Three Michigan teams ranked in USCHO top 20

In the weekly USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll released Monday, Ferris State, Michigan and Michigan Tech were all ranked among the nation's top 20.

Ferris State fell from No. 8 to No. 14, Michigan dropped one place to No. 15 and MTU entered the rankings at No. 17.

USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll - Oct. 27, 2014

MiCHO Week 5 Results

Western Michigan junior Nolan LaPorte tallied three points to lead the Broncos to a 4-2 win over Alaska at Lawson Ice Arena in front of a sold-out crowd of 4,063 Saturday night (GS Photo).

Michigan Tech swept WCHA rival Ferris State in Big Rapids.

Friday - MTU 1, Ferris State 0
Saturday - MTU 2, Ferris State 1


Michigan went on the road and beat Massachusetts-Lowell, before losing to Boston University.

Friday - Michigan 8, UMass Lowell 4
Saturday - Boston University 3, Michigan 2


Northern Michigan took both contests on the road against still-winless Lake Superior State.

Friday - Northern Michigan 4, LSSU 2
Saturday - Northern Michigan 3, LSSU 0


Michigan State also went East, losing to both Boston University and UMass Lowell.

Friday - Boston University 1, Michigan State 0
Saturday - UMass Lowell 2, Michigan State 1


Western Michigan played at home and split with Alaska.

Friday - Alaska 1, Western Michigan 0
Saturday - Western Michigan 4, Alaska 2

Ferris State, Michigan both ranked in USCHO poll

Both Ferris State and Michigan are ranked in this week's USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll.

The Bulldogs fall four spots to sit eighth this week, while the Wolverines also tumble four places to No. 14.

Ferris State split with St. Lawrence last week, while Michigan split with New Hampshire.

USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll - Oct. 20, 2014

MiCHO Week 4 Results

The Michigan State Spartans began the new season with a 5-3 win over UMass in East Lansing.
(photo courtesy of Rey Del Rio/MSU Athletic Communications)

#10 Michigan rallied at Yost for a two-game split with visiting New Hampshire.

Friday recap -  UNH 5, U of M 1
Saturday recap - UNH 1, U of M 2

The Northern Michigan Wildcats opened their season with a bang as they swept the #18 Wisconsin Badgers at the Resch Center in Green Bay.

Friday recap - NMU 2, U of W 0
Saturday recap - NMU 4, U of W 1

Michigan State began the campaign with a split at Munn against Massachusetts.

Friday recap - UMass 3, MSU 5
Saturday recap - UMass 4, MSU 3

There was no joy at the Lawson Arena as the WMU Broncos were swept aside by Nebraska-Omaha.

Friday recap - UNO 5, WMU 2
Saturday recap - UNO 3, WMU 0

#4 Ferris State went on the road and split with St. Lawrence in Canton, NY.

Friday recap - FSU 3, St. Lawrence 2
Saturday recap - FSU 0, St. Lawrence 2

Lake Superior is still searching for their first win of the year as they hammered by Notre Dame in South Bend.

Friday recap - LSSU 3, ND 5
Saturday recap - LSSU 1, ND 5

MiCHO Week 3 Results

Ferris State beat up Wilfrid Laurier in Big Rapids on Friday. (Photo courtesy of FSU Athletics)

#9 Michigan shoots past Wilfrid Laurier, 5-2, in the Wolverine's final exhibition game in Ann Arbor.
Thursday recap-  UofM

Western Michigan and Canisius split a pair at the First Niagara Center.
Friday recaps - Canisius 4, WMU 2
Saturday recaps - WMU 4, Canisius 1

Lake Superior falls to 0-4 after getting swept on the road at Robert Morris.
Friday recaps-  RMU 3, LSSU 1     USCHO
Saturday recaps- RMU 3, LSSU 0     USCHO

The eighth ranked Bulldogs hammer Wilfrid Laurier, 4-1, in their final tune-up game at Ewigleben.
Saturday recap - FSU

MiCHO Week 2 Results

Broncos win Border Battle in K'Zoo (photo courtesy of GS Photo / WMU Athletics) 

#9 Ferris State slips past #8 Michigan in Big Rapids. 

• Saturday recaps - FSU UofM USCHO 

Michigan Tech sweeps Lake Superior in the Sault. 

• Saturday recaps - MTU LSSU USCHO
• Sunday recaps - MTU LSSU USCHO

Western Michigan and Toronto finish 2-2, Broncos win in shootout at the Lawson Arena.

• Saturday recap - WMU

Michigan puts up a touchdown in exhibition win over the US Under-18 squad at Yost.

• Monday recap - UofM

Michigan State skates to a 2-2 tuneup tie at Munn against Windsor.

• Tuesday recap- MSU

Wolverines and Bulldogs ranked in Top 10

The Michigan Wolverines and Ferris State Bulldogs come into the 2015-2015 season ranked 8th and 9th in the country, according to the USCHO.com Division I Men's hockey poll.

Badgers coming to Big Rapids

Photo courtesy Ferris State Athletics

The Ferris State Bulldogs have announced a home-and-home series with Big Ten powerhouse Wisconsin.

