MICHIGAN Hockey Travels East To Take On UNH

Posted at 12:00pm — 10/16/2010

MICHIGAN Hockey Travels East To Take On UNH

#3 MICHIGAN (2-0-1) vs. #9 UNH (1-1-0)

Saturday 10/16 7:05 p.m. TV: None. Live (PPV) streaming available at MGoBlue.com

Cat Tales:

New Hampshire (or New Hampsha for the linguistics majors out there) is a high flying, offensive minded team that, if anything, will provide an entertaining brand of hockey for its fans. This match-up should be a dandy, if anything, because UNH is looking to strengthen their already potent PWR rating opportunity with a home victory over one of the CCHA’s top teams. Dick Umile’s team is once again a contender in the talent rich HEA conference, with Boston College and Boston University poised again to steal the headlines.

Michigan ventures out to Durham, NH for only the second time in Red Berenson’s coaching reign at Michigan. The Wolverines hold a 5-2-1 overall record against the Wildcats, with the last visit resulting in a two game split back in Red’s first season behind the bench (1984). Michigan’s last match against UNH was at Yost arena in the 2004-05 season, tying 4-4 at the Icebreaker Tournament. The season prior, Michigan went to the East Regional and defeated the Cats, 4-1 in Manchester, NH. UNH turned the same trick during the 1998-99 season, beating the defending National Champs 3-2 in OT at the East Regional. Michigan stung the Cats the prior year (’97-98) at the Frozen Four in Boston, 4-1 on their way to their ninth National Championship. In contrast, the UNH program (no, it doesn’t mean University of No Hardware) has yet to hoist an NCAA Hockey Championship trophy.

Veteran Team Preparing To Pounce:

That could possibly change this season, as UNH brings back a well balanced and explosive veteran team- and that is without All-HEA forward Bobby Butler, who tallied 29 goals for the Cats last season. Six seniors and six juniors highlight a roster chock full of talent. Senior forwards Paul Thompson (19-20-39 last season), Phil DeSimone (10-27-37) and Mike Sislo (14-15-29) headline the run and gun style UNH plays. All three scored points in last week’s 6-3/6-3 split against fellow nationally ranked CCHA rival, Miami in Oxford, Oh. Junior forwards Mike Borisenok (6-9-15) and Stevie Moses (6-18-24) are a dangerous pair also. The defense is mobile and pushes up into the offense, much like Michigan does. Junior blueliner Blake Kessel is a special teams wizard, posting a 10-28-38 line, doing most of his damage supporting a potent power play. Seniors Mike Beck (1-6-7) and Matt Campanale (3-9-12) are stay at home types that can also add unexpected offense. The Cats have seven experienced sophomores that fill out the bottom two lines, and have added three freshmen to the mix.

The goaltending is transitioning from the graduated Brian Foster to Junior Matt DiGirolamo. The youngster played in three contests last season posting a 1-0 record with a 3.24 GAA and a .906 save %. So far in two games this season his numbers are a rather inflated 4.00 GAA and .899 save %. Like Michigan, the strength of the Wildcats rests with the offense in hopes that the defense can protect the inexperienced goaltending. Last weekend the Cats lost the first game due to allowing three goal outbursts in the second and third periods. They ran away from Miami the next night by popping five goals in the middle stanza. Ironically, both games were deadlocked 0-0 after one period. There is really no predicting which Cat team will show up, especially in their home opener.

What To Expect In This Match-up:

If you were to sum it up in one word: Offense. Neither team has found its defensive groove, so to speak, if there is one to find. Michigan typically sports a top five national rank in defense, and currently sits 12th after three games with a 2.33 GA average. UNH, conversely, gave up nine goals and split with Miami in their opening series on the road. They sit 41st out of roughly 60 teams in NCAA division I hockey, with that 4.5 goals against mark. Both teams have really good penalty killing, with UNH at 92% (9th) and Michigan, with all the practice it has gotten in three games, sitting 13th at 88%. Michigan has the dubious honor of leading the NCAA in average penalty minutes, with 31 per game. That has been inflated, of course, by the three marginal HFB majors and game misconducts they have received.

