Michigan, Western Michigan do splits

By Bob Miller/Michigan & Western Michigan Beat Writer

An entertaining weekend series between third-ranked Michigan and fourth-ranked Western Michigan provided 120 minutes of great hockey entertainment for those who attended, but defied logic as much as it entertained.

On Friday night, Michigan arguably played the better game, but lost 3-2 on a goal credited to Western Michigan's Dane Walters, but actually went in off the stick of Michigan defenseman Mac Bennett in a goalmouth scramble with only 57 seconds left in the third period.

On Saturday night, Western Michigan suffered the same fate the befell the Wolverines in the opening game. The Broncos held the edge in play, but allowed three third period goals, including an empty netter, to lose 5-2.

The hockey was fast-paced in Friday's opener. Ian Slater and Brett Beebe supplied the two initial goals for Western Michigan that put the Broncos in position for their late-game success and the victory.

Both teams exercised more caution in Saturday's finale. Western Michigan built a 2-1 lead on second period goals by Chase Balisy and Derek Roehl.

Despite being outplayed in the second period, Michigan took advantage of a late period power play goal by Alex Guptill to pull even after 40 minutes.

Bennett put the Wolverines ahead early in the third period with another power play goal. A.J. Treais added another late in the period for Michigan and Kevin Lynch clinched the game with an empty netter.

“It’s disappointing for us,” Western Michigan head coach Andy Murray opined after Saturday's loss. “Last night, we didn’t play as well as we thought we should have. Tonight, our game was actually better, but the bottom line was that it wasn’t good enough. I think the days of Western Michigan coming up here and being happy with a split are gone. There’s an upset group in there (the Western Michigan locker room). We came here on a mission and we didn’t get it done.”

"I think we were just hungrier tonight," said Treais of the Wolverine effort Saturday night. "I think that loss last night really fueled our fire. We let it slip away in the third yesterday, so it was good to come out in the third and win this one."

Past, present, and future collide in Sault

By Michael David/LSSU Beat Writer

This this weekend's college hockey action is any indication of what Laker fans have to look forward to when LSSU joins the WCHA in 2013-14, the future certainly looks bright. The Lake Superior State Lakers split the weekend series with the visiting Bemidji State Beavers, dropping the opener 3-2 in OT on Friday, while grinding out a tough 2-1 win on Saturday.

In Friday's game, the Lakers found themselves in an early 2-0 hole, with the Beavers scoring on a break-away and a goal-mouth scramble, respectively. Lake State would battle back, though, with the freshman class leading the way. At 7:09 of the second period, freshman defender Kevin Czuczman scored his first collegiate goal to cut BSU's lead in half. His goal was asssited by sophomore forward Colin Campbell.

The Lakers would finally score the equalizer at 6:53 of the third period, when freshman forward Buddy Robinson would score an unassited goal to make it a 2-2 game. Robinson's goal was also the first of his collegiate career.

In overtime, the Lakers would kill off a Beaver power-play, but couldn't recover, as Bemidji would score the winning goal with only 41 seconds left to play.

Kevin Kapalka would take the loss, making 23 saves for the home team. LSSU went 0-3 on the power-play, while holding the Beavers 0-2.

Saturday night at the Taffey Abel, the Lakers would take an early 1-0 lead on the Beavers, scoring a power-play goal at 2:03 of the first period. The goal came off the stick of junior defenseman Zach Trotman, with assists going to Fred Cassiani and Domenic Monardo.

The Lakers out-shot BSU 18-1 in the first period, but could only skate into the intermission with the one goal lead. Lake State just couldn't cash in on some 'grade-A' scoring chances around the Beaver net.

Despite the lopsided shot total, BSU would come back in the second period and tie the game at one, capitalizing on a Laker turn-over.

At 3:18 of the third period, the game-winner of the Lakers would be scored by an unlikely hero. Senior Kyle Pobur, who moved to forward from defense for the game, scored a pretty goal when he broke through the Beaver defense and snapped a shot over the shoulder of netminder Andrew Walsh. The goal was Pobur's first of the season, and only the second of his career. Freshman forward Chris Ciotti would earn the only assist.

Goaltender Kevin Murdock would earn his first victory as a Laker, making 20 saves. Murdock came to Lake Superior as a sophomore, playing for Minnesota State in the 2009-10 season. LSSU was 1-4 on the power play, while holding BSU 0-3.

