October 9, 2009 - 9:59pm
LIVE BLOG: Michigan Hockey vs. Alaska
BY TIM ROHAN
The Wolverines left Ann Arbor Wednesday morning at 7 a.m. to arrive in Anchorage Alaska to play in the Kendall Hockey Classic which will be taking place this weekend. This trip to Alaska does not count against Michigan's maximum 34-regular season games because it is playing two Alaska teams in the four-team tournament.
And even though the University of Alaska is in the CCHA tonight's game, which starts at 5:07 Alaska time, 9:07 Eastern, will not count towards the CCHA standings.
I am actually here in Alaska, I made the trip yesterday and arrived around midnight Alaska time.
Michigan's lineup:
Offense (LW/C/RW)
-David Wohlberg 25 / Louie Caporusso 29 / Ben Winnett 16
-Carl Hagelin 12 / Matt Rust 19 / Chris Brown 10
-Brian Lebler 14 / A.J. Treais 21 / Robbie Czarnik 27
-Lindsay Sparks 39 / Kevin Lynch 11 / Luke Glendening 23
Defense
-Chris Summers 4 / Tristin Llewellyn 34
-Chad Langlais 7 / Brandon Burlon 6
-Lee Moffie 13 / Steve Kampfer 5
Goalie
-Bryan Hogan 35
-Shawn Hunwick 31
Scratches
-Greg Pateryn, Scooter Vaughn, Anthony Ciraulo, Eric Elmblad, Jeff Rohrkemper, and Patrick Summers
Michigan had a strong exhibition showing last weekend in win's over Windsor and the U.S. NTDP Under-18 team. Carl Hagelin had four goals and freshman A.J. Treais had a couple of goals himself. The Wolverines will have to face a confusing defensive style that the Nanooks employ. They will lull you to sleep then attack when you are not ready. Michigan leads the series all-time with a 37-7 record against Alaska.
Llewellyn is getting the nod first on the blue line after Burlon was playing with Summers almost exclusively it seemed in practice and during last week's exhibition games.
Winnett is starting at Right Wing and Michigan coach Red Berensen said he really expected Winnett to be a role player on the front line. So we'll see what the Wolverines can do on offense in their first game.
Also, Michigan split the season series with Alaska last season when it traveled to Fairbanks. And in the first game, the Wolverines lost 4-1, and neither team had a penalty minute the entire game. Michigan exacted its revenge the next night with a 3-2 win and then defeated the Nanooks again in the CCHA conference tourney semifinals.
This is the beginning, the official start, of Michigan Hockey season follow the blog all night for updates. The puck is set to drop in about 30 minutes.
1st Period:
-There is maybe 50 people in the stands. Wait maybe more like 75. And there are Michigan fans in attendance. A contingent of about 6 Maize and Blue Clad fans are gather close to the boards by the Michigan bench. I did see a Berensen #9 jersey -- great jersey.
-The P.A. announcer is butchering a few of the starter's names for the Nanooks.
-15:00 remaining:Michigan has not had any shots yet, but the Nanooks are taking the puck away from the Wolverines and going on semi-breakaways with only the Wolverines defense back.
-12:50:The Michigan defense is holding down the fort even though the offense has been inconsistent holding the puck. However the Wolverines have had a few chances in the attacking zone. Still no score.
-11:26 remaining:Lebler just put a big hit on a Nanook and will have a penalty for tripping. The penalty kill was Glendening/Winnett Burlon/Kampfer, and then Hagelin/Rust Summers/Llewellyn. No score.
-3:42 remaining:Michigan is outplayed the Nanooks, but the score is tied at 0-0 because the Wolverines aren't finishing.
-1:09 remaining:Langlais picked up a penalty, so Michigan will play a man down to finish out the first period.
-End of first period 0-0:Michigan is tied 0-0 with the Alaska Nanooks. The Wolverines have outscore them 12-3. Each team has had its own close calls, but nothing has hit the back of the net. Obviously Michigan has spent more time around the net, but the Nanooks are swarming to the puck and there have only been a few serious opportunities for the Wolverines to score.
2nd period:
-16:00 remaining:Michigan started the period on the power play and wasn't able to capitalize. And now the defensive heavy play has returned for both teams. No one seems to have an advantage, but Michigan is taking more shots. One eventually could find the back of the net, and Hogan hasn't been tested much just yet.
-12:45 remaining:Timeout on the ice. Michigan has only taken 2 shots on goal in the 2nd period, but the Nanooks have 0 shots on goal so far in the 2nd period. It's been a boring period thus far.
-10:00 remaining:Winnett had a breakaway opportunity one-on-one with a defender and turned the puck over. Chad Gehon received the puck right in front of the net with no one on him and the pushed it to the left side of the net past. 1-0 Nanooks are winning. Ron Meyers was credited with the assist as he crossed the puck to the open Gehon.
-6:42 remaining:They knew it during the week. The Wolverines knew that the Nanooks would lull them to sleep on defense, and force turnovers and allow a few shots. But when they take the offensive, it is a precise attack. The Wolverines are losing 1-0 and only have 2 shots on goal in the second period.
-Michigan is on the power play.
-4:23 remaining:Red is not going to be happy unless the Wolverines pick up their play now. They are now 0-2 on the power play and the one lapse in defensive judgment has Michigan down.
-2:49 remaining:Wohlberg picks up a penalty for checking from behind. The Wolverines can't afford to give up another goal before the third period.
-End of the 2nd period:Nanooks are winning 1-0. Michigan was out shot 6-3 in the period. The goal was not Hogan's fault as Nanooks Left winger Gehon was wide open right in front of the net. Neither team has been able to take advantage of the power play. And the Wolverines have only won 13 faceoffs compared to 20 faceoff wins for the Nanooks. Michigan still has more shots, but taking care of the puck is a must if a comeback is indeed going to happen.
3rd period:
-This is the game that matters most to the Wolverines because they will play the Nanooks two more times in January. Alaska-Anchorage, tomorrow night's opponent, only plays Michigan this one time and is not a member of the CCHA.
-Michigan on the power play early.
-Winnett was just called for offsides on a close call. It wouldv'e been just him and the goalie.
-17:00 remaining: Nanooks are back at full strength. The Wolverines aren't making crisp passes and its costing them.
-Nanooks score on a slap shot from the upper slot. It was a breakaway of sorts. Offense vs. defense and the Wolverines were on their heels when Joe Sova launched the puck into the upper right corner of the net. Nanooks lead 2-0
-14:43 remaining:Things don't look good for the Wolverines. Their turnovers have led to a few opportunities on the break and the Nanooks finally capitalized. And a defensive lapse in the 2nd period led to their first goal. Michigan is finally playing with a little bit of an urgency now down 2-0.
- 7:53 remaining: Sorry about the lack of updates. Since the Nanooks' second goal Michigan has been firing off shots to no avail. It seems as if players are shooting just for the sake of shooting instead of getting the bets shot possible. They are now outshooting the Nanooks 21-11.
-This is it for the game blog. Check the Blog tomorrow for another LIVE BLOG. Michigan losing 2-0 with 4:00 left to play.
