NCAA Weekend Round-up: Six of the seven programs get underway
By Michael Caples –
Here’s a look around the first weekend of college hockey action for Michigan’s NCAA Division-1 programs.
Bulldogs score seven in season opener
Ferris State University opened their hockey season with a bang, recording seven goals in a road victory over Colgate Saturday evening.
After trailing 2-0, the Bulldogs eventually filled up the scoresheet on goals from Cory Kane, Scott Czarnowczan, Jason Binkley, Kyle Schempp, Garrett Thompson, Justin Buzzeo and Matt Robertson.
The goals came in bunches for FSU; they scored three goals to take a 3-2 lead, then scored the final four goals to seal up a victory in their season opener.
C.J. Motte made 28 saves between the pipes for the Bulldogs, while his team capitalized on two of four power-play opportunities.
Sunday afternoon held a different story, however, as the Bulldogs were shut out by Colgate’s Eric Mihalik after firing 25 shots his way. It wasn’t for a lack of chances; the Bulldogs had five different power-play chances.
Charles Williams tended to the pipes for the Bulldogs, and stopped 28 of 29.
Broncos top Western Ontario in exhibition match-up
The Western Michigan Broncos welcomed the Western Ontario Mustangs to Lawson Ice Arena on Saturday, and they wasted no time making the visitors’ stay uncomfortable.
Western scored twice in the first period and another in the second to take a commanding 3-0 lead in their first game of the season, thanks to goals from Kyle Novak, Will Kessel and Shane Berschbach.
While Western Ontario managed to cut their deficit to one goal in the third period, Mike Cichy increased the Broncos’ lead to 4-2 halfway through the final frame, and Kessel added an empty-netter en route to a 5-2 win.
Frank Slubowski played the first two periods of the Broncos’ win, stopping nine of the 10 shots he faced. Lukas Hafner made a relief appearance in the third period, and stopped 11 of 12.
Wolverines fall to Waterloo
Michigan dressed nine freshmen for their season-opening contest against Waterloo Sunday afternoon, and it showed.
The Wolverines dropped a 2-1 decision to kick off their 2013-14 season, thanks to two goals from the Warriors’ Andy Smith. Andrew Copp had the lone goal for Michigan.
Sophomore Steve Racine started in goal for the Wolverines, and stopped 11 of the 13 shots he faced. Freshman goaltender Zach Nagelvoort replaced Racine late in the second period, and stopped all nine shots he faced.
Wildcats sweep weekend set
Northern Michigan got off to a strong start this weekend, winning a pair of games to kick off their season.
The Wildcats beat the U.S. National Team Development Program Under-18 team on Saturday and then topped Laurentian University 3-2 on Sunday.
In their season opener, NMU fell behind in the second period, thanks to a goal from Waterford native Dylan Larkin. However, that would be the only scoring the NTDP would generate.
CJ Ludwig and Erik Higby scored second-period goals for the Wildcats, while Cohen Adair added an empty-netter to seal it for NMU. Mathias Dahlstrom made 22 saves for the Wildcats.
After falling behind 2-0 in their game with Laurentian, a goal from Ryan Aynsley late in the first period changed the complexion of the evening. Two third-period goals from Ryan Daughtery – the latter being a shorthanded strike – gave the Wildcats a victory to close the weekend.
Lakers fall to the NTDP
Lake Superior State got to work Sunday, starting their season with the same NTDP squad that took on NMU the night before.
This time, the NTDP picked up the win over their college competition.
Despite two goals from Dan Radke, the Lakers couldn’t hold Larkin and the NTDP at bay. The UM commit, rated an ‘A’ prospect by NHL Central Scouting, scored twice against LSSU, and Anders Bjork added the game-winner late in the third period.
Ed Minney made 39 saves to get the win for the NTDP, while Kevin Kapalka and Kevin Murdock split goaltending duties for LSSU.
Petan’s hat trick lifts Huskies
Looks like Alex Petan was ready for the season to start.
The sophomore forward recorded a hat trick on Saturday, scoring all three of the Huskies’ goals in a 3-2 victory over Laurentian.
After a scoreless first, Petan registered his first halfway through the second period, tying the game at one. He would then give MTU a lead early in the third, and score the final goal at the 17:37 mark of the final frame to wrap up a season-opening win for Michigan Tech.
Pheonix Copley played 40 minutes for the Huskies, stopping 13 of 14 shots. Jamie Phillips finished the contest, stopping six of seven.
Note: Michigan State starts their 2013-14 season Wednesday night against Western Ontario.