GBMWolverine: Michigan Hockey — Rewinding Michigan’s Previous Action
Posted at 6:00am — 4/6/2011
Rewinding Michigan’s Previous Action:
The Wolverines fell behind 2-0 in the NCAA West Regional semi final to UNO before storming back to win a controversial 3-2 OT affair. Michigan was staked to an early power play opportunity, but quickly fell behind when UNO scored on a shorthanded breakaway at 1:35. Halfway through the period, UNO notched another goal when Michigan’s defensive coverage broke down in front of Shawn Hunwick. The Wolverines bounced back with a two goal burst in the second period to tie the game.
First, Louie Caporusso scored a PP goal at 1:17 and Kevin Lynch followed with a goal just seconds after another PP ended at 8:36. Both teams threatened in the third period, but could not connect, sending the game into OT. Michigan took an ill advised penalty just seconds into the OT period and fought off the UNO PP. Jon Merrill swatted away several chances in the crease as Hunwick was scrambling back to keep Michigan’s season alive. Shortly after the penalty was complete, Michigan forced a face-off in the UNO end, won it back to Greg Pateryn who lifted a shot toward the net. The puck deflected off of Kevin Lynch in front, ricocheted off of a UNO skate and slid under goaltender John Faulkner’s pads. The puck appeared to be in and then quickly re-appeared to Faulkner’s left exiting the crease.
Play continued initially as the UNO forward whisked the puck down into Michigan’s end. But, as Lynch and other Wolverines questioned the officials, play was stopped and a lengthy review followed. Although not completely conclusive, the video shots available confirmed Lynch’s initial reaction that the puck crossed the line. After a ten minute review, the officials did allow the goal and reversed their initial no goal ruling.
The next night Michigan took on the surprising CC Tigers who not only upset the defending national champs from BC, but blew them out. The Wolverines played a picture perfect game and ground out a tough 2-1 victory over CC to win the West Regional. Scooter Vaughn set the tone early, notching his 13th goal in the first few minutes to give the Wolverines a 1-0 lead. Lee Moffie scored a PP marker at 17:33 to give Michigan a 2-0 lead after one period. The lead held up until late in the third period when CC’s vaunted PP finally connected at 16:25. The Wolverines fought off the Tigers though and survived to march onto their first Frozen Four appearance since 2007-08. Shawn Hunwick was named Most Outstanding Player of the regional, turning aside 48 of the 51 shots he faced during the weekend. CC’s Joe Howe was brilliant in defeat, stopping 41 of 43 shots.
Yostmeister Three Stars of the Weekend:
1. Shawn Hunwick – Michigan-solid, steady and unflappable
2. Jon Merrill – The Michigan freshman defender was a key part of the Wolverine’s shutdown of UNO and CC.
3. Kevin Lynch- Michigan- His two huge goals advanced Michigan against UNO
Other Michigan Hockey News:
Michigan Hockey’s booster club (Dekers) held their Hockey Awards Banquet this past Saturday. This is an annual opportunity to mingle with the team and salute their individual accomplishments. It is also a chance to wish off the seniors in grand style. The Dekers help support Michigan Hockey is every facet and this year donated a $25,000 check to the program. Thank you to all the fans and supporters who helped the Dekers to continue to promote Michigan Hockey and the student athletes in the program through their compliant fundraising efforts.
The Dekers also recognize the team with annual awards named after former boosters, student-athletes, professors and friends of the program. Here is a list of the awards and the recipients:
Carl Isaacson Award (Academic Athlete) — Carl Hagelin
Howard Colby Award (Sportsmanship) — Luke Glendening
Deker Club Award (Most Colorful Rookie) — Jon Merrill
Alton D. Simms Award (Most Improved Player) — Charles (Scooter) Vaughn
Vic Heyliger Award (Outstanding Defensemen) — Jon Merrill
Hazel M. “Doc” Losh Award (Scoring Leader) — Carl Hagelin
Hal Downes Award (Most Valuable Player) — Carl Hagelin
Joseph E. Barss Award (Coaches Choice for Team Player) — Matt Rust
Congratulations to the winners.
One other note- the seniors gave Coach Berenson an autographed “Big Chill” jersey (#9 of course) with pictures in a nice display case as a means of saying thank you for their time as a Wolverine player. It was a terrific moment for a class that at one time was twelve student athletes and dwindled to seven. (Kevin Quick was dismissed his freshmen season for theft, Max Pachioretty left the program for the pro’s after his freshman season, Aaron Palushaj departed for the pro’s after his sophomore year, Tristin Llewellyn was dismissed for detrimental conduct this past year, and Shawn Hunwick is coming back for a fifth season after declaring a red-shirt for his sophomore year.)
-Brandon Burlon is practicing with the team and is probable now for Thursday’s game. He spoke with GBMWolverine and said that it will be a “coach’s decision” on whether he will play after being out of the regionals (complications from strep throat.) He has re-gained nine of the seventeen pounds he lost but is still working on his timing and stamina. When pressed about his thoughts on foregoing his senior season and joining the pro ranks, he nervously chose not to comment.
-Michigan left right after practice on Tuesday for Minneapolis and will be scheduled for practice at the Xcel Center on Wednesday.
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Written by GBMWolverine Staff — YostMeister
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