PAPILLION, NEBRASKA – The elimination series have completed and the dust has begun to settle. The first round offered little surprise as all four higher seeds would sweep through their opening series. The second round offered much the same with one lone game three as top ranked Miami would go to the final period against Ohio State to claim their series. Miami, Ferris State, Northern Michigan and Michigan advanced to the finals in Detroit Michigan as Miami will play Michigan and Ferris State will play Northern Michigan in the opening round on Thursday. The winners of each game will face off Saturday for the conference championship.
Schedule Results:
March 12, 2010
Ferris State 3, Nebraska-Omaha 1
Michigan 5, Michigan State 1
Miami 6, Ohio State 2
Northern Michigan 4, Alaska 3
March 13, 2010
Northern Michigan 5, Alaska 1
Ferris State 3, Nebraska-Omaha 2
Michigan 5, Michigan State 3
Ohio State 5, Miami 4
March 14, 2010
Miami 2, Ohio State 1
Series Reviews:
Nebraska-Omaha at Ferris State
The Bulldogs second line led Ferris State to the opening victory of the series when they recorded two points apiece. Mike Embach, Justin Menke, and Aaron Lewicki received help from defenseman Brett Wysopal whom accounted for all three Ferris State points.
The Ferris State Bulldogs overcame a two goal deficit in the first period to sweep the Mavericks in the best of three series. Casey Haines scored the game winning goal in overtime to move the Bulldogs into the finals in Detroit, Michigan. Pat Nagle made 33 saves for Ferris State, ending the Mavericks inaugural season under new head coach Dean Blais.
Michigan at Michigan State
The Wolverines emerged swinging from the gates Friday night catching the Spartans off kilter. Michigan was led by forward Louie Caporusso’s three points and Shawn Hunwick’s 15 saves. Michigan used puck control to defeat Michigan State allowing 16 shots on goal while registering 32 of their own.
The Spartans lead 3-2 at the first intermission, yet the Wolverines came into this series with immense fight as evident by both games. Ben Winnett would score the game tying goal a few minutes into the second period as Michigan would never look back sweeping the Spartans under the rug and out of the CCHA playoffs.
Ohio State at Miami
Andy Miele led the Miami RedHawks with four points and was complimented by line mate’s Jarod Palmer three point evening. The RedHawks had seven players finish with multipoint games. Miami riddled Dustin Carlson and Cal Heeter with 42 shots on goal while holding the Buckeyes to 28 shots.
The RedHawks have been as smooth as silk all season with only minor snags. The pesky Buckeyes were not willing to see their season end so early on Saturday evening and fought hard to edge Miami in the overtime period. Sergio Somma scored the game winning goal for Ohio State to force a decisive game three. The game three of this series will be the only one played this season in the CCHA playoffs.
In the only game three to be played of the elimination brackets, Ohio State forced the issue all evening against the in-state RedHawks. Alden Hirschfeld would score the game winning goal midway through the third period to sink the Buckeyes. Both Ohio State’s Dustin Carlson and Miami’s Connor Knapp stopped 22 shots on net to keep their respective teams in the hunt to the end.
Alaska at Northern Michigan
The Wildcats managed to draw the first game to their favor Friday evening it what should be one of the tightest played series in all of college hockey. Led by defenseman Kyle Follmer’s three points and backed by Bryan Stewart’s 32 saves, the Wildcats did what was required to win a hockey game. The always exciting Nanooks would not sit back on their heels after going down 4-0 midway through the game. Alaska came back to score three unanswered goals to no avail.
Three Wildcats recorded multiple point evenings to power Northern Michigan past the Nanooks. Northern Michigan swept a series that looked to be potentially tight given the regular season matchup. Despite the history, Gregor Hansen, Tyler Gron, and Erik Gustafsson achieved two points apiece to lead the Northern Michigan Wildcats to the two game sweep.
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