Catching up…
By Jason Paul | January 5, 2009
WORLD JUNIOR UPDATE
Team USA defeated the Czech Republic 3-2 in overtime to finish a disappointing fifth place. The USA went 3-1 in the round robin portion of the tournament with their only loss coming to Canada, 7-4 (the final two goals were empty netters, so it was closer than the score indicates).
But in the opening game of the medal round the USA suffered a devastating 5-3 loss to Slovakia, which ended any chance at a potential rematch with Canada and getting a medal.
On the Wolverine front, Aaron Palushaj had 2-3-5 in six games, while Matt Rust posted 3-1-4 in six games. That’s more goals than Rust has scored in 17 games wearing the Maize n’ Blue uniform this season, so hopefully he’ll return with a bit of a confidence boost.
In the other tournament going on, Team USA’s Under-17 team posted a bronze medal finish at the 2009 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge by defeating Canada West, 4-2. They were led by a future U-M recruit. You can read the official USA Hockey recap here.
Though content with winning the bronze, their finish also has to be considered a bit disappointing as Team USA lost in the semifinals to Canada Pacific 6-5 in overtime, which is a team they beat 11-0 in exhibition.
OUTDOOR GAME
Wisconsin head coach Mike Eaves told The Detroit News that an announcement was forthcoming regarding the Badgers opponent for an outdoor game at Camp Randall Stadium in February 2010 at Madison. Back in October The Detroit News spoke to Eaves, who said, “we’re seriously looking at Michigan … we really want Michigan.”
According to a comment left by Wolverine In Exile on The Blog That Yost Built, he says, “I know a guy in the right place in the (Athletic Department) and from what he told me is that the only hold up with the Wiscy outdoor game is (Mel) Pearson is discussing the possibility of a home and home outdoor series with Wisconsin where the return match would be, you guessed it, a post GLI outdoor game between Michigan and Wiscy at The (remodeled) Big House. Apparently one of the benefits of the remods at Michigan Stadium is that the electrical power grid input to the stadium is being upgraded and the new infrastructure is good enough to power the refridgeration equipment and temporary lights. The Wings have made an inquiry to the AD about bidding for a future Winter Classic using Michigan Stadium and requested the infrastructure info.”
It would not surprise me about the Red Wings. Reading some articles about the outdoor game against the Blackhawks, their players enjoyed the experience immensely and want to play another. Even everyone’s “favorite” Free Press columnist Drew Sharp said the Wings should play at Michigan Stadium. He would like to see them play Toronto at The Big House.
The NHL, I’m sure, would welcome back the Wings to the Winter Classic, too. The TV ratings increased 12 percent over last year’s game in Buffalo.
PAIR OF FIRSTS
Two former Wolverines got their first NHL goals this past week.
Max Pacioretty notched a rare feat when he scored on his first shot in his first NHL game in a 4-1 loss at New Jersey.
And former U-M captain Andrew Ebbett netted his first NHL goal in a 5-4 shootout loss to Philadelphia. Brendan Morrison picked up the secondary assist on the goal, too.
FACEBOOK GROUP
Facebook users can now become a fan of Michigan Hockey. Add it to your profile here.
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Want some Michigan hockey bling?
By Jason Paul | December 31, 2008
Then I hope you got $3,000 to drop.
Found on eBay: An official 2002 Michigan Wolverines CCHA Champions ring and a 2003 Michigan Wolverines CCHA Playoff Champions ring. Asking price: $2,999.99 or you can make an offer.
The seller says he obtained the rings from the Sports Information Director it was given to.
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Wolverines repeat as GLI champs with dominating win over Spartans
By Jason Paul | December 29, 2008
After winning nine consecutive Great Lakes Invitational championships before going on a ten year drought, the Michigan hockey team captured their second consecutive title and started a new streak following a dominating 5-1 victory over Michigan State in the title game.
After giving up the game’s opening goal to Matt Schepke during a 5-on-3 Spartan power play 12:28 into the opening stanza, the Wolverines scored five unanswered goals and bombarded MSU goalie Jeff Lerg with 54 shots on goal.
Travis Turnbull started the rally four minutes after the Schepke goal with a backhander from the slot beating Lerg. Chris Summers did a good job to hold the puck in at the point and Luke Glendening dug it out of the corner and setup Turnbull.
The game was tied 1-1 after the first period with the shots 18-15 in favor of U-M. But in the second period, the Wolverines decided to stop toying with Little Brother.
Just 2:11 into the second stanza, Turnbull skated the puck down the right side, passed it to the center to Brandon Naurato, who slipped it to Ben Winnett for the chip shot over Lerg to make it 2-1. It was Winnett’s first goal since the opening weekend.
On the power play with 5:22 left in the period, Summers sent a pass from the left circle across to Naurato at the right circle and he ripped a one-timer just inside the shortside post to give U-M a two goal cushion.
Three minutes later Tim Miller fanned on a pass from Summers, but kept control, got around a defender, and beat Lerg as he lunged out of the net for U-M’s third goal of the period.
Michigan outshot the Spartans 20-3 in the second period and carried a 4-1 lead into the third period.
They made it 5-1 with a power play goal at 1:16 of the third when Louie Caporusso skated around a defenseman, cut towards the net, avoided a diving Lerg, and sent a backhander top shelf. That was one for the highlight reel.
The Wolverines shutdown the Spartans again in the third period keeping them off the scoreboard and outshooting them 16-2. So after a relatively even first period, the Wolverines outshot MSU 36-5 over the final 40 minutes.
Bryan Hogan got the nod in net again and finished the game with 19 saves. He was named to the All-Tournament team.
