Wildcats beat, tie Wolverines

By Susannah Nichols/ Northern Michigan Beat Writer

The #17 Northern Michigan Wildcats welcomed the top-ranked Michigan Wolverines to Marquette this weekend and dealt them a 5-3 loss on Friday. The teams fought to a 3-3 tie on Saturday.

Northern outshot Michigan 13-7 in the first period of Friday's game, and the teams were even at 10 shots apiece through the second.

But the penalties were the real story: Wildcat Andrew Cherniwchan and Wolverine Luke Moffatt were slapped with major penalties and game disqualifications after Cherniwchan slid into Michigan goalie Shawn Hunwick. Hunwick was also given a five-minute major and game misconduct, and Wildcat Reed Seckel got a double-minor for boarding.

Adam Janecyk replaced Hunwick after his penalty, and the scoring took off for both teams. Dylan Walchuk put the Wildcats on the board with his first collegiate goal, and Lindsay Sparks answered less than a minute later for the Wolverines. Matt Thurber also netted his first Wildcat goal to give Northern a 2-1 lead heading into the last twenty minutes.

Mitch Jones kept up the Northern trend by scoring his first collegiate goal early in the third period. Zack Hyman and Travis Lynch answered for the Wolverines to tie up the score.

Tyler Gron scored the game-winning goal for the Wildcats, and Justin Florek, who had already racked up two assists on the night, scored an empty-net goal to finalize the score at 5-3.

Hunwick had 17 saves before exiting the game; Janecyk had 10 saves for the loss. In net for the 'Cats, Reid Ellingson had 24 saves for the win.

On Saturday, Michigan controlled play in the first period: they outshot the 'Cats 12-4 and scored twice, courtesy of an AJ Treais even-strength goal and a power-play goal by Sparks.

Gron responded in the second period with a pair of power-play goals. Kevin Lynch wrenched the lead back for the Wolverines heading into the second intermission.

Jones scored his second goal of the series less than a minute into the third period, and neither team could get ahead before the end of regulation.

In the last minute of the period, Seckel received a major penalty and game disqualification, which put the Wildcats behind the eight-ball for nearly the entire overtime period. They managed two shots to Michigan's three, but neither team could convert.

Treais scored the only goal in the shootout to give Michigan the shootout win.

Hunwick finished with 23 saves; Wildcat Jared Coreau finished with 25.

NMU (4-1-1, 1-0-1 CCHA) goes on the road to take on Western Michigan next weekend. Michigan (4-1-1, 0-1-0-1, CCHA) returns to Ann Arbor to face Ferris State in a Thursday-Friday series.

Two Michigan recruits selected on Day 2

UM Press Release

A pair of incoming freshmen for the University of Michigan were selected at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft on Saturday.

Goaltender John Gibson (Pittsburgh, Pa.) was chosen by the Anaheim Ducks in the second round (39th overall), while defenseman Brennan Serville (Pickering, Ont.) was picked by the Winnipeg Jets in the third round (78th overall).

Gibson (6-3, 206 pounds) was the top-ranked North American goalie by the NHL Central Scouting Service. He spent the past two seasons with the Ann Arbor-based U.S. National Team Development Program. In 2010-11, Gibson had a 24-11-3 record with a 2.55 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage for the U.S. NTDP Under-18 Team, backstopping Team USA to a gold medal at the 2011 IIHF World Under-18 Championships in April. His 6-0-0 record, 2.34 GAA and .926 save percentage at the tournament earned him the Directorate Award for Best Goaltender. In June, Gibson was named USA Hockey's 2011 Dave Peterson Goalie of the Year. In 2009-10, he had a 10-12-1 record, 3.76 GAA and .895 save percentage with the U.S. NTDP Under-17 Team.

"John has great net coverage and size, and is very strong," said Al Jensen from NHL Central Scouting. "He's sound technically, moves very well laterally and is controlled. He's calm, not busy."

Serville (6-3, 184 pounds) was rated the 104th-best skater in North America heading into the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. The blueliner played for the Stouffville Spirit of the Ontario Junior Hockey League for the last two seasons. In 2010-11, he had three goals, 27 assists and 29 penalty minutes in 36 regular-season games to earn North-West Conference First Team All-Prospect accolades. He also played in the CJHL Prospects Game for Team East. Serville helped Team Canada East win a silver medal at the 2010 World Junior A Challenge. In 2009-10, he had a 3-12-15 line for the Spirit. Over two playoffs, he had 3-12-15 totals in 23 games.

In 2011-12, the Wolverines are slated to have 12 players on their roster who have been drafted by NHL teams.

