At least hockey didn't let us down!

Quick update from the Soo before I head back to Marquette...

Michigan completes the sweep with a 6-3 victor over Lake Superior State.

Much different game tonight as the Lakers came out strong and got on the board
first, but despite being outshot by LSSU 20-10 in the first period, Michigan
came out with a 3-2 lead on goals by Ben Winnett, Chris Brown and Matt Rust.

LSSU had 20 shots in the first period tonight.  By comparison, LSSU had 23 shots
in the whole game yesterday.

But the Wolverine defense buckled down in the middle stanza.  Despite no goals
being scored, U-M had 15 shots on goal and held the Lakers to three.

Michigan finally broke open the game in the third period when Brown netted his
second of the night from between the circles.

With LSSU's goalie pulled, Tristin Llewellyn gave the Wolverines a 5-2 lead, but
the Lakers would respond with a minute left.

Then on a delayed call, Ben Winnett literally walked in untouched from the left
side of the goal and just stickhandled like mad back and forth before finally
popping the puck five hole that even had the LSSU fan next to me laughing.

Final score: Michigan 6, LSSU 3

Final shots on goal were LSSU 39, Michigan 35.

Three stars:
#1 Chris Brown
#2 Fred Cassiani
#3 Matt Rust

------------------

That's all for now...

Go Blue!

Jason
Michigan Hockey Net
http://MichiganHockey.net

First off, a special thanks to everyone who joined the chat last night.  We had
a record turnout of almost 225 viewers, which even surpassed the Michigan/Notre
Dame CCHA championship game live blog/chat from the end of last season!  Don't
forget we'll be doing live coverage again tonight starting around 6:30 p.m.  The
Saturday Cover It Live chat is already posted.

--------------------------

WOLVERINES DOMINATE LAKERS, 5-1

Michigan came out strong, jumped out to a big lead, and put it in cruise control
en route to a 5-1 victory over Lake Superior State in their CCHA opener.

It was clear from the get go which team was faster, stronger, and more skilled
as the Wolverines controlled most of the play during the opening 20 minutes. 
Perhaps it was partly due to Red shaking up the line up, moving Carl Hagelin and
Chris Brown alongside Louie Caporusso, while former U.S. Under-18 teammates and
long time friends Robbie Czarnik and David Wohlberg teamed up with Matt Rust on
the second line.

The Wolverines landed a pair of quick strikes midway through the opening stanza
to take command.

Defenseman-turned-forward Scooter Vaughan netted his first career goal at 9:21
when he popped in a rebound from the left circle into a wide open net.  It was
such a monumental moment the fire alarm went off!

After roughly a five minute delay to get the fire alarm turned off, it took U-M
just 1:09 to find the back of the net again.  Chris Brown fired a shot from the
left hash mark that was kicked aside by LSSU goalie Brian Mahoney-Wilson right
to Carl Hagelin for the easy rebound goal.  I guess Hagelin's goal was big, too,
because the fire alarm went off again.  Either that or it was being used as the
horn for Michigan's goals.

With 4:03 remaining in the first period, Louie Caporusso finally got on the
score sheet this season with his first goal.  Freshman defenseman Lee Moffie
dumped the puck into the Lake State corner, Hagelin got to the puck, circled out
and fired a shot from the right hash mark that was stopped by Mahoney-Wilson and
the rebound was popped in by Caporusso.

The Lakers got their best chance late in the period when goalie Bryan Hogan
stopped a sharp angle shot and then made a dandy sprawling right pad save on the
rebound where even the goal light came on.  Everyone thought that was going in.

Michigan picked up where they left off in the second period, though it was
definitely more on cruise control at this point.

Brian Lebler rang a shot off the post early on, then the Wolverines started to
put on a cycling clinic in the LSSU zone.

The Lakers finally started showing some stream midway through the period, but
kind of shot themselves a bit, too.  Rick Schofield had a two-on-one break for
LSSU and he carried down the left side, but I don't think he ever saw his
teammate streaking down the center of the ice alone because he ended up just
shooting the puck from the top of the left circle and it sailed over the net.

A few minutes later Will Acton got past a defender only to have the puck poked
away at the last second.

The Wolverines then squashed the Lakers momentum on a goal by Matt Rust that was
beautifully set up by David Wohlberg.

Wohlberg carried into the LSSU zone and got knocked down at the top of the right
circle, but he slid on his knees while maintaining control of the puck past a
pair of defenders all the way to the goal crease and passed the puck to Rust,
who chipped it in.

In the third period, Michigan started out on a power play that carried over and
it quickly turned into a fiasco.  LSSU took another penalty 27 seconds into the
period giving Michigan a 5x3 advantage, but 30 seconds into that Wohlberg was
called for tripping.  Then 30 seconds after that, Hagelin was sent to the box
for hooking, thus giving us rare 3x3 action.  Both LSSU penalties expired, which
gave them a 5x3 advantage, and they connected when former Wolverine Zac MacVoy
sent a perfect pass from the top of the right circle to Brad Cooper on the
doorstep for the easy slam dunk.

The Wolverines would kill off the remainder of the Hagelin penalty, but
continued their march to the box as Chris Summers, Lee Moffie, and Chris Brown
would all be whistled for infractions over the next six and a half minutes.  U-M
was called for five penalties in the first 12:27 of the third period.

After finally getting back to full strength, Luke Glendening iced the game with
3:04 left when he put in a rebound from the slot off a shot by Summers.

For the game, Hogan made 24 saves while Mahoney-Wilson made 27 stops for the
Lakers.

Michigan controlled much of the action, but penalties remain a cause for
concern.  U-M had eight penalties to just four for LSSU.  They're too good of a
team to go into these periodic slumps during the game and get into penalty
trouble.  Especially our captain, Chris Summers, who made three trips to the box
last night.

The weekend series wraps up tonight in the Soo.  I'll be there once again
providing live coverage, so please stop by!

-----------------

That's all for now...

Go Blue!

Jason
Michigan Hockey Net
http://MichiganHockey.net

(Apologies if you get this twice.  I sent it out from my e-mail this morning but
Yahoo Groups shows no record of it.)

WOLVERINES OPEN CCHA SEASON AT LSSU

PROGRAMMING NOTE: I will be in the Soo this weekend providing live coverage for
Michigan Hockey Net.  The Cover It Live chat will open around 6-6:30 p.m. and
the puck drops at 7:05 p.m.  I will be giving play-by-play throughout the game. 
Feel free to chat with your fellow fans, too!

Now then, Michigan travels to "da U.P., eh!" to open their CCHA schedule against
Lake Superior State.

The Wolverines (2-2-0 overall) are coming off a bit of a disappointing weekend
which saw them narrowly hold off Niagara, 3-2, before dropping a 3-2 decision at
Boston University.  U-M rallied from a 2-0 deficit against the Terriers to tie
the game with five minutes left, but a bad play by goaltender Bryan Hogan led to
a wraparound goal with 2:30 remaining to give BU the victory.

The Lakers, on the other hand, are off to a solid start this season, sporting a
1-1-0 conference record and 4-2-0 overall.  They started the season getting
clipped, 4-3, at Minnesota-Duluth, then rebounded with a win at Michigan Tech
and sweep of Canisius.  LSSU opened CCHA play with a 3-2 win over Ohio State,
then lost to the Buckeyes, 4-3, the following night.  As I said with Niagara
last week, don't be surprised if the games are close.

SPECIAL TEAMS: This weekend could very well come down to special teams and
Michigan cannot afford to get in to penalty trouble, where through four games
they are already averaging 6.5 penalties per game for nearly 18 minutes.  If
they do, it could be a long night as the Lake State power play has converted
30.8 percent (!) of their chances in six games.  The Wolverines' penalty kill
has been solid, giving up two goals in 21 attempts for a 90.5 percent kill rate.

On the flip side, Michigan's power play has converted 4-of-21 man-advantages for
a 19 percent success rate, while LSSU's penalty kill has fended off 22-of-25
power plays, good for 88 percent.  However, whereas the Lakers power play has
been firing on all cylinders every game, the Wolverines have only netted those
goals in two of their four games.  Their last game against Boston U. they went
0-for-7.

OFFENSIVELY INCONSISTENT: It's early in the season and you expect some ups and
downs.  In Michigan's two wins they have scored nine goals, given up three
goals, and went 4-for-11 on the power play.  In their two losses, they scored
two goals, given up five, and went 0-for-10 on the PP.  Overall, just 2.75 goals
per game, a far cry from the near four goals a game U-M teams of the past have
averaged.

