Bulldogs spilt with Falcons in home finale

By Tom Morelli/Ferris State Beat Writer

Much like their previous series back in November, Ferris State experienced a tough test this past weekend at the hands of Bowling Green State, earning a split in the Bulldogs' final CCHA home series.

Friday's action favored Ferris State early on as senior forward and team captain Kyle Bonis scored off a pass from classmate Matthew Kirzinger with 16:47 elapsed in the opening period. Also earning a helper on that play was sophomore defenseman Simon Denis, who tallied his 14th assist of the campaign.

The Bulldogs appeared to be headed toward a 1-0 victory until late in the third, when Camden Wojtala banged one in off the post to beat netminder C.J. Motte with 1:28 left in regulation to force the extra session.

As the clock neared the halfway point of overtime, the Falcons completed their come-from-behind victory thanks to a backhanded goal by Ryan Carpenter off a rebound from Connor Kucera.

Backup goaltender Tommy Burke earned his fourth win of the year by stopping 36 shots, while Motte had 30 to his credit.

The series finale saw Ferris State honor their senior class prior to Saturday's contest, which consisted of forwards Eric Alexander, Bonis, Matthew Kirzinger and Travis Ouellette, along with goalie Rob Granett.

A Bulldogs clear-out in their defensive zone midway through the first period spurred a 2-on-2 opportunity, as junior forward Justin DeMartino streaked down the right side of the ice before sending the puck between the faceoff dots to sophomore Justin Buzzeo for the finish.

The lead would be short-lived however, due to a Ferris State turnover in the neutral zone nearly six minutes later. Adam Berkle netted an equalizer for Bowling Green State by beating Motte with a backhanded shot off a Brent Tate pass.

With 52 seconds left in the frame, the Bulldogs were able to light the lamp once again, this time on a breakaway by Bonis which came while on the penalty kill.

Momentum carried over into the ensuing stanza, where Alexander sent the puck up-ice toward junior Corey Kane off the left wing to make it a 3-1 game with 1:32 elapsed.

Not to be outdone, the Falcons were able to recover minutes later by rattling off a pair of goals within a 35 second span. The first score came off a turnover in the Ferris State defensive zone that allowed Berkle to fire from afar. With plenty of traffic near the net, Tate chipped in the loose rebound to pull Bowling Green State within one. Shortly thereafter, the Falcons took advantage of a 3-on-2 rush that saw Chad Sumsion leave a drop-pass for Brett Mohler to knot it up at three goals apiece.

A power-play marker by junior forward Garrett Thompson with less than four minutes left in the second put the Bulldogs back out on top, in what would also turn out to be the game-winning goal.

Motte notched his 14th victory of the 2012-2013 season, recording 26 saves in the process to Burke's 16.

Ferris State (15-13-4 overall, 13-11-2-1 CCHA) returns to action on March 1-2, when they hit the road for their regular season finale against the University of Michigan (10-18-2, 7-15-2-2).

CCHA announces Hockey Day In Michigan

CCHA Press Release

The Central Collegiate Hockey Association announced this week the fifth annual Hockey Day in Michigan will take place on Saturday Jan. 30, 2010. The CCHA, FOX Sports Detroit, the Detroit Red Wings and the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association will once again join forces to bring a coast-to-coast celebration of the sport of hockey to participants and fans across the Great Lakes State .

This year’s event has once again been scheduled to coincide with USA Hockey’s “Hockey Weekend Across America”, January 29-31, 2010.

Michigan has over 61,000 players, coaches and officials registered with USA Hockey, which is the second most of any state in the nation.

Ken Holland, the Vice President and General Manager of the Detroit Red Wings, says Michigan is one of the best places to live if you love hockey.

“The state of Michigan , year after year, continues to be an elite part of the hockey world at every level and age group,” Holland said. “ Michigan is currently home to the 11-time Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings, the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins, seven top-notch Division I NCAA programs and outstanding junior hockey, not to mention the numerous high school and youth teams across our great state. It’s exciting to live in a part of the world where the game of hockey means so much to so many people.”

George Atkinson, the President of the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association, believes that Hockey Day helps grow the game of hockey in the state of Michigan .

“Hockey Day in Michigan helps to highlight the fact that the sport of hockey is part of Michigan ’s heritage,” Atkinson said. “Hockey Day helps to provide exposure to people who may not be aware of the hockey programs offered in their area. The increasing participation in Hockey Day by MAHA associations and teams has enabled new players to experience the thrills and fun a player can have while playing hockey with their friends.”

Greg Hammaren, the Vice President and General Manager of FOX Sports Detroit, said FOX Sports is proud to provide coverage of the traditional CCHA doubleheader. Hockey Day 2010 features Western Michigan at 2009 national runner-up Miami at 5:05 p.m. followed by “College Hockey’s Fiercest Rivalry”, as Michigan takes on Michigan State at 7:35 p.m. at Joe Louis Arena.

“The CCHA doubleheader on Hockey Day in Michigan has become a signature of our network,” said Greg Hammaren, Senior Vice President/General Manager, FOX Sports Detroit. “It’s an honor to be associated with this annual celebration of hockey – a sport that is so near and dear to participants and spectators throughout our great state.”

