Warriors fall again to RMU, season over

By Tom Balog / Wayne State Beat Writer

For the second year in a row, the Wayne State Warriors were knocked out of the CHA playoffs by the Robert Morris Colonials in the quarterfinals.

Despite a two-point game from freshman blueliner Cari Coen, the Warriors were doubled up the Colonials 4-2 at the Tennity Pavilion in Syracuse, N.Y., on Thursday afternoon.

Coen factored into both WSU goals, assisting on senior winger Adrianna Pfeffer’s (pictured) power-play marker in the first period and scoring a power-play marker of her own 29 seconds into the third.

The score was knotted at 2-2 following Coen’s second goal of the season, but Brandi Pollock scored at 12:32 for the game-winner and Sara O'Malley picked up an empty-net goal to seal the win.

Goaltender Delayne Brian finished with 31 saves, marking her 21st performance with 30 or more saves this season. Brian also increased her Wayne State single-season record for saves to 978.

Cobina Delaney and Maria Stoa also scored for RMU and Meeri Räisänen made 20 saves in net.

WSU finished the injury-plagued season with an overall mark of 8-21-2, their lowest win total since a ten-win campaign in the 2002-2003 season.

Robert Morris advances to take on top-seeded and 4th-ranked Mercyhurst in the CHA semifinals on Friday afternoon.

Photo courtesy Mark Hicks/ Westside Photography & Wayne State Athletics

A pair of Warriors take home awards

Compiled by MiCHO Staff

Two Wayne State University defensemen received All-College Hockey America honors Thursday night at the 2011 CHA Tournament Banquet, held at the Genesee Grand Hotel in Syracuse.

Junior Jill Szandzik (pictured) was selected to the All-CHA Second Team for the second year in a row, and Cari Coen was voted to the CHA All-Rookie Team.

Szandzik entered Thursday’s quarterfinal game against Robert Morris ranked 17th in the nation in points per game by a defenseman (0.67). She ranks fourth in points by a blueliner overall (20) and sixth in terms of conference points only (8). Szandzik is a key contributor on specialty teams, particularly evident by her 12 power-play points during the regular season.

Like Szandzik, Coen has also played in every game this season. She came into Thursday tied for eighth among CHA rookies in points. Coen also had a goal and an assist in Thursday afternoon’s CHA quarterfinal game against Robert Morris.

Photo Courtesy of Mark Hicks/ Westside Photography & Wayne State Athletics

A pair of Warriors bring home awards

Compiled by MiCHO Staff
Two Wayne State University defensemen received All-College Hockey America honors Thursday night at the 2011 CHA Tournament Banquet, held at the Genesee Grand Hotel in Syracuse.

Junior Jill Szandzik (pictured) was selected to the All-CHA Second Team for the second year in a row, and Cari Coen was voted to the CHA All-Rookie Team.

Szandzik entered Thursday’s quarterfinal game against Robert Morris ranked 17th in the nation in points per game by a defenseman (0.67). She ranks fourth in points by a blueliner overall (20) and sixth in terms of conference points only (8). Szandzik is a key contributor on specialty teams, particularly evident by her 12 power-play points during the regular season.

Like Szandzik, Coen has also played in every game this season. She came into Thursday tied for eighth among CHA rookies in points. Coen also had a goal and an assist in Thursday afternoon’s CHA quarterfinal game against Robert Morris.

Photo Courtesy of Mark Hicks/ Westside Photography & Wayne State Athletics

Ferris State gets nod from USHL D-man

Courtesy USHL

The Tri-City Storm have announced that defenseman Jason Binkley has committed to play collegiate hockey at Ferris State University.

"Ferris is a perfect size school – not too big or too small – and has reputable coaches and a solid hockey program," said Binkley. "They play in a great hockey conference in college hockey and will really help me become a better overall defenseman."

Binkley is second among Storm defensemen in scoring with 12 points (2g, 10a) in 42 games this season. It is the first USHL season for the 18-year-old native of Powell, Ohio, who has collected four assists over his last five games. He was selected by the Storm in the 2009 USHL Entry Draft.

