Ok, what happened last night? Did the Maize and Blue really light the lamp 10 times against St. Lawerence, or was I just dreaming? We did?! Ok, I thought so.
Last night Michigan defeated St. Lawerence 10-3 at Yost Ice Arena, moving Michigan's record to a perfect 4-0 early in the year. Michigan was led by...well, too many goal scorers, but the obvious choice is Senior Captain Luke Glendenning, who scored a hat-trick, and David Wohlberg who scored a goal to go along with his three helpers. It was nice to see the offense explode, and wow were they firing on all cylinders. It's easy to say that St. Lawerence isn't the strongest team, but the night belonged to Michigan. Every bounce seemed to go Michigan's way.
I don't think you can score ten goals and NOT have the bounces go your way. Hunwick, played solid and allowed three goals on 30 shots. The defense, to me, is still a work in progress though. They're still taking a lot of chances, and maybe it was due to the offenseive outburst, but they seemed to be jumping up in the play a little too much. Shots were 34-32, so it's not like the defense had the night off or anything. When was the last time Michigan scored 10 goals in a game!? I honestly can't recall the last time we put up double digits on an opponent. It's good for them to score, and for a lot of freshmen, get the "monkey off their backs", so to speak. They won't have to feel pressured to produce since they have been doing it so much already. But, the early cake walk is over, and the next step to defending the CCHA regular season crown comes next week in Marquette. I can imagine that the offense will come into that series with a lot of confidence, but I'm going to steal one from Brady Hoke's page, and remind everyone that this is still a young team, and has a long ways to go. They will get even better, and hopefully the long season won't take it's toll too early this year.
It should be interesting to see some premier teams go head-to-head this weekend. Boston College/University take on Denver, which will be a great test for all three teams. Maine heads out west to visit North Dakota, which could be a very rude awakening for the Blackbears. And last but not least, the Gophers head up to Duluth in an early season WCHA matchup. Hmm...interesting...PREDICTIONS:
Denver beats BU, Ties BC-BC hangs onto #1 ranking
North Dakota sweeps Maine
UMD and Minnesota split in what I think will be a hard fought series.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Maize Jersey
We all know that there have been mixed feelings on the new Reebok jerseys this year...people love one, hate the others, love em all, or hate em all!!! Either way you look at it, I feel as if they missed their mark this year (especially with the white jersey, but that's my own 2 cents). So late last night I explored around to see what people wanted to see on the jerseys. It was almost overwhelming that a lot of people wanted to see the script "Michigan" back on the maize jersey...So I played around with some pictures and came to this conclusion.
It's not the same script as the 1998 national championship jersey (the "m" is slightly different), but it is the script from the maize jersey from 2003. Either way, I think it looks great and I'm increasingly dissappointed that they didn't go with this look! Personally, I feel this personifies Michigan hockey at it's finest.
I'm also playing around with the away, and white jersey too, but can't gain a good consensus on what people want to see on those jerseys. So let me know what you want to see! Do you want the block "M" to come back to the white jersey?! Should the block "M" stick to the away blue? Maybe the diagonal "Michigan" should come back?! Bounce some ideas around, and let me know what you want to see!
-GO BLUE!
It's not the same script as the 1998 national championship jersey (the "m" is slightly different), but it is the script from the maize jersey from 2003. Either way, I think it looks great and I'm increasingly dissappointed that they didn't go with this look! Personally, I feel this personifies Michigan hockey at it's finest.
I'm also playing around with the away, and white jersey too, but can't gain a good consensus on what people want to see on those jerseys. So let me know what you want to see! Do you want the block "M" to come back to the white jersey?! Should the block "M" stick to the away blue? Maybe the diagonal "Michigan" should come back?! Bounce some ideas around, and let me know what you want to see!
-GO BLUE!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
St. Lawrence Preview
Michigan comes into this game with a 3-0 record, and I wouldn't expect anything less than another big win from the Maize and Blue. The defense, although giving up some relatively good chances early in the young 2011-2012 season, has looked very good. Ever since Merrill was suspended, question marks started popping up everywhere. Who's going to be the blue line threat on the powerplay? Will any defenseman register 20+ points? Rest assured Wolverine faithful, the blueline will be fine. The biggest concerns I had this year was where was the offense going to come from?! Even that question has been answered (granted, it is early in the year) thus far. Averaging 4.6 goals per game, the Michigan forwards, especially underclassman have stepped up huge. Thursday against St. Lawrence will be another day for them to prove themselves. Let's look ahead to this one game homestand to see where Michigan can improve, and what they need to do in order to get a W.
Keys to the game:
-Physcal play! Michigan needs to be physical with St. Lawrence, especially in the defensive zone. St. Lawrence has never been a team known for their size, so the Wolverines need to take body every chance they get. Grind the Saints down, and use Yost to our advantage.
-Continue being successful on the PP. 28% is a pretty tremendous number, and if Michigan can convert on 25% of their chances tommorow, consider it a success.
- Let Hunwick become comfortable in net. A little contradictory to my other keys to success, but do not be mistaken, Michigan NEEDS Hunwick. The CCHA goaltender of the week has been simply on fire in the first three games. What the defense needs to focus on is boosting Shawn's confidence. "But how?", one might ask, and the answer is simple. Again, eliminate odd man rushes, and force St. Lawerence to shoot outside shots. Shawn will have no problems with these types of shots, and he's proven before that he can easily make 40 saves without seeing too many quality opportunities (North Dakota, last year). Now, giving up 40 shots to St. Lawrence would be another story, but look for Hunwick to make around 25-30 saves in this game.
-EARLY START. Coming on strong in the third period has been an early common theme for the Wolverines, and look for them to come out swinging early in this one. Yes, we've outscored opponents 3-1 in the first period...but a stronger start will lead to a stronger finish in my opinion. We waited to turn it on in the 3rd against Bentley, and the sense of urgency seemed to fill Yost. Not like we were in a come-from-behind scenario, but peppering their goalie all night had to pay off eventually. Hopefully it doesn't take a late surge to light the lamp.
Prediction: W 4-0
Look for Hunwick to increase his sterling numbers, and for Chris Brown to have a big game with at least three points. The freshmen will yet again contribute, and Michigan will play it's most complete game yet. See you tomorrow at Yost. The puck drops at 7:35.
Michigan comes into this game with a 3-0 record, and I wouldn't expect anything less than another big win from the Maize and Blue. The defense, although giving up some relatively good chances early in the young 2011-2012 season, has looked very good. Ever since Merrill was suspended, question marks started popping up everywhere. Who's going to be the blue line threat on the powerplay? Will any defenseman register 20+ points? Rest assured Wolverine faithful, the blueline will be fine. The biggest concerns I had this year was where was the offense going to come from?! Even that question has been answered (granted, it is early in the year) thus far. Averaging 4.6 goals per game, the Michigan forwards, especially underclassman have stepped up huge. Thursday against St. Lawrence will be another day for them to prove themselves. Let's look ahead to this one game homestand to see where Michigan can improve, and what they need to do in order to get a W.
Keys to the game:
-Physcal play! Michigan needs to be physical with St. Lawrence, especially in the defensive zone. St. Lawrence has never been a team known for their size, so the Wolverines need to take body every chance they get. Grind the Saints down, and use Yost to our advantage.
-Continue being successful on the PP. 28% is a pretty tremendous number, and if Michigan can convert on 25% of their chances tommorow, consider it a success.
- Let Hunwick become comfortable in net. A little contradictory to my other keys to success, but do not be mistaken, Michigan NEEDS Hunwick. The CCHA goaltender of the week has been simply on fire in the first three games. What the defense needs to focus on is boosting Shawn's confidence. "But how?", one might ask, and the answer is simple. Again, eliminate odd man rushes, and force St. Lawerence to shoot outside shots. Shawn will have no problems with these types of shots, and he's proven before that he can easily make 40 saves without seeing too many quality opportunities (North Dakota, last year). Now, giving up 40 shots to St. Lawrence would be another story, but look for Hunwick to make around 25-30 saves in this game.
-EARLY START. Coming on strong in the third period has been an early common theme for the Wolverines, and look for them to come out swinging early in this one. Yes, we've outscored opponents 3-1 in the first period...but a stronger start will lead to a stronger finish in my opinion. We waited to turn it on in the 3rd against Bentley, and the sense of urgency seemed to fill Yost. Not like we were in a come-from-behind scenario, but peppering their goalie all night had to pay off eventually. Hopefully it doesn't take a late surge to light the lamp.