Wolverines add trio to class of 2015

Michigan Press Release

Defenseman Mike Chiasson (Henderson, Nev.), defenseman Michael Szuma (Novi) and forward Andrew Sinelli (Dexter) will join the University of Michigan for the 2011-12 season, head coach Red Berenson announced on Thursday.

The trio increases U-M's freshman class to nine members: five forwards, three defensemen and one goaltender.

Chiasson (5-11, 195 pounds) comes to Michigan after spending three seasons with the United States Hockey League's Omaha Lancers. In 2010-11, he captained the Lancers and earned the team's E.H. "Motto" McLean Leadership Award. On the ice, he accumulated four goals, 11 assists, 41 penalty minutes and a +10 plus/minus rating over 50 regular-season games. In 122 career games, he had a 7-20-27 line with 90 penalty minutes and a +23 rating. He appeared in 11 career playoff games. Mike is the son of Steve Chiasson, who played 13 seasons in the NHL.

"Chiasson is a defenseman that we were able to add late and we're pretty fortunate that he was available to us," said UM assistant coach Billy Powers. "He brings great experience from the premier development league for college hockey. He played on Omaha's top two defense corps. Omaha was second in the league in goals against and he was a big part of that because he's an honest, smart, stay-at-home defenseman that takes a lot of pride in his plus/minus. He's more worried about contributing to the team than individual stats."

Szuma (6-0, 195 pounds) arrives in Ann Arbor from the North American Hockey League's Michigan Warriors. In 2010-11, Szuma collected seven goals, 15 assists, 36 penalty minutes and a +13 rating in 56 regular-season games. He helped the Warriors win the North Division title and reach the Robertson Cup final. Previously, he played the 2009-10 season with the Eastern Junior Hockey League's Green Mountain Glades, for whom he appeared in 43 games and tallied a 4-5-9 line with 30 penalty minutes.

"Szuma is a kid that we tracked a year ago and he ended up playing in Flint in the North American Hockey League for a new franchise," said Powers. "He was lucky because he got to play under head coach Moe Mantha, who was a career NHL defenseman, so he's had great tutelage and it shows in his game. He's another intelligent, high hockey IQ defenseman who's reliable. There is some offensive up-side; he played on the power play. He's a local Michigan kid who's really excited about putting on the Maize and Blue."

Sinelli (5-9, 168 pounds) spent the last two seasons in the United States Hockey League. Playing primarily for the Youngstown Phantoms in 2010-11, he posted five goals, three assists and 36 penalty minutes in 38 games. He also had a goal over seven games with the Dubuque Fighting Saints. In 50 games in 2009-10 with the Sioux City Musketeers, he had 6-11-17 totals and 60 PIM.

"Sinelli is a kid who was a premier player in his age group coming up through the Honeybaked organization," Powers said. "He's now played a few years of junior hockey. His offensive numbers fell off a little bit in junior hockey, but he does have a history of producing and the ability to put up points. What I like about him is his game has evolved without the puck and he took on a penalty killer role with Youngstown and did a great job. He's a real good energy guy and he's going to come here and vie for a spot in our forward group."

Chiasson, Szuma and Sinelli join goaltender John Gibson (Pittsburgh, Pa.), defenseman Brennan Serville (Pickering, Ontario) and forwards Phil Di Giuseppe (Maple, Ontario), Zach Hyman (Toronto, Ontario), Alex Guptill (Newmarket, Ontario) and Travis Lynch (White Lake) in the 2011 recruiting class.

Hyman changes commitment to Uof M

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

Zach Hyman, the Canadian Junior A player of the year, has committed to Michigan and will reportedly sign on Friday.

Hyman originally committed to Princeton for academic and hockey reasons, but then decommitted when head coach Gus Gadowsky left Princeton to take over Penn State's new program.

A fifth-round pick last year of the Florida Panthers, Hyman, who turns 19 in June, posted 42 goals and 102 points last year, his third with the Hamilton Red Wings.

More info HERE.

Wolverines advance; Broncos skate home

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

The Michigan Wolverines move on to their 24th Frozen Four appearance after getting past the Colorado College Tigers, 2-1, at the Scott Trade Center in St. Louis, Missouri on Saturday night.

Scooter Vaughan and Lee Moffie scored first period markers and Shawn Hunwick made 21 saves for the Maize and Blue.

Michigan will face the winner of the Denver-North Dakota game at the Xcel Center in St. Paul, Minnesota on Thursday evening.

The Western Michigan Broncos closed a stunning season with a heartbreaking, 3-2, double-overtime loss to the Denver Pioneers at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin on Saturday.

The Broncos squandered a 2-0 lead on goals by Derek Roehl and Trevor Elias and Jerry Kuhn made 35 saves in his final collegiate game.

Full game recaps to follow...

