The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/100796
������ michigan hockey ���It���s understandable that our crowds have been a little bit less than we���re used to, but the fans that have been there have been loud,��� fifthyear senior netminder Shawn Hunwick noted. Michigan���s student section has always been a late-arriving crowd, though the seniors tend to be in their seats in time for pregame introductions. Those that have passed through the turnstiles, however, have done their part to continue the Yost Ice Arena lore. ���I haven���t noticed a big difference ��� it���s still pretty loud when the fans get going,��� senior defender Greg Pateryn said. ���There are maybe more quiet times, but the crowd still give us that extra motivation, we feed of their energy, and that���s really advantageous to playing here.��� Michigan Hockey To Host NCAA Regional For the first time since 2003, Michigan will host an NCAA Regional when it welcomes four teams to Grand Rapids��� Van Andel Arena in 2013. This event will mark the first time, however, U-M hosts a regional at a site outside of Ann Arbor; the Wolverines previously hosted a regional at Yost Ice Arena in 1998, 2002 and 2003. Michigan has an overall record of 6���0 in NCAA regionals it has hosted, earning Frozen Four berths in all three. However, complaints from opposing coaches over the rowdiness of the home crowd providing an unfair advantage to U-M led the NCAA to eventually eliminate oncampus hosting privileges across college hockey. The Wolverines are not guaranteed a spot in the NCAA Tournament in 2013 simply because they are a regional host, but will automatically play in Grand Rapids if they earn a postseason invitation. ��� Michigan���s Performance As A Regional Host Year 2002-03 2001-02 1997-98 Opponent Result Maine W, 2-1 Colorado College W, 5-3 St. Cloud State W, 4-2 Denver W, 5-3 Princeton W, 2-1 North Dakota W, 4-3 Michigan Hockey Rewind: October Record: 6-1-1 National Ranking: No. 4 USCHO.com, No. 4 coaches poll Best Win ��� 5-2 over Ferris State: Take your pick from a series sweep Oct.��27���28 in Ann Arbor that also included a 4-0 shutout. Opening night promised to be a low-scoring, game-decided-in-the-final-minutes meeting between two stingy defensive teams. But U-M capitalized on two power plays and an extra attacker (on a delayed penalty) to put up three straight goals in the second period. After FSU climbed back in with a late marker that frame, Michigan answered with its fourth goal early in the third period to clinch it. This was the kind of game early in the year that was supposed to expose the Wolverines��� relative youth and lack of go-to scorers, but instead, Michigan proved it has found the right mix of chemistry offensively, defensively and in net. Worst Loss ��� 5-3 to Northern Michigan: The Maize and Blue figured their first CCHA game, at Northern Michigan Oct. 21, would provide a more formidable challenge than its non-conference games, and they were right. Halfway through two periods, neither team had scored, and this one had all the makings of a defensive standoff. But in a strange scene at 10:45 of the second, U-M goaltender Shawn Hunwick was ejected for throwing a punch, and the game���s momentum shifted dramatically. The two teams would combine for eight markers in the final 30 minutes. The deciding final two belonged to the Wildcats. MVP ��� Shawn Hunwick: Though the Wolverines lit the lamp 24 times in racing out to a 4-0 record, Hunwick was equally responsible for their success, stopping 96 of the 101 shots he faced (.950 save percentage). He had recorded 17 saves in just over 30 minutes of action before receiving a game misconduct in the melee at NMU. In his absence, U-M surrendered five goals on Northern���s final 15 shots. Hunwick, 6-0-1 with a 1.37 goals-against average and a .949 save percentage, proved that night and every night what everyone thought ��� he is the most valuable player on this team. Impact Freshman ��� Mike Chiasson: Forward Phil Di Giuseppe ranks first among the rookies with five goals and nine points, but Chiasson may have been the most consistent freshman from game one to game eight. The 5-11, 185-pounder is an old-fashioned defense-first defenseman ��� though he did have three points in eight games ��� taking pleasure in keeping the puck out of the net on his shifts. Chiasson has, astonishingly, not been on the ice for any of the 15 goals the Maize and Blue have allowed this year. Series To Watch ��� at Miami Nov. 11-12: Like Michigan State in football, Miami (Ohio) has become that team Michigan just doesn���t remember how to beat. The RedHawks have won five of the last six meetings with the Wolverines, including both games last year. MU, which has been one of U���M���s most consistent competitors for the conference title in recent years, is off to a slow start, going just 2-6-0, but Defenseman Mike Chiasson tallied three points the RedHawks will be ready when and was not on the ice for any of the team���s 15 Michigan arrives in town. goals allowed in U-M���s first eight contests. photo by lon horwedel ��� Michael Spath November 2011��� ������ the wolverine��� 103