Prediction: W 4-0
Look for Hunwick to increase his sterling numbers, and for Chris Brown to have a big game with at least three points. The freshmen will yet again contribute, and Michigan will play it's most complete game yet. See you tomorrow at Yost. The puck drops at 7:35.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Weekend Recap
The Michigan Wolverines improved their record to 3-0 with a weekend sweep of the Bentley Falcons. Michigan won Friday night by a score of 5-1, and then secured a 4-1 win on Saturday.
Friday Recap: W 5-1
Although the score may be indicative of the shots produced by Michigan, it actually took the Wolverines until late in the third period to settle in. After giving up a first period goal, and falling behind behind quickly, Michigan uped their offensive and defensive performances for the final two periods. Backboned by none other than Shawn Hunwick, who had 18 saves in the win, Michigan got offensive help from Sr. defenseman Greg Pateryn, who notted the score early in the secord period. From there on it was all maize and blue, as the Wolverines began to dominate the physicality and ended up out shooting the Falcons 34-13 in the final two periods. David Wohlberg scored the eventual game winner on the powerplay, and Michigan never looked back. The final three goals were not tallied until late in the third period as Michigan then opened the flood gates on Bentley. Freshman forward Alex Guptill scored his first collegiate goal, followed by goals from Sr. Luke Glendenning and Jr. A.J. Treais. Michigan scored three goals late in the third period, all of which came three minutes apart from each other.
Saturday Recap: W 4-1
Saturday night's game proved that Michigan, although young offensively, can rely on newcomers to get the job done. Freshman forward Phil Di Giuseppe scored twice as the University of Michigan completed it's sweep over Atlantic Hockey's Bentley Falcons. Di Giuseppe scored the first Michigan goal after Luke Moffatt's shot on goal trickled past the Bentley goaltender, and Di Giuseppe dove to tip it in. It was a typical "blue collar" goal, as Michigan just out worked the Bentley defense. Di Giuseppe's second goal came on the powerplay, on which Michigan went 3 for 10 on the weekend, and is 4 for 14 on the season. The game was more of a complete performance from the blue liners, and the freshmen forwards came through once again for the maize and blue. The turning point of the game was when Bentley appeared to score from a shallow angle shot, only to be disallowed due to goaltender interference (which upon further review showed that it was in fact the correct call). From then on it was all Michigan, again out shooting the Falcons 43 to 22. It was a good weekend sweep, and also very nice to see Michigan get some help from some underclassmen, who are indeed going to have to play certain roles if this team wants to repeat last season's trip to the Frozen Four. Although Bentley isn't a top 20 team (or top 40 team for that matter), it was nice to see the offense put up some respectable numbers. This is going to be a good year for the Maize and Blue, who no doubt have a long ways to go this season, but are showing signs of progression early on.
Visit again later on in the week when we preview Michigan's upcoming home game against St. Lawrence.
Friday Recap: W 5-1
Although the score may be indicative of the shots produced by Michigan, it actually took the Wolverines until late in the third period to settle in. After giving up a first period goal, and falling behind behind quickly, Michigan uped their offensive and defensive performances for the final two periods. Backboned by none other than Shawn Hunwick, who had 18 saves in the win, Michigan got offensive help from Sr. defenseman Greg Pateryn, who notted the score early in the secord period. From there on it was all maize and blue, as the Wolverines began to dominate the physicality and ended up out shooting the Falcons 34-13 in the final two periods. David Wohlberg scored the eventual game winner on the powerplay, and Michigan never looked back. The final three goals were not tallied until late in the third period as Michigan then opened the flood gates on Bentley. Freshman forward Alex Guptill scored his first collegiate goal, followed by goals from Sr. Luke Glendenning and Jr. A.J. Treais. Michigan scored three goals late in the third period, all of which came three minutes apart from each other.
Saturday Recap: W 4-1
Saturday night's game proved that Michigan, although young offensively, can rely on newcomers to get the job done. Freshman forward Phil Di Giuseppe scored twice as the University of Michigan completed it's sweep over Atlantic Hockey's Bentley Falcons. Di Giuseppe scored the first Michigan goal after Luke Moffatt's shot on goal trickled past the Bentley goaltender, and Di Giuseppe dove to tip it in. It was a typical "blue collar" goal, as Michigan just out worked the Bentley defense. Di Giuseppe's second goal came on the powerplay, on which Michigan went 3 for 10 on the weekend, and is 4 for 14 on the season. The game was more of a complete performance from the blue liners, and the freshmen forwards came through once again for the maize and blue. The turning point of the game was when Bentley appeared to score from a shallow angle shot, only to be disallowed due to goaltender interference (which upon further review showed that it was in fact the correct call). From then on it was all Michigan, again out shooting the Falcons 43 to 22. It was a good weekend sweep, and also very nice to see Michigan get some help from some underclassmen, who are indeed going to have to play certain roles if this team wants to repeat last season's trip to the Frozen Four. Although Bentley isn't a top 20 team (or top 40 team for that matter), it was nice to see the offense put up some respectable numbers. This is going to be a good year for the Maize and Blue, who no doubt have a long ways to go this season, but are showing signs of progression early on.
