GBMWolverine: MICHIGAN @ Bowling Green — HOCKEY PREVIEW
Posted at 4:00pm — 10/8/2010
GBMWolverine: MICHIGAN @ Bowling Green — HOCKEY PREVIEW
#4 MICHIGAN (0-0-1) vs. BGSU (0-0-0)
Friday 10/8 7:05 p.m. TV: Comcast Local (Ch 900 in Ann Arbor)
Saturday 10/9 7:05 p.m.
New Era for the Falcons:
Bowling Green is looking to revive their program under former Miami assistant coach Chris Bergeron, who begins his first head coaching position. He inherits a very young team, with ten freshmen dotting the lineup this season. The Falcons finished 11th last season and barely avoided having their program cancelled by the administration. There is new optimism, which, if anything may will the Falcons to play through which will no doubt be another difficult season.
Returning Birds:
The core group of returning players that Bergeron will lean on are led by talented sophomore forward Jordan Samuels-Thomas, who posted a team high 11-14-25 last season. Senior forward David Solway chipped in with 5-13-18 and sophomore forward Nathan Pageau added 4-7-11. Senior defenseman Andrew Krelove is the lone upperclassman on the blueline and contributed 0-4-4 in 2009-10. Goaltending is handled by Senior Nick Eno, who backstopped BG to a 5-13-4 mark with a 3.30 GAA and a .896 save %. Sophomore Andrew Hammond was 0-12-2 in net with a 4.30 GAA and a .880 save %.
Lopsided Comparables:
It’s pretty easy to presume that BG is transitioning from a lesser talented but experienced team to…. an unknown quantity, save the core group of proven players. Based on last season, though, Michigan outdistanced BG in every statistical category, including the scoreboard. The Falcons stole their only victory in four meetings over Michigan early in the season, surprising the Maize and Blue at Yost. Michigan finished the season ranked 12th in the country in scoring with an average of 3.29 GF per game, versus BG’s paltry 57th place finish at 1.97 GF per game. Michigan was even better defensively, finishing fifth in the country at 2.27 GA per game, where BG was riddled with a 3.83 GA per game, settling in at 55th. The Falcons were dead last in both categories in the CCHA. A new system, younger, better talent and contributions by their top line are the only positives that the Falcon faithful can point to right now.
Overall, Michigan leads the series 75-34-3, including a 28-18-3 mark in Bowling Green. They have won the last four away trips against the Falcons. Beware Michigan fans-Falcon fanatics will be armed with thundersticks this weekend. BG defeated Canadian school Wilfrid Laurier last week in an exhibition, 4-3.
Wolverine Notes:
Coach Berenson is still seeking his 700th career victory. I’d bet a meal at Frickers that he’ll get it this weekend.
Assistant Captain Louie Caporusso leads the charge against the Falcons, scoring 3G and 3A in six career games. Chris Brown found his offense, too, posting a 2-3-5 line against BG in four games last season.
Michigan last played at BG this past February, sweeping the Falcons, 2-1 and 4-0.
The Wolverines will attempt to curb their penalties and tighten up defensively especially on the road. BG has never been an easy road win no matter what type of team they have placed on the ice.
No news out of Yost as to who will get the start in net and no word on roster changes, with Ben Winnett re-entering the lineup if he is deemed healthy. Look for a steady rotation of defensemen, with Kevin Clare and Tristin Llewellyn fighting to get back into the lineup.
Predictions:
Friday: Michigan 4 — BG 2
Saturday: Michigan 5 — BG 3
Written by GBMWolverine Staff
Go Blue — Wear Maize!