MIchigan Hockey vs. Air Force: Live from Bridgeport, CT

2:35 pm - We arrived in Bridgeport, CT at about 12:30 after a wonder, 11 hour drive in former sports director Tony Bolton's Saturn. The game is set to start in about 25 minutes and both teams are currently warming up on the ice. While we will be calling the game (see the link in the post below), we will also blogging the game live. Due to NCAA blogging restrictions, we can only post so much, but we will do our best without getting our credentials revoked.

FIRST PERIOD

20:00 - The puck has dropped in Bridgeport, with Carl Hagelin, Matt Rust, and Aaron Palushaj getting the start up front, captains Mark Mitera and Chris Summers starting on the blue line, and Brian Hogan getting the nod in goal. Hogan and the Michigan D are looking to rebound from a dreadful third period in the CCHA Championship vs. Notre Dame, where the Wolverines gave up 5 unanswered goals. Early in this game, the puck has gone back and forth with Michigan failing to capitalize on a great scoring chance. With 16:48 left in the period, Air Force winger took the game's first penalty (contanct to the head/elbowing) and Michgian will get an early chance on the power play.

6:22 - After failing to put the puck in the net with over a minute of 5 on 3 hockey, the Wolverines have taken 3 penalties. They got lucky when the referee Michigan is dominating the shot counts 12 to 2, but have been unable
to get a good flow going with all the penalties against them.

4:42 - Air Force 1, Michigan 0 - Air Force has scored the first goal of the game, a power play goal scored by Derrick Burnett. Air Force was starting to get something going on the multiple shot opportunities from the power plays. Michigan's defense will need to clamp down on against the speedy Falcons so that the offensive opportunities can develop.

0:00 - The first period is done with Michigan down to Air Force 1-0. Despite spending the last 4 minutes of the period in the Falcons zone, the Blue could not find the back on the net (on 16 shots). Michigan has also taken 4 penalties in the period, with 3 on Air Force, showing that the refs are calling a tight game (with questionable calls on both teams). Michigan definitely looks like the more talented team, but they seem to have a block of some sort, with iffy turnovers and lack of shot taking. The Falcons are definitely a dangerous team with some offensive power.

SECOND PERIOD

12:58 - Air Force 2, Michigan 0 - Air has just notched their second goal of the afternoon on just 4 shots on goal. Jacques Lamoureux, the nation's leading scorer, put in the puck on a 2 on 1. The period has been dominated by sloppy play on Michigan's part. A bad play by Mark Mitera in Michigan's zone led to Air Force's second goal. The energy show by Air Force is far eclipsing any urgency from the Wolverines. Michigan has shown that they can pass in the Falcon's zone and win battles in the corners, but a lack of shots has led to few scoring opportunities, as well as great goaltending from the Falcon's Andrew Volkening.

5:59 - Not much to say except that the incredibly poor and sloppy play is continuing from the Wolverines. They can't seem to get any breaks from the boards or refs (Wohlberg was called for embellishment) . If they want any hope for a comeback, they need to focus and get their last 3 periods of hockey out of their heads. At 4:51, Michigan will go on the power play, so the Maize and Blue faithful will look for their boys to get back on track.

0:00 - I don't really want to write any more on this period, which was one of Michigan's worst all year. No one on the team is immune to the sloppy play. Michigan will start the third period with the man advantage. UAF 2, UM 0.

THIRD PERIOD

20:00 - The puck has dropped on the most important period of Michigan hockey of the year. They will begin on the power play, which has started with not 1 but 2 icing calls on the Blue. Air Force has blown 2 leads in recent tournament history and every Michigan hockey fan hopes for more of the same.

13:20 - Desperation has begun to set for the Wolverines. Michigan has slowed the sloppy play, but still is playing with a less than desirable energy level. Great goalie play from Volkening continues. Michigan has tried many times to set up long break out passes, but those have frequently led to turnovers by the Blue. Carl Hagelin looks to be the only one playing with some passion. Even with multiple man advantages, it just seems to be one of those night where nothing goes Michigan's way.

6:02 - The situation has gone from bad to worse as the Wolverine's most dangerous penalty killer Carl Hagelin takes a holding call in the Falcons' zone. The Michigan bench and fan section look stunned and completely out of options.

