GBMWolverine: Michigan Wolverines Hockey Update — Kissing The Sister in New Hampsha
Posted at 8:00am — 10/20/2010
GBMWolverine: Michigan Wolverines Hockey Update — Kissing The Sister in New Hampsha
UNH star forward Paul Thompson converted off of a faceoff with a little over four and a half minutes left to salvage a 3-3 tie with Michigan on Saturday. UNH scored the tying goal while enjoying a 4×3 PP advantage, their fifth of the night. Michigan converted on all three of their PP chances and led throughout the game although badly outshot and, in general, outplayed for the second half of the game.
Michigan took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission, as Scooter Vaughn converted a crisp, one timer at 11:42. Luke Glendening and Brandon Burlon added assists on the PP marker. New Hampshire’s Stevie Moses converted a shot from a faceoff win to tie the game at 1-1 early in the second period. Chris Brown notched his first goal of the season, again on the PP, at 7:47. He set up in the slot, rang a backhander off of the post then waited for a return pass from Carl Hagelin. He one timed the pass to give Michigan a 2-1 lead after forty minutes. Matt Rust also was given an assist on the goal.
It was all UNH on the shot board, though, as they outshot Michigan 14-6 in the second period, thanks to four PP opportunities, including one short 5×3 advantage. UNH continued to apply pressure in the third period and scored another early goal by Phil DeSimone to tie the game again. Thompson and Mike Sislo got assists. Brandon Burlon scored an unassisted PP goal at 11:49 to put Michigan back out in front 3-2, but the lead was short lived. Thompson struck again as UNH set up in the Michigan zone after a faceoff win. Blake Kessel (brother of NHL star and former Gopher, Phil Kessel) sent a pass to the far side circle where DeSimone gathered it and slid a cross crease pass to Thompson for the easy deposit. UNH held a 12-8 shot advantage in the period, and a 37-26 advantage after regulation.
The real story of the game was the goaltending of unheralded Michigan senior, Shawn Hunwick. He turned in a dazzling performance and made several key stops late in the game. He saved his best for overtime, though, turning aside eight UNH shots including a game saving breakaway stop against UNH sophomore forward Dalton Speelman. Michigan earned one shot in the period, and came close on one rush. David Wohlberg was set up perfectly in the high slot but fired his shot just off target. UNH ended up with a 48-30 shot advantage. Matt DiGirolamo was also solid in net, knocking away 27 shots.
Michigan took six penalties for twelve minutes, while UNH, a typically disciplined team, was assessed four penalties for eight minutes.
Michigan returns home this weekend to face former CCHA opponent, Nebraska-Omaha.
YOST Bits:
UNH had a taste of what Michigan felt in the NCAA regionals, when HEA officials waived off an apparent rebound goal in the first period due to a quick whistle. Not exactly the same affect as waiving off a game winning playoff goal, but at least it didn’t happen to Michigan this time.
This was Michigan’s first venture on Olympic ice this season, which is about 15 feet wider than standard rink dimensions. Northern Michigan and Alaska host the only Olympic size rinks in the CCHA. As Brandon Burlon stated, the biggest difference for defensemen is making certain that the spacings are correct (between partners) and between the forwards. It also makes a game less physical since there is more room to skate. It also makes line changes more difficult in the second period, as both teams have an even farther distance to the bench.
Good to see Chris Brown score his first goal of the season. Coach Berenson mentioned in the preview that there are a few of the guys that are working hard but just haven’t been lucky yet. Brown skated with senior stars Matt Rust and Carl Hagelin.
Louie Caporusso was held off the scoresheet, a rare feat for any team to do since the end of last season.
Scooter Vaughn tied his season high in goals now. He is playing with extreme confidence and zest and was moved up to the third line.
Freshmen Jacob Fallon and Kevin Clare saw their first (non-exhibition) game action of the season.
Michigan dropped a spot in the USCHO poll, and is now 4th. Their next opponent, UNO, swept Minnesota on the road, and moved up to 10th overall. UNH moved up to #7.
Penalties continue to haunt the Maize and Blue. They still lead the NCAA in average penalty minutes and it is taking its toll, as lines are disrupted and special teams players are fatigued. It is no surprise that Burlon’s goal in the third period was only the 2nd goal this season in the period (not counting an ENG by Carl Hagelin.) Tristin Llewellyn continues to play undisciplined, as he took yet another penalty while his team was already shorthanded.
Yostmeister three star selections:
1) Michigan – Shawn Hunwick – basically stole this tie for Michigan with 45 saves.
2) UNH – Paul Thompson – tying goal and 1 assist.
3) UNH – Phil DeSimone – 1G and 1A
UNH may have the best #1 offensive line in college hockey, with Thompson, DeSimone and Sislo. I would consider this a good tie, even if Michigan blew yet another third period lead and technically should have lost this game. Michigan took too many penalties, on the road against a tough team. They basically got outplayed and still came away with a tie which will fare pretty well in the pairwise rankings. This game had a playoff feel to it and will pay dividends down the road.
Written by GBMWolverine Staff
Go Blue — Wear Maize!