The bright spot has been the Matt Rust line.  Rust has 2-3-5 to lead the team. 
Line mate Carl Hagelin has 2-1-3 and isn't shy about shooting with a team-high
14 shots on goal.  Freshman Chris Brown is off to a solid start with 2-1-3, and
sophomore Robbie Czarnik is starting to show the fire power we thought he'd
bring last season with 2-2-4 in four games.

CALLING OUT: Louie Caporusso and David Wohlberg.  Composing two-thirds of
Michigan's top line most of last season, both players have yet to register any
points through four games.  If Michigan's offense is to get going, these two
have got to start producing.

Of course, I'd also like to see a third player who can stick on their line
rather than playing musical chairs.  Ben Winnett started the season with them
then missed a game due to a groin injury.  Defenseman-turned-forward Scooter
Vaughan then joined them.  Not certain that I like that as Vaughan is an
unproven forward and I don't think anyone is expecting a lot out of him
offensively.  Perhaps a good third or fourth line role player who can provide
some energy, but to throw him in at top line forward?  I'd rather see someone
like Robbie Czarnik elevated.  He's off to a good start and brings a better
offensive skill set that can complement Capporusso and Wohlberg and hopefully
help jump start them, too.

SECOND PERIOD SLOWDOWN: Looking at Michigan's stat sheet, there's an interesting
breakdown.  The Wolverines have scored six goals in the first period, two in the
second, and three in the third.  Their opponents have scored two in the first
period, four in the second, and two in the third.

In shots on goal, Michigan has thrown 41 shots on goal in the opening period, 26
in the second, and 50 in the third.  Their opponents have fired 27-29-29 in the
three periods.

So the second period is when Michigan scores least, shoots least (by a wide
margin), and gives up the most goals.

REMEMBER ME?: Michigan fans might see a familiar name when they look over the
LSSU roster...#27 Zac MacVoy, who is also the Lakers leading scorer with a goal
and six assists.  MacVoy played his freshman year at Michigan in 2005-06 and had
a goal and three assists in 20 games.  He left Ann Arbor because he thought he
wasn't going to see much ice time and wanted to play more.  After a year in the
USHL, he transferred to Lake Superior State.  Last year he was their leading
goal scorer with 14 goals and third in points with 26.  With the two seniors who
were above him gone, MacVoy will be counted on to lead LSSU's offense this year.
Definitely bank on him bringing his 'A' game this weekend against the
Wolverines.

COVERAGE: Michigan Hockey Net will be providing live coverage from the Soo.  The
CoveritLive chat room will go up tomorrow before I leave town and open around
6-6:30 p.m.  MGoBlue.com will have the audio stream or you can listen to LSSU's
stream at WYSS-FM (scroll past the KISS info for LSSU hockey and a listen live
link).

-------------------

Looking forward to chatting with some of you tomorrow night!

That's all for now...

Go Blue!

Jason
Michigan Hockey Net
http://MichiganHockey.net

ONE AND DONE: AIR FORCE 2, MICHIGAN 0

I said in my preview not to take Air Force lightly, that the Falcons
were due.  Well, mission accomplished, and congrats to them.  Air
Force ends Michigan's season with a 2-0 blanking in the opening round
of the NCAA tournament.

The Wolverines outshot the Falcons 43-13 and did everything but score.
   They went 0-for-7 on the power play, including unable to convert an
early two-man advantage.  They hit the post.  And at times they simply
just ran into a hot goalie, Andrew Volkening, who, coming into today's
game, had not allowed a goal in the last 155 minutes he has played.

The Falcons chances were few, but they took advantage and Michigan
paid the price.  This game reminded me of the T.J. Hensick, Jack
Johnson years when we'd go into a game against an opponent who we all
thought we should easily beat, then not do it.  It was similar in that
the defense seemed to get so wrapped up in the offensive onslaught at
times that they took unnecessary chances and got burned.  The Falcons
probably had at least a handful of odd-man rushes.  Their second goal
actually came on a two-on-one rush that Jacques Lamoureux beat Bryan
Hogan low glove side.

It was also similar in that we seemed at times to play more as
individuals than as a team--someone has to try doing it all
themselves, be it trying to go coast-to-coast or whatever.  This is
not the team I watched all season and why it reared its ugly head
today, I don't know.

But, it's over, and all we can do now is look forward to next season.

-------------------

That's all for now...

Go Blue!

Jason
Michigan Hockey Net
http://MichiganHockey.net/

East Regional (Bridgeport, CT) - March 27
#1 Michigan vs. #4 Air Force (ESPNU, 3 p.m. ET)
#2 Yale vs. #3 Vermont (ESPNU)

West Regional (Minneapolis, MN) - March 27
#1 Denver vs. #4 Miami (ESPN2)
#2 Minnesota-Duluth vs. #3 Princeton (ESPNU)

Midwest Regional (Grand Rapids, MI) - March 28
#1 Notre Dame vs. #4 Bemidji State (ESPN Classic)
#2 Northeastern vs. #3 Cornell (ESPNU)

Northeast Regional (Manchester, NH) - March 28
#1 Boston University vs. #4 Ohio State (ESPN2)
#2 North Dakota vs. #3 New Hampshire (ESPN2)

Quick thoughts... Boston University, the top overall seed, got a tough
draw.  In theory they should be facing Bemidji State, the lowest seed,
but instead get Ohio State, who has struggled but is a tougher
opponent.  This is mainly because there were two CCHA teams as #4
seeds and #1 seeds and in order to avoid first round interconference
match ups between, they had to swap.

As for Michigan's draw, well, this thing is wide open.  Do NOT
underestimate Air Force.  They finished with a 27-10-2 record, won the
AHA regular season and tournament titles, are ranked #14 in the
PairWise Rankings (whereas teams from the AHA almost never rank in the
top 25), and feature the nation's top goal scorer in Jacques
Lamoureux, who posted 32-20-52 in 39 games (second in the nation in
points).

Last year in the NCAA tournament the Falcons nearly upset #1 seed
Miami, losing 3-2 in overtime.  And in 2007 they pushed top seed
Minnesota to the limit in the opening round of the NCAA tournament
before the Gophers scored three unanswered goals to win 4-3.

More as the week goes along.  Red's got a lot of work to do after last
night's showing.

----------------

That's all for now...

Go Blue!

Jason
Michigan Hockey Net
http://MichiganHockey.net

MICHIGAN TO HOST OUTDOOR GAME

The University of Michigan will host Michigan State University at
Michigan Stadium on Saturday, December 11, 2010.

"We have been talking about (Michigan State), and we just got a
commitment from them today," executive associate athletic director
Mike Stevenson said.  "The state needs something to look forward to
and needs to hear some good news, and both schools feel good about
this."

The Friday night game will be played at Yost Ice Arena, and the
Wolverines have also reserved Sunday, December 12 at Michigan Stadium
as a backup date in case of inclement weather.

Woo hoo!!!!!

BERENSON SIGNS CONTRACT EXTENSION

U-M head coach Red Berenson has signed a rolling one-year contract
extension and will coach at least through the 2009-10 season, and
after the aforementioned news, I can't imagine him retiring before the
big outdoor game.

Berenson hinted he'd like to go out on top like Scotty Bowman, the
former Red Wings coach who retired after winning the Stanley Cup, but
even if Michigan claims the title this year, he has stated he will be
back next season.

NHL TRADE DEADLINE

A pair of former Wolverines have found new homes as the NHL trade
deadline nears.

The Anaheim Ducks placed Brendan Morrison on waivers and he was
claimed by the Dallas Stars, where he will reunite with former U-M
teammate Marty Turco. Morrison struggled in Anaheim this season with
only 22 points in 62 games.

And former defenseman Danny Richmond was traded from Pittsburgh to St.
Louis for defenseman Andy Wozniewski. Richmond has three points and a
-3 rating in 49 NHL game this season.

NO CHARGES AGAINST ELDER KAMPFER

According to The Ann Arbor News, no charges will be filed against
Bruce Kampfer, father of junior defenseman Steve Kampfr, over the
locker room confrontation with Corey Tropp following the game against
Michigan State.

The article states that prosecutors didn't "have the evidence or a
victim willing to press charges."

"After reviewing the case, we determined there was no reasonable
likelihood of conviction," Chief Deputy Assistant Prosecutor Steve
Hiller said.

