With the Big Ten, WCHA and NCHC all ready for their respective tournament championship weekends, we take a look back on how they wrapped up their last few games.
Michigan, Minnesota split
Michigan fell to Minnesota 3-2 in overtime on Friday. Scoring for Michigan came from Evan Allen and Andrew Copp, while the two regulation goals from Minnesota came from Brady Skjei and Justin Kloos. Kyle Rau had the overtime game-winner, with assists from Hudson Fasching and Travis Boyd. On Saturday, Michigan came out on top, winning 6-2. Brady Skjei had both of Minnesota’s goals in Saturday’s game, while Luke Moffatt had two goals and an assist for Michigan. Michigan’s record is now 18-12-4, and Minnesota’s is now 25-5-6.
Michigan State splits with Wisconsin
Michigan State won Friday’s game in overtime by a final score of 5-4. Michigan State’s Matt Berry had two goals, and Greg Wolfe had three assists, including an assist on Lee Reimer’s game-winner in overtime. On Saturday, Wisconsin beat Michigan State 4-3 in regulation. Wisconsin goals came from Nic Kerdiles, Gavin Hartzog, Sean Little and Grant Besse, and they all came in the first. Michigan State fought back with goals from Matt Berry and Dean Chelios in thesecond, and another tally from Villiam Haag in the third, but they could not get the tying goal. Wisconsin’s record improved to 22-10-2 after Saturday’s game, and Michigan State’s is now 11-17-7.
Western Michigan sweeps Minnesota-Duluth to advance to NCHC semifinals
With a 3-2 win on Friday and a 4-3 win on Saturday, Western Michigan advanced to the NCHC semifinals this weekend. On Friday, Colton Hargrove, Will Kessel and Sam Mellor scored for Western Michigan, while Max Tardy and Cal Decowski scored for Minnesota. On Saturday, Western was held to just 11 shots, but managed to score four goals. Minnesota peppered Western Michigan with 37 shots on goal, but only managed to score three goals. Chase Balisy scored a goal and assisted on the other three, making for a four-point game in a huge outing to keep his team’s season alive.
Ferris State’s Friday rout of Bemidji State leads to WCHA semifinals appearance
Ferris State shut Bemidji State out 8-0 Friday, a thrashing that, in conjunction with their 3-2 OT win on Saturday, advanced them to the WCHA semifinals against Alaska-Anchorage. Justin Buzzeo and Kyle Schemp notched two goals each, while Andy Huff, Travis White, Cory Kane, and Kenny Babinski scored the remaining four goals. On Saturday, the game was a nail-biter, thanks to Matt Robertson’s third period game-tying goal with just 45 seconds left in regulation. In double OT, Scott Czarnowczan scored shorthanded to secure the win for Ferris State.
Michigan Tech swept by Bowling Green
Michigan Tech lost 2-1 on Friday, and their fate was sealed on Saturday with a 5-2 loss, ensuring they would not advance to the WCHA semifinals. David Johnstone scored the lone Michigan Tech goal on Friday, and Bryce Williamson and Ryan Carpenter scored the two Bowling Green goals. On Saturday, the five Bowling Green goals came from Adam Berkle (two), Ryan Carpenter, Marcus Perrier, and Matt Pohlkamp.
Northern Michigan drops both Against Minnesota State
Northern Michigan lost on Friday against Minnesota State in a low-shooting game. The teams totaled just over 40 shots combined, and only 12 penalty minutes were distributed throughout regulation. Northern Michigan’s offensive production came from Shane Sooth and Brock Maschmeyer, while Minnesota State’s came from Sean Flanagan, Matt Leitner and Bryce Gervais. On Saturday, the game was much more wide open, with Minnesota State pouring on the pressure. Minnesota State threw 58 shots on goal, and that combined with Northern Michigan’s 32 made for 90 shots in the game between the two clubs. Bryce Gervais for Minnesota had another great night, with two goals and an assist.