"Coming to the USHL has better prepared me mentally and physically on and off the ice for the collegiate level," said Binkley who plans to major in business at Ferris State. "Playing for the Storm has made me a better skating defenseman and expanded certain skills that have enabled me to earn a scholarship."

Binkley will be joined at Ferris State by fellow Storm defenseman Simon Denis, who has also committed to the school. Three other current USHL players are also committed to Ferris State: Dominic Panetta (Indiana Ice), Ken Babinski (Omaha Lancers) and C.J. Motte (Waterloo Black Hawks).

The Bulldogs are a member the CCHA and have 10 USHL alumni on the roster this season: Eric Alexander (Lincoln Stars/Chicago Steel), Chad Billins (Waterloo Black Hawks), Kyle Bonis (Indiana Ice), Scott Czarnowczan (Green Bay Gamblers), Justin DeMartino (Waterloo Black Hawks), Mike Embach (Indiana Ice/Chicago Steel), Zach Redmond (Sioux Falls Stampede), Aaron Schmit (Chicago Steel), Scott Wietecha (Cedar Rapids RoughRiders) and Brett Wysopal (Tri-City Storm).

In addition, Bulldogs assistant coach Mark Kaufman is a former head coach in the USHL (Sioux Falls Stampede 2003-05, Rochester Mustangs 1988-92).

"We are happy for Jason, who has played well for us this season," said Storm head coach-GM Drew Schoneck. "We look forward to the rest of the year with him and wish him all the best with the Bulldogs next season."

Photo courtesy Tri-City Storm

Krug honored as Spartans' MVP

Michigan State Press Release

The Michigan State hockey program announced its team awards during the annual team banquet, held Tuesday evening at the Eagle Eye Golf Club.

Sophomore captain Torey Krug was the recipient of two awards, voted Most Valuable Player and the recipient of the Dr. John Downs Outstanding Defensive Player Award. Former skater Anson Carter, who played 11 seasons in the National Hockey League, was honored as the program’s Distinguished Spartan.

Krug was the CCHA ‘s top-scoring defenseman during the 2010-11 regular season. The Spartans’ captain finished 21st in league scoring with 19 points in CCHA games. The Livonia native’s 10 goals in conference play were also the most of any CCHA defenseman, and good for 17th place among the league leaders. Named the Spartans’ 44th captain in team history by a vote from his teammates, Krug – a preseason CCHA All-Conference selection - averages more than 27 minutes of ice time per game. His 11 goals this season place him in a tie with former All-Americans AJ Thelen and Brad Fast for ninth place for single-season goals by a defenseman in the MSU record book. Krug, who owns 26 points this season overall, recorded the first hat trick of his career – and only the second by a defenseman in Spartan history - on January 7 in MSU’s 4-3 overtime win over Michigan at Munn Ice Arena. Krug has contributed offensively for sure – he ranks fourth among active players in career scoring – but has also been doing his part inside the Spartans’ blue line, blocking a team-high 60 shots this season.

Brett Perlini is this year’s recipient of the Outstanding Offensive Player honors. Perlini finished 14th in the CCHA and second on the Spartans in overall scoring with 29 points. Drafted in the seventh round of the 2010 NHL draft by the Anaheim Ducks, Perlini lead MSU in goals with 17, good for eighth place in the league. Perlini’s 29 points is more than he had scored in his first two collegiate seasons combined.

Senior Dustin Gazley was named the Bill Burgess Outstanding Senior Award winner. The winger will graduate in May with a marketing degreeand was an alternate captain for the Spartans this season. He is the team leader in career points with 72. The 2010-11 season was Gazley’s most productive in his four years at East Lansing, as he recorded 10 goals and 15 assists for 25 points. Gazley currently ranks third on the team in goals and fourth in points.

Trevor Nill, also an alternate captain, received the Amo Bessone Award, which is given to the player who best combines success in academics, athletics, and community involvement. Nill, who receives this award for the second straight season, is one of eight finalists for the Hockey Humanitarian Award, and is also a leading candidate for the CCHA’s Ilitch Humanitarian Award. Nill is president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee at MSU, serves as the vice president of Michigan State’s chapter of Athletes in Action. He is active in the Spartan Buddies program, where he spends time visiting the pediatric ward at Sparrow Hospital. Nill spearheads the hockey team’s involvement in Michigan State athletics “Teams for Toys,” where each varsity team at MSU adopts a a local family during the holiday season. A Mechanical Engineering major, Nill carries a 3.4 grade-point average.

