Michigan Hockey: Maize & Blue Icers Sweep OSU; Surprising WMU Gallops In

Posted at 5:00pm — 2/18/2011

Michigan Hockey: Maize & Blue Icers Sweep OSU; Surprising WMU Gallops In

#9 MICHIGAN (19-9-4, 16-7-1-0) T2nd CCHA vs. #17 Western Michigan (15-7-10, 9-6-9-5) 4th CCHA
2/18/11 7:35 p.m. & 2/19 7:35 p.m. Yost Ice Arena
TV: Friday Comcast Local. Saturday: FSD.

Rewinding Last Week’s Action:
The Wolverines swept a pair from Ohio State, winning 3-2 on Friday night and holding on for a 2-1 victory on Saturday night. Scooter Vaughn opened the scoring forty seconds into the second period Friday, snapping a wrister home for his 10th goal of the season. Sergio Somma scored to tie the score at one entering the third period. Chris Brown scored at 1:21 and Louie Caporusso followed with a slapper that deflected off of a Buckeye at 7:26 to give the Wolverines a 3-1 lead. OSU struck with a little over six and a half minutes left to bring the Bucks close. The Wolverines hung on as Shawn Hunwick turned aside fourteen OSU shots in the frame to gain the win.

Michigan started quicker on Saturday, posting a Luke Moffatt marker halfway through the first stanza, and then a Chris Brown deflection early in the second period to give Michigan a 2-0 lead. The Buckeyes capitalized on a shorthanded breakaway late in the second period to cut the lead to 2-1. The third period saw up and down action, highlighted by a five minute major penalty kill by the Wolverines after Chris Brown was called for checking from behind. OSU applied most of the pressure in the period, but once again Shawn Hunwick stood tall to earn his 12th victory. Cal Heeter dropped both games for the Buckeyes, but literally kept them in Saturday’s game with 31 saves.

Yostmeister’s Three Stars of the weekend:
1. Shawn Hunwick – Michigan – called on to stop 55 of 58 shots.
2. Cal Heeter – OSU – not as sharp as Hunwick, but deserved a better fate Saturday.
3. Chris Brown – Michigan – 2 goals on the weekend including the winner on Saturday.

Broncos Kicking Up Their Heels
Western Michigan comes into Yost arena after winning a shootout (tie) and losing to Miami. This was the Bronco’s first loss in fourteen games making them one of the hottest teams in college hockey. Jeff Blashill took over the reins in K-zoo this season and immediately made an impact on a club that hasn’t been competitive in over a decade. WMU is a disciplined team now, focusing on defense and making smart decisions on the ice. They have enough talent to skate with most clubs, but rely on a sticky defensive system that provides transition opportunities. The Broncos have feasted on a weak non conference schedule though, and is now playing through a murderous schedule that saw them drop a game and tie a game with Notre Dame prior to going down to Oxford. On a national scale, WMU did sweep the ECAC’s Union club, which is also a ranked team. WMU is currently ranked 17th in the country and are on the border for a NCAA tourney invitation (as suggested by their #16 PWR ranking.) This weekend is crucial for the Broncos, as they battle for conference positioning as well. WMU is 6-3-3 versus ranked opponents this season, is 4-4-7 on the road and is an amazing 1-0-10 in overtime this season.

Western has not had good success in the last decade against the Wolverines- who also hold an overall 65-26-10 mark against their in-state rival. Michigan is 38-11-2 in Ann Arbor and has won the last five games, including a two game sweep last January in Kalamazoo. Michigan is also 10-1 against the Broncos since the 2006-07 season with that one loss coming at Yost during the 2007-08 season. Michigan and WMU meet for the sixth time while both are ranked, with Michigan holding a 3-1-1 mark.

The Broncos are not offensively gifted, but do have decent finishers dotting the lineup. They are led by freshman Chase Balisy (11-16-27) and senior Max Campbell (12-12-25). Both of these players are lethal on the power play, notching 7-10-17 between them. Freshman Shane Berschbach (7-17-24) also is a key forward and also has scored eleven of his points on the power play. His status, though, is questionable this weekend due to injury. Junior Greg Squires (7-14-21) has half of his points on the Bronco PP (note the pattern here.) Fellow junior Ian Slater has tallied 7-8-15 to go with his +10 rating. Slater is very physical and leads the Broncos with 52 PIM’s. The defense rests on sophomores Matt Tennyson (7-9-16, +2) who has nine points quarterbacking the point on the PP and stay at home warrior Luke Witkowski (Tampa Bay Lightning draftee) who leads the Broncos with a +12 rating to go with 46 PIM’s. WMU is a well balanced club with seven seniors, six juniors, ten sophomores and four freshmen. A good case of their balance is illustrated in their goaltending. Senior Jerry Kuhn leads Western with an 8-2-6 record, a .2.05 GAA and a .919 save %. He has split time with Quinnipiac transfer (sophomore) Nick Pisellini (7-5-4, 2.38 GAA and .899 save %.)

One other factor worth discussing is WMU’s goal differential. They have a +15 for the season, outscoring opponents 87-72. The Broncos tend to struggle in the second period, yielding 36 goals so far (versus netting 31), exactly half of their total. In contrast, Michigan has scored 37 second period goals (and has yielded 32), their best offensive period this season. If there is an offensive explosion from Michigan this weekend, it may be in the middle stanza. On the other hand, WMU tends to get stronger as the game progresses as their best offensive output is in the third period. Michigan has given up most of their goals in the second period (32) of the 74 total goals they have yielded, but has outscored their opponents in every period. Michigan has a 103-74 advantage for a +29 differential. Michigan has to come out quick and take the lead as WMU tends to start their offensive production slowly, trends upward as the game progresses and locks down their defense in the final stanza.

