11/10/09

Scouting the Wolverines

Michigan State will play the Michigan Wolverines in a home and home series on Friday and Saturday nights. Friday's game is at 7:35 at Yost Ice Arena and Saturday night's game is at 7:05 at Munn. Michigan is 4-4 overall and 2-2 in conference play. They are coming off two home losses against Miami, but they defeated LSSU in their CCHA opening weekend. Penalties really hurt the Wolverines in a 5-1 loss on Saturday in which Miami scored 5 unanswered goals. They are ranked #6 in the country in both the USA Today and the USCHO polls. Michigan has faced some tough competition in the early-going with Alaska, Boston, and Miami all on the schedule, but those games account for their four losses. Junior Matt Rust is Michigan's leading scorer with eight points (4 goals, 4 assists). Chris Brown is Michigan's best freshman with seven points on the season. Their captain is a solid defenseman, Chris Summers. Junior Bryan Hogan is a very good goaltender, but has struggled so far this year with a 2.51 GAA. I expect two very heated rivalry games. After the incident that happened last year at Yost, look for a ton of emotion early in the contest and there may be some more after-the-whistle hitting than usual. It will be a battle of who can be more disciplined because both teams have spent too much time in the box so far this season. Michigan State looks to avenge last season's five losses to the Wolverines, while Michigan needs to get back on track after some early losses.

1 comment:

  1. "It will be a battle of who can be more disciplined because both teams have spent too much time in the box so far this season." You said it all right there, my friend. First team to bubble over, loses.

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