College Hockey Playoffs: Wolverines, Wildcats, Huskies record Game 1 wins

By @MichaelCaples –

Friday marked the first night of college hockey playoffs for two of Michigan’s three D1 conferences. Here’s a look at how our teams fared in their respective Big Ten and WCHA quarterfinal series, which are all best-of-three match-ups played on campus sites.

 

Wolverines win wild shootout with Badgers

Seven goals in the first 20 minutes. Eight if you count the one that was disallowed. Talk about a wild start to the Wolverines vs. Badgers Big Ten quarterfinal showdown at Yost. Michigan ended up prevailing 6-5 in Game 1, thanks in large part to Tony Calderone’s four-goal outing. Quinn Hughes recorded one goal and three assists, while Jake Slaker also scored for the Wolverines. Cooper Marody added three assists. Hayden Lavigne, meanwhile, did all he could between the pipes, making 48 saves in the contest.

 

Wildcats dominate Chargers

It was a good night in Marquette, as the Wildcats took care of business against Alabama Huntsville in Game 1 of their WCHA quarterfinal series. Northern Michigan posted seven goals on the Chargers en route to a convincing 7-1 win. Troy Loggins started things off with a shorthanded strike at 1:59 of the opening period, and his Wildcats teammates followed with six straight goals before Huntsville found the back of the net with just over a minute remaining in regulation to spoil Atte Tolvanen’s shutout; he only faced 14 shots over the course of the contest. Robbie Payne scored twice, as did Denver Pierce. Demico Hannoun and Philip Beaulieu also scored for the Wildcats, while Adam Rockwood recorded an impressive four assists in the contest.

 

Huskies play Game 1 spoiler

Michigan Tech started their quarterfinal series with a bang, recording a 5-3 victory on the road against Bemidji State. Jake Lucchini scored a goal in the second and a goal in the third to rally the Huskies, and then Seamus Donohue scored the game-winner with 1:30 remaining in regulation. Gavin Gould and Jake Jackson also scored for Tech, while Devin Kero recorded the victory between the pipes after making 22 saves.

 

Spartans fall to Buckeyes

Saturday night’s game will be do-or-die for the Spartans, after Michigan State lost Game 1 to the Buckeyes Friday in Columbus. Ohio State took control of the Big Ten quarterfinal series with a 6-2 victory, thanks in large part to a four-goal third period. Patrick Khodorenko and Damian Chrcek scored the Spartans’ two goals, while John Lethemon made 25 saves in the loss.

 

Bulldogs fall in OT to BG

It was a heartbreaker in Bowling Green for Ferris State after an incredible performance from their goaltender. The Bulldogs took No. 3-seeded Bowling Green to overtime but couldn’t find the goal necessary for a Game 1 upset in their quarterfinal series after netminder Darren Smith made a remarkable 62 saves. Michigan native Brandon Kruse scored the game-winner for the Falcons on the campus of BGSU – his second goal of the contest. It was another Michigan native, Ryan Bednard, between the pipes for BGSU, stopping 33 of 34 Ferris State shots sent his way. Jason Tackett scored the lone goal for Ferris State in the loss.