The Tropp family stated in the days following that they did not want
to press charges.

-------------------

That's all for now...

Go Blue!

Jason
Michigan Hockey Net
http://MichiganHockey.net/

WOLVERINES DOMINATE BUCKEYES, 4-1

Michigan dominated Ohio State pretty much from start to finish en
route to a 4-1 victory in Columbus.

The Wolverines needed just 1:15 to score the opening goal when David
Wohlberg popped in a rebound past OSU goalie Dustin Carlson.  Louie
Caporusso and Tim Miller picked up the assists.

Michigan went up 2-0 later in the opening stanza when Chad Langlais'
shot from the left point pinballed off the skate of one OSU defender,
across the slot, off the skate of another OSU defender (who was
covering Travis Turnbull crashing the net), and into the net.

Langlais added his second of the night during a second period power
play when he walked in from the right point uncontested and ripped a
slap shot through Carlson's five hole.

Late in the period, Tim Miller won a battle in the left corner,
circled out around into the slot and threw the puck at net.  It went
off a player in front, back out to him between the circles, and he
fired it past Carlson to make it 4-0 Wolverines after 40 minutes.

The third period got a little chippy early as Corey Toy repeatedly
cross checked Travis Turnbull while he was down and trying to get up.
Needless to say, Turnbull was fired up and wanted to fight (it seems
like I write that in every recap).  He had one glove off and the
linesmen quickly got between them.

Thankfully the chippiness settled down a bit after that.
Unfortunately, it was Toy who broke the shutout with a shorthanded
goal with about 30 seconds left in regulation.  Bad end to an
otherwise strong game.

But for as well as Michigan played, they did have a few breakdowns
along the way and Bryan Hogan totally bailed them out at least a
handful of times.  He made some remarkable point blank saves to keep
the Buckeyes off the scoreboard and a lot of credit goes to him, too.

With the win the Wolverines move into a second place tie with Miami,
who lost 2-1 to Northern Michigan tonight in Oxford.  Should they
finish in a tie, Michigan currently holds the first tie breaker over
the RedHawks, which is most conference wins.  Michigan has 18, while
Miami has 16.

ATTENDANCE - FAIL:  The box score lists the attendance as 9,267.
Maybe that was the paid attendance, but it certainly didn't appear to
be the actual attendance.  OSU attempted a white out.  Well, about
15,000 empty seats were covered in a white rag, so mission
accomplished, I guess.  Heck, anytime they showed Red Berenson on the
bench you would see a half dozen empty seats right behind him.
Despite the importance of tonight's game for both teams, attendance
was sparse.  Pretty sad for what they want to try billing as a rivalry
on ice.

LIVE BLOG:  If you weren't able to catch the game and are interested
in play-by-play of tonight's game, I kept a live blog at Michigan
Hockey Net.  Special thanks goes out to the guys at Hoover Street Rag,
who simulcasted the live blog on their website and helped moderate
tonight's blog and chat.

We had 40 unique users check in with over 20 sticking around more than
a minute, several of whom posted comments throughout the night.  Fun
time had by all!  I don't get CBS College Sports channel, but if I
find a feed online, I might setup a blog for tomorrow night, too.

PIOTROWSKI SPEAKS:  Shireen Saski interviewed CCHA head of officials
Steve Piotrowski during the game and ask him what he's looking for in
his officials and the job they're doing.  Talk about a loaded
question.  Needless to say, that one got a lot of remarks during the
live blog!

--------------------------

That's all for now...

Go Blue!

Jason
Michigan Hockey Net
http://MichiganHockey.net

Quick update...

One night after being blanked by Bowling Green, Chad Langlais scored
in the second period assisted by Danny Fardig to give Michigan a 1-0
shutout at Bowling Green tonight and split the weekend series.

The Wolverines certainly had to work for a goal this weekend as they
threw another 39 shots on goal tonight.  Carl Hagelin had a goal
waived off late in the game.

Billy Sauer got his first start since the loss at Wisconsin during the
College Hockey Showcase and turned aside 19 shots.  The offense once
again didn't provide much, but good for him to get the victory and the
shutout.  After all he has been through this season, it's well deserved.

I guess the question now is are we back to a two goalie rotation or is
Hogan still the starter?

The Wolverines face a familiar foe next weekend as Friday night they
face Michigan State at Joe Louis Arena, then finish the season series
Saturday night at Yost Ice Arena.

---------------------
TURCO STOPS JOHNSON FOR WIN
---------------------

The Dallas Stars defeated the Los Angeles Kings tonight, 3-2, in a
shootout that saw former Wolverine netminder Marty Turco stop former
U-M defenseman Jack Johnson on the deciding attempt.  Turco turned
aside all three shots he faced in the shootout.

It was also Johnson's first game since October 12 when he suffered a
shoulder injury and missed 41 games.  The original estimate had him
out until after the All-Star Game.

--------------------

That's all for now...

Go Blue!

Jason
Michigan Hockey Net
http://MichiganHockey.net

For IMMEDIATE Release as of Noon EST
Media Contact: Bruce Madej, Matt Trevor (734) 763-4423

Tonight's Hockey Game vs. Miami Postponed Until Sunday

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan ice hockey team's game
against Miami University tonight (Friday, Jan. 9) has been postponed
until Sunday, Jan. 11, at 4 p.m.  Yost Ice Arena suffered
weather-related damage during the recent snow and wind storms over the
holidays.  U-M is working with independent structural engineers to
make repairs.

"We apologize for this inconvenience, but the safety of our fans is of
the utmost importance," said Executive Associate Athletic Director
Mike Stevenson.

Tickets from tonight's game will be honored at Sunday's rescheduled
contest. Refunds will be given to ticket holders who are unable to
attend the postponed game. Further information will be released by the
athletic department regarding the refund procedure.

Please go to MGoBlue.com or call the athletic department ticket office
(734-764-0247) for updates.

Quick update...

Michigan 6, Minnesota 3

Struggling #15 Michigan went to Minneapolis and stunned the hometown
crowd by jumping out to a 4-0 lead over the #1 ranked Minnesota
Gophers en route to a 6-3 upset victory.

Carl Hagelin and David Wohlberg each scored a pair of goals, with
Brandon Naurato and Louie Caporusso adding the others.  Head coach Red
Berenson also mixed things up in net tonight by starting Bryan Hogan,
who finished with 22 saves.

If you were unable to watch the game tonight, I kept a live blog on
MHNet that you can read through.

The Wolverines will travel to Madison tomorrow night to face
Wisconsin.  The Badgers downed struggling Michigan State, 3-1, and out
shot the Spartans 53-12 (!).

------------------
KAMPFER BACK ON THE ICE
------------------

According to the Michigan Daily a few days ago, Steve Kampfer is back
on the ice skating alone before practice.  He has made remarkable
progress since his incident a month and a half ago.

Kampfer said in a recent interview that doctors expect him to be at
full strength in about a month, but it's up to Berenson on when he'll
return to the ice.

"Coach told me: ?Until I feel you are 100 percent, you?re not going to
touch the ice,?" Kampfer said.  "It?s the coach?s call of when he
feels I?m ready.  I feel I?m capable of playing, but I know I?m not
ready."

-------------------

That's all for now...

Go Blue!

Jason
Michigan Hockey Net
http://MichiganHockey.net/

WOLVERINES SIGN THREE RECRUITS FOR 2009

Head coach Red Berenson has announced the signing of three U.S.
National Team Development Program Under-18 Team members for the 2009
season. Forwards A.J. Treais, Kevin Lynch, and Chris Brown will add a
mix of size, skill, and speed.

Treais is a tiny but skilled centerman. Measuring just 5?8, 150
pounds, and ranked a ?C? prospect by the NHL Central Scouting
Bureau-?meaning he?s projected a potential late round pick in the 2009
NHL Entry Draft-?associate head coach Mel Pearson puts Treais in the
mold of some big names in Wolverine history.

?A.J. Treais is a smaller player, dynamic, highly skilled,? Pearson
said. ?He?s not unlike some of the kids we?ve had like T.J. Hensick,
Mike Comrie, Mike Cammalleri, Louie Caporusso?he?s along that line.
He?s not a really big player, but he?s very talented. He has excellent
stick skills. He?s a guy who I think can really add something on the
power play down the road.?

Lynch is a 6?1, 190 pound grinder who is rated a ?B? prospect by the
NHL CSB, meaning a potential mid-round draft pick. So far this season
he has three goals and four assists in 19 games with the Under-18 Team.