FOX Sports Detroit’s coverage of Hockey Day 2009 involved more than just the traditional CCHA doubleheader. It included features on the history of hockey in Michigan, the Wheelchair Hockey League of Michigan, Hockey Day in Michigan Clinics in Novi, instructional pieces from former Red Wing and current FOX Sports Detroit analyst Larry Murphy (“Lessons with Larry”), and fun facts about other types of hockey (bubble hockey, air hockey, and video game hockey). Area youth teams got a chance to give “Happy Hockey Day” greetings to the Fox Sports Detroit viewers as well.

Hockey Day 2009 on FOX Sports Detroit also included special editions of “CCHA All-Access” and “Red Wings Weekly." The special edition of “CCHA All-Access” focused on the Michigan-based schools that are in the CCHA while “Red Wings Weekly” focused on how Red Wing players got their start in hockey and what hockey means to them.

The third annual Hockey Weekend Across America, a nationwide initiative led by USA Hockey to celebrate the game and those involved in the sport at all levels and expose hockey to new audiences, will run from January 29-31, 2010.

“We are proud and excited that Hockey Day in Michigan , launched in 2006, is now part of a nationwide celebration whose scope continues to expand each year,” said CCHA Commissioner Tom Anastos . “It’s a great way for everyone involved in hockey to show their passion for the sport and share that passion with others who might consider trying it or watching it. We encourage everyone to get involved and celebrate in their own way.”

To get involved or to have your event included in the list of happenings around the state on CCHA.com, contact the CCHA at hockeyday@ccha.com or call the CCHA Office at (248) 888-0600.

Hockey Day In Michigan set for February

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

The Central Collegiate Hockey Association announced Wednesday the fourth annual Hockey Day In Michigan will take place on February 14, 2009. The CCHA, FSN Detroit, the Detroit Red Wings and the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association will once again join forces to bring a coast-to-coast celebration of the sport of hockey to participants and fans across the Great Lakes State .

This year’s event has been scheduled to coincide with USA Hockey’s Hockey Weekend Across America February 13-15, 2009.

Michigan has more than 62,000 registered players, coaches and officials with close to 3,800 teams registered with USA Hockey, which is the most of any state in the nation.

Ken Holland, the vice president and general manager of the Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings, says he’s biased but truly believes that hockey is the most exciting sport in the world to both play and watch.

“Michigan is a power in the hockey community and provides hockey opportunities to play and watch for every age and level," Holland said. "It is home to the Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings, the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins, seven Division I NCAA programs, including perennial powerhouses Michigan and Michigan State, along with outstanding junior hockey, not to mention numerous high school and youth teams. We are very lucky to live in a part of the world where there is tremendous passion for the sport of hockey.”

George Atkinson, the new president of the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association, hopes that each association can create some type of event to share their passion for the sport with their community this year.

“Hockey Day gives all of our local associations an opportunity to create an event that will expose the sport of hockey to those not presently involved in their area," said Atkinson. "Events such as the ‘Hockey Is Fun' clinics have enabled interested players to try the sport for a day to see if they like it. Many of those players have found the passion and now enjoy participating in this great sport.”

Greg Hammaren, the vice president and general manager of FSN Detroit, said FSN’s commitment to Hockey Day includes the traditional CCHA doubleheader. This year it features Ohio State at Michigan State at 5:05 p.m., followed by Nebraska-Omaha versus Michigan at 8:05 p.m.

“Hockey is part of the fabric of life in Michigan which is why FSN and our partners, the Detroit Red Wings, the CCHA and MAHA share such a deep commitment to this great game,” Hammaren said.

Hockey Day in Michigan will feature contests, skills competitions, charity games and ‘Hockey Is Fun’ clinics at Novi Ice Arena and Suburban Ice-Farmington Hills . These clinics give boys and girls ages 5-11 an opportunity to experience the fun of hockey for the first time at no cost.

The second annual Hockey Weekend Across America, a nationwide initiative led by USA Hockey to celebrate the game and those involved in the sport at all levels and expose hockey to new audiences, will once again take place over President’s Day weekend, running from Feb. 13-15, 2009. Similar to the highly successful first-ever Hockey Weekend Across America, staged in the United States from Feb. 15-17, 2008, next year’s event will also feature themes for each of the three days. Friday’s theme will be Wear Your Favorite Jersey, Saturday’s will be Bring a Friend to the Rink and Sunday will be Celebrate Local Hockey Heroes.

“We are proud and excited that Hockey Day in Michigan , launched in 2006, is now part of a nationwide celebration whose scope continues to expand each year,” said CCHA commissioner Tom Anastos. “It’s a great way for everyone involved in hockey to show their passion for the sport and share that passion with others who might consider trying it or watching it. We encourage everyone to get involved and celebrate in their own way.”

To get involved or to have your event included in the list of happenings around the state on CCHA.com, please email hockeyday@ccha.com or call the CCHA office at (248) 888-0600.