These two programs are no strangers to each other, however, with a rivalry going back decades, with thier first meeting on December 3, 1966. The Lakers actually defeated Bemidji State for the 1974 NAIA National Championship by the score of 4-3, with Rick Comley at the helm for LSSC.

Lake Superior State returns to CCHA action next weekend, travelling to Big Rapids to take on the always tough Ferris State Bulldogs.

Ferris State sweeps Falcons on the road

By Tom Morelli/Ferris State Beat Writer

Coaches will often say that the most important win in sports is the next one, and Ferris State grabbed two of those this past weekend to secure third place in the CCHA standings.

The Bulldogs faced little adversity in Friday's contest, rolling off a 4-0 victory to give senior goaltender Taylor Nelson his second shutout of the campaign.

Senior defenseman Chad Billins helped set-up the game winning goal midway through the opening period with a feed to sophomore forward Garrett Thompson that bounced off the skate of a Bowling Green defender.

Ferris State upped their lead with less than two minutes to go in the second stanza, as junior Travis Ouellette chipped the puck to classmate Eric Alexander on the faceoff, who then blasted a shot Falcons' netminder Andrew Hammond.

In the final 20 minutes, forward Matthew Kirzinger and defenseman Brett Wysopal each tallied their first goal of the campaign to help pad the Bulldogs' lead.

Nelson held a slight advantage is the saves department over Hammond, 29-25.

Though Ferris State escaped with a win on Saturday night, Bowling Green did not go down easy.

Following a quick pair of goals to begin the game by the Bulldogs' Jordie Johnston and Aaron Schmit, the Falcons' Dan DeSalvo cut the lead in half by going top shelf on Nelson. Ferris State responded at the 11:50 mark with a short-handed marker from freshman T.J. Schlueter, only to have Bryce Williamson of Bowling Green light the lamp shortly thereafter.

Down but not out, Bowling Green tied the game with 8:47 elapsed in the second on a power-play goal from Ryan Viselli. The Bulldogs though would regain their lead six minutes later, thanks to Johnston tallying his second goal of the evening.

With nine minutes left in regulation, Derek Graham and Ouellette each tallied helpers on an insurance goal by Wysopal.

Nelson shied away 31 shots to improve his record to 5-1-0. Scott Zacharias tallied eight saves in the loss for Bowling Green, while Hammond finished with five.

Ferris State (8-2-0 overall, 4-2-0-0 CCHA) returns to Big Rapids this Friday and Saturday at 7:05 pm for a two-game set against first-place Lake Superior State (8-2-0 overall, 5-2-0-0 CCHA).

Wildcats and Irish skate to two ties

By Susannah Nichols/ Northern Michigan Beat Writer

The Northern Michigan Wildcats welcomed fourth-ranked Notre Dame to Marquette this weekend. Both games resulted in ties: 2-2 on Friday, 1-1 on Saturday. The Cats won the shootout both nights to strengthen their conference standing. The Wildcats continued to find offensive energy in a variety of places, as eight different players contributed points throughout the weekend.

On Friday, Ryan Kesti scored his first collegiate goal to put the Wildcats up 1-0 early in the first period. Tyler Gron earned the assist.

The Irish tied up the game at 13:20 of the first period and took the lead on a power-play goal by Billy Maday early in the second. Notre Dame outshot Northern 14-4 over the course of the second period, but Reed Seckel and Matt Thurber still managed to set up Justin Florek for the the tying goal.

The third period saw only four shots from the Irish and six from the 'Cats--and each team only managed a single shot during overtime. In the shootout, Seckel was the only player to score.

Reid Ellingson had a 25-save performance for the 'Cats.

Ellingson got the second start on Saturday and lived up to the challenge: peppered with 45 Irish shots, he only let in one goal midway through the first period.

The Irish held the lead till early in the third, when Erik Higby sent a pass to Andrew Cherniwchan to tie the score. Kyle Follmer was also credited with an assist.

Ellingson stayed steady through overtime, turning away all three of Notre Dame's shots and all three of their shootout attempts.

Gron had the shootout goal for the 'Cats.

