighth place in the league. Perlini’s 29 points is more than he had scored in his first two collegiate seasons combined.

Senior Dustin Gazley was named the Bill Burgess Outstanding Senior Award winner. The winger will graduate in May with a marketing degreeand was an alternate captain for the Spartans this season. He is the team leader in career points with 72. The 2010-11 season was Gazley’s most productive in his four years at East Lansing, as he recorded 10 goals and 15 assists for 25 points. Gazley currently ranks third on the team in goals and fourth in points.

Trevor Nill, also an alternate captain, received the Amo Bessone Award, which is given to the player who best combines success in academics, athletics, and community involvement. Nill, who receives this award for the second straight season, is one of eight finalists for the Hockey Humanitarian Award, and is also a leading candidate for the CCHA’s Ilitch Humanitarian Award. Nill is president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee at MSU, serves as the vice president of Michigan State’s chapter of Athletes in Action. He is active in the Spartan Buddies program, where he spends time visiting the pediatric ward at Sparrow Hospital. Nill spearheads the hockey team’s involvement in Michigan State athletics “Teams for Toys,” where each varsity team at MSU adopts a a local family during the holiday season. A Mechanical Engineering major, Nill carries a 3.4 grade-point average.

Joey Shean was awarded the Blue Line Club President’s Award, given to the top scholar-athlete in the senior class. The senior is majoring in accounting and boasts a 3.576 cumulative GPA.

Will Yanakeff was named the Most Outstanding Rookie. The freshman goaltender earned playing time in 13 games this season, and impressed his team and fans alike by posting 37 saves in the Spartans’ 4-3 win over Michigan in his first start at Munn Ice Arena. The youngest player on the MSU roster was named CCHA Goaltender of the Week after a 27-save shutout against Lake Superior State on Jan. 14 and a 34-save tie the next night. On the season, Yanakeff owns a 6-4-1 record, with two shutouts, a 2.02 goals-against average, and a .931 save percentage. In CCHA games, Yanakeff ranks third in GAA (2.02) and first in save percentage (.933) in the league.

Mike Merrifield was rewarded with the Spartan Fitness Award for his hard work over the offseason. The recipient of the award is based on the results of pre-season testing. Merrifield has posted four goals and three assists on the season.

Kevin Walrod, a sophomore forward, received the Most Improved Award in the team vote. Walrod improved his scoring output from three assists in 24 games as a freshman to a 3-4-7 scoring line as a sophomore, with the bulk of his scoring coming in MSU’s second-half surge. His first career goal as a Spartan came on Dec. 30, in the Great Lakes Invitational against Michigan Tech.

Freshman defenseman Chris Sandmeyer was this year’s recipient of the Goofus Award, given to the team’s humorist.

Carter was honored at the banquet with this year’s Distinguished Spartan Award. The 1996 Spartan captain was a Hobey Baker finalist and All-American, and he went on to play 11 years in the NHL. A tenth-round pick of the Quebec Nordiques, Carter played with eight different teams in his NHL career: Washington, Boston, Edmonton, New York Rangers, LA Kings, Vancouver, Columbus, and Carolina. He currently runs his own entertainment company based in Atlanta, and also sponsors an eco-friendly clothing line called Shirt Off My Back (SOMBstyle.com) which donates a school uniform to a child in Africa for every item of clothing sold.

FINAL MiCHO Power Poll 03.02.2011

The final MiCHO Power Poll of the 2010-2011 season has the Michigan Wolverines on top yet again.

Michigan swept Northern Michigan in Marquette last weekend and end the season on a winning note.

Western Michigan sits at No. 2 this week following their split with Notre Dame in a home-and-home series, while Ferris State remains third after a tie (shootout win) and a win over Ohio State.

NMU stays No. 4, Lake Superior State is fifth this week and Michigan State sits at No. 6.

No. 7 Michigan Tech cannot wait to put this season in the rear-view mirror and plays host to North Dakota this weekend.

1) Michigan (swept Northern Michigan)

2) Western Michigan (split with Notre Dame)

3) Ferris State (shootout win, win over Ohio State)

4) Northern Michigan (swept by Michigan)

5) Lake Superior State (swept by Miami)

6) Michigan State (swept Bowling Green)

7) Michigan Tech (swept by Minnesota)

The MiCHO Power Poll will return in October.

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.

Lakers shut down by tough Miami squad

By Bob Miller/Lake Superior State Beat Writer

The season has come down to Lake Superior State against the state of Ohio.

After a disappointing regular season two-game home sweep at the hands of Miami, Lake Superior hosts another Buckeye state foe, Ohio State, in the opening round of this season's CCHA post-season playdowns.

Miami poured 45 shots on goal at Laker netminders Kevin Kapalka and Niels-Erik Ravn in Friday night's opener, coasting to an 8-1 decision that Lake Superior coach Jim Roque's charges would just as soon forget.

Although the Lakers ended up on the losing end of Saturday night's 4-1 decision, Roque was pleased with the bounce-back nature of the Laker's performance.

“The difference tonight (Saturday) was that we stuck together and we battled,” Roque told USCHO. “We had a couple of bobbled pucks at the blue line and (Miami) capitalized. We didn't get bounces at all but we worked really hard tonight. I was really happy with our effort tonight. If we play like that going forward, I'm happy with that."

Ohio State invades the Lakers' home, Taffy Abel Arena, this weekend for a best-of-three set opening play for both squads in first round CCHA playoff action.