Joey Shean was awarded the Blue Line Club President’s Award, given to the top scholar-athlete in the senior class. The senior is majoring in accounting and boasts a 3.576 cumulative GPA.

Will Yanakeff was named the Most Outstanding Rookie. The freshman goaltender earned playing time in 13 games this season, and impressed his team and fans alike by posting 37 saves in the Spartans’ 4-3 win over Michigan in his first start at Munn Ice Arena. The youngest player on the MSU roster was named CCHA Goaltender of the Week after a 27-save shutout against Lake Superior State on Jan. 14 and a 34-save tie the next night. On the season, Yanakeff owns a 6-4-1 record, with two shutouts, a 2.02 goals-against average, and a .931 save percentage. In CCHA games, Yanakeff ranks third in GAA (2.02) and first in save percentage (.933) in the league.

Mike Merrifield was rewarded with the Spartan Fitness Award for his hard work over the offseason. The recipient of the award is based on the results of pre-season testing. Merrifield has posted four goals and three assists on the season.

Kevin Walrod, a sophomore forward, received the Most Improved Award in the team vote. Walrod improved his scoring output from three assists in 24 games as a freshman to a 3-4-7 scoring line as a sophomore, with the bulk of his scoring coming in MSU’s second-half surge. His first career goal as a Spartan came on Dec. 30, in the Great Lakes Invitational against Michigan Tech.

Freshman defenseman Chris Sandmeyer was this year’s recipient of the Goofus Award, given to the team’s humorist.

Carter was honored at the banquet with this year’s Distinguished Spartan Award. The 1996 Spartan captain was a Hobey Baker finalist and All-American, and he went on to play 11 years in the NHL. A tenth-round pick of the Quebec Nordiques, Carter played with eight different teams in his NHL career: Washington, Boston, Edmonton, New York Rangers, LA Kings, Vancouver, Columbus, and Carolina. He currently runs his own entertainment company based in Atlanta, and also sponsors an eco-friendly clothing line called Shirt Off My Back (SOMBstyle.com) which donates a school uniform to a child in Africa for every item of clothing sold.

FINAL MiCHO Power Poll 03.02.2011

The final MiCHO Power Poll of the 2010-2011 season has the Michigan Wolverines on top yet again.

Michigan swept Northern Michigan in Marquette last weekend and end the season on a winning note.

Western Michigan sits at No. 2 this week following their split with Notre Dame in a home-and-home series, while Ferris State remains third after a tie (shootout win) and a win over Ohio State.

NMU stays No. 4, Lake Superior State is fifth this week and Michigan State sits at No. 6.

No. 7 Michigan Tech cannot wait to put this season in the rear-view mirror and plays host to North Dakota this weekend.

1) Michigan (swept Northern Michigan)

2) Western Michigan (split with Notre Dame)

3) Ferris State (shootout win, win over Ohio State)

4) Northern Michigan (swept by Michigan)

5) Lake Superior State (swept by Miami)

6) Michigan State (swept Bowling Green)

7) Michigan Tech (swept by Minnesota)

The MiCHO Power Poll will return in October.

Each week, MichiganCollegeHockey.com staffers will compile the MiCHO Power Poll. Contrary to popular belief, there is no coin flip involved. The poll comprises the seven Division I teams in the state of Michigan.

Lakers shut down by tough Miami squad

By Bob Miller/Lake Superior State Beat Writer

The season has come down to Lake Superior State against the state of Ohio.

After a disappointing regular season two-game home sweep at the hands of Miami, Lake Superior hosts another Buckeye state foe, Ohio State, in the opening round of this season's CCHA post-season playdowns.

Miami poured 45 shots on goal at Laker netminders Kevin Kapalka and Niels-Erik Ravn in Friday night's opener, coasting to an 8-1 decision that Lake Superior coach Jim Roque's charges would just as soon forget.

Although the Lakers ended up on the losing end of Saturday night's 4-1 decision, Roque was pleased with the bounce-back nature of the Laker's performance.

“The difference tonight (Saturday) was that we stuck together and we battled,” Roque told USCHO. “We had a couple of bobbled pucks at the blue line and (Miami) capitalized. We didn't get bounces at all but we worked really hard tonight. I was really happy with our effort tonight. If we play like that going forward, I'm happy with that."

Ohio State invades the Lakers' home, Taffy Abel Arena, this weekend for a best-of-three set opening play for both squads in first round CCHA playoff action.

Take 2: Spartans sweep Bowling Green

By Matt Mackinder/Michigan State Beat Writer

Michigan State ended its regular season on a positive note with a sweep of Bowling Green last weekend in East Lansing.

The Spartans, by virtue of finishing 10th in the CCHA standings, will now play seventh-place Alaska in the first round of the CCHA Tournament, starting this weekend in Fairbanks, Ak.

Friday night, Michigan State scored twice in the first 10 minutes of the game in a 2-1 victory. Brett Perlini had a goal and an assist, Dean Chelios the other goal and Zach Golembiewski had a pair of assists for his first career multi-point game to back Will Yanakeff's 16-save outing.

Saturday night, Chelios and Derek Grant had the Spartan tallies, while Drew Palmisano made 17 saves to record his second shutout of the season in a 2-0 MSU win.

The game was not only the final one at Munn Ice Arena for Spartan seniors Dustin Gazley and Joey Shean, but also for retiring MSU head coach Rick Comley.

Michigan State (15-17-4, 11-15-2-0 CCHA) departs Wednesday for their best-of-three series which will begin Friday at the Carlson Center in Fairbanks.

WMU splits with No. 8 Notre Dame

By Karl Henkel/Western Michigan Beat Writer

Western Michigan came along way since its last-place finish last season.

After drawing a split during a home-and-home series with Notre Dame over the weekend, the Broncos finished the regular season fourth in the CCHA, the highest finish for a WMU team since 1994-95, when it went to the NCAA Tournament.

The Irish won the opener, 3-2, and the Broncos shut out Notre Dame 2-0 in the finale.

In the opener in Kalamazoo, Max Campbell scored twice and earned his 100th career point, but it wasn’t enough as No. 8 Notre Dame overcame a 2-1 third-period deficit and won 3-2.

Jeff Costello tied the game early in the third before Anders Lee scored a power-play goal with less than five minutes to play.

Jerry Kuhn made 26 stops for the Broncos and Mike Johnson stopped 16 for the Irish.

In the second game at Notre Dame, Western Michigan built a 2-0 first period lead with goals from Ian Slater and Trevor Elias less than two minutes apart and held on as Kuhn stopped all 35 shots fired his direction.

Western Michigan (16-10-10, 10-9-9-5 CCHA) secured a first-round bye in the CCHA Tournament and will play No. 5 Ferris State (17-14-5, 12-12-4-3 CCHA) in a best-of-three series beginning March 11 in Kalamazoo.

Michigan Tech swept by Gophers

By Andy Bourdeau/Michigan Tech Beat Writer

Michigan Tech went on the road for its last regular season series away from the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena and was swept by the nationally-ranked Gophers from Minnesota, 5-2 both nights.

Friday, MTU took the lead, when Daniel Holmberg buried a 2-on-1, but 23 seconds later, UM tied it, then took the lead for the remainder of the game.

The second goal came from Milos Gordic as he was able to put home a power play goal in the third to bring the game to 4-2, but it was not enough, as the Gophers added an empty-net goal with one second remaining to secure the win.

Kevin Genoe played in net for the Huskies.

Saturday, the Gophers got on the board first and never relinquished the lead. MTU received goals from Gordic and Ryan Furne and cut the lead to two for the third period. Again, MTU had sustained pressure, but were unable to get any closer. After a two-minute minor with a minute and a half remaining, the Gophers knocked in a goal which ended any hope of the Huskies coming back.

Josh Robinson started in net on Saturday for the Huskies.

