WEEK 5: College hockey weekend recap

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There was a scoreless tie, an all-Michigan series and big upsets – both by Michigan schools and against Michigan schools – all in this past weekend’s college hockey action. Six of the seven Michigan schools were in action.


Friday, October 30

Western Michigan came through with the biggest upset of the season in all of college hockey, sweeping No. 1 Nebraska-Omaha at home in NCHC action. It started in Friday night’s 4-2 victory. Tied 2-2 halfway through the middle frame, Sheldon Dries (Macomb) scored the game-winning goal to make it 3-2 at that stage. Aaron Hadley added an insurance goal early in the final period. Frederik Tiffels and Nolan LaPorte added the other Broncos tallies. Collin Olson stopped 31 of 33 in the win.

Despite a hat trick from J.T. Henke, Lake Superior State fell 5-4 to Alabama-Huntsville at Taffy Abel Arena in WCHA action. Holding a 4-2 lead after 40 minutes, LSSU allowed two unanswered goals in the third period, which forced overtime and saw Cody Marooney score 1:07 into the extra frame for UAH.

Northern Michigan and Bemidji State battled to a 0-0 tie in their first of two weekend games. Though the Wildcats were severely outshot by the Beavers, 46-22, Atte Tolvanen turned aside all 46, including 22 in the second period alone.

Ferris State put a strong road effort together against No. 18 Michigan Tech, outshooting the Huskies 37-31, but ultimately fell, 5-4. The Bulldogs had a 3-1 lead after 20 minutes thanks to Jared VanWormer (Traverse City), Matt Robertson and Andrew Dorantes (Waterford), but Michigan Tech battled back to tie the game and Malcolm Gould scored 4:12 into overtime to give the Huskies the victory. Tyler Heinonen, Alex Gillies, Joel L’Esperance (Brighton) and Matt Roy (Canton) also found twine for MTU, while Jamie Phillips stopped 33 of 37. Corey Mackin had the other FSU marker, while Charles Williams (Canton) allowed five goals on 31 shots.

The Wolverines’ offensive onslaught in the third period made all the difference against Robert Morris Friday night. Despite RMU heading into the final frame with a 3-1 lead, four straight goals by the Wolverines gave them the 5-3 victory. Captain JT Compher scored in the second stanza, while Cooper Marody (Brighton), Michael Downing (Canton), Zach Werenski (Grosse Pointe) and Tony Calderone (Trenton) provided the third-period offense. Marody and Calderone added assists, while Brendan Warren (Carleton) recorded a pair of helpers.


Saturday, October 31

Three-point efforts from Hadley and J.T. Osborn combined with Lukas Hafner’s 37-save performance helped lift the Broncos to a huge 6-1 victory over the Mavericks to complete the sweep, marking the first time WMU has swept a No. 1 team since the USCHO.com and USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine polls were established in 1997. Colt Conrad, Chris Dienes (Traverse City), Mike McKee (Red Wings prospect) and Dries also scored for the Broncos.

Though LSSU had a strong showing against Alabama-Huntsville Friday night, they couldn’t muster any offense the next night, despite outshooting their opponent, 31-19. Nick Kossoff allowed five goals on 19 shots and Matt Larose stopped all 31 he faced for UAH, as the Lakers fell 5-0.

Ferris State got its revenge on No. 18 Michigan Tech in round two, topping the Huskies, 3-2, thanks to a late game-winner from Andrew Dorantes. Kenny Babinski (Midland) and Simon Denis recorded the other Bulldogs goals. Reid Sturos (Brighton) and Max Vallis scored for Michigan Tech. Darren Smith stopped 36 of 38 for FSU, and Phillips turned away 22 of 25 of Michigan Tech.

After seeing goaltender Atte Tolvanen’s Friday-night performance, the Wildcats supplied the offense in front of him this time around, defeating Bemidji State, 3-1. The Wildcats were once again outshot, 35-22, and Tolvanen was there to stop 34, only allowing a powerplay goal in the first period. Robbie Payne (Gaylord) and Cohen Adair scored for NMU, with Darren Nowick adding an empty-netter late.

The offense went cold for No. 10 Michigan Saturday night, falling to Robert Morris the next night in surprising fashion, 4-0. Greg Gibson had three assists, and Brandon Denham’s early first-period goal lifted the Colonials to the upset victory. RMU outshot Michigan, 35-34. Zach Nagelvoort (Holland) allowed three goals on ten shots in the opening period, while Steve Racine allowed just one in relief over the remaining 40 minutes.