LSSU edges Western Michigan

By Tom Morelli/WMU Beat Writer

While much of the spotlight was on the University of Miami and the University of Michigan, the CCHA also featured another intriguing match-up. The storyline to this game between Western Michigan University and Lake Superior State University was the fact that both teams sat at the bottom of the conference standings.

Unfortunately for the Broncos, they drew the short end of the stick this time around.

The first game saw several changes in momentum, as both teams battled back and forth at both ends of the ice. It seemed as if the officials had taken the night off, as both teams combined for only six penalties.

The Lakers’ Chad Nehring broke the scoring silence at 8:40 of the first period by taking a Troy Schwab feed and knocking is past goaltender Riley Gill.

About a minute-and-a-half later, Cam Watson evened things up, as Jeff Pierce and Brian Bicek set-up Watson for his eighth goal of the season.

Lake Superior State regained the lead in the following period, as Steve Olesky took a pass from Will Acton and Jason Blain with five minutes elapsed.

Just before the end of the period, Jeff Pierce notched his seventh goal of the campaign. The power-play marker came while Nathan Perkovich sat in the sin-bin on a roughing call. Patrick Galivan tallied his team-leading 19th assist on the play, and Jeff LoVecchio earned his 10th.

The third period saw another lead change at the 7:10 mark, when the Lakers’ Zac MacVoy banged one home from a Rick Schofield pass.

With less than five minutes to play, freshman forward Max Campbell scored a game-tying goal, with Galivan and LoVecchio helping out on the play.

Sudden death couldn’t declare a winner, thus ending Friday’s game in a 3-3 tie.

Gill finished with 30 saves on the night, while his counterpart Brian Mahoney-Wilson stopped 29.

The second game of the series proved to be a bit more one-sided, with Lake Superior State gaining the upper hand.

Nehring once again gave his team the early lead, notching his fourth goal of the campaign with almost four minutes gone by in the opening period. Helping set-up the score was Dan Eves and Dillin Stonehouse.

After notching an assist the night before, Schwab extended the Lakers’ lead with an unassisted goal in the middle stanza.

MacVoy tallied another goal for Lake Superior State, beating goaltender Jerry Kuhn in the final period of play.

Western Michigan did not go scoreless though, thanks to senior defenseman Nathan Ansell’s goal with less than two minutes to play.

Broncos Head Coach Jim Culhane pulled Kuhn in the final minute of the game, hoping to generate some offense. His plan worked, as LoVecchio scored his eight goal of the season, which ties him with Watson for the team lead. Unfortunately, the goal came with five seconds remaining, and Western Michigan couldn’t force overtime.

Leading the Lakers in their 3-2 win between the pipes was Pat Inglis, who denied 33 shots.

Kuhn stopped 34 shots, most of which came in the opening period.

After taking three of four points this weekend, Lake Superior State improves to 6-15-6 overall, and 4-13-5 in conference play. The Lakers travel to Ann Arbor this Friday and Saturday for a series with the Wolverines.

For the Broncos, their overall record falls to 7-20-3. Despite being in last place in the CCHA standings at 3-17-2, Western Michigan will have an opportunity to better that record with their home-and-home series against Michigan State University this weekend.

The first game will be played in East Lansing, which can be seen at 7:05 p.m. Friday on Comcast Local. Fans can celebrate Hockey Day in Michigan the following night, as the Broncos head back to Kalamazoo for the second game. Puck drop is expected to be at 4:35 p.m., with FSN Detroit providing coverage.

College Hockey Faceoff coming to Palace

Updated 9-20-2007- College hockey makes its return to the Palace of Auburn Hills on Saturday, January 19, 2007 with a doubleheader featuring traditional conference foes.

The action begins at 3:30 with the Wayne State Warriors facing off with the back-to-back CHA regular season champ Niagara Purple Eagles.

The Purps dominated last season’s series with the Green and Gold, going 4-1-1.

"I think it will be great venue for our game," said Warriors head coach Bill Wilkinson. "It's an NHL-type of building that will give the players a chance to feel that they are playing in a professional setting. It should be a positive atmosphere for a college showcase weekend. We are looking forward to playing the Niagara Purple Eagles at the Palace."

Saturday’s nightcap will be rematch of last year’s CCHA title game with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish battling the Michigan Wolverines.

Last season, the Irish won all three meetings with the Maize and Blue.

Tickets for the College Hockey Faceoff can be purchased at Palacenet.com, the Palace box office or any Ticketmaster location.

Hockey Day in Michigan is gearing up

The second annual Hockey Day in Michigan will hit the ice in a little over a week on February 10th and the list of exciting events keeps on growing.

Already on the agenda are “Hockey is Fun” clinics at the Joe Louis Arena, Detroit Red Wings open practice, as well as a wealth of youth and high school age events throughout the state.

Two college hockey games will be also be televised on FSN Detroit, including Alaska at Western Michigan at 4:35 p.m. and Michigan vs. Michigan State at Joe Louis Arena at 7:35 p.m.

For a full list of Hockey Day in Michigan events, please visit the CCHA website HERE.