NAHL star Szajner chooses Ferris State

 

Zack Szajner of the NAHL's Michigan Warriors has committed to Ferris State. (Photo courtesy/NAHL)

Bulldogs ready to defend

Photo courtesy Ferris State Athletics

Ferris State announces its 2014-15 schedule.

Maize and Blue announce 2014-2015 schedule

Photo courtesy of U of M Athletics

The Michigan Wolverines will open their 93rd season of collegiate hockey on the road on October 4 at former conference rival, Ferris State.

Former Bulldog Chupp to coach in Green Bay

Former Ferris State star Cody Chupp named an assistant coach in the USHL.

Ferris State's run ends in regional final

By Tom Morelli/Ferris State Beat Writer

Ferris State's chance of completing their unfinished business from two years ago was nixed on Saturday night after losing a 2-1 double-overtime thriller to North Dakota at the Midwest Regional Championship in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Both teams mirrored each other from the beginning, with neither one able to find the back of the net in the first period.

The Bulldogs grabbed the initial lead at the 7:31 mark of the second, thanks to senior Cory Kane's 14th goal of the campaign from between the faceoff circles. Fellow classmate Andy Huff and junior netminder C.J. Motte were both credited with assists on that play.

Just over three minutes later, North Dakota was able to even-up matters while on the man-advantage. Nick Mattson fed a one-timer to Paul LaDue at the blue line, which was subsequently deflected in by Stephane Pattyn from just outside the crease.

The contest remained deadlocked at one goal apiece until Connor Gaarder of North Dakota netted the game-winner off a back-handed redirect in front with 1:28 elapsed in the second overtime session. On a play that was eerily similar to the previous goal, North Dakota's Mattson and LaDue both picked-up their second helpers of the evening.

Despite the loss, Ferris State head coach Bob Daniels was very supportive of his team after the game.

"First of all, I want congratulate North Dakota in winning tonight and playing a great game," said Daniels. "[But] I want to congratulate our players as well. They really played well, and, more importantly, it's been a great ride. I'm exceedingly proud and realize that we're going to look back and be appreciative of this year. Its a little painful right now, but I am very appreciative of the efforts of our team."

The Bulldogs outshot their opposition 45-26, increasing their shot production gradually as the game wore on.

Motte had 24 saves to finish his second season as a starter with a 28-9-3 ledger. At the other end of the ice, Zane Gothberg made 44 stops to notch his 20th win of the season.

Senior captain Scott Czarnowczan, Kane and Motte were named to the All-Midwest Regional Tournament Team, where they were joined by North Dakota's Rocco Grimaldi, Gaarder and LaDue.

Ferris State finishes the 2013-2014 season with an overall record of 29-11-3.

Ferris State 1, Colgate 0: In Friday's opening round of 16, freshman Gerald Mayhew knocked in a loose puck at 10:01 in the first period to advance the Bulldogs to the Midwest Regional Championship. Motte stopped all 35 shots to secure his fifth shutout of the season.

FSU secures NCAA bid despite loss in finals

By Tom Morelli/Ferris State Beat Writer

There's no shame in losing, especially when you have the clout that Ferris State has amassed throughout the season.

The Bulldogs bounced past Alaska Anchorage in the WCHA semifinals with a 5-4 overtime win, before being ousted by Minnesota State 4-1 in the championship game.

But the loss comes without consequence, as Ferris State's overall record of 28-10-3 and WCHA regular season title was enough to merit a spot amongst the 16 teams vying for the NCAA Championship.

In their journey to make it to the NCAA tournament, the Bulldogs first had to cross paths with the Seawolves in Friday's semifinal, whom they previously beat twice during the regular season.

Ferris State however found out quickly that this was no walk in the park, after seeing their 2-0 lead in the first disappear with four consecutive goals by Alaska Anchorage by the midpoint of the following period.

Senior forward Garrett Thompson helped spark the Bulldogs' comeback at 12:50, scoring his team-high 16th goal of the campaign courtesy of a 2-on-1 situation. Earning helpers on that play were Justin Buzzeo and Scott Czarnowczan.

Less than three minutes later, another senior came through in the clutch for Ferris State, with Andy Huff finding the back of the net for the game-tying goal.

The Bulldogs needed just 2:38 seconds of the overtime session to finish the job, which came courtesy of a Gerald Mayhew shot from between the faceoff circles that trickled past Seawolves' netminder Chris Kamal.

Goaltender C.J. Motte finished with 34 saves for Ferris State, while Rob Gunderson surrendered four goals on 12 shots for Alaska Anchorage in the first two periods before being pulled. In his 23:38 seconds of relief duty, Kamal had 10 stops to his credit.

Saturday's tournament final was a much tougher challenge for the Bulldogs, who found themselves in a 2-0 hole against the Mavericks after just 20 minutes of action.

It wasn't until the final minute of the second frame that Ferris State responded, thanks to Mayhew's diving effort from outside the crease that cut the deficit in half. Helping to set-up the scoring play were Cory Kane and Huff.

Any chance of a Bulldog comeback was put to rest in the third period, as Brett Knowles notched an insurance goal at the 8:38 mark, followed by Teddy Blueger's empty-netter with four seconds remaining.

Motte (27-8-3) held a narrow edge over counterpart Cole Huggins in the saves department, 28-25.