Conference play continues for NMU (4-4-3, 1-2-3-2 CCHA) next weekend, when they head to Columbus to take on Ohio State. They will play a rare day game at 12 PM on Friday, and play at 7:00 PM on Saturday.

MSU's Carney hurts neck, but has feeling

Michigan State Press Release

Michigan State freshman defenseman Branden Carney sustained a serious neck injury in hockey practice at Munn Ice Arena on Thursday afternoon.

Carney, a 19-year-old from Battle Creek, was participating in drills during practice session when he went head-first into the dasher boards. He was transported to Sparrow Hospital for treatment.

Carney has feeling, movement and strength in all of his extremities and will continue under the care of neurological surgeon Dr. Charles Bill.

Carney’s father, Russ, is the associate head coach for the MSU volleyball program. Russ Carney will miss this weekend’s volleyball games at Iowa and Nebraska. Russ Carney was on campus and able to be with his son shortly after the accident occurred.

“Our program is committed to support Branden and his family as he goes through the recovery process,” said MSU head coach Tom Anastos. “This is a scary injury, but he’ll receive top-notch medical care, and we’ll be sure that everything is in place for him to receive the help and support he needs in the weeks and months ahead. Right now, we’re going to focus on supporting him and his family in the coming days as they assess his immediate needs and treatment.”

Lakers get commitment from Drapluk

By Michael David/LSSU Beat Writer

The Lake Superior State Lakers' first verbal commitment for the 2012-13 hockey season comes from defenseman Eric Drapluk. For the last two seasons, Drapluk has suited up for the Coulee Region Chill of the North American Hockey League.

The Lakers staff first witnessed Drapluk play at the NAHL Prospects Tournament in Ann Arbor last season, and have been interested in him ever since. Other programs like Air Force and Massachusetts-Lowel also showed interest, but Lake State's persistence paid off.

"I liked the school; I got a good vibe there," Drapluk stated to the Lacrosse Tribune. "I went up there for a visit in (in September) and decided it's the right place for me."

Being a native of Pembroke Pines, Fla., he's used to travelling to play hockey due to lack of ice rinks and youth programs. Drapluk seems to be satisfied with Lake Superior's location, though.

"I liked the change," Drapluk stated. "I'm from a bigger city and moving around opens your eyes to what's out there. I think it's awesome to experience other things. It's a small school, but that way you can really bond with your team."

The 6-foot-1, 190-pound defenseman is in his third year of junior hockey. Starting out with Philadelphia (EJHL), he was taken by Coulee Region in the 2010 draft, and scored three goals, 24 assists, and was a plus-5 in 55 games last season. So far in the 2011-12 campaign, Drapluk has eight assists and is a plus-5 in 16 games.

Chill head coach Garrett Strot drafted Drapluk, and seems to think he has the tools to compete at the Division I level.

"He's got good speed, and good stick and sees the ice well," stated Strot. "I think they (LSSU) also like his grittiness. I think he'll do well because of his vision and speed because the game gets faster and faster at that level."

Photo/NAHL

MiCHO Power Poll 11.02.2011

With two CCHA wins last week, the Michigan Wolverines remain at the top of the MiCHO Power Poll.

The Wolverines swept previously undefeated Ferris State on home ice last weekend.

Ferris State comes in at No. 3, while Western Michigan stays at No. 2 after sweeping Northern Michigan.

Lake Superior State swept the always-tough Miami RedHawks and sits fourth, Michigan Tech, with three points against powerhouse Denver, is fifth. Michigan State got to .500 with a sweep over Robert Morris, is sixth and NMU is No. 7 this week.

1) Michigan (swept Ferris State)
2) Western Michigan (swept Northern Michigan)
3) Ferris State (swept by Michigan)
4) Lake Superior State (swept Miami)
5) Michigan Tech (beat, tied Denver)
6) Michigan State (swept Robert Morris)
7) Northern Michigan (swept by Western Michigan)

Each week during the season, 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.

Berenson comments on Jon Merrill

Michigan Press Release

University of Michigan head coach Red Berenson issued the following statement today regarding the status of sophomore defenseman Jon Merrill:

“Jon has been reinstated to participate in team activities beginning today. He will resume practice with the team, but remains suspended from game action indefinitely.”

Per team policy, Merrill will be unavailable for comment during his suspension, incurred last month for a violation of team rules.