The Huskies will end the regular season at home against the winners of the MacNaughton Cup, North Dakota, this weekend.

Buckeyes no match for Ferris State

By Tom Morelli/Ferris State Beat Writer

Ferris State grabbed five of a possible six CCHA points in their series against Ohio State last week, earning them the No. 5 seed in the conference tournament along with a first-round bye.

It was by no means an easy process for the Bulldogs in their season finale, as the Buckeyes came out swinging in Thursday's game.

Following a back-and-forth grind to begin the contest, Shane Sims gave Ohio State an early lead by firing a wrist shot past goaltender Pat Nagle at the midway point of the opening period.

Sophomore winger Eric Alexander would answer the call for Ferris State in the ensuing stanza by burying a shot from the left side of the crease for his fifth marker of the campaign.

Momentum carried over into ther third, where the Bulldogs were able to notch their first lead of the game. While on the power-play, junior Aaron Schmit skated right into the heart of the Buckeyes' defense, where he finished off a pass from sophomore Travis Ouellette with 2:38 elapsed.

The Buckeyes would counter just over a minute later, as Sergio Somma knotted the game at 2-2 with an unassisted marker.

Following a scoreless overtime, it came down to a shootout, where Ferris State defenseman Chad Billins was the only player to score from either team after three rounds.

Ohio State netminder Cal Heeter finished with 34 saves, while Nagle tallied 21.

A goal by sophomore Kyle Bonis with two minutes left in regulation proved to be the deciding factor for the Bulldogs in their 3-1 triumph on Friday night.

Unlike the previous game, Ferris State was first to strike in this contest, as Ouellette netted a power-play marker near the midway point of the second frame. Earning assists on that play were defensemen Derek Graham and Brent Wysopal.

The Buckeyes answered back at the 10:33 mark of the third on a garbage goal by Somma to give him his second goal in as many mights.

Shortly after Bonis' game-winner, senior Mike Fillinger scored on an empty-net goal with 52 seconds left to put the game out of reach.

Nagle tallied 22 saves to improve to 17-12-5 as a starter. Heeter stopped 15 shots in the opening period en route to finishing with 31 saves.

The Bulldogs (17-14-5 overall, 12-12-4-3 CCHA) are idle until the CCHA Quarterfinal Round on March 11-13, when they travel to Kalamazoo to face No. 4 seeded Western Michigan (16-10-10 overall, 10-9-9-5 CCHA) in a best-of-three series.

Michigan sweeps away Northern

By Susannah Nichols/ Northern Michigan Beat Writer

In the last regular-season series for both teams, Michigan defeated Northern Michigan twice on the 'Cats' home ice: the Wolverines delivered a 3-2 win on Friday and a 5-0 drubbing on Saturday.

On Friday, Michigan jumped out to a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Mac Bennett and David Wohlberg.

Jake Johnson scored his first of the season to bring the 'Cats within one, but the Wolverines took their two-goal lead into the second intermission after Chris Brown lit the lamp.

Andrew Cherniwchan scored for Northern early in the third, but Michigan dug in their heels to preserve the lead, killing off two Northern power plays in the last fifteen minutes.

Shots were even at 23 for both teams: Shawn Hunwick had 21 saves for the Michigan win; Reid Ellingson recorded 20 for Northern's loss.

Saturday's game was all Blue: Carl Hagelin led the offensive charge with two goals (including one on the power play) and an assist. Matt Rust also had a banner game with two assists and a shorthanded goal.

Luke Glendening and Wohlberg each added a goal, and Scooter Vaughn and John Merrill each contributed a pair of assists.

Michigan outshot Northern 33-16. Hunwick made 13 saves, and Bryan Hogan, who entered the game with six minutes left, made an additional three. Ellingson had 17 saves before being replaced by Jared Coreau, who stopped all of the 11 shots he faced.

The Wolverines (23-9-4, 20-7-1-0 CCHA) headed back to the lower peninsula with the CCHA title in hand and a top-seed ranking heading into the tournament. The 'Cats (14-17-5, 12-13-3-0 CCHA) finish sixth in the conference and will host Bowling Green in the first round of conference playoffs.