Mayhew was the only Ferris State player named to the WCHA Final Five All-Tournament Team, joining the likes of Minnesota State's Bryce Gervais, Brett Stern, Blueger and Huggins (tournament MVP).

Up next for the Bulldogs is a first-round draw in the Midwest Regional against Colgate on March 28 at the US Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio. The winner of that game will face either North Dakota or Wisconsin the following night in the regional final.

Bulldogs advance to WCHA Semifinals

By Tom Morelli/Ferris State Beat Writer

Never judge a book by its cover.

It's a lesson that Bemidji State learned the hard way this past weekend, when Ferris State defenseman Scott Czarnowczan rifled the game-winning shot from the blueline in double overtime to help the Bulldogs move onto the second round of the WCHA Tournament.

A senior, Czarnowczan has shown time and again that he plays much bigger than his 5-foot-10, 176 pounds frame may suggest. After an injury-plagued junior season, Czarnowczan has rebounded to become Ferris State's top scoring defenseman with 24 points (six goals, 18 assists) in 37 games, ranking him fifth overall on the team. In addition, the team captain was also recently named to the WCHA All-Second Team alongside classmate Garrett Thompson.

Czarnowczan's goal capped a run that saw the No. 6 ranked Bulldogs bounce back from a 2-1 deficit, which began with sophomore Matt Roberton's game-tying goal with 45 seconds left in regulation to force the extra session.

Ferris State took the initial lead on Saturday night following Brandon Anselmini netting his fifth goal of the campaign with 3:50 elapsed in the contest.

An untimely hit to Cory Kane later in the frame caused the glass boards to shatter behind the Beavers' net, causing a lengthy delay in action.

The Bulldogs' momentum would come to a temporary halt in the second period, when Phil Brewer evened-up the score at the 1:17 mark, followed by Nate Arentz's go-ahead marker a mere five minutes later.

Junior netminder C.J. Motte logged nearly 85 minutes of action to pick-up his 26th win of the season, collecting 34 saves in the process.

There was less dramatics on the previous night, as Ferris State coasted to an 8-0 decision in which six different players lit the lamp.

Forwards Justin Buzzeo and Kyle Schempp gave the Bulldogs a 2-0 advantage midway through the opening stanza, scoring their goals nearly two minutes apart. The duo would also find themselves on the score-sheet later in the game, with Buzzeo's coming at 16:15 in the second and Schempp equaling the feat 5:23 into the third.

Junior defenseman Travis White made it a 3-0 affair just shy of the 11-minute mark of the second, blasting a knuckle-puck from the right slot that found its way past Bemidji State goaltender Andrew Walsh.

35 seconds after Schempp netted his second goal of the evening, Kane upped the Bulldogs lead to six off a costly turnover by the Beavers in their defensive zone. The play began with Gerald Mayhew chipping the puck out from along the boards and onto the stick of Andy Huff, who then flipped it up-ice for Kane to finish the tic-tac-toe play.

Robertson centered to puck to sophomore Kenny Babinski from down-low to make it a 7-0 affair at 12:47, before Huff finished off Ferris State's scoring binge a minute later.

Motte recorded 26 saves en route to his fourth shutout of the season, while Walsh stopped 15 shots on 23 opportunities.

Ferris State (27-9-3 overall) faces off with Alaska Anchorage in the WCHA Semifinals this Friday at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The winner of that contest will meet either Bowling Green State or Minnesota State in the WCHA Championship Game the very next night.

WCHA announces 2013-2014 honors

WCHA Press Release

 

MADISON, Wis. – University of Alaska forward Cody Kunyk was chosen as Western Collegiate Hockey Association Player of the Year and the University of Alabama in Huntsville’s Chad Brears earned WCHA Outstanding-Student Athlete of the Year honors to highlight 2013-14 men’s awards announced by the conference today.

 

The league’s five other major individual awards went to University of Alaska defenseman Colton Parayko as WCHA Defensive Player of the Year, Lake Superior State University forward Alex Globke as WCHA Rookie of the Year, Alaska’s Cody Kunyk as WCHA Scoring Champion, Minnesota State University’s Cole Huggins as WCHA Goaltending Champion, and Bob Daniels of Ferris State University as WCHA Coach of the Year.

 

Kunyk (Sherwood Park, AB) finished the regular season of his senior campaign as the WCHA scoring champion, accruing 34 points on 17 goals and 17 assists in Alaska’s 28 conference games. In the 34-game regular-season schedule, he scored a single-season career-high 42 points with a WCHA-high 22 goals to go with 20 assists. Also named to the All-WCHA First Team and to the WCHA All-Academic Team, Kunyk has recorded five multiple-goal outings this season, including a career-best four goals in the Nanooks’ victory over Alaska Anchorage on March 7. That mark was achieved by only three other collegians during the 2013-14 year. He leads the nation with seven game-winning goals, scored six power-play and two shorthanded goals and owns a stellar +14 plus/minus rating. Kunyk currently ranks 13th all-time on the program’s scoring list with 132 points (60g, 72a) in 145 career games.