Others named to the All-Tournament team were Louie Caporusso, Chris Summers, Chad Langlais, Matt Schepke (Michigan State), and Jordan Baker (Michigan Tech). Caporusso was named the MVP.
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GLI Update 2
By Jason Paul | December 27, 2008
Michigan State upset North Dakota, 2-1, in the night’s second semifinal game.
So it’ll be Michigan vs. Michigan State for the GLI title tomorrow night at the Joe. The puck drops at 6:35 p.m. ET and the game can be seen on Fox Sports Detroit.
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GLI Update: Michigan 5, Michigan Tech 0
By Jason Paul | December 27, 2008
Quick update…
Michigan advances to the GLI championship game following a 5-0 blanking of Michigan Tech. They await the winner of tonight’s North Dakota vs. Michigan State game.
Louie Caporusso opened the game with a natural hat trick in the first 12 minutes as Michigan jumped out to a 4-0 first period lead. David Wohlberg assisted on all three of Caporusso’s goals. Anthony Ciraulo added the other first period marker, with Danny Fardig and Luke Glendening getting the assists.
After a scoreless second stanza, Brandon Burlon netted his second goal of the season in the third period to top off the scoring.
Bryan Hogan earned the shutout with 15 saves.
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Palushaj hat trick leads Team USA
By Jason Paul | December 24, 2008
Sophomore forward Aaron Palushaj continues to excel in exhibition action for Team USA as his natural hat trick led them to a 5-1 victory over Team Russia.
Palushaj scored on a spin move in front of the net in the opening period, then added a pair of goals 13 seconds apart early in the second period to push Team USA out to a 3-0 lead. He was named Team USA’s Player of the Game.
Teammate Matt Rust assisted on Palushaj’s first and third goals.
You can see the video highlights here.
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All systems (almost) go on Kampfer return
By Jason Paul | December 24, 2008
The Ann Arbor News has an article on Steve Kampfer’s impending return to the Michigan hockey lineup and a look back at all the events that have gone on since his injury.
If all goes well at practice on Christmas day, U-M head coach Red Berenson said he plans on playing Kampfer at the Great Lakes Invitational. Sure would be great if we could see his return on TV…whoops! Thanks, FSN!
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Wolverines in the Pros
By Jason Paul | December 24, 2008
Five Wolverines in one game
Calgary defeated Anaheim, 4-3, last night, and if you look at the score sheet there are former Wolverines all over this game, including three captains.
Mike Cammalleri scored the game-winning goal for the Flames and assisted on their third goal. David Moss netted the opening goal of the game, his 11th of the season. And former captain Eric Nystrom got a five minute major for fighting Nathan McIver.
For the Ducks, a pair of former captains hooked up twice as Brendan Morrison scored two goals to lead Anaheim. Andrew Ebbett got the primary and secondary assist on the goals respectively.
Ebbett, by the way, was just recalled to the Ducks on the 20th after Teemu Selanne cut his leg with his own skate in a game against Edmonton. Selanne will reportedly be out four to six weeks, meaning Ebbett could earn an extended stay and finally get an opportunity to prove himself on the big stage. Prior to being called up, Ebbett was the Iowa Chops (AHL) leading scorer with 10 goals and a team-high 19 assists in 28 games. He also had a team-high +9 rating.
Tambellini recalled
Jeff Tambellini is back with the New York Islanders after a two week conditioning stint with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the AHL, where he scored three goals in six games.
Tambellini’s scoring prowness in the minors has yet to translate to any NHL success, where he zero goals in 24 games this season and only four goals in 102 career games.
In his first game back last night, Tambellini had no points, no shots, and was a -1 in 13:30 of ice time.
Comrie returns
Mike Comrie made his return to the Islanders lineup on 12/18 after missing after being out since 11/8 with hip problems.
Comrie had hip surgery back in May and struggled early in the season as the pain hadn’t fully gone away. He and teammate Kyle Okposo, who was also out with an injury, tried a new form of electronic stimulation treatment called the ARP Trainer (Accelerated Recovery Performance) and got dramatic results. Comrie told News Day that he’s pain-free for the first time in five years.
“”It’s a machine that sends currents into your muscles,” Comrie said. “It’s similar to a stim machine that every professional sports team has. It’s something that might not help everybody, but for me, it helped me fire my muscles that, after my surgery, weren’t working properly. My hips feel good, and I don’t remember the last time I felt like this.”
Calder consideration
John Grigg of The Hockey News had a blog post yesterday showing some Calder Trophy love to former U-M captain Matt Hunwick, who has been stellar for the Boston Bruins over the past month. Even though he has been held point-less over the past four games, Hunwick still logs about 20 minutes of ice time per game for the top team in the East. Though chances are he won’t win the award for top rookie, it was nice to see a writer mention him.
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Article…
By Jason Paul | December 22, 2008
The Hockey News had an article a few weeks ago on a future Wolverine recruit. Read it here.
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World Junior update
By Jason Paul | December 22, 2008
Aaron Palushaj and Matt Rust helped each other to three point nights as Team USA crushed Latvia, 13-2, in exhibition action at the World Junior Championship.
Palushaj scored with 1:08 left in the opening stanza with Rust getting the helper to put Team USA ahead 4-0.
Rust tallied a goal with 8:30 remaining in the second period with Palushaj getting the second assist. That goal made it 7-1 USA.
Palushaj netted the first of five USA goals in the third period. His second marker of the night came 7:24 into the period.
Team USA outshot Latvia 63-12.
Team USA will open the tournament Dec. 26 against Team Germany with a 3:30 p.m. ET faceoff. The NHL Network is broadcasting all of Team USA’s games, all of Team Canada’s preliminary-round games, and all medal-round games. For their complete broadcast schedule, click here.
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