Michigan sweeps BGSU, loses Wohlberg

By Bob Miller/Michigan Beat Writer

Even though Bowling Green battled right through to the end, Michigan breezed to a two-game sweep of the Falcons in their quarterfinal CCHA playoff series at Yost Arena last weekend.

The Wolverines move on to face Western Michigan in one semifinal game on Friday at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit while Notre Dame and Miami meet in the other semifinal matchup. The winners of those two games meet in the championship final Saturday evening.

Five different goal scorers hit the back of the net for the Wolverines in their opening game 5-1 victory Friday night. David Wohlberg, Chris Brown, Scooter Vaughan, Lindsay Sparks and Luke Moffatt scored singles for Michigan.

Unfortunately for the Wolverines, Wohlberg was lost for the season late in the contest with a broken collarbone.

Defenseman Lee Moffie scored twice for Michigan in Saturday night's 4-1 series-clinching win for the Wolverines.

“Well, I’m the glad the game is over,” said Michigan coach Red Berenson after Saturday's game. “I’m glad the series is over. I’m glad our seniors don’t have to play another game here. I don’t think we scored on our best chances, but we played hard."

Michigan sweeps away Northern

By Susannah Nichols/ Northern Michigan Beat Writer

In the last regular-season series for both teams, Michigan defeated Northern Michigan twice on the 'Cats' home ice: the Wolverines delivered a 3-2 win on Friday and a 5-0 drubbing on Saturday.

On Friday, Michigan jumped out to a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Mac Bennett and David Wohlberg.

Jake Johnson scored his first of the season to bring the 'Cats within one, but the Wolverines took their two-goal lead into the second intermission after Chris Brown lit the lamp.

Andrew Cherniwchan scored for Northern early in the third, but Michigan dug in their heels to preserve the lead, killing off two Northern power plays in the last fifteen minutes.

Shots were even at 23 for both teams: Shawn Hunwick had 21 saves for the Michigan win; Reid Ellingson recorded 20 for Northern's loss.

Saturday's game was all Blue: Carl Hagelin led the offensive charge with two goals (including one on the power play) and an assist. Matt Rust also had a banner game with two assists and a shorthanded goal.

Luke Glendening and Wohlberg each added a goal, and Scooter Vaughn and John Merrill each contributed a pair of assists.

Michigan outshot Northern 33-16. Hunwick made 13 saves, and Bryan Hogan, who entered the game with six minutes left, made an additional three. Ellingson had 17 saves before being replaced by Jared Coreau, who stopped all of the 11 shots he faced.

The Wolverines (23-9-4, 20-7-1-0 CCHA) headed back to the lower peninsula with the CCHA title in hand and a top-seed ranking heading into the tournament. The 'Cats (14-17-5, 12-13-3-0 CCHA) finish sixth in the conference and will host Bowling Green in the first round of conference playoffs.

Michigan gains split with Nanooks

By Bob Miller/Michigan Beat Writer

Michigan's long, daunting trip to Alaska to face the 15th-ranked Nanooks in a two-game weekend series could have turned out better for the Wolverines, but it also could have turned out worse.

After coming out of the gate frozen in Friday night's 3-0 loss, Michigan exploded for three third period goals on Saturday to take the re-match, 5-2.

A.J. Treais, Brandon Burlon and Louie Caporusso were the Michigan marksmen in the telling final period Saturday to salvage a tie in the weekend series.

Treais' game-winner was part of a three-point night for the sophomore forward.

"I got lucky there," said Treais of his clincher. "(Chris) Brown threw it over toward the net. It hit me in the head actually, on the side of the helmet, and then it bounced right in - a little puck luck."

Michigan returns to Yost Ice Arena in Ann Arbor next weekend for an important pair of games with fellow CCHA frontrunner Notre Dame.

Mercyhurst roars back to tie Michigan

By Bob Miller/Michigan Beat Writer

The perfect scenario for Michigan's 2010-2011 opener was set in place.

The Wolverines had methodically built a four-goal lead over the first half of the game at Yost Ice Arena against Mercyhurst on goals from Louie Caporusso, Scooter Vaughan, Greg Pateryn and a short-handed effort from Matt Rust.

Head coach Red Berenson was about to record his 700th career coaching victory.

Netminder Shawn Hunwick had blanked Mercyhurst, continuing his run of goaltending success stretching back to the Wolverines successful playoff effort from 2009-2010.

Mercyhurst managed to score their first goal late in the second period to inch a little closer, but the outcome didn't seem to be in doubt as the middle stanza came to a close.

Methodically, though, Mercyhurst added three more third period goals, increasing their momentum with each tally to tie the opener for both teams, 4-4. Five minutes of overtime couldn't decide a winner.