Tale Of The Tape:
Michigan sits at 20th overall in the country in offense, (3rd in the CCHA) at 3.22 GPG. WMU on the other hand, is 34th at 2.72 GPG, but is considerably better in conference, sitting 4th in offense. Both teams have excelled defensively, with Michigan holding opponents to 2.31 GA (11th) which is 1st overall in conference. WMU allows an average of 2.25 GPG (10th), but sits 5th in the CCHA. Michigan holds a slight edge during 5×5 play, but the tables are skewed if Michigan gets into penalty trouble.

The Wolverines’ special teams continue to falter, at least on the power play. The team has not tallied a PPG in five straight games and is attempting to break a 0-22 streak. Michigan’s average has slipped to 16.8% conversion (35th) and ranks 9th in the CCHA. Not good- matter of fact, to make matters worse, they have yielded two short handed goals in their past four games. The PP looks predictable and forced, with opponents now taking away Burlon and Merrill from using their big shots. Conversely, WMU sits at 15.9% (41st) and 8th in the CCHA. This is remarkable considering how their top scorers all feast on the PP.
Tougher competition breeds inconsistent results, maybe. Still, the Broncos are dangerous on the PP and it should be avoided.

Michigan’s penalty killing team got a big boost last weekend, staving off all four Buckeye PP’s, including that big five minute kill while the game was in the balance- matter of fact, they didn’t yield a shot during that whole PP. Still, the unit is going to be tested this weekend- taking am 81.2% average (34th) which is 4th in the CCHA. WMU’s unit is probably vulnerable at 81.2% (35th) and 10th in the CCHA. Maybe U-M breaks the string this weekend.

Michigan takes on the average 13.8 minutes in penalties per game. The Broncos take 12.2 minutes per game. Both teams are in the bottom half of the nation, so there are no big advantages- except WMU and Michigan do mix it up when meeting. Both are tied for 7th least in the CCHA.

Shawn Hunwick (12-7-4, 2.32 GAA, .923 save %) will take to the nets again. Bryan Hogan (7-2-0, 2.11GAA, .923 save %) is still nursing his ailing groin and can be put in if needed. He still appears to be vulnerable during warm-ups. It’s Hunwick’s job to lose unless Red gets sentimental and plays Hogan for Senior night on Saturday. I doubt that he would do that, though, as well as Hunwick has been playing and as important as these games are.

Keys To Victory:
-Use last week’s momentum and start fast. WMU doesn’t yield much, so take advantage of the chances that are created. Michigan has been stymied by their own inability to finish the last eight games.

-Balanced contributions would be nice. David Wohlberg and Matt Rust, I’m talking to you.
-Make the Broncos earn their goals. No gift giveaways or stupid PP chances. They know how to finish, although it isn’t as frequently as Michigan.

-Sooner or later the PP has to contribute. More importantly, do not give up any more shorties.

– Protect your goaltender. Hunwick has been unconscious these past few weeks. He can’t save you every night. Look for a re-vamped pairing possibly this weekend, with Langlais and Merrill, Burlon and Pateryn paired, freeing the third pairing for Bennett, Clare or Moffie.

Prediction:
These are gut check games against another solid opponent. Michigan needs to get all aspects of their game rolling for the playoffs. Another bid to keep up with Notre Dame and win the CCHA regular season title. Notre Dame could close out the title with four wins… but if they slip up… Michigan could steal it from them. WMU is used to playing close games against good opponents and are comfortable playing for ties if need be. Michigan comes through with two big wins, though- 3-2 and 2-1.

Yost Bits:
-Michigan has won ten straight home games dating back to 11/13, including the Big Chill.

-Michigan has clinched a top five conference position and needs one point to clinch a home ice series for the conference quarterfinals.

-Michigan’s next win will also clinch their 24th straight season with 20 or more wins.

– Shawn Hunwick took home the CCHA Player of the week award for the second time this season. Hunwick stopped 55 of 58 shots and is second in conference GAA (1.87) and save % (.936). Hunwick will return for his fifth year since he was redshirted during his sophomore season.

-Senior Night is Saturday- and GBMW would like to salute Chad Langlais, Ben Winnett, Bryan Hogan, Louie Caporusso, Scooter Vaughn, Matt Rust and Carl Hagelin for their efforts over the past four years. Thanks guys and good luck in the future. This class has won (1) CCHA regular season title (2008), (2) CCHA tourney titles (’08, ‘10), (3) GLI tourney championships and includes (4) NHL draftees.

-Michigan scoring: Hagelin checks in at 13-25-38 (+16), Caporusso is next at 9-15-24(+14), Rust (4-15-19, +8), Wohlberg, Merrill and Burlon all follow with 17 points and Treais, Brown and Vaughn follow with 16, 16 and 15 points apiece. Brown and Vaughn also have the dubious honor of leading the team in penalty minutes with 41 each.

-Michigan closes out the regular season next weekend in a two game match-up with the NMU Wildcats in Marquette. It could decide the CCHA regular season title, depending on what Notre Dame does up at Ferris State this weekend and then with a H&H series with Western Michigan next weekend. Miami, on the other hand, will finish their season at Lake Superior State next weekend, and could technically win the CCHA depending on what happens with Michigan and the Irish this weekend. Michigan needs to capture seven out of a possible twelve points to finish ahead of Miami, and will need to finish their final four games earning one point more than the Irish to capture the conference regular season crown.

Stay tuned to the message board forum for the latest Michigan Hockey news … Go Blue!

Written by GBMWolverine Staff

Go Blue — Wear Maize!