Ferris State and Michigan Tech recorded sweeps this weekend, while it didn’t go as well for any of the other Michigan-based NCAA D-1 schools.
Ferris State sweeps in Bowling Green
The Bulldogs recorded an overtime win Friday evening, followed up with a regulation win Saturday, to sweep the Falcons in CCHA play. Garrett Thompson scored the decisive goal during the extra time in Game 1, giving Ferris State a 4-3 win. The Bulldogs avoided a horrendous collapse, as they held a 3-0 goal in the third period, thanks to goals from Cory Kane, Kenny Babinski, and Kyle Bonis. The three goals scored by the Falcons in the final eight minutes of regulation, however, weren’t enough, when Thompson lit the lamp in OT. C.J. Motte stopped 33 saves in the win.
Saturday went only a bit more smoothly for the Bulldogs, as Andy Huff and Kyle Bonis’ goals gave them a two-goal lead heading into the third period, yet they couldn’t regain the two-goal lead until Travis Ouellette’s empty-netter in the final minute. Motte made 29 saves in the win.
Ferris State now sits in a tie for second place with Notre Dame, holding a 5-3-0-0 record for 15 points in conference play.
Michigan Tech sweeps Bemidji State
Michigan Tech traveled to Bemidji State for a weekend series, and left with two overtime wins. In Game 1 on Friday, the Huskies scored four unanswered goals to overcome a 4-1 deficit and eventually win in overtime. Steven Seigo, Blake Pietila, and Jujhar Khaira (twice), scored in regulation, while Alex Petan added the game-winner in OT. Kevin Genoe stopped 26 shots.
The Huskies posted a 2-1 win in overtime Saturday night, thanks to Pietila. The NTDP alum scored off a feed from Khaira with 30 seconds left in the extra frame. Petan had the lone regulation goal for the Huskies, while Genoe stopped 27 shots.
Michigan Tech is now seventh in the WCHA, holding a 3-5-0 record for six points.
Spartans tie, lose to Miami
The Spartans battled back from a 2-0 deficit in Game 1 of their series with Miami to force overtime. Matt Berry scored in the second period, and then Jake Chelios scored the game-tying goal with 1:07 left in regulation on a MSU power play. Michigan State would miss out on an extra point in the CCHA standings, however, as Miami won the ensuing shootout. Freshman Jake Hildebrand stopped 25 shots on the night.
Saturday night went differently for the Spartans, as they were shut out 2-0 in the rematch. Michigan State was only able to generate 13 shots on goal throughout the 60 minutes of play. Hildebrand stopped 34 shots, but received no help from the MSU offense. Curtis McKenzie and Alex Wideman had the goals for Miami.
Michigan State is now seventh in the CCHA standings, holding a 3-4-1-0 record for 10 points.
Wolverines lose both to Fighting Irish
The Wolverines couldn’t find their offense in a Thursday/Friday series with Notre Dame in Ann Arbor, and they paid for it. The Fighting Irish posted a 3-1 win Thursday – thanks to Michigan native Bryan Rust – and a 4-1 win on Friday during the Yost Ice Arena rededication ceremony. We’re keeping the write-ups short here, because we were at both games, and you can see full recaps by clicking on the previous links.
Michigan is now ninth in the CCHA, with a 2-5-1-1 record and only eight points in conference play.
Western Michigan splits in Alaska
On Friday, it looked as though the long travel for their weekend series had caught up with Western Michigan. The Broncos lost to Alaska 6-1, after playing to a 1-1 tie through the first 24:02. The Falcons rolled off five straight goals for a convincing win in Game 1. Frank Slubowski allowed five of the goals, and was replaced by Lukas Hafner in the third period. Chase Balisy had the lone goal for the Broncos.
Saturday, however, was a different story. WMU rallied from a 2-0 deficit in the third period. Goals from Cody Kunyk, Garrett Haar and Shane Berschbach proved to be the difference in the contest, as Slubowski slammed the door on the Falcons late, and picked up his sixth win of the season (he made 40 saves in the victory).
Western Michigan now checks in at No. 6 in the CCHA standings, as they hold a 3-2-1-1 record in conference play, for 11 points.
Northern Michigan drops both at Ohio State
It was a rough weekend trip for Northern Michigan, who headed to Columbus only to drop both games against the Buckeyes. On Friday, they were shut out 2-0, and on Saturday, they fell 4-2. Ryan Daugherty and Scott Macaulay had the only goals of the weekend for the Wildcats, who had to play the majority of the weekend without top scorer Matt Thurber. The NMU star was whistled for an illegal hit to the head at the 0:54 mark of the first period on Friday, and subsequently suspended for Saturday’s game.
The Wildcats are now in last place in the CCHA, holding a 1-5-2-0 record for just five points.