?Kevin Lynch is a really hard-nosed, two-way player,? Pearson said.
?He?s the kind of guy you?d like to have on your team. He?ll play the
same whether you?re playing at home or on the road. You know what to
expect out of him every game, which is important. He has really good
hands too. I don?t think he?s scored as well as maybe he could have at
the program. They have him in a little bit different role. He has
excellent hands. As he gets closer to the net he?s got better hands. I
think he?s a guy who can finish as well as give you a good two-way
game.?

Chris Brown is Michigan?s first ever recruit from Texas and is the
highest profile of the three. He has the potential to be a big power
forward. At 6?2, 195 pounds, Brown has five goals and seven assists in
19 games with the Under-18 Team this season. He is rated an ?A?
prospect by the NHL CSB, meaning a potential first or second round
draft pick.

?Chris Brown has a lot of potential,? Berenson said. ?He?s a big,
strong, physical winger who can score.?

Added Pearson: ?Chris Brown has had a good career at USA Hockey. I
think he?s really come into his own this year. He?s learned to play
more physical and use his size. He has really good hands. He has a
great shot. We expect him to come in here and use that size and add
some scoring to our team.?

The Wolverines have one more verbal commitment who hasn?t signed his
Letter of Intent yet.

U-M graduates six players this season-?four forwards, one defenseman,
and one goalie.  Pearson said on tonight?s Red Berenson Show he
expects to sign two or three more players, probably one of each
position, but for sure a goalie one way or another.

------------------

That's all for now...

Go Blue!

Jason
Michigan Hockey Net
http://MichiganHockey.net

Quick update...

Western Michigan 2, Michigan 1

Ugh.  Disappointing.  That about sums it up.

Michigan pretty much dominated play from start to finish, outshooting
Western 34-17, but coughed up two third period goals to lose, 2-1.

Carl Hagelin scored U-M's lone goal on the power play during the
second period.

But the Broncos' Tyler Ludwig would redirect a shot off the draw past
Billy Sauer early in the third to tie the game.

Then late in the third, Aaron Palushaj lost the puck in the U-M zone
along the right boards.  Kevin Connauton picked up the puck at the
left point and just threw it on net and it went in.  It didn't appear
that Sauer was screened at all; it just beat him clean.  If that's the
case, it was bad.  Really bad.

Riley Gill was outstanding in net for the Broncos making 33 saves.  He
was the difference maker tonight.  Any other night and Michigan
probably puts in four or five goals.

The weekend series wraps up tomorrow night in Kalamazoo.

--------------------------
MITERA AND KAMPFER UPDATE
--------------------------

The Michigan Daily reported a few days ago that senior captain Mark
Mitera opted for surgery on his left knee and will be out 3-6 months.

The surgery took place Nov. 6, meaning in theory that Mitera could
possibly return in early February at the soonest.  Fast forward four
months and you?re looking at the CCHA playoffs, and near the five
month mark is the NCAA tournament.

Red Berenson said there?s a lot of intangibles, but he?s optimistic.
Best of luck to him in rehab!  No doubt everyone would like to see him
finish out his U-M career on the ice and it appears there?s a very
real chance that could happen.

The Daily also noted that Steve Kampfer is set to see the doctor again
next week to get re-evaluated.  He is still wearing a neck brace.

According to a report in yesterday?s The Ann Arbor News, Kampfer
applied for, and was denied, a personal protection order against U-M
football running back Mike Milano, who is the suspect in his alleged
assault. Kampfer wanted Milano to be prohibited from coming near him
or contacting him, and wanted Milano?s two friends that were with him
to be prohibited from contacting him.

In the PPO request, Kampfer said he was walking with his back to
Milano and his friends when he was attacked.

Kampfer applied for the order eight days after the incident that left
him with a fractured skull and neck, but the judge rejected it saying
that a PPO has to be repeated or continuing harassment and Kampfer
only alleged one incident.

The Michigan Daily says University police have turned over the case to
the Washtenaw County prosecutors office, which is reviewing the case.

------------------

That's all for now...

Go Blue!

Jason
Michigan Hockey Net
http://MichiganHockey.net

Tonight's contest against Niagara is being picked up by Fox College
Sports Pacific.  In the Ann Arbor area it will be available on Comcast
channel 264 and DirecTV channel 617.  Fans in the New York state area
can find FCS Pacific on Time Warner cable.

---------------

Jason
Michigan Hockey Net
http://MichiganHockey.net

KAMPFER ALLEGEDLY ASSAULTED BY FOOTBALL PLAYER

There?s been a lot of internet scuttlebutt over the past 24 hours
about what happened to sophomore defenseman Steve Kampfer.  Some folks
originally said someone from the wrestling team was involved (and
other team members later got involved), some said it was someone from
the football team, some said a girlfriend was involved, some said no
girl involved.  The two consistencies among the stories floating
around are he ended up with a busted skull and someone from another
athletic team is involved.

A person I am familiar with e-mailed me yesterday and today and you
can take this for what it?s worth.

The source told me yesterday that someone from the football team
allegedly tackled and slammed Kampfer.  I know, insert Michigan
football tackling joke here.  He said Kampfer ended up with a cracked
skull and T1 vertebra and is in a head and neck brace.  This is the
result of an alleged assault, not horseplay, and police are involved.

The football player under investigation is walk-on running back Mike
Milano, who was also a part of the U-M wrestling team his freshman and
sophomore years, which is where the wrestler/football confusion may be
coming from.  This has been confirmed by The Michigan Daily's
eyewitness reports.

The source said he talked with Kampfer?s parents today and it will be
six weeks minimum before his next review (NOT until he returns to the
ice) and he could end up taking a redshirt and sitting out the season.

The Michigan Daily has just posted a story on the incident  According
to the Daily?s eyewitness reports, Milano was accompanied by two other
men, while Kampfer was with another man.  Here's what the Daily says
happened next:

---------

According to the eyewitness, Kampfer and an unidentified friend were
walking southward on Church Street when three unknown males caught up
to them just past the intersection with Willard Street.

The man walking with Kampfer turned around as the group approached and
said something the witness could not hear. The witness said the man
walking with Kampfer appeared to be urging the three men to ?relax.?

The witness said two of the men walked past Kampfer and his friend,
shoving them aside, and then the third picked up Kampfer from behind
and slammed him headfirst into the sidewalk. Kampfer?s friend yelled
at the group, but the men continued walking south on Church Street,
the witness said.

He said Kampfer wasn?t moving and appeared to be unconscious after the attack.

Other sources said they didn?t know what led to the altercation.

[...]

?I can?t tell you that he did anything bad,? Berenson said. ?He just
was a victim.?

---------

More on this story as it becomes available.

Jason
Michigan Hockey Net
http://MichiganHockey.net

MILLER LIFTS WOLVERINES IN OPENER, 4-3
Victory dampened by possible loss of captain Mark Mitera

Michigan opened the college hockey season with a 4-3 win against St. Lawrence.

The Saints jumped out to a 2-0 first period lead before Ben Winnett
and Carl Hagelin scored late in the period to tie the game.

The Wolverines took the lead in the second period when Matt Rust found
Chad Langlais for the defenseman's first career goal.  But the lead
was short lived when Mike McKenzie redirected a shot past U-M goalie
Billy Sauer 1:07 later.

Senior Tim Miller would be the night's hero, though, as he scored with
2:33 left in the third period to lift the Wolverines to a 4-3 victory.

Sauer finished the game with 28 saves, while SLU goalie Alex Petizian
kept the Saints in the game with 31 saves.

Michigan had several power play opportunities, but couldn't convert on
any of them and finished the game 0-for-9 with the man (and in two
cases, two-man) advantage.

CURSE OF THE 'C' STRIKES AGAIN?

As I noted during last night's game log on MHNet, Jim and Al said on
WTKA that Mark Mitera left the game with a knee injury.  According to
U-M head coach Red Berenson after the game, "Mitera is getting an MRI
currently on his left knee. We do not know anything for sure, but we
can tell that it is going to be serious."  Son of a ...

Junior Chris Summers, who began last night's game at forward, switched
back to defense as a result and will be counted on to lead the unit.

"He played well.  He had to play well?-we needed him," Berenson said.
"Our defense was depleted.  We had two injuries going into the game,
and then when Mitera goes down early in a close game like that, [we
needed Summers to step up].  Summers hadn't practiced on defense, but
you can see that he can play it."

