PAPILLION, NEBRASKA – The CCHA completed their regular season this weekend finalizing the standings to begin post season play with the conference tournament beginning this coming weekend. The top four seeds (listed in order) are Miami, Michigan State, Ferris State and Northern Michigan and will receive first round byes and home ice during the second round. This weekend will see fifth ranked Alaska host 12th ranked Western Michigan, sixth ranked Nebraska-Omaha host 11th ranked Bowling Green, seventh ranked Michigan host 10th ranked Lake Superior State, and eighth ranked Ohio State host ninth ranked Notre Dame. The four winning schools of the best of three series will travel to one of the top four ranked schools in the second round before the final four face off at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan for the Conference finals.
Schedule Results:
February 25, 2010
Michigan 4, Notre Dame 0
February 26, 2010 Michigan State 5, Bowling Green 2 Western Michigan 2, Ferris State 2 Miami 6, Ohio State 2 Bemidji State 3, Nebraska-Omaha 1 Alaska 7, Alaska-Anchorage 4
February 27, 2010
Alaska 3, Alaska-Anchorage 2 Michigan State 2, Bowling Green 2 Notre Dame 5, Michigan 3 Ferris State 1, Western Michigan 1 Northern Michigan 3, Lake Superior State 0 Miami 0, Ohio State 0 Nebraska-Omaha 3, Bemidji State 1
Series Reviews:
Notre Dame at Michigan
After a first period in which the Irish were able to record 11 shots on goal, Michigan began to lock their defense very tightly allowing a total of nine shots through the last two periods. Michigan would receive two point evenings from Matt Rust, Brian Lebler, Chris Summers, and Chad Langlais.
After dropping a disappointing opening game, Notre Dame bounced back to take the second game. The Irish received two point nights from Joe Lavin, Teddy Ruth, and Ryan Thang as they would split the series with arch rivals Michigan.
Bowling Green at Michigan State
The Spartans used three first period goals to power past Bowling Green to open the series. Michigan State’s star junior forward Corey Tropp led the Spartans with two assists and Drew Palmisano made 13 saves and contributed an assist of his own before being removed. Palmisano gave way in the third to Bobby Jarosz who is playing his last regular season home series as a Michigan State Spartans.
Jordan Samuels-Thomas and David Solway would record two points apiece for the Bowling Green Falcons in the tying effort. Drew Palmisano kept the Spartans in the game stopping 34 shots as he was well fully counter parted by Andrew Hammond whom would stop 32 shots.
Western Michigan at Ferris State
Western Michigan’s John Kuhn stopped 47 shots from the Bulldogs to earn a hard fought tie for the Broncos. Cody Chupp recorded a goal and an assist to lead Ferris State to the disappointing tie over the lowly Western Michigan Broncos.
In the second of three ties on the evening and the second of this series, Riley Gill would stop 41 shots for the Broncos to keep Western Michigan in the game throughout. Kyle O’Kane would score his fourth goal of the season for Western Michigan and Ferris State’s Casey Haines would score the game tying goal in the second period.
Alaska verse Alaska Anchorage (Governor’s Cup – Non-Conference)
Andy Taranto led the Nanooks with three goals and four points as Alaska would open up the Governor’s Cup in exciting style on the road. Dion Knelsen would contribute four points and his older brother Brandon Knelsen would contribute two points in the Nanooks winning effort.
Dion Knelsen continued his hot series scoring two more points on Saturday evening in the sweep of the Governor’s Cup. Joe Sova would also contribute two points for the Nanooks winning efforts. Alaska goalie Scott Greenham would stop 19 shots for the win.
Lake Superior State at Northern Michigan
Mark Olver would lead the Wildcats pass their fellow Yuppers in overtime as he would score once in the first period and again with just over a minute remaining in the overtime period. Making 27 saves in net for Northern Michigan was Brian Stewart who would collect his 13th win this season.
Mark Olver would assist on all three goals for the Northern Michigan Wildcats as Tyler Gron would score twice and Justin Florek would score once. The Wildcats Brian Stewart would make 33 saves for the shut out win.
Bemidji State at Nebraska-Omaha (Non-Conference)
Tyler Lehrke would lead the visiting Beavers into Omaha and past the Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks to open the weekend. Bemidji State’s Dan Bakala would make 24 saves on 25 shots to pick up the win.
Connor Knapp and Dustin Carlson stole the show as both would record shutouts in the tie. Ohio State’s Dustin Carlson would be a busy man stopping 38 shots on goal for the tie. While Connor Knapp was a little less busy, he would no doubt be impressive stopping 23 shots on net.
Ohio State at Miami
The RedHawks continue to soar this season, scoring six times in the second period to defeat Ohio State. Vincent LoVerde, Andy Miele, Reilly Smith, and Jarrod Palmer would score two points apiece to sink the Buckeyes. Cody Reichard would have 33 saves in the effort.
Rich Purslow and Eddie del Grosso would score two points apiece for the Mavericks as Nebraska-Omaha would split the non-conference series with the Beavers. Terry Broadhurst would score the third goal for Nebraska-Omaha.
Players of the Week:
Offensive Player: Mark Olver, Northern Michigan Defensive Player: Scott Enders, Alaska Goalie: Brian Stewart, Northern Michigan You may contact the author at: John.Strathman@prohockeynews.com
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