0:00 - The Michigan Wolverines hockey season has come to an end with a 2-0 loss to the Air Force Falcons. Offensively Michigan could really have done nothing more, as they put 43 shots on Andrew Volkening with no success. Almost everything, from the bounces to the questionable officiating, went against the Wolverines. It just seemed like the hockey gods wanted Air Force to move on in this tournament. The player of the game has to be Volkening, whose 43 saves anchored the Falcons. The Air Force defense seemed to know exactly what players to shut down, as Palushaj and Caparusso got roughed up for most of the game. While the season ends in a very disappointing fashion, Michigan fans can just shake their heads and laugh about this. The Wolverines were just not meant to win this one.

Signing off from the Arena at Harbor Yard in Brigdeport, CT, this is Kevin Gregus saying Go Blue.

Ford Field and the Frozen Four

First off, let me start by saying that I have seen the future... and his name is Stephen Curry. Curry did not disappoint to the tune of 33 points, pushing his tournament total to 103. To put that into perspective, the career mark for points in the Tourney is 427, set by Christian Laetnner... and Curry has managed to get a fourth of the way there in 3 games. Bottom line: The kid is nasty with the jump shot, was able to create his own shot more often than I've seen previously against Michael Flowers (who held Manny Harris to single digits this year), and received a well deserved standing ovation from the 60,000 on hand at Ford Field. When you've got LeBron James at your game, swaying in his chair with amazement, you know you have arrived.

Speaking of Ford Field, I felt this was a terrific venue to watch a tournament game and a great atmosphere for basketball. While the court was raised up and at midfield, somewhat far away from the action, I enjoyed the fact that the distance from the court gave people a chance to see plays develop. While most people might think the court is too far away from the stands, I really enjoyed it and think it will be an excellent site for the Final Four next year.

However, I DO NOT think this will be a good site for the Frozen Four in 2010. While the NCAA did a great job of promoting it at the game, there is no way they will come close to filling that stadium. I think the awesome sight lines Ford Field has to offer will be good for viewing the game, but c'mon: This arena was nowhere near capacity for a Sweet Sixteen/Elite 8 game. How does the NCAA expect to fill it for college hockey?! There are 6,000 fans at an average college hockey game. That's a little less than one-tenth the capacity of Ford Field. This might not sit well with some of the college hockey fans, but a niche sport like college hockey will not even come close to filling that arena and empty seats take away from a solid atmosphere. I predict that the event will be somewhat of a disappointment, and would've been better off at a smaller arena like Joe Louis, or even the Palace.

Michigan v. Niagara: Game 1 from Albany

--10:02--

VICTORY! The Michigan Hockey Pep Band plays “The Victors” as the game ends, 5-1, in favor of the Wolverines. Michigan out shot Niagara 39 to 17 and added 3 more goals in the third period and Michigan captain Kevin Porter adds 4 goals to bring his season total to 32. I will be back with my final thoughts and hopefully a few highlights.

--9:59--

GOAL MICHIGAN! What a night for Kevin Porter as he adds an empty-net goal for the Wolverines. He took the puck away from a Niagara defenseman to score his fourth goal tonight and make it 5-1 Michigan. There is now less than a minute in the game and Michigan looks to close out the game strong.

--9:54--

Our media friend Mark Damico who was watching the game by us has handed me a sheet to promote a new college hockey website, http://d1hockey.com/. He knows his hockey and is just looking to spread the word. He tells me that there will be a nice article on Michigan hockey, including his interview with Michigan coach Red Berenson. The site will be fully operational after the Frozen Four.

UPDATE: In the middle of the second period, he predicted a 5-1 Michigan win, which it was. Like I said, he knows his stuff.

--9:51--

The shutout is done as Niagara scores for the first time tonight. Captain Matt Caruana scores his 17^th goal this year off an assist from Vince Rocco. There is a little under 4 minutes to play in Albany as Michigan looks to hold off the Purple Eagles for the remainder of the game.

--9:47--

The Niagara power play ends as Kyle Rogers is called for roughing. Once Hagelin’s penalty is done, the Wolverines will go back on their 2 for 4 power play unit.