Visit again later on in the week when we preview Michigan's upcoming home game against St. Lawrence.
Friday, October 7, 2011
First Weekend Home Series Slated vs. Bentley
Bentley Series Preview
The University of Michigan mens ice hockey team (No. 6 USCHO poll/No.9 USA Today 1-0-0 overall, 0-0-0 CCHA) is set for a weekend series against the Bentley Falcons (0-0-0). Michigan enters the contest playing on (somewhat) short rest as the Wolverines defeated Niagara on Monday, and the US U-18 team on Sunday night. The Wolverines came out flying in their season opener Monday, unleashing 5 goals on 37 shots. Michigan was led by Junior Lindsay Sparks (3g-1a-4p) in a game that saw a total of 75 shots combined between the two teams. Sparks registered his first goal just after the one minute mark of the first period, and it proved to be all of the offense the Wolverines would need, as Sr. Shawn Hunwick and So. Adam Janecyk combined for a 38-save shutout of the Purple Eagles.
Looking forward to Friday night's matchup, the Wolverines look to answer a couple of questions from their blue-liners, who surrendered 38 shots to Niagara on Monday. Michigan has gotten consistant play from goaltender Shawn Hunwick, but the defense needs to take aim at lowering the work load of their star goaltender. Hunwick, who will pressumably start every game for the maize and blue this year, seems to have picked up where he left off last season, falling just short of Michigan's tenth NCAA title. There's no doubt that if Michigan wants to repeat it's successes of last season, they must become a defensive minded team. The loss of So. Jon Merrill for 12 games due to a suspension is a big blow the the Wolverines blue-liners. Merrill, an All-CCHA rookie defenseman last year recorded 7g-18-25p last year as a Freshman, and was figured to play a large roll in shaping this year's defense. Michigan now looks to Kevin Clare (So.), Lee Moffie (Jr.), and steady defenseman Greg Pateryn (Sr.) to be leaders among the Michigan defensemen.
Coming into the 2011-2012 campaign, offensive production was a huge question mark for the maize and blue, who lost four of their top five point getters from last year's team. Lindsay Sparks provided somewhat of an answer registering a hat-trick against Niagara, but the Wolverines need more from Forwards Chris Brown (Jr.), and captain Luke Glendening. Other forwards that are looking to make an impact this year are Freshmen Zach Hyman, and Phil Di Giuseppe. Both looked strong in Michigan's exhibition games, and are expected by Red Berenson to produce goals.
Bentley-The Falcons come into Ann Arbor looking to improve off of last years 10-18-6 record, and returns eight of their top 10 scorers, as well as 10 of their top 12. Bentley aslo returns their top six defensemen as well, and are bringing a lot of depth into Yost.
Key Players for Michigan- Three players that must elevate their game if Michigan wants to continue to be perfect on the season are Lindsay Sparks, Chris Brown, and as usual, goaltender Shawn Hunwick.
Keys to the Game- Michigan must start quickly out of the gates again, and utilize their aggressive forecheck. Michigan cashed in at the 1:02 mark of the first period against Niagara and never looked back.
-Stay out of penalty trouble. Although Michigan was a perfect six-for-six killing penalties on Monday, they have to play more diciplined tonight. Bentley isn't a team you want to give free chances to, so look for Michigan to play a more conservative defense game.
-Force shooters to the outside, and limit odd-man rushes. With a steady goaltender like Shawn Hunwick in nets for Michigan, he should be able to save around 99% of the outside shots he sees. Denying Bentley shots from the slot, and eliminating bodies from in front of the net should be a primary focus for the Michigan defense. Michigan also must limit the amount of odd-man rushes. Maybe it was first game jitters, but Michigan over-pursued Naigara multiple times, which led to trouble. Again, Michigan cannot rely on Shawn Hunwick to steal games for them.
Series Prediction- Friday-W 2-1, Saturday W 4-3
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