WEEK 3: College hockey weekend recap

By @StefanKubus –

We have yet to see all seven Michigan colleges compete in the same weekend, as six of seven were once again in action this past weekend. Western Michigan did not have any games on Friday, Saturday or Sunday, but they did play on Tuesday.

With that, here’s the breakdown of four different nights of college hockey.

Tuesday, Oct. 13

The Broncos hosted then No. 10 Bowling Green, and sent the visitors home with a 4-1 loss. Western Michigan received goals from Kyle Novak, Ollwer Kaski, Matheson Iacopelli and Griffen Molino (empty-netter) to pick up a huge win on a unique Tuesday night showdown at Lawson. Lukas Hafner stopped 25 of the 26 shots he faced.

Friday, Oct. 16

No. 16 Michigan Tech battled Ferris State in a WCHA contest in Big Rapids, but it was the visiting Huskies that triumphed, posting five on the scoreboard to the Bulldogs’ one. Brett Boeing recorded helpers on four of five Michigan Tech goals, Alex Petan notched a goal and an assist, and Jamie Phillips stopped 31 of 32 in the victory. Chad McDonald (Battle Creek) tallied the lone marker for Ferris State.

Michigan welcomed Mercyhurst to Yost Ice Arena for a weekend set, and the Wolverines picked up a 6-4 victory to open their season. Boo Nieves, Kyle Connor, Tony Calderone, Cooper Marody and Tyler Motte all scored in the contest, while Connor added an empty-netter in the closing moments to seal the victory for the Wolverines. Steve Racine made 26 saves to record his first victory of the season.

Michigan State visited No. 5 Denver for a weekend series, and despite holding a 2-1 lead early in the third period, the Pioneers came back to score two straight before adding an empty-netter to top the Spartans, 4-2. JT Stenglein scored just 1:03 into the game to help MSU jump out to an early lead, while Matt DeBlouw (Chesterfield) posted the other Spartans’ tally. Jake Hildebrand stopped 32 of 35 shots he saw in the tilt.

Led by sophomore Gaylord native Robbie Payne’s hat trick, Northern Michigan topped Lake Superior, 6-3, in non-conference action. Mathias Dahlstrom and Atte Tolvanen combined for the victory between the pipes, while Mitch Hults potted a pair of goals for LSSU.

Saturday, Oct. 17

After taking a 5-1 thumping on Friday, the Bulldogs would not be shown up in their home barn again. Despite being outshot, 37-32, Charles Williams (Canton) bounced back between the pipes for Ferris State with a 35-save performance to help lift FSU to victory. Kyle Schempp (Saginaw) potted a goal and an assist, Matt Robertson posted a pair of assists, while Corey Mackin scored the other Bulldogs goal. Meanwhile, Malcolm Gould tallied both Michigan Tech goals.

Michigan State would not be able to come away victorious like their football team did the same day, losing 3-0 to No. 5 Denver in the rubber match after a strong showing Friday night. The Spartans were outshot, 41-16, as Denver scored early in each of the three periods, striking 1:19 into the first, 0:55 into the second and 3:24 into the final frame.

Lake Superior State exacted revenge on the Wildcats Saturday night in the second of a home-and-home series, this time in their home barn with a 4-0 victory. All four goals came in the second period, with four different goal scorers and Gage Torrel recording assists on three of the four. Nick Kossoff recorded the shutout victory for LSSU, turning away all 19 shots he faced.

Sunday, Oct. 18

Michigan finished off their weekend set with Mercyhurst by posting another victory, this time by a 3-2 final. Alex Kile, Evan Allen and Kyle Connor all found the back of the net for the Wolverines, while Zach Nagelvoort stopped 19 of 21 to pick up his first victory of the year.