The two teams played an exhibition shootout which Mercyhurst won with their fifth shooter, but each team will be officially credited with tie.

“You shouldn't lose or tie a game when you have a 4-1 lead in the third period at home,” said Berenson of the disappointing result. “We couldn't bury it and then once they got a goal, they got some life and they took advantage. They were very opportunistic and it cost us the win.”

“Especially early on in the season, I think we got too content with where we were,” said senior alternate captain Rust. “The sign of a good team is not to let the waterfall effect happen.”

Michigan did allow the comeback, though, and the squad will have a full week of practice to think about just that and prepare to try to win number 700 for Berenson at a two-game series they have scheduled against Bowling Green next Friday and Saturday.

Michigan Wolverines Season Preview

By Bob Miller/Michigan Beat Writer

MICHIGAN WOLVERINES

Head Coach: Red Berenson (26th season)

Home Arena: Yost Ice Arena (6,637)

Last Season: 26-18-1 overall, 14-13-1 CCHA, CCHA tourney winners, lost to Miami in the NCAA Regional final

Wolverine returnees:
Goaltenders: Seniors Bryan Hogan and Shawn Hunwick
Defensemen: Seniors Chad Langlais and Tristin Llewellyn, juniors Greg Pateryn and Brandon Burlon, and sophomore Lee Moffie
Forwards: Seniors Scooter Vaughan, Carl Hagelin, Ben Winnett, Matt Rust, and Louie Caporusso, juniors Luke Glendening and David Wohlberg, and sophomores Chris Brown, Kevin Lynch, A.J. Treais, Jeff Rohrkemper and Lindsay Sparks

Wolverines no more:
Goaltender: Patrick Summers
Defensemen: Eric Elmblad, Steve Kampfer and Chris Summers
Forwards: Anthony Ciraulo and Brian Lebler

New Wolverines:
Goaltender: Adam Janecyk
Defensemen: Kevin Clare, Jon Merrill and Mac Bennett
Forwards: Jacob Fallon, Luke Moffatt and Derek Deblois

NHL Draft Picks: 13 (Pateryn, Burlon, Moffatt, Brown, Lynch, Hagelin, Moffie, Winnett, Rust, Merrill, Wohlberg, Caporusso and Bennett)

Outlook: Head coach Red Berenson has been pointing toward the 2010-2011 season for quite some time.

His Wolverines sport a large group of talented and experienced seniors, a highly talented group of incoming freshman and the chance to set hockey attendance history with The Big Chill at The Big House, a scheduled matchup with rival Michigan State at legendary Michigan Stadium in December.

The only potential fly in the ointment is the same one that has dogged Michigan for several seasons now: goaltending.

Netminder Shawn Hunwick stepped up from his almost-never-used backup role to replace injured Bryan Hogan and led the inconsistent Wolverines to a CCHA tournament championship and nearly a berth in the Frozen Four. Only a crushing second overtime loss to Miami in the NCAA Regional final prevented the Wolverines from extending the storybook ending to their season.

Hogan will return healthy to battle Hunwick for goaltending minutes, while senior forwards Carl Hagelin, Matt Rust and Louie Caporusso will supply the offensive firepower.

Talented freshmen will supplement the strong core that the Wolverines already possess.

Defensemen Jon Merrill, Mac Bennett and Kevin Clare, and forward Luke Moffatt all arrive in Ann Arbor with established quality reputations.

Berenson, his staff and all Wolverine followers know that nothing less than a trip deep into March and April's playoffs will be acceptable.

Know Your Rinks: Yost Ice Arena

By Bob Miller/Michigan Beat Writer

Arena: Yost Ice Arena

Year Built: 1923

Capacity: 6,637

Anchor Tenant: Univeristy of Michigan Wolverines - CCHA

Famous Games Played: After 50 years of serving as University of Michigan's home base for varsity athletics, specifically track and basketball teams, Yost Ice Arena (previously known as Yost Field House) was dedicated with Michigan hockey's 6-2 victory over Waterloo Lutheran.

Michigan hockey's 1998 come-from-behind 4-3 victory over defending national champ North Dakota in the NCAA Regional clinching a berth in the NCAA Frozen Four, which Michigan went on to win.

In 2002, Michigan again won a pair of games at Yost to advance to the Frozen Four. Yost Ice Arena also played host to the NCAA Midwest Regional for the 2003 NCAA Tournament, the first year the NCAA hockey tournament expanded to 16 teams held at four regional locations.

Unique Items: If one looks closely at the outer walls of the lower concourse, markings from the days of Yost's usage as a track facility are apparent in the form of markings denoting the start and finish of specific running events.

