PAPILLION, NEBRASKA – Fans of playoff upsets would have found much disappointment this year in the CCHA’s first round conference playoff tournament. All four winners were the higher seeds and home teams and won by two game sweeps. The reward for these wins is now a three game series this coming weekend on the road at the four highest seeds arenas. The one through four seeds took the weekend off with first round byes and will be eager to make their push to solidify their place in the big dance. Pro Hockey News will review the second round match ups later this week as Ohio State will travel to Miami, Michigan Sate hosts rival Michigan, Nebraska-Omaha travels to Ferris State, and Alaska travels to the U.P. to play Northern Michigan.
Schedule Results:
March 5, 2010
Michigan 5, Lake Superior State 2
Ohio State 3, Notre Dame 1
Nebraska-Omaha 6, Bowling Green 1
Alaska 4, Western Michigan 0
March 6, 2010
Michigan 6, Lake Superior State 0
Ohio State 8, Notre Dame 2
Nebraska-Omaha 6, Bowling Green 1
Alaska 4, Western Michigan 1
Series Reviews:
Western Michigan at Alaska
Alaska defeated the Broncos in extremely dominating fashion on Friday night to become the fourth home team to grab the win. Kevin Potevello and Derek Klassen has two points for the Nanooks who were led by goalie Scott Greenham and his 16 saves for the shutout victory.
Scott Greenham made 27 of 28 saves to defeat the Broncos and pick up the series sweep. Alaska received goals from Andy Taranto, Dion Knelsen, Jarret Granberg, and Derek Klassen. The Nanooks received solid team play throughout the game and had no players with multiples points, but did receive a point from 11 separate players.
Bowling Green at Nebraska-Omaha
The Falcons scored early in the first period to take the 1-0 lead, but that would be the end of the tamed bull. Nebraska-Omaha would score six unanswered goals to take game one in the series. Matt Ambroz, Alex Hudson, Eric Olimb, Nick Fanto, Terry Broadhurst, and Joey Martin would each have two points for Nebraska-Omaha.
Eddie del Grosso, Jeric Agosta, and John Kemp recorded three points apiece to lead the Mavericks to the series sweep. John Faulkner stopped 16 pucks on net to give the Mavericks the defensive edge.
Lake Superior State at Michigan
The Wolverines took game one by a score of 5-2. Michigan would enter the third period up 2-0 when all would break loose. A total of five goals would be scored in the final period opening up a relatively tight game. Luke Glendening and Louie Caporusso recorded two assists apiece for the Michigan Wolverines.
The Wolverines placed 46 shots on net, scoring three times in the first period and three more times in the second period. Loui Caporusso scored a hat trick to lead Michigan in the series sweep and was complimented by Carl Hagelin’s two goals.
Notre Dame at Ohio State
Despite being outshot, the Buckeyes used solid goaltending from Dustin Carlson to take the opening game. Ohio State received goals from Mathieu Picard (2) and Zac Dalpe in the winning effort.
The Buckeyes scored four times in the first period to end the season for last year’s top seed, Notre Dame. The Irish placed 49 shots on net to no avail as Dustin Carlson would make 47 saves and record an assist as well.
You may contact the author at: John.Strathman@prohockeynews.com
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