 

Brears (Cold Lake, AB), a forward at Alabama Huntsville, was chosen by member team Faculty Representatives as WCHA Outstanding Student-Athlete of the Year. Majoring in Mechanical Engineering, Brears has maintained a 4.0 GPA in one of the institution’s most difficult degree programs and despite the constant demands of being a student-athlete and the extensive travel involved as a member of the Chargers’ hockey team. He earned WCHA Scholar-Athlete honors in mid-February, is a member of the WCHA All-Academic Team, and is one of his team’s leaders both on and off the ice. He is an enthusiastic participant in mentoring activities with local school children and an all-around great representative of the ethos of college hockey. In 35 games played this season, Brears tied for third on the team in points with 10 and was second on the team in goals scored with six. Brears’ on-ice moment of the year came at Bemidji State on Feb. 28 when he fed a pretty pass to Jack Prince who scored the game-winning goal for a key road victory over a long-time rival. The WCHA Outstanding Student-Athlete of the Year Award is determined from nominations made by the member institutions and each institution then has one final vote.

 

The league’s 10 head coaches voted Alaska defenseman Colton Parayko (St. Albert, AB) as the WCHA Defensive Player of the Year. An All-WCHA First Team selection as just a sophomore, Parayko finished his second collegiate season as one of the leading offensive defenseman in the league, ranking tied for third with 18 points (4g, 14a) in the 28-game league slate. In Alaska’s 34 regular-season outings, he tallied 23 points (4g, 19a) and led all defenders with 19 assists. Defensively, he is always matched up against the opponents’ top lines and is a leader in ice time. He blocked a nation’s second-best 2.65 blocks per game (90) and owns a standout +17 plus/minus rating. Then Nanooks went 13-5-0 when he recorded at least one point, compared to their 4-8-4 mark when he went without a point. He has had five multiple-point outings during the season and has scored all four of his goals on the power-play.

 

Honored by voters as the WCHA Rookie of the Year for 2013-14 is Lake Superior State University forward Alex Globke, who also earned All-WCHA Rookie Team accolades. Globke (Waterford, MI), who produced 31 points (12g, 19a) to lead the Lakers and played in all 36 games, was one of his club’s most consistent offensive players. As a freshman among a senior-laden squad, Globke produced points at a rapid pace. He lead the WCHA in freshman goals, assists, and points. He currently sits tied for seventh nationally in rookie scoring, while also finishing eighth in overall conference scoring. Globke also finished tied for sixth in overall assists in league play. He produced like an experienced veteran and helped anchor one of the most effective lines in the league with seniors Colin Campbell and Dan Radke. With center Radke out for two straight weeks and gone from the top line, Globke added four assists over the four games against conference foes Michigan Tech and Bemidji State. He has been named conference Rookie of the Week. Globke began his collegiate career with 15 points in his first 12 games including seven in his first six.

 

The WCHA Scoring Champion for 2013-14 is Alaska’s Cody Kunyk while the league goaltending champion is Minnesota State University rookie Cole Huggins. Huggins (Centennial, CO), who has three shutouts in his last four games played heading into the playoffs, owns an overall 17-7-1 won-loss record, a 1.96 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage. He has started 15 of the last 17 games for the Mavericks, ranks ninth in the nation in goals-against average, 27th in save percentage and his school-record tying five shutouts on the year is tied for third. Huggins led the league with a 1.73 goals-against average and .794 winning percentage (he was 17-4-1 in league games), tied for the league lead with a .927 save percentage and was named WCHA Rookie of the Week following MSU’s games with Bowling Green (Nov. 15-16) and WCHA Defensive Player of the Week after the Mavericks earned a league road sweep at Lake Superior State (Feb. 28-March 1). He had a career-high 33 saves in 1-0 shutout victory vs. Bowling Green Nov. 9.

 

Chosen as the WCHA Coach of the Year is Bob Daniels of Ferris State University, who led the Bulldogs to the regular season title as first-year league members. In the midst of his 22nd season at the helm and a two-time National Coach of the Year Award recipient, Daniels led the Bulldogs to their second conference championship in the last three years as FSU became only the third program ever to win both the WCHA and the former Central Collegiate Hockey Association titles. The Bulldogs led the league race from wire-to-wire in claiming the fabled MacNaughton Cup and securing the number one seed for the league playoffs. During the 2013-14 season, the Bulldogs established a new school record under Daniels with a nation-leading 16-game unbeaten streak, which lasted from late October until early January. Ferris State did not drop a conference game until the middle of January and the Bulldogs finished the regular-season with a first-place 20-6-2 league slate.

 

Under Daniels’ leadership, Ferris State has compiled a nation-leading 25 wins (25-9-3), the fourth most in school history, and the Bulldogs own one of the country’s top marks on home ice with a 14-1-1 record inside the Ewigleben Ice Arena. FSU, ranked as high as second and among the nation’s top 10 teams each of the last 15 weeks, went unbeaten at home (13-0-1) in conference action and posted its sixth-straight season with increased home attendance. This season’s average of 2,141 fans per game was its best in 32 years. Additionally, Ferris State is also presently sixth in the national PairWise and RPI rankings with the Bulldogs eyeing their third overall NCAA Tournament bid, including the second in three seasons following the memorable 2011-12 run to the national championship game at the NCAA Frozen Four.

