Michigan Hockey: Michigan State at Michigan Wolverines — Preview

Posted at 4:00pm — 11/13/2009

Michigan Hockey: Michigan State at Michigan Wolverines — Preview

Michigan Hockey is coming off a bad performance and a very disappointing two games against Miami (OH) and will try and rebound against arch-rival Michigan State this weekend.

UM has a home and home series this weekend with Friday night’s contest at Yost Ice Arena being seen on FS Detroit.

Michigan leads the overall series by a 137-119-18 margin, along with six consecutive wins in the series. Michigan owns a 69-42-4 record against Michigan State at Yost Ice Arena. The Michigan State Spartans own a 59-46-9 mark against Michigan in games played in East Lansing, where the teams face off on Saturday at Munn Ice Arena.

Michigan State was able to split with Miami (OH) earlier in the season on Miami’s home ice, so Michigan needs to be ready and come out with increased intensity that has been lacking this year.

Michigan State is currently 7-2-1 this year and looks to try and impress CCHA opponents along with the national media when they play Michigan this weekend.

Michigan, under Coach Red Berenson back for his 26th season, needs to get on track and needs to take back the home ice advantage. UM is 1-2 at Yost Ice Arena and for the second year in a row this team has stumbled out of the gate.

Michigan needs to find somebody that can put the puck in the back of the net on a consistent basis, because they rank 24th right now with goals for and they also need to tighten up the goals against, where the team stands 19th in the NCAA.

Bryan Hogan needs to get stingier in goal, but being second in the NCAA in penalty minutes Michigan must change to give the goalies a fighting chance.

The UM penalty kill is doing okay, they are ranked sixth in the NCAA in penalty kills, but Michigan has really struggled with getting any consistent play and getting the puck in the net.

Michigan needs other players besides Matt Rust, Chris Summers and Chris Brown to get this team goals and assists.

People I have talked with this week said that Coach Berenson was not happy after both Miami (OH) games and showed his frustration to the players by giving them the riot act after the game. Hopefully, after I assume a tough week of practice, the team comes prepared and focused to take on their arch-rival this weekend.

Yes it is early, but Michigan cannot fall into any deeper hole this weekend, especially if they want any chance to contend for the CCHA championship. Right now UM is tied for sixth place and this weekend could be a big benefit and help get Michigan on the right track to return to the top.

Friday Game:
Michigan Hockey at Yost Ice Arena
Michigan State at Michigan
7:30pm EST. – 11:00pm EST.
DirecTV Channel 663
FS Detroit

Saturday Game:
Michigan Hockey at Munn Ice Arena
Michigan at Michigan State
7:00pm EST. – 10:30pm EST.
local Comcast

You can listen to both games via the internet at: CBS Game Tracker
CBS Game Tracker

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Written by GBMWolverine Staff

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