GBMW: Michigan Hockey — Ohio State Recap

Posted at 8:00am — 12/7/2009

GBMW: Michigan Hockey — Ohio State Recap

WOLVERINES SALVAGE A SPLIT IN COLUMBUS

DROP OPENER, 5-3, AND REBOUND SATURDAY WITH A 2-1 VICTORY

One step forward, two steps back. That is how I would describe Michigan’s hockey season so far.

Carrying over momentum from a fine sweep last weekend, the Maize and Blue traveled down to Columbus to face another talented team- and found themselves on their heels right away. Michigan scratched back to tie the game only to give up three late goals to lose Friday, 5-3. Michigan rebounded with a terrific defensive effort to down the Bucks Saturday, 2-1.

In the opener, the Buckeyes stormed out to a first period 2-0 lead thanks to early Michigan penalty troubles. The Buckeyes failed to score on their power play opportunities, but did light the lamp as the second penalty in the first six minutes expired. Peter Boyd scored at 5:52, assisted by Sergio Somma. The game settled down, but that AAA line struck again on poor defensive coverage, as Somma extended the lead to 2 goals late in the period. Michigan actually outshot the Buckeyes 10-7, but went to the dressing room down 2-0.

Michigan stormed back in the second period, outshooting the Bucks, 17-4. Luke Glendening got Michigan on the board from a nice rush, ripping a backhander stickside on OSU goaltender Cal Heeter. Just under four minutes later, Michigan tied the score as Chris Brown dumped in a goalmouth rebound from a scramble, as both teams were skating 4×4. The Wolverines skated off with the momentum, but couldn’t finish the deal in the third period.

The Buckeyes and Wolverines traded scoring chances in the third period, but neither could find the twine until the 12:41 mark. Michigan lost a defensive zone faceoff and Fr. Devon Krogh blasted a point shot past Hogan to give the Bucks the lead, 3-2. It was Krogh’s first career goal. Minutes later C.J. Severyn extended the OSU lead to 4-2 as he finished a nice three way passing play that resulted in a rebound goal.

The Buckeyes then took back-to-back penalties that gave Michigan a 5×3 advantage. Carl Hagelin re-directed Matt Rust’s shot past Heeter to bring Michigan back to 4-3 with three minutes left. On the next rush, Fr. A.J. Treais was fed a beautiful back door pass that he deflected on net. Heeter made the save of the night, going cross crease to just get his pad on it to keep the one goal lead. Michigan never threatened with an extra attacker, and Hunter Bishop iced the game with an empty net goal at 19:25.

Michigan coach Red Berenson on the game: “I thought Ohio State had the edge in the first period. We came back and had a strong second period and got back into the game and maybe had the momentum. Disappointing in the third. (Krogh’s goal) was a huge goal.”

The Buckeyes ended up being outshot 45-20 on the night, but made the most of their opportunities. OSU coach John Markell played a hunch in starting Cal Heeter (who usually plays the second game of a weekend series) after his performance the week before against Bemidji State. Markell commented, “I just thought it was time to make a change.” Heeter played well and was a key in the victory, stopping 42 shots.

Michigan finished 1-6 on the PP, and stopped all three OSU chances. Bryan Hogan, on the other hand, had a mediocre performance, as he gave up four goals on 19 shots, not including an empty net goal.

Michigan got back to locking down defensively on Saturday night, limiting the Buckeyes to 13 shots in the first two periods, while pelting the OSU net with 24 shots. The game was a tight, defensive struggle blended with solid checks from both sides. The Buckeyes, though, faltered midway through the period and took an ill-advised penalty. Chris Summers needled a point shot that found its way past Heeter at 9:50 to put Michigan in front. Steve Kampfer and Chris Brown got the helpers.

Berenson on getting that first goal: “I think the first goal was a big goal. It held up for a long while and put us in a good defensive mode the rest of the game.”

Indeed, it did, as both teams limited each other’s chances for the following thirty minutes. At the end of two periods Michigan held that slim 1-0 lead.