The injuries refered to were sophomore Tristin Llewellyn and freshman
Brandon Burlon.  Berenson said that Llewellyn should play tonight, but
Burlon is out.  Junior defenseman Eric Elmblad played in last night's
game and recorded an assist.

HOGAN GETS THE NOD

Sophomore goaltender Bryan Hogan will also see action tonight.
Berenson said it was decided before the weekend that Billy Sauer and
Hoganwould split duties against St. Lawrence.

STANLEY CUP AT YOST

The Stanley Cup will be making an appearance at Yost Ice Arena tonight
at the north end of the arena.  Fans wishing to get their picture
taken with it should get there early.  Doors will open at 5 p.m.

----------------

That's all for now...

Go Blue!

Jason
Michigan Hockey Net
http://MichiganHockey.net

PATCH SIGNS WITH MONTREAL

Yes, the dreaded title you never want to see in your e-mail box during
the summer has unfortunately struck again.

According to subscription website USHR.com, Michigan forward Max
Pacioretty has signed with the Montreal Canadiens.

Just last week Patch attended the Canadiens prospect camp and was
considered "head and shoulders" above the rest by Montreal director of
recruitment Trevor Timmins, though articles suggested he was leaning
towards returning to Michigan.

"I was the guy doing the dirty work in the corners and I think that
I?ll be able to play a more offensive role now that (Kevin Porter and
Chad Kolarik) are gone," Pacioretty said.

"He?s lost two outstanding linemates, but this will give him a chance
to showcase his talents," Timmins added.

But Patch also said he?d talk it over with the Canadiens to see what
they felt was best for him.  Should it come as any shock they felt the
best thing was to turn pro?  Probably not.

There had been a lot of speculation as to what Patch would do this
summer as all the other players save for him seemed to publicly state
their commitment to returning to Ann Arbor.  Dominating the Habs camp
just added more fuel to the fire, and once they start down that path,
more times than not we tend to know what the outcome will be?-turning
pro.

Michigan still has a stuffed roster for the fall, but losing one of
their top two returning scorers and a big skilled body to boot is
certainly a blow.

-------------------

That's all for now...

Go Blue!

Jason
Michigan Hockey Net
http://MichiganHockey.net

--------------------
2008-09 SCHEDULE RELEASED
--------------------

The 2008-09 hockey schedule has officially been released on
MGoBlue.com.  You can view the full schedule at:

http://mgoblue.com/ice-hockey/page.aspx?id=80738

The Wolverines open the season Oct. 4 with an exhibition game against
the U.S. National Team Development Program Under-18 Team followed by
an exhibition against Waterloo.

They open the season with a nonconference series against St. Lawrence,
then hit the road to the Upper Peninsula to open CCHA play against
Northern Michigan.

Michigan will then return to Yost for a Thursday night game against
Niagara, then travel to Boston University two days later. There had
been some rumors that Michigan was to face UMass and BU that weekend,
but either they were false or didn?t materialize and we?re stuck with
an oddball Thursday game against the Purple Eagles.

After a home stand against Ohio State, the Wolverines will play seven
of their next eight games on the road, then finish the first half of
the season with a home-and-home with Michigan State.

The annual Great Lakes Invitational will see the Wolverines defend
their crown against Michigan Tech, then face either Michigan State or
North Dakota.

For all their traveling, the Wolverines get rewarded in the second
half of the season as 9 of their first 12 games of 2009 will be at
Yost, plus a neutral site game at the Joe against Michigan State.

They?ll close out the regular season with a pair of games at Ohio
State, then a home-and-home with Ferris State.

--------------------
WOLVERINES ADD WALK-ON
--------------------

  From MGoBlue.com

ANN ARBOR, Mich. ? University of Michigan ice hockey head coach Red
Berenson announced on Thursday (June 12) that forward Luke Glendening
(Grand Rapids, Mich.) will join the Wolverines as a walk-on for the
2008-09 campaign. Glendening becomes the fifth member of U-M?s
freshman class this fall, joining two forwards and two defensemen.

Glendening spent a postgraduate year at the Hotchkiss School in
Connecticut in 2007-08. He helped the Bearcats to a 14-6-4 record,
scoring eight goals and 20 assists while playing in all 24 contests.
In addition to lettering in hockey, the 5-10, 185-pound Glendening was
a standout for Hotchkiss in football and baseball. Prior to attending
the Hotchkiss School, Glendening graduated from East Grand Rapids High
School.

?Luke will provide some depth up front for us,? said U-M assistant
coach Billy Powers. ?He?s an intelligent centerman who is strong
physically and plays with an edge.?

-----

Bob Miller at The Wolverine spoke with a future recruit who was
teammates with Glendening at Hotchkiss and got more information on
him.  You can read that interview at:

http://michigan.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?fid=41&tid=113666190&mid=113666190&sid=88\
3&style=2

--------------------
PATERYN TO JOIN THIS FALL; NO ONE FLUNKED
--------------------

MGoBlog reported a few days ago on a story posted by WDAY.com in which
Fargo Force (USHL) head coach Dean Blais said Michigan recruit Greg
Pateryn would join the Wolverines this fall rather than in 2009.
Brian also mentioned that in the accompanying video Blais said Red
called him and told him someone didn?t make it academically, thus the
headline on MGoBlog which reads ?Hockey player flunks out; Pateryn
coming in.?

Not true, according to a source who said there are not going to be any
departures from the hockey program due to academic reasons. He did
confirm Pateryn will join this fall, but ?it?s not because we need him
to fill a roster spot of a player not performing well in the classroom.?

As someone on The Wolverine said, Red is usually pretty good about
keeping on top of kids grades and has even in the past benched them
until they got their act together.  Also, don?t student athletes
typically go on academic probation for a semester first rather than
just flunking out?

In any event, you can take that quote how you will.  There may still
be someone leaving, but it won't be because they flat out failed
academically.

--------------------

That's all for now...

Go Blue!

Jason
Michigan Hockey Net
http://MichiganHockey.net

Deadline for the May issue will be May 1.  This is the last issue for
a few months, so think ahead if there's anything you need to include.

Thanks!

Jason

PORTER WINS HOBEY BAKER AWARD

As expected, senior captain Kevin Porter has been named the 2008 Hobey
Baker Memorial Award winner.

Porter led the Wolverines to a 33-6-4 record this season and a
return to the NCAA Frozen Four. This despite being picked to finish
fourth in the league after losing several top players from last year?s
team.

The Wolverines entered the season with question marks all around. Was
Porter a byproduct of T.J. Hensick? Where will the scoring come from?
Only three returning defensemen, one of whom only saw limited action
last season. And the goalie situation was up for grabs.

All Porter did was help take 12 freshmen under his wing, unite a team
that had ?a bunch of egos? last season according to Chad Kolarik, and
led them a season that surpassed just about all expectations.

Porter switched from wing to center this year and showed he wasn?t
just Hensick?s sidekick. He tied for the national lead in goals (33)
and was second in points (63). He helped the Wolverines sweep
Wisconsin and Minnesota in the College Hockey Showcase, where they
have struggled in recent years. He helped them capture the Great Lakes
Invitational title for the first time since 1996 in a thrilling
double-overtime victory over Michigan Tech. He led them to the CCHA
regular season and tournament championships.  And he helped them
return to the Frozen Four. Not too shabby!

Porter picked up a pair of CCHA Player of the Month awards, was the
only unanimous selection to the All-CCHA First Team, was named the
CCHA Player of the Year, and was selected to the East Regional
All-Tournament Team and named the Most Outstanding Player.

Porter joins Brendan Morrison as Michigan?s only Hobey Baker Award winners.

Congrats to him on an outstanding season and giving us Wolverine fans
a season to remember! Thank you, Captain!

------------------

That's all for now...

Go Blue!

Jason
Michigan Hockey Net
http://MichiganHockey.net

FROZEN FOUR

I still can't get over last night's game. All things considered, it
was a great game. A helluva lot more entertaining than Boston
College?s blowout of North Dakota. Michigan dug themselves a huge hole
and to see them fight back with everything they had to force overtime
showed the character of this team.

Since the very first game of the season this team has showed us they
never give up and last night was no exception. Whereas the past few
seasons perhaps we would have rolled over and played dead after being
shell shocked like that (like against Minnesota at the College Hockey
Showcase), these kids just kept plugging along and chipping away
looking to make the impossible happen. And they nearly did, and
there?s no shame in that. I?m proud of the way the Wolverines
responded to adversity and went out giving everything they got.