 

Four conference teams – Alaska, Alaska Anchorage, Ferris State and Minnesota State – are represented on the All-WCHA First Team, with both the Nanooks and the Mavericks having two honorees each. Named to the All-WCHA First Team, with statistics for league games, were forwards Cody Kunyk (Sr., Alaska, 28 gp, 17-17=34), Matt Bailey (Sr., Alaska Anchorage, 28 gp, 12- 15=27), and Matt Leitner (Jr., Minnesota State, 26 gp, 8-25=33), defensemen Colton Parayko (So., Alaska, 28 gp, 4-14=18) and Zach Palmquist (Jr., Minnesota State, 28 gp, 3-16=19), and goaltender C.J. Motte (Jr., Ferris State, 19-6-2, 2.29, .927).

 

Voted to the All-WCHA Second Team were forwards Jean- Paul Lafontaine (Jr., Minnesota State, 28 gp, 16-16=32), Colton Beck (Sr., Alaska, 28 gp, 11-19=30) and Garrett Thompson (Sr., Ferris State, 28 gp, 11-7=18), defensemen Scott Czarnowczan (Sr., Ferris State, 28 gp, 4-13=17) and Kevin Czuczman (Jr., Lake Superior State, 28 gp, 6-9=15) and goaltender Cole Huggins (Fr., Minnesota State, 17-4-1, 1.73, .927).

 

Named to the All-WCHA Third Team for 2013-14 were forwards Tyler Morley (So., Alaska, 25 gp, 15-14=29), Zach Lehrke (Sr., Minnesota State, 24 gp, 7-18=25) and Johnny McInnis (Sr., Minnesota State, 28 gp, 17-11=28), defensemen Matt Prapavessis (Jr., Bemidji State, 28 gp, 5-12=17) and Jason Binkley (Jr., Ferris State, 26 gp, 2-16=18), and goaltender Kevin Kapalka (Sr., Lake Superior State, 8-9-0, 2.62, .924).

 

And voted to the All-WCHA Rookie Team were forwards Alex Globke (Fr., Lake Superior State, 28 gp, 9-12=21), Marcus Basara (Fr., Alaska, 28 gp, 9-12=21) and Kyle Schempp (Fr., Ferris State, 28 gp, 6-12=18), defensemen Shane Hanna (Fr., Michigan Tech, 28 gp, 4-18=22), Ruslan Pedan (Fr., Bemidji State, 28 gp, 3-8=11) and Sean Flanagan (Fr., Minnesota State, 24 gp, 5-6=11), and goaltender Cole Huggins (Fr., Minnesota State, 17-4-1, 1.73, .927).

 

A repeat all-league honoree from 2012-13 was forward Matt Leitner of Minnesota State, who was an All-WCHA First Team selection this season after being All-WCHA Third Team a season ago. Alaska forward Cody Kunyk, who was an All-WCHA First Team choice, was an All-CCHA Second Team honoree in 2011-12 while Nanooks’ forward Tyler Morley, who was All-WCHA Third Team, was a member of the All-CCHA Rookie Team in 2012-13. And Lake Superior goaltender Kevin Kapalka, an All-WCHA Third Team selection, was named to the All-CCHA Rookie Team in 2010-11.

 

Seven players who were named as major award winners and/or to this season’s all-league teams were also honored as WCHA Scholar-Athletes for 2013-14 back on Feb. 13. They were forward Chad Brears of Alabama Huntsville (WCHA Outstanding Student-Athlete of the Year), forward Matt Bailey of Alaska Anchorage (All-WCHA First Team), defenseman Colton Parayko of Alaska (WCHA Defensive Player of the Year, All-WCHA First Team), Bemidji State defenseman Matt Prapavessis (All-WCHA Third Team), Ferris State defenseman Jason Binkley (All-WCHA Third Team), Lake Superior State defenseman Kevin Czuczman (All-WCHA Second Team) and Lakers’ goaltender Kevin Kapalka (All-WCHA Third Team). To earn recognition as a WCHA Scholar- Athlete, student-athletes must have completed at least one year of residency at their present institution prior to the current academic year and must also have a grade-point average of at least 3.50 on a 4.0 scale for the previous two semesters or three quarters, or may qualify if his or her overall GPA is at least 3.50 for all terms at his or her present institution.

 

Major award winners and/or members named to all-league teams who were also earned 2013-14 WCHA All-Academic Team honors were: Chad Brears of Alabama Huntsville (WCHA Outstanding Student-Athlete of the Year), Matt Bailey of Alaska Anchorage (All-WCHA First Team), Alaska’s Colton Beck (All- WCHA Second Team), Cody Kunyk (WCHA Player of the Year, All-WCHA First Team), Tyler Morley (All-WCHA Third Team) and Colton Parayko (WCHA Defensive Player of the Year, All-WCHA First Team), Bemidji State’s Matt Prapavessis (All-WCHA Third Team), Ferris State’s Scott Czarnowczan (All-WCHA Second Team) and C.J. Motte (All-WCHA First Team), Lake Superior State’s Kevin Czuczman (All-WCHA Second Team) and Kevin Kapalka (All-WCHA Third Team), and Minnesota State’s Zach Lehrke (All-WCHA Third Team) and Zach Palmquist (All-WCHA First Team).