Where to eat: For great sandwiches, visit the Miaze and Blue Deli or Zingerman's. For pub fare, Grizzly Peak. For breakfast, do NOT miss The Broken Egg. For fine dining, it's the Chop House or the Gandy Dancer. For interantional fare, try the Blue Nile Ethiopian Restaurant or savor Cuban delicacies at Cafe Habana. Sports Bar of choice? Gotta be the arena itself!

Best seats: Either the club level seats directly across from the press box on the second level. Or, Section 21, a steeply pitched grandstand in the south end providing a wonderful panorama of the ice surface.

Area Attractions: Michigan Stadium, The Big House, University of Michigan's world-famous football venue, Matthei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum, Museum of Natural History, Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, Shopping on Main Street

Photo courtesy UM Photo Services

Lessio spurns Michigan, chooses OHL

Oshawa Generals Press Release

The Oshawa Generals announced this week that the team has signed highly-touted prospect Lucas Lessio to a standard Ontario Hockey League agreement with the Generals.

After going in the first round of the 2009 OHL Priority Selection to the Niagara Ice Dogs, Lessio played the 2009-2010 season with the St. Michael’s Buzzers. The 17-year-old Maple, Ont., native scored 30 goals, 72 points and added 77 penalty minutes in 41 games. He also added three points in five games with the Buzzers in the 2010 CCHL playoffs.

“We are very pleased to welcome Lucas to our family and we’re excited that he has chosen the Oshawa Generals and the Ontario Hockey League to further his hockey development,” said Generals coach-GM Chris DePiero. "We all wish Lucas the best of luck as he joins teammate Boone Jenner at Canada’s Under-18 Team selection camp in Calgary this weekend.”

Lessio was a member of Team Ontario capturing a silver medal at the 2010 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge last season in Timmins, Ont., after winning an OHL Cup title as tournament MVP in 2009 as a member of the Toronto Marlboros.

Lessio had verbally committed to the University of Michigan after the 2009 OHL draft, but had a change of heart over the past couple weeks.

Photo courtesy Oshawa Generals

Big Chill game to top 80,000 fans

Michigan Press Release

With more than 14,700 tickets sold on the first day of the public sale Wednesday, nearly 80,000 tickets have been sold or allotted for "The Big Chill at the Big House" presented by Arby's, the outdoor ice hockey game between Michigan and Michigan State scheduled for Dec. 11 at Michigan Stadium.

That total would break the current world record for attendance at an ice hockey game, exceeding the crowd of 74,544 when Michigan and Michigan State played Oct. 6, 2001, at Spartan Stadium.

In the first half hour that tickets were made available to the general public (8:30-9 a.m.), 7,067 tickets were purchased. The total reached 11,038 tickets by 10:30 a.m.

"The excitement generated today by the public demand for tickets to The Big Chill at the Big House only reinforces my belief that this hockey game is going to be a very special event," said Dave Brandon, U-M Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. "Until now, I could only imagine how it would be to have 80,000 fans watching the Wolverine hockey team at Michigan Stadium.

"Now that we have hit the 80,000 number, I am visualizing an opportunity to have over 100,000 in attendance. This would make the experience for the players and fans an extra special day they will remember for many years to come."

Michigan will be the first collegiate hockey team to play in three outdoor games. In addition to the game in East Lansing, the Wolverines recently played in the Camp Randall Hockey Classic on Feb. 6, 2010, at Wisconsin.

"I'm not surprised at the response from the Michigan community, whether it's the hockey people or the alumni or people that are just interested in a once in a lifetime event," said Red Berenson, U-M ice hockey head coach. "This has just taken off. You knew it would when you have something this special at the Big House - the first time ever, maybe the only time ever.

Everybody wants to be there. I think we'll be sold out before we know it. It'll be a tough ticket to buy. People who are not sure better get their tickets now. It's just another example of the loyalty and the support of the overall Michigan community."

To purchase tickets, visit MGoBlue.com/tickets or call the U-M Athletics Ticket Office (734-764-0247 or 866- 296-6849). End zone tickets are priced at $15 per ticket. For orders of 15 tickets or more, a group rate of $10 per ticket applies.

TheBigChillAtTheBigHouse.com

Michigan hands out annual awards

Michigan Press Release

The University of Michigan presented its annual team awards to six players at the annual Dekers Blue Line Club Banquet last Saturday at the Ann Arbor Sheraton.

Junior left wing Carl Hagelin was the most-celebrated Wolverine of the afternoon, earning three honors: Hal Downes Award (MVP), Hazel M. "Doc" Losh Award (Scoring Leader) and the Carl Isaacson Award (Best in Classroom).

