Michigan Hockey 2010-2011: Second Half and GLI Preview — Part 3

Posted at 12:00pm — 12/29/2010

Michigan Hockey 2010-2011: Second Half and GLI Preview — Part 3

What to look for in the second half:

Michigan’s schedule appears to be a bit softer in the second half of the season. After the GLI tournament they will face MSU three more times (twice at Yost), Ferris twice (H&H), and then entertain Alaska, Ohio State and Western Michigan twice. Their biggest obstacles appear to be in February when they travel to Oxford, Ohio to face #6 Miami in a road series showdown. The Wolverines end the regular season in Marquette against Northern Michigan- in a series that could determine playoff positioning or have NCAA ramifications. Michigan will host nine games and travel for six- not including the neutral site GLI games.

I am convinced that Michigan can win 12 of their final 17 games and cruise into the CCHA playoffs on a first round bye. If they can exceed that, then they may be able to win the CCHA title. The Miami and NMU series will be keys, as well as taking care of business at home.

Nationally, Michigan has fallen from grace a little and can move back up in the rankings by securing a 12-5, 13-4 type run. The country is stocked with excellent teams that have provided more evidence that they are deeper and have executed much better than Michigan, so the pressure will remain to secure a NCAA berth. The Wolverines have played at least three of these teams ahead of them in the rankings and have shown that they can compete with these teams when motivated to do so. There is no room for error, though-no room to take off periods or games since a bad series can quickly knock a team from conference consideration or from NCAA tourney consideration.

Michigan Notes:

Congratulations to Jon Merrill and Chris Brown who were named to the USA U-20 World Junior roster and will help defend the USA’s title in Buffalo this week. Unfortunately for the Wolverines, they happen to be two of the more important pieces on the roster and will be missed at the GLI. This will give some of the other defensemen a chance to jump into the lineup and will also offer a chance for another role player to move into Brown’s forward spot.

Michigan also made news last week (according to several hockey sources) by gaining huge 2011-12 commitments from goaltender John Gibson and defenseman Brennan Serville. The 6’3, 205 pound Gibson backstops the U.S. National Team Development Program Under-18 Team and has a 6-6-2 record in 15 games played with a 2.89 goals against average and .917 save percentage. He had been a verbal commitment to Ohio State. The Wolverines graduate Bryan Hogan and return Shawn Hunwick for a fifth year, with third stringer Adam Janecyk probably returning, too. Gibson also tops NHL Central Scouting’s Preliminary Rankings for USHL goaltenders for Fall 2010.

Serville plays for Stouffville of the Ontario Junior Hockey League, the same league that current Michigan Wolverines Louie Caporusso and Brandon Burlon came from. The 6’3, 180 pound defenseman has eight assists in 17 games this season. He had 3-12-15 in 43 games last season. Serville is a former Canisius commit and is regarded for his on ice vision, size, good hands and skating ability.

These commitments fill two of the biggest gaps Michigan will face next season with the departure of Bryan Hogan and the graduation of Chad Langlais and Tristin Llewellyn from the blue line. (There could also be early departures if Brandon Burlon and/or Merrill decide to leave also.) Michigan had already filled additional bench depth with the announcement that they added defenseman Michael Szuma for 2011. Alex Guptill is the only forward on board for 2011-12 at this point.

Who’s At The GLI Again?

Michigan starts the second half of the season at the 46th annual GLI tourney against co-host, Michigan Tech University. The Huskies currently anchor the bottom of standings in the WCHA and are also suffering from issues within their program. Tech is struggling with injuries and key dismissals within the program, weakening an already difficult situation for head coach Jamie Russell. They take an eleven game losing streak into the GLI, with their last victory coming in mid October against WCHA also ran, Minnesota State. The Huskies did start the season with a 3-0-2 mark with two straight wins over CCHA rivals Northern Michigan 4-3 in OT and then 6-2 over Lake State. They also tied NMU and Minnesota State before descending on their current string.

A pair of Sophomores- forward Milos Gordic (9-4-13) and defenseman Steven Seigo (3-9-12) lead the team offensively. A pair of Freshmen, Ryan Furne and Jacob Johnstone, share the third spot with eleven points. The roster is very young with only eight upperclassmen (including two Seniors) dotting the lineup.

Goaltending duties are shared between Sophomore Kevin Genoe (2-8-1, 3.92 GAA and a .891 save %) and Junior Josh Robinson (1-3-1, 4.73 GAA and a .882 save %).