--9:46--

Carl Hagelin takes an elbow to the head penalty for Michigan. The Wolverines penalty kill has been great all night, staving off the Niagara special teams that came into the game 3^rd in the nation. The Purple Eagles will look to add at least one goal tonight and take a little momentum away from Michigan.

--9:41--

HAT TRICK FOR KEVIN PORTER! The top line adds another goal as the Michigan fans throw hats on the ice and rain “Hobey Baker” chants onto Porter, who now has 31 goals on the year. Michigan now leads 4-0 with 8:58 left to play in the third. Chad Kolarik picks up his fourth assist on the night and Max Pacioretty adds his third along with his goal. More pretty puck movement from the Wolverines led to this goal, allowing “The Victors” to resonate once again in Albany.

--9:40--

Shortly after the Michigan goal, a hooking penalty comes to Niagara winger Paul Zanette, so the Maize and Blue will have a chance to add another power play goal. They are 1 for 3 with the man advantage tonight.

--9:37--

GOAL MICHIGAN! Kevin Porter adds his second goal of the night off a shot from defenseman Tristin Llewellyn. The shot bounced around in front of the net, touching Max Pacioretty and Chad Kolarik before Porter puts the loose puck in the back of the net. Michigan’s first line is now responsible for all 3 of Michigan’s goals.

--9:32--

We are 6 minutes into this third period and Niagara has upped their physical play and intensity. Michigan seems to be playing back, but still have only allowed one shot on goal. Niagara has kept the play so far in the Michigan zone, but the defense continues to step up. Billy Sauer just made a nice save to keep the two goal lead.

--9:07--

End of the 2^nd period from Albany, the Wolverines up 2-0 thanks to goals from Max Pacioretty and Kevin Porter. Michigan out shot Niagara 19-5 that period, leaving Niagara in desperate need of some changes during this intermission.

--8:54--

Pagliero doing all he can to keep Niagara in this game as he has faced 26 shots so far this game, while only allowing 2 goals. The Wolverines have a 26-7 shot advantage with 6:30 left in the second period.

--8:45--

2-0 MICHIGAN! A great play by the top line, breaking out of the defensive zone and the perfectly run 3-2 break by Kevin Porter, Max Pacioretty, and Chad Kolarik. Patch brings the puck into the zone, drops it off to the trailing Kolarik who feeds the puck between the two Niagara defenders to Kevin Porter. Porter then beats Pagliero five-hole for a great goal and a 2-0 Wolverine lead.

--8:34--

After a tough first period, the Wolverines are absolutely dominating to start this second period, outshooting Niagara 7-0 in the first 5 minutes. Niagara will try to take advantage of the possible momentum killer as a pane of glass comes loose just over 6 minutes into the period.

--8:30--

The Wolverines successfully kill off another penalty, as Niagara gets no shots on goal during that power play and have been out shot by Michigan 11-0 since the Purple Eagles took an early shot advantage in the first period.

--8:28--

With 18:41 left in the second, the Wolverines now are back on the PK following a hooking penalty by Matt Rust.

--8:26--

GOAL MICHIGAN! Power play is finally taken advantage of by the Wolverines, as Max Pacioretty gets the power play goal, his 15^th of the season, to put Michigan ahead 1-0. Assists to Chad Kolarik and Aaron Palushaj, with the primary assist coming on a spectacular pass by Mr. Kolarik.

- 8:24--

The puck is dropped and the second period is under way here in Albany and Michigan resumes the power play left from the first period.

-- 8:09 --

The first period here in Albany has come to a close with Michigan and Niagara tied 0-0. Michigan has been slowed by some physical play by the Purple Eagles and numerous whistles by the referees. Michigan put 11 shots on goal, while Niagara has put only 4 on Billy Sauer. Both defenses are playing physical hockey and are trying to slow down the strong offenses from both teams. The Wolverines will be on the power play for 1:16 once play resumes in the second period.

--8:03 --

Not a minute after Niagara killed their first penalty, Michigan will go back onto the power play after Purple Eagles’ captain Matt Caruana was called for boarding.

--8:00 --

The Wolverines will go on the power play after Kevin Porter was tripped up by Niagara defenseman Scott Langdon, who was serenaded with the “See Ya” chant, at 14:09.