Hagelin led the Wolverines in points (50) and assists (31), was second on the roster in goals (19) and plus/minus rating (+20), and had a point in 35 of U-M's 45 games. Hagelin received the Isaacson Award for the second straight year. He has also been U-M's representative on the CCHA Scholar-Athlete Team in each of the last two seasons.

Senior defenseman Steve Kampfer received the Vic Heyliger Award as the team's outstanding defenseman. Kampfer led U-M's defensemen in points (26), assists (23) and plus/minus (+18). He set career highs in goals (3), assists and points this season while playing in all 45 games for the Maize and Blue.

Freshman right wing Chris Brown collected the Dekers Club Award as the team's most colorful rookie. Brown was picked for the CCHA All-Rookie Team in early March and ranked fourth on the team in points (28) and tied for fourth in goals (13). He was U-M's top goal-scoring threat on the power play with seven man-advantage markers. He also had four game-winning goals.

Senior left wing Brian Lebler earned the Joseph E. Barss Award, which is given to the best team player as determined by the coaching staff. Lebler recorded 24 points in 2009-10, bettering his previous high for points by 50 percent. His 14 goals and 10 assists were also single-season career highs.

Junior goaltender Shawn Hunwick picked up the Alton D. Simms Award for the team's Most Improved Player. Hunwick earned the decision in the final 10 games of the season, starting nine times, posting an 8-2-0 record. For the season, he had an 8-3-0 mark, 1.82 goals-against average and .918 save percentage.

Luke Glendening received the Howard Colby Award for sportsmanship as determined by his teammates. A sophomore, Glendening was voted by the team to be an alternate captain early on in the season. He more than doubled his career high for points (21) by posting seven goals and 14 assists. He was +13 and had 39 penalty minutes.

The Ray Helber Deker of the Year Award went to Anita Liberman-Lampear for her efforts to support the Michigan ice hockey program.

Five players will be graduating from Michigan's 2009-10 team: forwards Anthony Ciraulo and Lebler and defensemen Eric Elmblad, Kampfer and captain Chris Summers.

Michigan, NMU make NCAA tourney

School Press Releases

The University of Michigan received a bid to the NCAA Tournament for a national-best 20th consecutive season, the NCAA Ice Hockey Selection Committee announced Sunday.

U-M, the 2010 CCHA Tournament champion, is the No. 3 seed in the Midwest Regional in Fort Wayne, Ind. The Wolverines will face the Bemidji State Beavers (23-9-4) -- the College Hockey America regular-season champion -- in the opening round on Saturday (March 27) at 7:30 p.m. ESPN360.com will stream the game live, while ESPNU will broadcast the game on tape delay at 11:30 p.m.

The Allen County War Memorial Coliseum will host the Midwest Regional. Prior to the Michigan-Bemidji State semifinal will be the match-up between No. 1 seed Miami and No. 4 seed Alabama-Huntsville. Game time is 4 p.m. The Midwest Regional championship contest will take place Sunday (March 28) at 8 p.m. and be televised live on ESPNU.

U-M is appearing in its 33rd NCAA Tournament overall, which ranks first in the nation. The Wolverines are 46-25 all-time in the NCAA Tournament, leading the nation with nine national titles (1948, '51, '52, '53, '55, '56, '64, '96 and '98).

The contest marks the first time the Wolverines will face off against Bemidji State, which ascended to Division I status in 1998-99. The Beavers reached the 2009 Frozen Four, defeating Notre Dame and Cornell before falling to Miami. BSU will move to the Western Collegiate Hockey Association beginning in 2010-11.

Notre Dame is serving as the host for the Midwest Regional. The Allen County War Memorial Coliseum has a seating capacity of 10,500 for hockey games and is home to the Fort Wayne Komets of the International Hockey League. U-M has played once at the venue, a 9-2 win against Notre Dame on Feb. 18, 2005.

Michigan has extensive knowledge of the Miami RedHawks, as the Wolverines beat Miami in the CCHA Tournament semifinals last Friday. U-M is 69-22-3 vs. MU all-time. The CCHA rivals have never met in the NCAA Tournament, however. Michigan has a 2-0-0 all-time record against Alabama-Huntsville, earning one win each during the 1990-91 and 2006-07 regular seasons.

*********************************************

The Northern Michigan University hockey team is back in the NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Championship for the first time since 1999.

NMU (20-12-8), the No. 3 seed in the West Regional at the Excel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn. will face No. 2 seed St. Cloud State (23-13-5) of the WCHA Friday, March 16 at 5:30 p.m. The Wildcats are appearing in the NCAA Tournament for the eighth time overall.

Wisconsin the No. 1 seed will play No. 4 seed Vermont at 9 p.m. Friday. The West Regional Championship will be played Saturday, March 27 at 9 p.m.