Michigan Tech plays a slow down, trapping style game hoping to force mistakes in the neutral zone and capitalize in transition. If their goaltending performs well, they are able to generate enough offense to stay close to teams. Otherwise, expect Tech to wear down in the latter stages of their match ups and fall victim to turnovers or penalties.

In the other semi-final match-up, Michigan State (6-9-3, 10th CCHA) faces WCHA foe Colorado College. MSU is another team that appears to be losing its grip on this season after being completely dominated at the Big Chill. Their biggest disadvantage currently is their lack of offense. MSU has the capability of playing with top teams, as they exhibited against Maine earlier this season but has not shown any real consistency this season. Junior forward Brett Perlini (11-5-16) and Sophomore defenseman Torey Krug (5-10-15) lead the charge for the Spartans. The key for the Spartans is to take an early lead so they can force teams to open up and counterattack off of turnovers. Goaltender (and Ann Arbor native) Drew Palmisano (6-8-3, 2.60 GAA, .909 save %) has had a nominal campaign so far and is looking to improve his second half numbers.

Colorado College is a quick, physical team that loves to play up and down offensive hockey. They bring an 11-8-1 record to the GLI and currently rest in 5th place in the WCHA. The Tigers were on a six game win streak until they were defeated in their final game of the first half against Nebraska-Omaha, but have won eight of their past eleven games. They carry a 3-6-1 record against ranked teams this season and are currently ranked 20th in the country. Opponents have had to slow down a pair of brothers- Freshman Jaden (11-15-26) and Sophomore Rylan Schwartz (5-17-22) who leads the Tiger offense. (Note: Jaden was named to the Canadian World Tournament Team and will not be at the GLI.) Not far behind is Senior Stephen Shultz (9-12-21) and Senior Tyler Johnson (12-6-18). Overall, CC is fairly young with only ten upperclassmen featuring three Seniors.

The goaltending is mostly handled by Sophomore Joe Howe (9-7-1, 2.56 GAA and a .912 save %). Freshman Josh Thorimbert has spelled Howe four games, sporting a 2-1 record with a 3.06 GAA and a .909 save %.

Look for CC to press their opponents in a high tempo, high entertainment type pace. They are an excellent special teams club (6th nationally in PK, 11th nationally in PP) that looks to out score opponents more so than defending against opportunities. Ironically, CC has been on both ends of a nine goal count this season- both at home-a 9-4 loss against Minnesota and a 9-2 rout of archrival, Denver. They score in bunches and have tallied a league leading fifty goals in WCHA play. They have also played better this season on the road, posting a 7-3 record versus a 4-5-1 home mark.

Game-Time

#11 MICHIGAN (10-5-4, 9-3-1-0) 2nd CCHA vs Michigan Tech (1-10-1, 3-11-2) 12th WCHA
12/29 second semi-final game 7:35 p.m. (or after conclusion of MSU/CC game @ 4:05 pm)
12/30 time TBD depending on whether Michigan plays in the championship game or the consolation game versus #20CC/MSU. Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Mi.
TV: 12/29- none. 12/30- the championship game will air on FSD.

Keys To The GLI:

1. Michigan needs to use their skill and speed over the outmatched Huskies in game one. Game two will be about playing for another GLI championship if they move past Michigan Tech.

2. Don’t let up. The Mercyhurst game proved that momentum can change quickly no matter how much you outskill the opposition. They will definitely out skill Tech, but could have their hands full if they meet CC.

3. Goaltending has to be solid and Shawn Hunwick proved last season how he can perform at JLA.

4. Michigan’s PP has to be a difference maker. More importantly, the PK has to be outstanding. Losing Merrill hurts them here.

5. If Michigan plays CC, they must be prepared to play their best disciplined defensive effort by limiting CC’s shots, and by staying out of the penalty box. If Michigan plays MSU, they will need to erase the Big Chill and focus on defeating the Spartans in the same manner: take advantage of power plays and limit their scoring opportunities.

Yostmeister’s Prediction:

Game 1: Colorado College 5 MSU 2
Game 2: Michigan 5 Michigan Tech 3

Consolation Game: MSU 3 MTU 2
Championship Game: Michigan 4 CC 3 (OT)

Thank you to all the GBMWolverine followers. The writer would like to wish everyone Happy Holidays and a prosperous New Year, too. Go Blue!

Written by GBMWolverine Staff

Go Blue — Wear Maize!