 

Voting for WCHA awards and all-league teams is done by member team head and assistant coaches and captains or sports information directors. Each team receives four ballots for a total of 40 voters. Points for awards and all-league teams are awarded on a 5-point (1st team vote), 3-point (2nd team vote), and 1-point (3rd team vote) basis. The WCHA Outstanding Student- Athlete of the Year award is administered by member team Faculty Athletic Representatives. The WCHA Defensive Player of the Year is chosen by the league’s 10 head coaches.

 

WCHA Player of the Year

Cody Kunyk • Forward, Senior, University of Alaska (Sherwood Park, AB)

 

WCHA Outstanding Student-Athlete of the Year

Chad Brears • Forward, Sophomore, University of Alabama in Huntsville (Cold Lake, AB)

 

WCHA Defensive Player of the Year

Colton Parayko • Defenseman, Sophomore, University of Alaska (St. Albert, AB)

 

WCHA Rookie of the Year

Alex Globke • Forward, Freshman, Lake Superior State University (Waterford, MI)

 

WCHA Scoring Champion

Cody Kunyk • Forward, Senior, University of Alaska (Sherwood Park, AB)

 

WCHA Goaltending Champion

Cole Huggins • Freshman, Goaltender, Minnesota State University (Centennial, CO)

 

WCHA Coach of the Year

Bob Daniels • Ferris State University

 

 

2013-14 All-WCHA First Team

Pos Name Team Ht Wt Yr Hometown 2013-14 WCHA Stats

F Cody Kunyk Alaska 5-11 197 Sr Sherwood Park, AB 28 gp, 17-17=34

F Matt Bailey Alaska Anchorage 6-1 196 Sr Oakbank, MB 28 gp, 12-15=27

F Matt Leitner Minnesota State 5-9 175 Jr Los Alamitos, CA 26 gp, 8-25=33

D Colton Parayko Alaska 6-5 218 So St. Albert, AB 28 gp, 4-14=18

D Zach Palmquist Minnesota State 6-0 175 Jr South St. Paul, MN 28 gp, 3-16=19

G C.J. Motte Ferris State 6-0 190 Jr St. Clair, MI 19-6-2, 2.29, .927

 

2013-14 All-WCHA Second Team

Pos Name Team Ht Wt Yr Hometown 2013-14 WCHA Stats

F Jean-Paul Lafontaine Minnesota State 5-10 172 Jr Oxford, MI 28 gp, 16-16=32

F Colton Beck Alaska 5-11 187 Sr Langley, BC 28 gp, 11-19=30

F Garrett Thompson Ferris State 6-2 191 Sr Traverse City, MI 28 gp, 11-7=18

D Scott Czarnowczan Ferris State 5-10 176 Sr Macomb, MI 28 gp, 4-13=17

D Kevin Czuczman Lake Superior State 6-3 205 Jr Port Elgin, ON 28 gp, 6-9=15

G Cole Huggins Minnesota State 6-0 180 Fr Centennial, CO 17-4-1, 1.73, .927

 

2013-14 All-WCHA Third Team

Pos Name Team Ht Wt Yr Hometown 2013-14 WCHA Stats

F Tyler Morley Alaska 5-8 174 So Burnaby, BC 25 gp, 15-14=29

F Zach Lehrke Minnesota State 5-8 170 Sr Park Rapids, MN 24 gp, 7-18=25

F Johnny McInnis Minnesota State 6-1 195 Sr Boston, MA 28 gp, 17-11=28

D Matt Prapavessis Bemidji State 6-1 183 Jr Oakville, ON 28 gp, 5-12=17

D Jason Binkley Ferris State 5-9 191 Jr Powell, OH 26 gp, 2-16=18

G Kevin Kapalka Lake Superior State 6-1 206 Sr Mississauga, ON 8-9-0, 2.62, .924

 

2013-14 All-WCHA Rookie Team

Pos Name Team Ht Wt Yr Hometown 2013-14 WCHA Stats

F Alex Globke Lake Superior State 6-3 206 Fr Waterford, MI 28 gp, 9-12=21

F Marcus Basara Alaska 6-0 197 Fr Port Moody, BC 28 gp, 9-12=21

F Kyle Schempp Ferris State 6-0 178 Fr Saginaw, MI 28 gp, 6-12=18

D Shane Hanna Michigan Tech 5-11 190 Fr Salmon Arm, BC 28 gp, 4-18=22

D Ruslan Pedan Bemidji State 6-0 190 Fr Moscow, Russia 28 gp, 3-8=11

D Sean Flanagan Minnesota State 6-1 180 Fr Kindersly, SK 24 gp, 5-6=11

G Cole Huggins Minnesota State 6-0 180 Fr Centennial, CO 17-4-1, 1.73, .927

Bulldogs capture WCHA crown in sweep

Ferris State celebrates after winning the WCHA regular-season title
(Photo Credit: Ferris State Athletics)

By Tom Morelli/Ferris State Beat Writer

Ferris State's transition into the WCHA this past year has been relatively flawless, but it hasn't come without a challenge or two.

Going into the final week of the regular season, the No. 7 ranked Bulldogs remained tied with Minnesota State at 38 points for the top spot of the standings.

In the ultimate mix of both luck and skill, Ferris State was able to defeat Lake Superior State on consecutive nights, while Minnesota State finished with a win and a tie against Michigan Tech. As a result, the Bulldogs were able to nab the conference championship in their inaugural WCHA run by a single point.

