Paula C. WestonIf that old sports cliche that claims you’re only as good as your last game is true, then Michigan State is positively golden. After losing on the road to Michigan 5-1 in the first game of a home-and-home series last Friday, the Spartans rebounded in a giant way Saturday, scoring 34 seconds into the game … Read more
Once again, no one can close a deal in the CCHA. 1. There’s nothing like a good, old-fashioned thrashing. It’s even sweeter for a team at home, against its arch-rival. Both the Wolverines and the Spartans experienced that this weekend, with Michigan coming out of the weekend at the sour end. Friday’s 5-1 lopsided UM … Read more
Once again, no one can close a deal in the CCHA. 1. There’s nothing like a good, old-fashioned thrashing. It’s even sweeter for a team at home, against its arch-rival. Both the Wolverines and the Spartans experienced that this weekend, with Michigan coming out of the weekend at the sour end. Friday’s 5-1 lopsided UM … Read more
Michigan State coach Tom Anastos said he had a “gut feeling” about starting the line of sophomores Brent Darnell and Matt Berry and freshman Matt DeBlouw for tonight’s game against arch-rival Michigan. That line started in Ann Arbor Friday night, where the Spartans lost 5-1. In tonight’s rematch, those three Spartans were responsible for five … Read more
After two close periods of hockey, Michigan scored three third-period goals to bury Michigan State, 5-1, in the first meeting between these two rivals this season. Five different Wolverines scored and freshman Jared Rutledge earned his first collegiate win, topping 28-of-29 shots to do so. “We were scoring timely goals and that was important,” said … Read more
The splits continued last week, without a single sweep in the bunch. Somehow, I managed to look pretty good at the end of it. Last week: 7-2-1 (.750) Season to date: 36-18-10 (.641) Once again, my gratitude to the three series that split the way I said they would. I fear that the hockey pick … Read more
The splits continued last week, without a single sweep in the bunch. Somehow, I managed to look pretty good at the end of it. Last week: 7-2-1 (.750) Season to date: 36-18-10 (.641) Once again, my gratitude to the three series that split the way I said they would. I fear that the hockey pick … Read more
How does a coach whose team was the winner of its regular season conference championship and a national runner-up in 2011-12 react to preseason polls that have his team finishing in either fourth or fifth place in the his own league? With typical Bob Daniels perspective, of course. “I still don’t know how we’ll be … Read more
If the first two weekends of CCHA play are any indication, this last season of the CCHA isn’t going to be over until it’s over. No sweeps, five teams with six points each, three shutouts. 1. A.J. Treais, dream crusher. The reason that Northern Michigan didn’t sweep Michigan at home came down to one play, … Read more
If the first two weekends of CCHA play are any indication, this last season of the CCHA isn’t going to be over until it’s over. No sweeps, five teams with six points each, three shutouts. 1. A.J. Treais, dream crusher. The reason that Northern Michigan didn’t sweep Michigan at home came down to one play, … Read more
For the Falcons and the Spartans, all it took was one goal as Bowling Green registered a 1-0 road win over Michigan State, BGSU’s first win at Munn Ice Arena since Feb. 24, 2007. Sophomore defenseman Connor Kucera had the only goal of the contest, just the second of his career. “It’s a good win … Read more
Last week was splitsville for the CCHA. Will this week bring more of the same? Last week: 6-3-1 (.650) Season to date: 29-16-9 (.620) I would like to thank Alaska, Ferris State, Miami and Michigan for making me look good last week. I love the right-way splits. This week There are five league series this … Read more
Last week was splitsville for the CCHA. Will this week bring more of the same? Last week: 6-3-1 (.650) Season to date: 29-16-9 (.620) I would like to thank Alaska, Ferris State, Miami and Michigan for making me look good last week. I love the right-way splits. This week There are five league series this … Read more
This weekend, Western Michigan opens its CCHA season and defense of the Mason Cup against Notre Dame. Even though the Broncos are 3-1 in nonconference play, second-year coach Andy Murray isn’t sure yet of what this year’s team can do. “I really don’t know,” Murray said. “I think we need to play some games within … Read more
After the first full weekend of CCHA play — minus Western Michigan — there are indications that it may be a long season. That’s a good thing, given that it’s the last. 1. Six teams in third place after one weekend? Okay. That seems completely normal, given how many teams crowd a single spot in … Read more
After the first full weekend of CCHA play — minus Western Michigan — there are indications that it may be a long season. That’s a good thing, given that it’s the last. 1. Six teams in third place after one weekend? Okay. That seems completely normal, given how many teams crowd a single spot in … Read more
With the score tied 2-2 heading into the third, the difference between winning and losing tonight was the ability to take advantage of chances as they came. In the third period, Mike Chiasson and Alex Guptill scored for the Wolverines to lift Michigan over Miami 4-2 to open each team’s final season of CCHA play. … Read more
I’m grateful that league play has begun. Too many games to pick these past two weeks — and too little sleep. Last week: 11-6-4 Season to date: 23-13-8 (.614) This is the first full weekend CCHA-on-CCHA action. Every series is Friday-Saturday, every series is single-site and games start at 7:05 p.m. local time, unless otherwise … Read more
I’m grateful that league play has begun. Too many games to pick these past two weeks — and too little sleep. Last week: 11-6-4 Season to date: 23-13-8 (.614) This is the first full weekend CCHA-on-CCHA action. Every series is Friday-Saturday, every series is single-site and games start at 7:05 p.m. local time, unless otherwise … Read more
That sophomore slump? You’d better believe it. Last season, Notre Dame finished tied with Ohio State for eighth place in the CCHA, one year after taking a team laden with a dozen freshmen to the Frozen Four. The Fighting Irish began the first half of 2011-12 with shaky goaltending; the second half of the season … Read more