Wolverines take two straight from MSU

By Matt Mackinder/MiCHO Managing Editor

It's not often that Michigan goes into a series as the underdog, but the Wolverines shed that moniker last weekend by sweeping Michigan State in East Lansing in a CCHA quarter-final series to advance to the semi-finals this Friday at Joe Louis Arena.

The Wolverines will play top-seeded Miami for a chance to play the Ferris State-Northern Michigan winner in the CCHA title game Saturday night.

"It's something we don't get very often, a sweep here at Munn," said Michigan defenseman Chad Langlais. "This is a big weekend for us and we're going to carry this momentum into next weekend."

Friday night, Louie Caporusso had two goals and an assist in the Wolverines' 5-1 win in the opening game of the series.

Carl Hagelin, David Wohlberg and Steven Kampfer added goals for Michigan, while Shawn Hunwick made 15 saves for the win.

Michigan head coach Red Berenson praised Caporusso after the game.

"He's got a hot stick right now," said Berenson. "He's confident. He wants the puck and he's patient with it. Even the last shift of the game, that tells you something about Louie Caporusso. He had a 2-on-1 and he had two goals in the game, and could have shot or maybe should have shot, but he passed it. That's why our team is winning because you have players like that that are playing for the team."

Derek Grant scored the lone goal for MSU and Drew Palmisano made 20 saves through two periods before giving way to Bobby Jarosz for the third period. Jarosz finished with seven stops.

In the series-clinching win Saturday night, Chris Brown broke a 3-3 tie early in the third period and Michigan went on to win the game, 5-3.

"It was a great dump by Steve Kampfer," said Brown in describing his game-winner. "At the same time, me and (Brian Lebler) were just hacking away. A.J. Treais had a great play behind the net to make sure the puck stayed in. Lebler and I were using our strength and whacking away. Luckily, it went in and I had a pretty hard celebration going after."

Andrew Rowe scored twice, Jeff Petry assisted on both, and MSU co-captain Nick Sucharski added another goal at the horn to end the first period as the Spartans held a 3-2 lead. Matt Rust and Treais had given Michigan a 2-0 lead 8:46 into the game, forcing MSU head coach Rick Comley to yank Palmisano for Jarosz.

Ben Winnett tallied early in the second period to tie the game, setting the stage for Brown's winner in the third. Wohlberg added an empty-netter to seal the game and the series.

"We came out hard and strong," Brown said. "We got that 2-0 lead, but they came back. We took some poor penalties and at the end of the first period and they were up 3-2. Going out of the locker room (for the second period), we had to make sure we were coming out hard and match their intensity to grab momentum in the game."

Palmisano finished with six saves on eight shots, while Jarosz made 33 saves in 50:45 of work.

Hunwick took the win with an 18-save outing.

Michigan State's season is probably done, as the Spartans (19-16-6) are out of a NCAA tournament spot per the Pairwise Rankings. The Spartans finished in second place in the CCHA standings after a 10th-place finish one year ago.

Brown, Krug on CCHA All-Rookie Team

CCHA Press Release

For the first time since 1997 and second time ever, six different CCHA schools had one student-athlete named to the 2010 CCHA All-Rookie Team. This marks the 22nd year that the conference has named an all-rookie team. Fifteen freshmen garnered at least one vote.

Determined by a vote of the conference’s head coaches, the team will be honored at the 2010 CCHA Awards on Thursday, March 18, at the Fox Theatre in Detroit.

F - Andy Taranto, Alaska Fairbanks
F - Terry Broadhurst, Nebraska-Omaha
F - Chris Brown, Michigan
D - Torey Krug, Michigan State
D - Joe Hartman, Miami
G - Mike Johnson, Notre Dame

Chris Brown, an 18-year-old forward from Flower Mound, Tex., finished second in CCHA scoring among rookies with 10-11-21. The Phoenix Coyotes draft pick tied for first overall in power-play goals (7) and led all freshmen with three game-winning goals, tied for fifth overall in the CCHA. Brown was named CCM CCHA Rookie of the Week once.

Torey Krug, an 18-year-old defenseman from Livonia, led all CCHA rookie rearguards with 16 points, finishing tied for eighth among all rookies and tied for fifth among all CCHA defensemen. Krug was named CCM CCHA Rookie of the Week once, CCM CCHA Rookie of the Month twice and National Rookie of the Month once.

Honorable mentions
Forward — Nik Yaremchuk, UA; Jordan Samuels-Thomas, BGSU; Curtis McKenzie, MIA; Derek Grant, MSU; Riley Sheahan, ND; Defense — Zach Trotman, LSSU; Kyle Follmer, NMU; Devon Krogh, OSU; Goaltender — John Faulkner, UNO.

