The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/629217
MICHIGAN HOCKEY MVP — Junior Tyler Motte: Michigan's No. 1 line — junior center J.T. Compher and freshman left wing Kyle Connor, in addi- tion to Motte — is putting up eye-popping numbers, and Motte is at the heart of the trio's success. The junior right wing had a team-high seven goals during the most recent six- game stretch, adding five assists and a plus/minus of plus-11. Motte has already scored a career-high 18 goals (matching the production of his first two seasons combined) and is just two markers shy of the fourth 20-goal sea- son for the Wolverines since 2008. With 28 points in 21 contests, he ranks 13th nation- ally in scoring with 1.33 points per game. Top Freshman — Defenseman Joseph Cecconi: This spot could go to Con- nor each month, and the rookie phenom was again outstanding, recording seven goals and seven assists in U-M's last six games. However, there are other rookies playing well and deserving of recognition. Though he does not pile up the stats, Cecconi has been one of Michigan's most dependable defensemen this season. The 6-2, 205-pounder leads all U-M blue liners with a plus/minus of plus-13 (fourth overall on the team), earning a plus-6 in the Dec. 29 to Jan. 17 stretch. He has five assists on the year. On The Rise — Sophomore Dexter Dancs: The Vancouver native was the highest-regarded freshman forward among Michigan's rookie class in 2014-15, but he scored just three goals in his debut campaign. This season, he again started slow, with two goals in his first 13 games, but he's been coming on, recording three goals and three assists in U-M's last six contests. He also has a plus/minus of plus-4 during that span. Series To Watch — Jan. 28-30 at Penn State: The Nittany Lions are in the thick of the Big Ten race, sitting in third but just three points shy of Michigan and Minnesota (18 points apiece through Jan. 18). Penn State, 5-1-0 in con- ference play, swept Wisconsin at home Jan. 15-16 and split with the Golden Gophers Jan. 8-9. After playing in State College on Thursday night in the opening game of the series, the two teams will travel to New York City for a neutral-site game (though PSU is the home team) at Madison Square Garden in front of what should be a very pro-Maize and Blue crowd. — Michael Spath Junior forward Tyler Motte equaled his goal total from the last two years in just 21 games this season, finding the back of the net 18 times. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL