![\"Rookie](\"http:\/\/www.uscho.com\/images\/colorscans\/20052006\/msu_j_lerg.jpg\")
<\/p>\n“I much prefer to play a team that plays an up-tempo style and they do,” MSU head coach Rick Comley told the Lansing State Journal<\/i> this week. “From that standpoint, it’ll be an exciting series.”<\/p>\n
Exciting because the Spartans themselves are rather high-octane, having overcome early injuries and illnesses to field a team that can play with anybody. The Miami RedHawks were swept by the Spartans in East Lansing just days after Miami captured the regular-season title. The Spartans ended their regular season with three points in Sault Ste. Marie.<\/p>\n
MSU languished near the bottom of the standings early in the season and climbed steadily to second place. Dressing a full team, including freshman forward Tim Kennedy, was only one reason the Spartans turned their season around. Freshman goaltender Jeff Lerg is another. The Spartans have been 12-2-3 since the midseason break, and Lerg is 11-2-3 in that stretch.<\/p>\n
“We’ve grown up a lot over the course of the season — and we’re still a young hockey team,” said MSU head coach Rick Comley. “We’ve been tested in tough environments and tough games, but we’ve earned the bye.”<\/p>\n
Here’s a look at the teams by the overall numbers. The stats following the slash are ranking within the league in overall play.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Goals per game: UAF 2.36\/12th; MSU 2.97\/6th
\n\u2022 Goals allowed per game: UAF 2.53\/5th; MSU 2.34\/3rd
\n\u2022 Power play: UAF .158\/10th; MSU .188\/2nd
\n\u2022 Penalty kill: UAF .892\/1st; MSU .833\/7th
\n\u2022 Top scorer: UAF Kyle Greentree (8-18–26); MSU Bryan Lerg and Drew Miller (13-21–34, each)
\n\u2022 Top goal scorer: UAF Curtis Fraser (11); MSU Lerg and Miller
\n\u2022 Top goaltender: UAF Wylie Rogers (2.40 GAA, .924SV%); MSU Jeff Lerg ( 1.98 GAA, .926 SV%)<\/p>\n
The Spartans are, without question, a deeper team at every position and Munn Arena provides a serious home-ice advantage, but the Nanooks are fearless entering the series. Said MacMillan of his team, “They don’t care where they play, and they don’t care who they play. They like to play hockey and they like to win. They like to play hard for each other.”<\/p>\n
No. 7 Ferris State (17-13-8, 10-11-7 CCHA) at No. 3 Michigan (18-13-5, 13-10-5 CCHA)<\/b><\/p>\n
Once again, the Bulldogs find themselves facing familiar foes in the playoffs. Last week, Ferris State polished off Ohio State in two games; they had taken only one point from the Buckeyes two weeks before. With the 3-0 and 2-1 wins, the Bulldogs are now 8-0-0 all-time at home in the CCHA playoffs.<\/p>\n
This week, FSU hopes that history does not, in some ways, repeat. Just two weeks ago, the Bulldogs took three points from Michigan, tying at home and winning in Yost Arena. FSU will not want to see the Wolverines accomplish what the Bulldogs did, earning one point in a regular-season series against a post-season opponent, and then sweeping that post-season foe in two games.<\/p>\n
There is absolutely no danger of the Bulldogs entering Yost Arena with any kind of overconfidence whatsoever. In fact, head coach Bob Daniels laughed at me when I asked him if some of his players might be thinking that they can take these Wolverines because they did so in the regular season.<\/p>\n
“All we have to do is look at the fact that we lost and tied Ohio State,” said Daniels. “We lived those games against Michigan.” Without Bulldog Matt Verdone’s answer at 17:47 in the third to Wolverine Travis Turnbull’s unassisted shorthanded goal scored 1:17 earlier, there would have been no tie game in Big Rapids.<\/p>\n
And the Wolverines were up three goals to none on the Bulldogs going into the third period at Yost the following night. Three unanswered FSU goals in the third took that one to overtime, where Zac Pearson’s marker 42 seconds in won it for the Bulldogs.<\/p>\n
Allowing the shorthanded go-ahead goal and getting behind three goals are enough for the Bulldogs to re-examine how to approach the Wolverines. “What I can take to the series,” said Daniels, “is that we made some mistakes at Michigan that they capitalized on that we can learn from. Those are the mistakes from the course of the year that at times have [nearly] bit us. Those are the things that will bite us if we let them.”<\/p>\n
The Wolverines finished their season in third place, the first time they finished without at least a chunk of second place or higher since the 1989-91 season. Head coach Red Berenson was characteristically philosophical about that.<\/p>\n