Action didn't pick-up until late in the first period of Friday's contest, when senior Cory Kane moved in from the right side of the net to beat Lakers netminder Kevin Kapalka with 5:35 left for his 12th goal of the campaign, which came via the power play. Earning assists on that play were defensemen Scott Czarnowczan and Jason Binkley.

Ferris State upped their lead midway though the second using a bit of trickery to find the back of the net. Senior Justin DeMartino skated in on the right wing before centering the puck to a streaking Dakota Klecha. After rifling a shot toward the net, the puck bounced off the side of Rob Schempp and trickled its way past the goal line.

It wasn't until the 12:47 mark that Lake Superior State was able to respond, with Dan Radke winning the faceoff draw to the left of the net and feeding it to Colin Campbell from just outside the circle.

Kapalka recorded 42 saves in the loss, compared to C.J. Motte's 32 stops.

Saturday's contest consisted of the Bulldogs honoring their five seniors (Czarnowczan, DeMartino, Andy Huff, Kane and Garrett Thompson) prior to the start of the game, which was a fitting tribute considering that three of them accounted for all of Ferris State's points in their 2-1 decision.

The Bulldogs jumped on their opposition early, using a 4-on-3 situation to their advantage with Thompson finishing off a pass from Czarnowczan just 1:03 into the contest for his 15th marker of the year.

A mere 51 seconds later Czarnowczan was able to light the lamp himself, courtesy of a nifty set-up pass by DeMartino.

Despite being a man down to start the middle stanza, the Lakers were able to generate some offense, with Campbell netting his second goal in as many nights with 29 seconds elapsed.

Motte improved to 24-7-3 as a starter with 24 saves to his credit, while Kapalka collected 29 at the other end of the ice.

Despite being tied with Bemidji State for eighth place in the WCHA standings, Lake Superior State lost the tiebreaker and will not participate in the WCHA Quarterfinals. The Lakers finish the 2013-2014 season with an overall record of 16-19-1 and were 12-16-0 in conference play.

Ferris State (25-9-3 overall, 20-6-2 WCHA) enters the tournament as the No. 1 seed and will host Bemidji State in a best-of-three series beginning Friday at 7:07 pm.

Bulldogs tamed by Alaska

By Tom Morelli/Ferris State Beat Writer

In their quest to capture the WCHA regular season title, the No. 4 ranked Ferris State Bulldogs hit a bump in the road this past weekend after suffering a pair of losses to Alaska.

Following Minnesota State's sweep over Lake Superior State, the two squads are tied for first place with 38 points apiece heading into the final weekend of conference play before the WCHA Tournament.

The Nanooks' sense of relentlessness was visible from the get-go, compiling a 3-0 lead in the first 33 minutes of Friday's game before the Bulldogs could muster a response. A hooking call against Alaska allowed Ferris State to capitalize, with senior forward Andy Huff blasting the puck in from the right faceoff dot at the 15:41 mark courtesy of a Ryan Lowney feed.

Garrick Perry padded Alaska's lead with under eight minutes to go in the third to make it a 4-1 affair, but the bigger story came shortly thereafter when misconducts were handed out to Dakota Klecha and Dominic Panetta for their roles in roughhousing with Nolan Youngmun and Josh Erickson. Earlier in the period, Klecha and Erickson were both assessed matching minors for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Ferris State netminder C.J. Motte had 15 saves in 19 opportunities, while rival Sean Cahill was successful in stopping 36 of 37 shots faced.

The series finale was a far cry from the night before, with more scoring and less penalties being dished out.

Senior Cory Kane put the Bulldogs up first with a short-handed marker just 3:41 into the opening frame, only to be countered minutes later by Cody Kunyk's 18th goal of the campaign.
The score would be deadlocked 1-1 until midway through the middle stanza, when Trevor Campbell gave the Nanooks their first lead of the game by finishing off a pass from Michael Quinn and Colton Beck. Not the be outdone, Lowney answered back with under six minutes remaining to keep Ferris State in contention after 40 minutes of play.

Optimism on the Bulldogs side however would fade quickly in the third, thanks to a trio of goals by Alaska within a 15-minute span to make it a 5-2 affair.

Kane provided an assist on Huff's goal with 12 seconds remaining, but Ferris State was unable to avoid the sweep.

Motte (22-7-3 overall) had 36 saves compared to Cahill's 24.

The Bulldogs (23-9-3 overall, 18-6-2 WCHA) close out the regular season this weekend with a pair of games at home against Lake Superior State (16-17-1, 12-14-0). Prior to the start of Saturday's game, Ferris State will honor their senior class of Scott Czarnowczan, Justin DeMartino, Huff, Kane and Garrett Thompson.

Ferris State silences Seawolves

By Tom Morelli/Ferris State Beat Writer

A lot can happen in 30 days.

Just look at the recent run that Ferris State hockey has experienced in the month of February, faring 5-1 after beginning the calendar year with a mediocre ledger of 4-4.

With their recent sweep over Alaska Anchorage, the Bulldogs have now won six of their last seven contests and are once again flying solo atop the WCHA standings over Minnesota State by a four-point margin.