Prior to the end of the second period, though, the Buckeyes got feisty and it ended up being the telling point of the game. Michigan was on a late period power play, and soon after was awarded with a two man advantage, as OSU Corey Toy elbowed a Michigan forward after the whistle and was sent to the box. Michigan failed to score during most of the power play, and the period ended. Michigan still had over a minute of PP time left moving into the third period.

Matt Rust finally connected :21 into the third period, batting in a Chris Brown rebound. Carl Hagelin also assisted.

OSU coach Markell didn’t mince any words about his team’s undisciplined play: “We gave them three 5×3’s this weekend with hitting to the head. We just cost ourselves and the game with a stupid penalty. What is disturbing is they are supposedly tough and you’re not going to rattle another guy. They have a mask on; it (the elbow) meant nothing. We’re getting it on retaliating. It cost us the game. When you give that team 5×3’s, they’re going to score. That is the difference.”

OSU outshot Michigan 14-13 in the period, but most of those opportunities were not dangerous. The Buckeyes pulled Heeter late in the game and cashed in on a goalmouth scramble with: 11 left, as John Albert finished off good work by Boyd and Krogh. They rushed in the zone following the goal and had a better opportunity than Michigan fans would like to tie the game. Zac Dalpe circled the net and sent a centering pass just out of the reach of three Buckeyes and cleared the zone to end the game.

Bryan Hogan was much sharper, stopping 26/27 shots. Cal Heeter made good on 34 of 36 Michigan shots. Michigan ’s special teams continue to improve, netting two more PPG’s and stopping three OSU PP chances. The Buckeyes took 14 penalties on the weekend for 28 minutes, and Michigan took 9 penalties for 18 minutes.

Michigan (8-8-0, 4-6-0) closes out the first half of conference play next week hosting Notre Dame on Friday before traveling to South Bend for a return match. Ohio State (7-10-1, 5-6-1-1) also has a home and home series with CCHA leader, Miami.

YOST Bits

Michigan found themselves in an unusual position after Friday’s loss: tied for last place with WMU. The win on Saturday, coupled with WMU’s loss, moved Michigan to 10th in the conference with two games in hand on every team except Ferris State. They trail 9th place UNO by three points, and could make a huge jump in the standings if they can somehow wrestle six points from Notre Dame.

Chris Brown had a hand in four of Michigan’s five goals on the weekend. He had a goal and an assist on Friday, and added two assists in Saturday’s tilt. He now is tied with Carl Hagelin for the team lead in points with 15. Hagelin leads the team with 8 goals on the year.

Michigan’s top line (Brown/Rust/Hagelin) accounted for ten points on the weekend (3G, 7A).

David Wohlberg was noticeably absent on the scoreboard this weekend. He and fellow Wolverine Chris Brown have been invited to tryout for the USA World Junior team. The roster will be set on December 22nd. Wohlberg was left off the team last season after being invited. My guess is that David will not make the roster, considering his offensive struggles so far this season. Brown is a lock and Michigan will certainly miss his presence at the GLI Tournament. Brandon Burlon has a remote shot at an invitation to the Canadian World Junior team. Canada’s tryout roster is stocked full of CHL/OHL players and is one of the perennial favorites at the tournament. Burlon could be added as a late substitute for sickness or injury.

Yostmeister three star selections:

Friday:

1. OSU- Cal Heeter- 42 saves including robbing A.J. Treais’ late game bid to tie the score

2. OSU- Peter Boyd- scored the opening goal and added an assist.

3. OSU- Hunter Bishop- played a strong two way game all night, assisted on the winning goal and added the empty net goal to seal the game.

Saturday:

1. Michigan- Chris Brown- the freshman continues his hot offensive streak, adding a goal and an assist on Friday, and then assisting on both Michigan goals Saturday.

2. Michigan- Matt Rust- potted the GWG on the power play, and added two assists in Friday’s game.

3. Michigan- Carl Hagelin- assisted on the GWG and added a goal and an assist on Friday, strong defensive play all night, too.

Thank you for following Michigan Hockey on GBMW.

Written by Yostmeister

Go Blue — Wear Maize!