“This is the one year that Michigan’s not coming into the playoffs on a roll,” said Berenson.<\/p>\n
It’s unusual for the Wolverine faithful to be so uncertain about their team at this time of the year. There’s no question that the uncertainty can be traced to goaltending. While both freshman Billy Sauer and senior Noah Ruden have been more than adequate at times this season, neither has been consistent and that inconsistency is disconcerting.<\/p>\n
“I can’t tell you really who’s going to start,” said Berenson. “We’ve got two goalies I hope will play well. We’ve played them in stretches. We’re at a crossroads now. I played Sauer the last two games [against FSU]. He had a real good weekend until the last period Saturday. We know Billy can play … [but] neither of them are playing are .500 hockey. We’ve really missed the stability of a No. 1 goalie. I can’t say it’s been a problem all year.”<\/p>\n
While every team needs good goaltending heading into the playoffs, the Wolverines are one squad that can make up for whatever else they may lack, on any given night, in any position. Michigan has scored more goals than any team in the conference in league play, and this veteran club knows what it takes to win.<\/p>\n
Here’s a look at the teams by the overall numbers. The stats following the slash are ranking within the league in overall play.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Goals per game: FSU 3.03\/5th; Michigan 3.69\/2nd
\n\u2022 Goals allowed per game: FSU 2.76\/8th; Michigan 3.00\/9th
\n\u2022 Power play: FSU .183\/3rd; Michigan .192\/1st
\n\u2022 Penalty kill: FSU .853\/4th; Michigan .841\/6th
\n\u2022 Top scorer: FSU Greg Rallo (16-21–37); Michigan T.J. Hensick (14-23–37)
\n\u2022 Top goal scorer: FSU Rallo; Michigan Kevin Porter (16)
\n\u2022 Top goaltender: FSU Mitch O’Keefe (2.56 GAA, .908 SV%); Michigan Noah Ruden (2.83 GAA, .911 SV%)<\/p>\n
The prevailing philosophy is that a visiting team needs to rise to the occasion, especially in the playoffs, but Daniels said that keeping cool is key for the Bulldogs this weekend.<\/p>\n
“If we lose the discipline, we lose the series. I don’t think it’s a matter of getting fired up for it, but a matter of keeping your composure. It’s important that players know that they control the game. It’s too easy to be distracted.”<\/p>\n
No. 5 Nebraska-Omaha (20-12-6, 12-10-6 CCHA) at No. 4 Northern Michigan (20-14-2, 14-12-2 CCHA)<\/b><\/p>\n
It didn’t get any closer in the playoff race than who finished fourth and fifth, and how each did so. Tied for points at the end of the regular season, the Wildcats earned a bye by virtue of the number of their league wins, while the Mavericks played two against Bowling Green in the Qwest Center last weekend.<\/p>\n
Of all four series last weekend, this was the one that was least in doubt after the initial drop of the puck. The Mavericks jumped out to a three-goal lead in the first game and a two-goal lead in the second, and went on to take each contest by a score of 4-2.<\/p>\n
The Maverick offense is led, of course, by Scott Parse, who leads the nation in points per game and is second in the country in assists per game. He and his long-time linemate, Bill Thomas, are among the elite of D-I scorers. Thomas is seventh in the country in goals per game.<\/p>\n
With his goal and assist last weekend, Parse became UNO’s all-time leading scorer with 145 points in just three seasons, surpassing former Maverick David Brisson. “That record is a huge accomplishment and really speaks of Scott’s ability,” said UNO head coach Mike Kemp. “Every game he’s played here, he’s done something to improve.”<\/p>\n
The Mavericks are more than the sum of two players and boast seven players with goals in the double digits. UNO’s offense is deep, artful, and the third-best scoring in the nation.<\/p>\n
On paper, the Wildcats are a puzzle. NMU’s offense is 29th in the country; the Wildcat defense is 21st. Yet NMU’s style of play belied the numbers, proving that the whole of the team was greater than the sum of its individual parts.<\/p>\n
The ‘Cats earned their bye when they swept Ohio State at home during the last regular-season series of the year. “There were a lot of people who thought we were certainly going to be playing somewhere next weekend,” said NMU head coach Walt Kyle. “I can tell you the 26 guys in the room did not think that.”<\/p>\n
(Um, Coach Kyle, I picked you to win two that weekend. Just want you to remember that.)<\/p>\n
With steady goaltending from sophomore Bill Zaniboni and a solid defensive corps, the Wildcats are a difficult team to beat, especially in the Berry Center.<\/p>\n
Here’s a look at the teams by the overall numbers. The stats following the slash are ranking within the league in overall play.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Goals per game: UNO 3.71\/1st; NMU 2.97\/7th
\n\u2022 Goals allowed per game: UNO 3.16\/10th; NMU 2.58\/6th
\n\u2022 Power play: UNO .170\/6th; NMU .165\/8th
\n\u2022 Penalty kill: UNO .819\/10th; NMU .858\/3rd
\n\u2022 Top scorer: UNO Scott Parse (20-41–61); NMU Darin Olver (14-18–32)
\n\u2022 Top goal scorer: UNO Bill Thomas (25); NMU Olver, Mike Santorelli, Andrew Contois (14 each)
\n\u2022 Top goaltender: UNO Jerad Kaufmann (2.76 GAA, .906 SV%); NMU Bill Zaniboni (2.28 GAA, .916 SV%)<\/p>\n
The keys to this series are many. Both teams are decent playoff hockey teams. The Wildcats have swept their opponents in three of their last four CCHA playoff series, and have taken seven of eight first-round CCHA playoff series since rejoining the league in 1997-1998.<\/p>\n
But the Mavericks beat the Wildcats in Marquette, 2-1 and 8-3, Feb. 10-11.<\/p>\n
The Olympic sheet at the Berry Events Center may be home for NMU, but the extra room gives that UNO offense space to move.<\/p>\n
But the Wildcats have been to Detroit the last four years running, which includes all three years under head coach Walt Kyle.<\/p>\n
And the Winner Is…<\/h4>\n
Well, we won’t know for another week who the CCHA will honor at the awards banquet next week, but we know who the league won’t be honoring, thanks to this week’s press release that names the three finalists in each of the major categories.<\/p>\n
This is the first time that the league has released the finalists for year-end individual honors, and there were few surprises:<\/p>\n
Best Defensive Forward<\/b><\/p>\n
Matt Davis, Miami
\nAndrew Ebbett, Michigan
\nDrew Miller, MSU<\/p>\n
Best Defensive Defenseman<\/b><\/p>\n
Andy Greene, Miami
\nMatt Hunwick, Michigan
\nNathan Oystrick, NMU<\/p>\n
Rookie of the Year<\/b><\/p>\n
Jeff Zatkoff, Miami
\nJeff Lerg, MSU
\nErik Condra, Notre Dame<\/p>\n
Coach of the Year<\/b><\/p>\n
Jim Roque, LSSU
\nEnrico Blasi, Miami
\nRick Comley, MSU<\/p>\n
Player of the Year<\/b><\/p>\n
Andy Greene, Miami
\nJeff Jakaitis, LSSU
\nScott Parse, UNO<\/p>\n
I don’t have an issue with any of the nominees; each gentleman is certainly worthy of praise in each category. However, I have a hard time believing that Notre Dame head coach Jeff Jackson was left off the list of finalists for Coach of the Year.<\/p>\n
Please don’t misunderstand. All three of the nominated gentlemen legitimately deserve the honor. Jim Roque has done something remarkable in Sault Ste. Marie, taking a team that was completely down on its luck and lacking in confidence and turning it into a solid, competitive hockey team, retaining the team’s impressive defense and discipline and adding offense.<\/p>\n
Enrico Blasi should be admired for keeping the spirits of his team up during last year’s season-long fiasco of injuries and illnesses and showing us all what this Miami team can do when it’s healthy.<\/p>\n
The same can be said for Rick Comley, who did what I knew he’d do all along, mold the Spartans into contenders once again. They are an excellent team.<\/p>\n
But didn’t Jackson do what Roque did, and even more so in some ways? If Jim Roque started from three on a scale of one to 10, Jackson started at negative five.<\/p>\n
Of course, the irony is that both gentlemen saw their seasons end last weekend, a fate that neither team deserved, which is not to imply that Alaska-Fairbanks and Western Michigan deserved to lose.<\/p>\n
Then again, every coach in the CCHA knows it isn’t always about what you deserve and don’t.<\/p>\n
Congratulations to all the nominees on outstanding seasons.<\/p>\n
And Really the Winner Is…<\/h4>\n
Congratulations to following players for their All-CCHA honors performances.<\/p>\n
2005-2006 CCHA All-Conference First Team<\/b><\/p>\n
Scott Parse, Forward, UNO
\nNathan Davis, Forward, Miami
\nBill Thomas, Forward UNO
\nAndy Greene, Defense, Miami
\nNathan Oystrick, Defense, NMU
\nJeff Jakaitis, Goaltender, LSSU<\/p>\n
2005-2006 CCHA All-Conference Second Team<\/b><\/p>\n
T.J. Hensick, Forward, Michigan
\nAlex Foster, Forward, BGSU
\nRyan Jones, Forward, Miami
\nMitch Ganzak, Defense, Miami
\nMatt Hunwick, Defense, Michigan