A five-minute charging major called against the Seawolves was the catalyst for Ferris State's first goal in Friday's game, with Justin Buzzeo turning on the red light at 11:37 off a feed from Jason Binkley and Rob Schempp.

Six minutes later, the Bulldogs made it a 2-0 affair, this time off of a slapshot by Kenny Babinski from just outside of the right faceoff circle.

Alaska Anchorage would avenge that goal early in the second, thanks to a one-timer by Jordan Kwas, which came while on the mad-advantage.

Not to be outdone, Ferris State quickly responded just shy of the five-minute mark on a tip-in by freshman Jared VanWormer off of defenseman Brandon Anselmini's shot from the point.

The line of Andy Huff, Cory Kane and Gerald Mayhew accounted for the Bulldogs' final goal, which came with under two minutes remaining in regulation. The scoring play began with Kane digging the puck out of the corner and tipping the puck in front of the net to Huff, who graciously fed a streaking Mayhew between the circles for the finish.

Andrew Pettitt of the Seawolves closed out the night with an unassisted marker 16 seconds later to cut the deficit in half.

Chris Kamal of Alaska Anchorage had a game-high 33 saves in the loss, compared to C.J. Motte's 29 stops.

Ferris State wrapped-up the series on Saturday with an even better offensive performance, earning a 5-3 decision that saw three of their goals scored in the first period alone.

Senior forward Garrett Thompson nabbed his 14th goal of the campaign with a blast just outside the crease at the 8:06 mark. Earning helpers on that play were Buzzeo and Schempp.

Nearly eight minutes would pass before the Bulldogs were able to capitalize once again. After winning a tough faceoff draw, Kane sent the puck over to an opportunistic Mayhew to complete the scoring sequence.

Kane was finally able to register a goal himself at the 17:30 mark, which came courtesy of a Seawolves turnover in the neutral zone.

Alaska Anchorage ended their dry spell at the 6:08 mark of the second period, when Scott Allen sent a pass over to Matt Allen for a one-timer that fell just out of Motte's reach.

A penalty-kill situation shortly thereafter did not prevent Ferris State from generating some offense, thanks to Huff banging one in 30 seconds later off a 2-on-1 breakaway.

Bailey put the Seawolves back in the picture with 14:26 elapsed, this time firing the puck from the middle lane.

Despite Brett Cameron's marker 14 seconds into the third to make it a one-goal affair, the Bulldogs stood their ground the rest of the way, adding an insurance goal just before the buzzer on Chad MacDonald's empty-netter.

Motte boosted his record to 22-5-3 overall with a 37 save performance. At the other end of the ice, Rob Gunderson had 26 stops to his credit.

Ferris State (23-7-3 overall, 18-4-2 WCHA) heads over to Fairbanks, Alaska this weekend for a two-game slate against former CCHA rival Alaska, whom they swept in their previous encounter back in November.

Bulldogs split with Bemidji State

By Tom Morelli/Ferris State Beat Writer

The race for WCHA regular season champions just got a little more interesting, as a weekend split by the No. 4 ranked Ferris State Bulldogs has allowed Minnesota State to tie them for first place atop the standings.

Friday's action against Bemidji State was that of a slow burn, with the majority of goals being scored in the final period.

The Bulldogs grabbed a 1-0 lead at the 8:34 mark of the first on a shot from the point by defenseman Travis White, which came off a nifty kick pass by forward Matt Robertson. Also earning a helper on that play was forward Kenny Babinski, who dug the puck out of the corner after White's initial shot went wide.

Ferris State built upon their lead early in the third, as Brandon Anselmini fired a pass toward center ice for Corey Kane, who took it into the Beavers' zone with Justin DeMartino in tow. From there, Kane skated in on the right wing and went stick-side to beat goaltender Jesse Wilkins.

Radoslav Illo broke Bemidji State's scoring drought on a breakaway goal with 13:23 elapsed, only to have DeMartino return the favor a mere 23 seconds later on a redirected shot from just outside the crease.

Freshman forward Chad MacDonald added an insurance goal for the Bulldogs with 22 seconds left, firing an off-balance shot from the red line that split through two defenders and found its way into an empty net.

Goaltender C.J. Motte recorded 25 saves to notch his 20th win of the season, while Wilkins had 27 stops to his credit.

In the series finale, both teams flipped the script, with action being more plentiful in the first period.

The Beavers were able to light the lamp twice within a five-minute span, beginning with Illo's second goal in as many nights just 1:57 into the contest.

Markus Gerbrandt added an insurance goal just shy of the seven-minute mark, sneaking the puck past Motte off a pass from Brendan Harms.

Ferris State responded late in the period, as Gerald Mayhew and DeMartino helped set-up Kane's ninth goal of the campaign, stretching his goal streak to four games.

The score would remain the same the rest of the way, as Bemidji State snapped the Bulldogs' four-game win streak in the process.

Andrew Walsh stopped 32 shots to improve to 7-11-4 as a starter this season for the Beavers. At the other end of the ice, Motte (20-5-3) was able to string together a 15 save performance.

Ferris State (21-7-3 overall, 16-4-2 WCHA) returns to Big Rapids this weekend for a two-game slate against third-place Alaska-Anchorage in what will be their only meeting of the regular season.