Still, it would have been really cool to see Michigan face Boston
College ten years after their 1998 national championship meeting, not
to mention they also faced each other in the opening game of the
season and it would have been neat to see them face each other in the
closing game of the season, too. But it wasn?t meant to be.

But as disappointing as the outcome was, this season gave us so many
unexpected memorable moments, it?s hard to stay down. This would have
been the icing on the cake, for sure, but this was still one of the
most memorable seasons for all the right reasons.

The sweep at the College Hockey Showcase showed this team was for
real. Capturing the Great Lakes Invitational championship for the
first time since 1996 in a thrilling double-overtime game was
something we?ve been waiting a long time for. The No. 1 vs. No. 2
battles with Miami were classic. Winning the CCHA regular season and
tournament titles. Billy Sauer rebounding from the dreadful loss to
North Dakota and setting new Michigan single-season records for
goals-against average and save percentage. And Kevin Porter and Chad
Kolarik as two of the nation?s leading scorers, and Porter most likely
to win the Hobey Baker Award this evening.

After losing top stars like T.J. Hensick, Andrew Cogliano, Jack
Johnson, Matt Hunwick, and other key role players and bringing in 12
freshmen?three of whom would start on defense any given night?plus a
goalie who had been rocky in his first two seasons, honestly, who
thought all this was going to happen this season?

The announcers last night kept calling Notre Dame the ?Cinderella
team? of the tournament. Well, this has essentially been a ?Cinderella
season? for the Wolverines, and we have nothing to be ashamed of.

GETTING OVER THE HUMP

I guess one of the lingering questions now is what does this team need
to do to get over the hump and get back to the championship game? If
there?s one knock on U-M coach Red Berenson, it?s his record in the
Frozen Four. Michigan has reached the Frozen Four ten times in his
coaching career, but only twice have they reached the championship
game, which they won both times. That means in his eight other trips
the Wolverines lost in the semifinal game.

By contrast, Boston College coach Jerry York has taken the Eagles to
the Frozen Four ten times and they have made the championship game
five times, winning once in 2001. Including tomorrow night?s contest,
this will be BC?s third consecutive year in the championship game.
While I?m sure they?d like to have a few more titles under their belt,
the fact that they have consistently made the championship game, that
they have put themselves in the position to come home with the
hardware, is something the Wolverines have consistently failed to do
when they reach the Frozen Four. And for the life of me, I just can?t
figure out what makes this team go belly up more times than not when
in this situation.

ANOTHER MICHIGAN HOCKEY SUMMER?

So now it?s everyone?s least favorite time of the year? the good ole
?Michigan hockey summer.? The Wolverines lose their top two stars in
Kevin Porter and Chad Kolarik to graduation. Not only will they miss
their offensive production?which will be hard to replace?but their
leadership on and off the ice, as well. As good as the freshman class
was this season, there?s no denying who the cogs were that made this
team go. Michigan?s had a lot of great one-two punches throughout the
years, and Porter and Kolarik rank right up there with the best of them.

Picking up their slack won?t be an easy task and it will be
interesting to see who among the returnees steps up. Freshmen Max
Pacioretty (39 points) and Aaron Palushaj (44 points) seem poised to
lead the offense, and rookie centers Matt Rust, Louie Caporusso, and
Carl Hagelin all posted over 20 points and appear ready to take the
next step.

Of course, this is assuming everyone returns, too. As usual, there are
several flight risks. Topping the list are defensemen senior-to-be
Mark Mitera and junior-to-be Chris Summers.

Mitera had a great year defensively and even started to show a bit of
an offensive game towards the end racking up several assists. Inside
College Hockey named him their National Defenseman of the Year. Mitera
was Anaheim?s first round draft pick a few years ago and there?s
probably not much more for him to accomplish at the collegiate level.
It would be nice to see him follow in the footsteps of Porter and
Kolarik and return for his senior year to lead the team, but it
shouldn?t come as any shock if he doesn?t.

The versatile Summers had a wonderful year on the blue line, too. The
more I watch him, the more and more I like him. He?s such a great
skater and has a physical side, too. It?s no secret the Phoenix
Coyotes want to sign him. When asked about the Coyotes draft plans in
early March, general manager Don Maloney said they need defensive depth.

?We have only Summers ready to go,? Maloney said. ?We?re not sure if
he will be coming out of school or not, but we certainly think he
should because he is ready.?

Max Pacioretty is probably the only other serious risk to leave. I
recall after he was drafted by Montreal that he said something to the
effect that he would do what they wanted him to do, and after his
great freshman season, it wouldn?t surprise me if they wanted him to
join them now. But I certainly hope he puts in another year at U-M. No
matter how good they are, I always like to see them put in at least
two years. Even Jack Johnson gave us a pair.

Hopefully there are no other surprises, but you never know these days.

LOOKING AHEAD

There?s already some talk about how good next year?s team can be, yet
the pessimist in me is having flashbacks to the 1998-99 team. Remember
them? Not really? It?s probably for the best. That was the year after
the Wolverines won the national championship. U-M lost Bill Muckalt,
Matt Herr, Marty Turco and Chris Fox to graduation, but they had a
huge freshman class that played a pivotal role the year they won who
would all be sophomores and everyone assumed they would only get
better and Michigan would remain a force for years to come.

Well, everyone was wrong. After winning the title their freshman
season, that huge class only seemed to regress with time. And other
players who were expected to step up, like senior Bobby Hayes?who
recorded a career high 21 goals and 44 points in 1997-98?ended up with
seven goals, 21 points, and a team high 114 penalty minutes.

So I?m not going to jump the gun on next season. There?s a lot of
things this team ?could? be, but the bottom line is they have to work
hard and prove it and not settle to be ?paper champions? like the 2008
Detroit Tigers.

----------------------
GARAGE SALE
----------------------

Michigan hockey's annual garage sale will be held on Saturday, April
19 at Yost Ice Arena. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. Items that will be
available include: practice jerseys, all Nike apparel, sticks, skates
and protective equipment for skaters and goalies. Please address
questions to email.hockey@... or 734-647-1201.

If I remember correctly, Michigan's apparel line switches over to
Adidas next season, so when they say "all Nike apparel" will be
available, they probably do mean ALL of it.

And as always, if there's something you really, really want, then get
there very, very early!

----------------------

That's all for now...

Go Blue!

Jason
Michigan Hockey Net
http://MichiganHockey.net

Michigan 2, Clarkson 0

To paraphrase George Costanza, "We're back, baby, we're back!"

Michigan returns to the Frozen Four after a thrilling 2-0 shutout of Clarkson.

Aaron Palushaj put the Wolverines ahead 1-0 on a wrap around during a
first period power play.

Then Kevin Porter scored 26 seconds into the third period to give U-M
a 2-0 lead.

There were plenty of penalties both ways, especially to Michigan for a
stretch from late in the first period through the second, but they
shut down the Golden Knights offense.

The third period provided a really thrilling finish.  Michigan
controlled most of the period, outshooting Clarkson 17-4 at one point
during the third stanza.

But late penalties on both teams provided some wonderful back and
forth four-on-four action, then Carl Hagelin got called with just over
two minutes left to give Clarkson a 4-on-3 power play.

The Golden Knights decided to pull the goalie for a 5-on-3 advantage.
They hit the post and the puck came out to the slot and Sauer made a
save off his chest, then a major scramble in front saw Clarkson get
about six chances from point blank range and Sauer stoned them.

Billy made a huge--HUGE--diving save with his left arm stopping the
puck right in front of the goal line, then another save on the
rebound, then another with his right pad hugging the post.  The puck
finally was cleared to the corner and Kevin Porter sent it down ice
and hit the side of the empty net.

Back came the Golden Knights and Sauer with another big save on a
tipped shot, and another pad save with time running down as the
Knights tried to stuff it in the corner.

Sauer finished the game with 32 saves.

The Wolverines will take on the winner of the Notre Dame vs. Michigan
State contest in the West Regional final, which is currently ongoing.
So one half of the Frozen Four will be all-CCHA, which also ensures at
least one CCHA team will play for the national title.

In other action today:
#1 Miami 3, #4 Air Force 2 (ot)
#2 Boston College 5, #3 Minnesota 2 (Miami vs. BC tomorrow)
#3 Wisconsin 6, #2 Denver 2
#1 North Dakota 5, #4 Princeton 1 (NoDak vs. Wisconsin tomorrow)
#3 Michigan State 0, #4 Notre Dame 0 (1st period - Winner to Frozen Four)

--------------------

That's all for now...