\nCharlie Effinger, Goaltender, Miami<\/p>\n
2005-2006 CCHA All-Rookie Team<\/b><\/p>\n
Andrew Cogliano, Forward, Michigan
\nErik Condra, Forward, Notre Dame
\nDan Riedel, Forward, FSU
\nTyler Eckford, Defense, UAF
\nJack Johnson, Defense, UAF
\nJeff Lerg, Goaltender, MSU<\/p>\n
Congratulations of Another Sort<\/h4>\n
It was nice to see a CCHA game from somewhere other than the usual venues. Last Friday’s 3-0 Ferris State win over Ohio State was carried by FSN Detroit, and because it was an OSU game, FSN Ohio picked up the feed.<\/p>\n
It was the first time a game has been televised from Ewigleben Ice Arena since Oct. 17, 1986, nearly 20 years — or a whole generation — ago.<\/p>\n
The camera angles were good, and the production looked great.<\/p>\n
And the outcome was predetermined. Everyone knows the Buckeyes can’t win on television.<\/p>\n
Funniest Email Award Goes to…<\/h4>\n
Actually, I’m not going to reveal his name, but a fan wrote to me this week to express his outrage that Miami received two of the possible 40 votes for No. 1 in the USCHO.com\/CSTV poll of two weeks ago. This fan, a self-admitted Gophers supporter, could not believe that anyone would in any seriousness vote for Miami first in the country.<\/p>\n
I’ve corrected his grammar, but his opening line was, “I don’t disagree that Miami of Ohio has a good team, but in light of their schedule and conference I find it very disheartening that two individuals can really believe that Miami of Ohio is better than the Gophers.”<\/p>\n
In my reply, I did not point out that the ninth-place team in Miami’s inferior conference took three points from those Gophers in Minneapolis early in the season. I also didn’t tell him that only dorks call Miami hockey “Miami of Ohio,” as any true D-I hockey fan knows they don’t play the sport in the city that spawned the South Beach diet.<\/p>\n
With everything that goes on in this world today, I am still bemused that someone took the time to write to me and my esteemed colleagues Scott Brown and Todd Milewski to argue the point that Miami should receive no first-place votes while Minnesota should get them all.<\/p>\n
And he tried to argue his point when I wrote back to thank him for his opinion.<\/p>\n
I don’t know whether Miami of Ohio is better than Minnesota in Minneapolis, and I guess that’s something that may or may not be decided in the NCAA tournament. I do know, however, that I’m grateful that someone, somewhere, cares enough to complain about the opinions of two voters in the USCHO.com\/CSTV poll, and cares enough to express what can only be described as genuine outrage.<\/p>\n
I needed the laugh. And it’s so nice to be heckled by someone other than CCHA fans.<\/p>\n
Oh — stop the presses! This is too good to ignore! I just arrived home to find another email from yet another WCHA fan! What a delight!<\/p>\n
This time, the writer took me to task directly for voting for Miami for first place. Again, I cleaned up the grammar. He wrote, “You are making yourself look like a fool. Find some other sport to display your lack of knowledge about. Why anyone is paying you for such poor judgment is a joke.”<\/p>\n
(This man has obviously spent time in Marquette, or Omaha, or both … with a beer in each hand.)<\/p>\n
This outraged writer said he was “confident” that the Gophers would beat the RedHawks “10 out of 10 times, by at least three goals.”<\/p>\n
I wasn’t sure if that was per game or total, the math of which confuses me, I must admit.<\/p>\n
It’s hard to root for or against any team this weekend. I want all series to be good ones with no injuries. That’s always my sincerest hope. But part of me wouldn’t mind seeing UAF advance, win the Mason Cup, and play the Gophers in the NCAA tournament.<\/p>\n
For the record, I voted Minnesota No. 1 last week. Not that it matters.<\/p>\n
Alex Foster<\/h4>\n
Good luck, Alex. The CCHA is less sparkly without you.<\/p>\n
Kyle Greentree<\/h4>\n
I caught him! You can read the story in a feature this weekend.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Two and Out, and Two to Go Who knew that we’d all have last Sunday night off? Apparently, the Bulldogs, Broncos, Nanooks, and Mavericks knew. There were two official upsets in the first round of the CCHA playoffs, but only one of them was a genuine surprise. The Western Michigan Broncos beat the Lake Superior […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":140328,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"coauthors":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n