--7:58--

Michigan has just had two great scoring opportunities, including a Hagelin-Rust 2 on 1, but both have been turned away by two nice saves from Juliano Pagliero.

-- 7:46 --

Niagara will have the first power play opportunity as Chris Summers takes an elbowing to the head penalty at 7:46 on mid-ice. The penalty came in retaliation from a big hit from a Niagara player. Michigan’s 14^th ranked penalty kill will go to work for the first time against the potent Purple Eagles’ offense.

-- 7:34 --

The puck drops and the NCAA Men’s Hockey Tournament begins for the Maize and Blue.

--7:28 --

The Michigan Hockey Pep Band has just played the National Anthem and both teams are being introduced tonight, Michigan in their maize sweaters, Niagara in black. There are about 2 sections filled with Michigan faithful. One notable scratch for Michigan is Scooter Vaughn, who supposedly injured his shoulder in a pre-tournament practice and is replaced byEric Elmblad, whose only appearance was in the CCHA Tournament versus Nebraska-Omaha. Here are the starting lineups for each team:

Niagara-> LW – Vince Rocco
C – Matt Caruana
RW- Kyle Rodgers
D – Scott Langdon
D – Ryan Annesley
G – Juliano Pagliero

Michigan -> LW – Max Pacioretty
C – Kevin Porter
RW – Chad Kolarik
D – Mark Mitera
D – Chris Summers
G – Billy Sauer

--7:10--

Due to unforeseen complications with the NCAA blogging policy, we cannot bring you the first game live here at the East Hockey regional. We will be working throughout the game on getting credentials and will post highlights and the blog entry after the game is over.

Update: I have sent an email the NCAA.com Blog Central to try and get this up for tomorrow. Even if we can, there are still regulations on how often we can blog and have a NCAA link on our page. Apparently there was an issue with a guy blogging play-by-play from a baseball game a few years ago. I've never worked directly with the NCAA before, and let me tell you, it's frustrating.

--4:34--

Just under 3 hours from drop of the puck for the Wolverines and Purple Eagles from Times Union Center in Albany. We have arrived safe and sound and will be heading over to the arena soon. Depending on wireless strength from the arena, we should have a continuous blog throughout the game. Check back closer to game time.

NCAA Tournament - Icy Version

Taking a look at the most recent Pairwise rankings, I decided it was too long to wait for the next bracketology to tell me who Michigan is playing. So here is a decidedly rudimentary look at who Michigan could be playing and also who Michigan fans should be rooting for.

In Denver:
Colorado College

1. North Dakota
2. Notre Dame
3. Air Force

In Madison:

1. Michigan
2. St. Cloud State
3. Michigan State
4. Minnesota State

In Albany:

1. Miami
2. Denver
3. Clarkson
4. Niagara

In Worcester:

1. New Hampshire
2. Boston College
3. Minnesota
4. Harvard

The only change I made was to move Minnesota State out of Denver to avoid the intra-conference matchup with CC. I swapped them with Air Force because having Air Force that close to the Academy is too good for the committee to pass up, and with Niagara in Albany and Harvard in Worcester, this is the committee's attendance dream. A possible change would be keeping Air Force in Madison, sending Minnesota State to Worcester and Harvard to Denver just because of the already strong drawing power of BC and UNH in Worcester. Imagine a weekend of hockey where the first round has matchups such as BC v. Minnesota and North Dakota v. Notre Dame. We could very well be there soon.

Teams to root for this upcoming weekend:

1. First and foremost, you better be rooting for the Wolverines as they go for their first CCHA Tourney title in 3 years.
2. As much as this hurts to say, root for BC and Notre Dame on Friday as they will be playing the two teams closest to Michigan in the Pairwise rankings (UNH and Miami respectively).
   
3. Also root for Denver and the winner of the Minnesota/St. Cloud State games, as they will be playing North Dakota and Colorado College respectively, the two teams closest to Michigan in the RPI.
4. Finally, root for St. Cloud State on Thursday, as any self-respecting Michigan fan would love to see Minnesota miss the tourney and this would seriously hurt their chances (though in my opinion, they are still probably in with a loss).

A full preview on the CCHA Tournament and the culmination of the 2008 chase for the Mason Cup will be posted later this week.