Wolverines handle LSSU in first round

By Matt Mackinder/Michigan Beat Writer

Michigan is moving on in the CCHA Tournament after sweeping Lake Superior State this weekend at Yost Ice Arena in Ann Arbor.

And the Wolverines did it without No. 1 goalie Bryan Hogan, still out nursing a lower-body injury. Shawn Hunwick won both games for Michigan and felt comfortable both nights.

"I think the more shots, the better my rhythm," Hunwick said. "There are points like (Friday) night where I only got five [shots] in a 10-minute span. That's not ideal. You want to stay as sharp as you can and mentally focused to stay in the game. I was communicating with the defense. They had good puck touches and I made some good saves."

Saturday night, Louie Caporusso tallied a hat trick and Jeff Rohrkemper scored his first collegiate goal for Michigan in a 6-0 shutout. Carl Hagelin added two goals to back Hunwick's 28-save outing.

"If you have momentum, your top scorers should be your best players," Michigan head coach Red Berenson said. "Your team should be playing like a team and you should be playing well defensively. I think we are getting all of that."

Brian Mahoney-Wilson and Pat Inglis combined for 40 saves in the LSSU net. Mahoney-Wilson started and made 28 through two periods, while Inglis mopped up and stopped all 12 in the third period.

In Friday night's opener, five different Wolverines - A.J. Treais, David Wohlberg, Matt Rust, Brian Lebler and captain Chris Summers - gave UM a 5-2 victory.

"We were surprised to see that three of their top players weren't dressed," Berenson said. "Later we found out that they have the flu. I guess that they have had some flu going around their team. That's unfortunate, but it's also unfortunate that Hogan is not playing as our starting goalie, so it is a trade-off. I thought that their team had the better of the play in the first seven or eight minutes of the first period. We were on our heels. Hunwick made some huge saves and I thought that was a turning point in the game and it kept us in the game. Overall, I thought our team got better as the game went on."

Hunwick finished with 21 saves, while Mahoney-Wilson stopped 38 for the Lakers.

Steven Kaunisto and Dillon Stonehouse scored for LSSU.

Lake Superior State ends the year 15-18-5.

The Wolverines (21-17-1) will continue into the quarterfinal round of the CCHA Tournament on the road next Friday against Michigan State.

"It's a rivalry," said Caporusso. "It's a big game and it's going to be fun hockey. The way we're playing now, we should be okay."

The best-of-three series will be played in East Lansing from Friday through Sunday with all three games starting at 7:05 p.m.

Michigan drops regular season finale

By Matt Mackinder/Michigan Beat Writer

Michigan started out strong during Saturday night's game at Notre Dame, but a 2-0 lead went for naught as the Irish rallied for a 5-3 win to wrap up both team's regular seasons.

With the loss, Michigan finishes in seventh place in the CCHA standings and will host 10th-place Lake Superior State in the first round of the CCHA tournament starting next weekend at Yost Ice Arena. The best-of-three series will run from Friday-Sunday.

Saturday night, Louie Caporusso scored twice and Shawn Hunwick made 20 saves in his first collegiate start and fourth career appearance.

David Wohlberg also tallied for the Wolverines, who finish 19-17-1 overall and 14-13-1-0 in league play.

Hunwick, UM blank Notre Dame Thursday

By Matt Mackinder/Michigan Beat Writer

Michigan celebrated Senior Night with a 4-0 shutout of Notre Dame last night at Yost Ice Arena in the opening game of a home-and-home series with the Irish.

Chad Langlais, Matt Rust, senior captain Chris Summers and Brian Lebler all had a goal and an assist for the Wolverines, while Bryan Hogan and Shawn Hunwick combined for 20 saves.

Hunwick (pictured) made 14 of those stops after coming in for Hogan at the 10:49 mark of the first period. Hogan injured himself sliding from his left to his right making a save.

"From the beginning, coach has called me the relief pitcher and different things," said Hunwick. "He has told me to always be ready and prepare all week like I'm going to play. Me and Blackie (goalie coach Josh Blackburn) prepare like I'm going to play and I just always try to stay sharp."

Summers commented on possibly playing his last-ever game at Yost.

"Knowing it could be the last game we play at Yost definitely takes a toll on your emotions," he said. "Maybe you get a little too antsy, but I think the most important thing was that we stayed calm and confident. I enjoyed the experience and really embraced and soaked it all in."

The Wolverines (19-16-1, 14-12-1-0 CCHA) finish up the staggered home-and-home series in South Bend on Saturday night. The final game of the regular season for both teams will begin at 7:05 p.m. and will be televised by the Big Ten Network.

Photo courtesy UM Photo Services