Saving the best for last- the offensive numbers- makes fanbases from both teams smile. Of course, since UNH has played one less game, and with a very young season underway, it is tough to really put too much emphasis on statistics. Just the same, UNH is averaging 4.5 goals per game and tied for 8th in the country. Michigan has spread the offense a bit better, having nine players account for their twelve goals this season. That is an average of four goals a game (which is exactly what they have done so far) good for 13th in the country. Michigan has added four PP markers, and is clicking at a 28% rate, good for 14th overall. UNH posted two PP goals last weekend in nine chances for a 22% conversion, tied for 20th nationally.

This should be a pretty entertaining game, providing that both teams stay out of the box (uh-hem) and play to their own strengths. It could be a long evening, though, for the defense and goaltenders. I’d give UNH the offensive edge, especially at home, but give Michigan the nod defensively, special teams and in goal.

Wolverine Notes:

Red Berenson is not shy about scheduling difficult non-conference games for his squad. This is the third year in a row that Michigan will travel to meet a ranked HEA foe on their ice for a single game. Michigan lost the last two meetings against Boston University and swept the Terriers at home three seasons ago. Later this season Michigan will travel for the final College Hockey Showcase to take on #13 Minnesota and #15 Wisconsin. They will also play Michigan Tech in the GLI and will potentially match up with WCHA stalwart, #18 Colorado College. The Wolverines return to Yost next weekend to take on former CCHA and now WCHA foe, #17 UNO.

Although the Wolverines have posted a nice four goal average, they have yet to score in the third period outside of a Carl Hagelin empty net tally last weekend.

Senior Defenseman Chad Langlais boasts of playing in 132 straight games and has never missed game action in his career. He is paired with freshman phenom Jon Merrill who has posted 1-3-4 so far and has not taken a penalty.

Louie Caporusso has erupted this season, posting a 2-4-6 mark so far. It took Louie 11 games last season to score his second goal. Junior David Wohlberg has also started strong with his 2-1-3 line. David struggled last season, playing in eighteen games before striking the net for the second time.

One of the biggest overall statistics I value is the +/- stat. This generally reflects a player’s two way play. Alternate Captain Luke Glendening leads the Wolverines at +4, even though he has only tallied one assist this season. Caporusso follows at +3 as well as Freshman D-man Mac Bennett at +3. Freshman forward Luke Moffatt is -1 and sophomore forward AJ Treais is also -1.

Freshmen Jacob Fallon and Kevin Clare have yet to see game action this season. Senior Ben Winnett re-entered the lineup last weekend after being held out of the Mercyhurst game due to injury. He posted an assist. Senior Matt Rust was held out of the exhibition game against the USNDT as a precaution. He was injured in the 4-2 win last Saturday at BG. He will return to the lineup against UNH. Freshman Derek DeBlois gathered his first collegiate point, an assist. Sophomore Chris Brown is looking for his offense, only hitting the stat sheet for an assist so far. Defenseman Brandon Burlon and Wohlberg share one GWG each this season.

Senior goaltender Bryan Hogan has quietly assumed Michigan’s #1 all time goals against average with a 2.20 average in three seasons defending between the pipes. He currently holds a 1-0-0 record with a 2.00 GAA and a .889 save %. Shawn Hunwick is 1-0-1 with a 2.40 GAA and a .909 save %. Although not announced, my hunch is that Hogan will get the nod against UNH.

Coach Berenson is pleased with his team’s start, stating that this group has more confidence than last season’s team- at this point. He said that there is better depth and more confidence in the goaltending, special teams, offense and…. leadership. A big win, in a hostile arena, against a top foe will only help.

Yostmeister’s Prediction:

Michigan 6 UNH 5 (OT)

Written by GBMWolverine Staff

Go Blue — Wear Maize!