Go Blue!

Jason
Michigan Hockey Net
http://MichiganHockey.net

#1 Michigan 5, Niagara 1

Kevin Porter all but sealed his bid for the Hobey Baker Award by
turning in a four goal performance to lead the Wolverines past
Niagara, 5-1.  The Wolverines will face Clarkson tomorrow night at 7
p.m. ET and the game can be seen on ESPN-U.

It was a slow start to the game as the opening period had no scoring
despite the Wolverines outshooting Niagara 11-4.

But the Purple Eagles got into some late period penalty trouble, which
carried over to the second stanza, and it took Max Pacioretty just 55
seconds into the 2nd period to capitalize and give the Wolverines a
1-0 lead.

  From there on out it was pretty much all Porter.  He gave U-M a 2-0
lead midway through the second period when he took a pass from Chad
Kolarik and split the defense and went five hole.

Porter gave the Wolverines the all important three goal lead at 8:55
of the third period, then completed the hat trick at 11:02 on the
power play as chants of "Hobey Baker!" rang out.

The Purple Eagles would ruin Billy Sauer's shutout bid with 4:10 left
in the third period after a turnover in the Michigan zone, but Porter
would add an empty netter late in regulation to ice the game.

Porter's four goals give him a nation leading 32 goals on the season.
The last Wolverine to score 30+ goals was Bill Muckalt in 1997-98.
Chad Kolarik and Max Pacioretty also posted four point nights as
Kolarik had four assists and Patch a goal and three assists.

No 'Molly' this year--In the day's early game, #3 seed Clarkson
defeated #2 seed St. Cloud State, 2-1.  Associate athletic director
and director of media relations Bruce Madej was a bit disappointed we
won't get a rematch of the infamous mascot brawl that took place
before Michigan's 2002 West Regional contest against St. Cloud State
at Yost Ice Arena which saw the Huskies mascot spear defenseman
Brandon Rogers right next to the Michigan net as the Wolverines were
huddling before the game, which caused a melee to erupt and the entire
team going after the mascot.  Backup goalie Kevin O'Malley had the
most memorable moment as he went airborne and tried to jump over the
official down the entry tunnel throwing punches at the mascot.

Irish upset top seed--In another great showing for the CCHA, #4 seed
Notre Dame did something their football couldn't do last year--score
seven points.  The Irish knocked off #1 seed New Hampshire, 7-3, in
the West Regional and will face the winner of Colorado College vs.
Michigan State, which is currently ongoing.

--------------------

That's all for now...

Go Blue!

Jason
Michigan Hockey Net
http://MichiganHockey.net

As expected, the Wolverines are heading to the East Regional in Albany
to take on the Niagara Purple Eagles in the first round of the NCAA
tournament.  The game will be played Friday at 7:35 p.m. ET.

Rounding out the East Regional is #2 St. Cloud State vs. #3 Clarkson.
This is about as good a draw as Michigan could hope for.  Time to take
care of business and get back to the Frozen Four!

Here are the full brackets:

East Regional (Albany, NY)
#1 Michigan vs. #4 Niagara - Friday, 7:35 p.m. ET
#2 St. Cloud State vs. #3 Clarkson - Friday, 4:05 p.m. ET

Northeast Regional
#1 Miami vs. #4 Air Force
#2 Boston College vs. #3 Minnesota

West Regional
#1 New Hampshire vs. #4 Notre Dame
#2 Colorado College vs. #3 Michigan State

Midwest Regional
#1 North Dakota vs. #4 Princeton
#2 Denver vs. #3 Wisconsin

Quick update...

Michigan raises another banner at the Joe and takes home the Mason Cup
after defeating Miami, 2-1.  The Wolverines will take the #1 overall
seed for the NCAA tournament and most likely be sent to the East
Regional in Albany to face Niagara.  The NCAA selection show is
tomorrow.

The Wolverines got goals from Aaron Palushaj and Brandon Naurato.
Miami scored with 38.6 seconds left in regulation during an empty net
power play, but the Wolverines hung on.

Michigan turned in an outstanding performance tonight, especially the
third period when the defense just shut down the RedHawks.  Miami
outshot U-M 21-12 through two periods, but by the end of the game the
shots were around 26 a piece, so the Wolverines really bombarded Jeff
Zatkoff during the third period and held the RedHawks to almost nothing.

There was one scary moment during the first period when Chad Kolarik
went to stop in the corner and turn around and he tweaked his left
leg--the injured leg--and fell to the ice in pain.  It was like deja
vu of the LSSU game when he tore his hamstring.  He was carried off
the ice grimacing in pain and limped to the locker room, but he sucked
it up and came back to the ice a few minutes later and finished the
game.

Tim Miller was named the Most Valuable Player after finishing the
weekend with two goals and two assists.  Below is the All-Tournament
Team:

Matt Siddall - Northern Michigan - Forward
Ryan Jones - Miami - Forward
Tim Miller - Michigan - Forward
Alec Martinez - Miami - Defenseman
Mark Mitera - Michigan - Defenseman
Jeff Zatkoff - Miami - Goaltender

A lot of U-M fans booed the Zatkoff selection, but he deserves it.
Billy Sauer was outstanding in net tonight, too, but Zatkoff
absolutely robbed Kevin Porter twice and Ben Winnett on a clear
breakaway, among other great chances.  Plus, he didn't give up four
goals yesterday.

---------------

I did another live game blog on my website if you were unable to watch
or listen to the game and want to read through all the details.

That's all for now...

Go Blue!

Jason
Michigan Hockey Net
http://MichiganHockey.net/

Quick update...

Michigan 6, Northern Michigan 4

Michigan advances to the CCHA Championship after a come from behind
6-4 victory over Northern Michigan. The Wolverines will face the Miami
RedHawks for the Mason Cup.

It was a hard fought back and forth physical contest as neither team
could shake the other up to the very end.

Travis Turnbull led the attack with a pair of goals, but really it was
all about the bounces tonight as Michigan scored at least three goals
either directly off or assisted by NMU players.

Michigan outshot the Wildcats 42-22, with U-M holding NMU to just
eight shots on goal after two periods. But NMU scored on three of
their first six shots to take a 3-2 lead after two periods.

Billy Sauer struggled in net controlling rebounds and really seemed to
be fighting it all night. That?s not to say all the goals were his
fault, though, because they weren?t. Michigan?s defense was sloppy and
gave up several bad turnovers behind their own net, as well as some
other lazy play, that led to NMU scoring chances and goals.

If you were unable to watch or listen to tonight's game, I kept an
live game blog on MHNet that you can read through, and I will do so
again tomorrow night.

------------------

That's all for now...

Go Blue!

Jason
Michigan Hockey Net
http://MichiganHockey.net/

Looks like the times got switched up.  MGoBlue.com and CCHA.com now
show Michigan vs. Northern Michigan as the late game Friday night.  It
is scheduled to start at 8:05 p.m.  Miami and Notre Dame will faceoff
at 4:35 p.m.

----------------

Jason
Michigan Hockey Net
http://MichiganHockey.net

Quick update...

The CCHA Championships are now set and top seed Michigan will faceoff
against Northern Michigan, who upset Michigan State 3-2 in overtime
tonight's Game 3.

In the night's other Game 3 contest, Notre Dame hung on to defeat
Ferris State, 2-1, and the Irish will square off against Miami.

Michigan will be without the services of Max Pacioretty for that game
as he has to serve a one game suspension for his fighting DQ in last
night's game against Nebraska-Omaha.  They should be getting back
Scooter Vaughan, who is recovering from a broken jaw, and could get
Matt Rust back as well.

----------------

That's all for now...

Go Blue!

Jason
Michigan Hockey Net
http://MichiganHockey.net

Quick update...

Michigan completed the sweep of Lake Superior State with another 4-2
victory.  Louie Caporusso had two goals, while Matt Rust and Travis
Turnbull added the others.

The good news is Ferris State swept Miami tonight, thus giving
Michigan a five point lead over the RedHawks and Spartans, who
defeated Western Michigan this afternoon.

The bad news is Chad Kolarik left the game injured during the third
period and did not return.  He had to be helped to the lockerroom.
The injury occurred during a 5x3 power play for the Lakers.  As the
puck was along the half board, Kolarik was covering in front of the
net and was down on his right knee with left skate stretched out.  The
LSSU player sent the puck across the ice and something happened to
Chad as he tried to turn the other way and he fell to the ice and was
very slow to get up.  Play continued on as the Lakers kept control in
the attacking zone and Kolarik basically stood in front of the net
unable to move or put weigh on his left leg, and he ended up falling
back down to the ice in pain, but while down still managed to dive in
front of a shot to help clear the puck.  That's sacrificing your body
for the team, and that's one of those little things I will always
remember.  The only update Fox Sports had before the end of the game
was the training staff was still examining him and had yet to
determine what was wrong.  The announcers speculated it could have
been a groin or hamstring injury.  I just hope it doesn't keep him out
very long.

-------------

That's all for now...

Go Blue!

Jason
Michigan Hockey Net
http://MichiganHockey.net

------------------------
WEBSITE UPDATE
------------------------

I've been transforming the Michigan Hockey Net website over the past
couple of days to incorporate using WordPress (blogging program).
This will allow me to update the news on the website much more
frequently and with a lot more ease than before.  The main page will
show the past 10 stories I've posted, and all archives can be found on
the left side menu under the respective month (i.e. the "February
2008" link will show all posts from that month).  I've also tried to
keep the menu design on the left side the same so you still know where
to find everything, and some of those pages are still works in
progress as I continue to convert everything over.  I'm in the process
of installing the new message board this morning, and will continue
working on the rest of the site as the day goes along.

------------------------
BACK ON TOP
------------------------

Michigan has jumped back atop the national polls after taking three of
four points at then #1 Miami this past weekend.

The Wolverines took 48 of 50 first place votes in the latest
USCHO/CSTV poll, with the RedHawks slipped to No. 2.  North Dakota is
third, followed by New Hampshire, who garnered the other two first
place votes, in fourth, and Colorado College rounds out the top five.

Inside College Hockey also bumped the Wolverines back atop their
rankings.  Miami, Colorado College, North Dakota, and New Hampshire
make up their top five.

------------------------
ROCKIN' FOR A GOOD CAUSE
------------------------

If you?re looking for something to do next Wednesday night, head over
to Hill Auditorium for the 9th Annual Mock Rock.

Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are
$10 and can be purchased at the Michigan Athletic Ticket Office or by
phone at (734) 764-0247.  It is recommended you get your tickets in
advance.

Proceeds will benefit the construction of the new C.S. Mott Children?s
Hospital and the family of former women?s track athlete Joi Smith, who
passed away in November 2007 after a nine month battle with cancer.

The Sklar Brothers from ESPN?s Cheap Seats and HBO?s Entourage will
host the event for the second year in a row, and new Michigan football
coach Rich Rodriguez will be a guest judge.

This is the event that the Michigan hockey team gained notoriety for a
handful of years ago for their Riverdance spoof with Milan Gajic
taking center stage as ?Lord of the Dance? Michael Flatley.

If you can?t attend the event but would like to still donate, you can
contribute through Pay Pal under the e-mail address
mockrock2008@... or send a check or money order to:

Attn: Mock Rock
Student-Athlete Development Program
1000 South State Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109

------------------------
QUICK VIOLATION REVEALED
------------------------

Former Wolverine defenseman Kevin Quick has signed a professional
tryout contract with the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League.

Quick was dismissed from the U-M hockey team January 31 for a
violation of team rules and team trust.  According to The Buffalo
News, the violation involved stealing a credit card and charging
thousands of dollars to it.  The word going around is that Quick
allegedly stole it from another member of the hockey team, thus the
violation of the team trust.  Mark Mitera was quoted recently as
saying it would be hard to continue their friendship.

U-M coach Red Berenson said Tuesday on his radio show that Quick
wasn't cooperative at first, but eventually confessed.

In an article posted on The Daily News website, Quick says, "I?ve got
to face that I made a bad decision that cost me a scholarship.  I know
there will be questions and I?m not going to lie."

Quick could be facing legal action in the next few weeks.

------------------------
FORMER COACH TO SPEAK
------------------------

The following press release was e-mailed to me:

In conjunction with Hockey Day in Michigan, the Plymouth District
Library will host a special speaker presentation on Saturday, February
16, 2008, at 2:00 p.m. Located in downtown Plymouth at 223 S. Main
Street, the Library is proud to showcase three pioneers of hockey: Al
Renfrew, Tom Mustonen and Raymond Rolak. They will share tales of the
University of Michigan and Michigan State hockey rivalry, old-time
Detroit hockey and never before heard stories of the early days of
international hockey.

Coach Al Renfrew had a chronicled career as player, coach and
administrator at the University of Michigan, including NCAA
Championships as both player and coach. Native Detroiter Tom Mustonen
came from a hockey family, starred at Michigan State University and
played for the USA National Team in the 1963 World Tournament in
Sweden, continuing on to a career as educator and coach. Broadcaster
and author Raymond Rolak has been involved with hockey as a player,
administrator and coach, and with international aspects of the sport.

Hockey Day in Michigan is in its third year and is coordinated by the
Central Collegiate Hockey Association. The idea has blossomed into
Hockey Weekend Across America sponsored by USA Hockey, February 15-17,
2008. Themed events for Hockey Weekend include: ?Wear your jersey to
school day? on the 15th, ?Bring a friend to the rink day? on the 16th,
and Celebrate local hockey heroes day? on the 17th.

So? put on your hockey jersey, join us at the library Saturday
afternoon to celebrate hockey and listen to local hockey heroes share
stories, then grab a friend and go to the rink. The Plymouth Whalers
play Kitchener at the Compuware Dome at 7:05 p.m. The Michigan State
University and University of Michigan rivalry continues February 22,
7:05 p.m., at Munn Ice Arena in East Lansing, and on February 23, 7:35
p.m., at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.

Hockey Day in Michigan at the Plymouth District Library is sponsored
by the Friends of the Library. Registration is requested at
734-453-0750, ext. 4.

--------------------

That's all for now...

Go Blue!

Jason
Michigan Hockey Net
http://MichiganHockey.net

Michigan 3, Northern Michigan 3

A disappointing start to the weekend as Michigan tied Northern
Michigan, 3-3, Friday night at Yost.  The Wolverines took a 3-2 lead
in the third period, but a couple of penalties allowed the Wildcats to
score a 5-on-3 power play goal to tie the contest.  They also had a
shorthanded goal earlier in the game.

There's something about Yost that seems to bring out the best in NMU's
goalies.  Brian Stewart stopped 41 Wolverine shots, while Billy Sauer
had 21 saves.  Sauer's three goals against is the most he has given up
since Ohio State upset Michigan on Nov. 30.

Tonight's game will be broadcast by student station WOLV-TV and you
can watch the game online via the link at MGoBlue.com/icehockey.

Michigan did get a little good news in the standings as Nebraska-Omaha
defeated Michigan State, 5-4, in overtime.  That puts the Wolverines
ahead of the Spartans by three points, and they remain two points
behind Miami, who is idle this weekend.  A win tonight will tie them
for the lead, setting up the big showdown next weekend in Oxford.

-------------------
QUICK DISMISSAL
-------------------

The big story out of Yost last night, however, came before the puck
even dropped.  It was reported that freshman defenseman Kevin Quick
had been dismissed for violating team rules and the trust of the team.

"Obviously, it was serious enough that we had to let him go," said
head coach Red Berenson.  "It was just a total violation of our team
trust and our rules.

"He's a good kid, and it's been a long, long week for me having to
make this decision, but it was the only thing to do."

Berenson added that he didn't learn all the details until Thursday and
when he did it was a quick decision to let him go.

There's no word on what exactly the violation was as the coaches and
the players won't discuss it and Quick has yet to be reached for
comment.  It obviously wasn't a minor issue as Berenson has suspended
players in the past for a game or two for things like missing class or
a team meeting, as happened earlier this season to Louie Caporusso.
Rarely is a player kicked off the team, and the last player I can
think of that was given the boot--perhaps the only Wolverine
ever?--was freshman Troy Kahler back in 1998.

A 2006 third round pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Quick originally
was part of the freshman rotation with Scooter Vaughan and Tristin
Llewellyn before becoming a blue line mainstay.  He had recently been
paired with Mark Mitera on the top line and had two goals and two
assists in 21 games.

His loss means Vaughan and Llewellyn will both see full time roles on
the blue line, and it leaves the Wolverines with six defensemen.

-----------------

That's all for now...

Go Blue!

Jason
Michigan Hockey Net
http://MichiganHockey.net/