WMU men’s hockey unable to finish, fall at University of Michigan 6-1

By Kristen Vermetten
Western Herald

Spirits were high, voices were roaring and eyes were blinded by the Maize and Blue as the University of Michigan hockey team welcomed the Western Michigan University Broncos to the historic Yost Arena Saturday night.

The entire game seemed as though it was a Wolverine power play. The team is known for coming out strong at home and they were able to keep that pace for all three periods. An echoing marching band mocked the Broncos and they continued to lack control of the puck, communication on the ice and shots on goal, which all combined to the disappointing loss 6-1.

“It is frustrating – we’re getting chances and working hard to get the puck to the net and our players are doing the right things – essentially, it is just not going in for us,” senior defenseman Tyler Ludwig said. “We’ve got to find a way to make that extra move, work a little down low, get those rebounds and make a goal.”

The Wolverines were able to sink two immediate goals and upkeep some exceptional transitions in the first period and the pace of the game was in their hands. The skates moved fast and the hits were hard but it wasn’t until sophomore forward Derek Roehl and Ludwig assisted junior right wing Travis Paeth at 6:30 that WMU really got into the game. At that moment, the physicality and intensity of the game grew immensely.

A dramatic second period tired the Brown and Gold while infuriating the Maize and Blue. After a UofM penalty call for game misconduct, the Broncos had a five minute power play to make some shots and pump up the score board. Missed opportunities and poor execution kept the puck out of the Wolverines hands and in our zone.

“Their ability in the offensive zone – they made some real solid plays with their foot speed and with their skill,” Bronco head coach Jim Culhane said about UofM’s success. “We missed some assignments down low in the defensive zone – when we do that you have to rely heavily on your goaltender. I think Riley [Gill] played his tail off for us.”

Gill pulled so many tricks out of his hat even the referees couldn’t keep up. Riley continues to set the stage for WMU to win but the offensive end is not rising to the challenge.

Although the score suggests it, the third period was no cake walk for UofM as they had some puck luck that won them the game.

The Brown and Gold return to play on Jan. 22 as they travel to Bowling Green to face the Falcons at 7:05 p.m.

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Posted by heraldstaff on Jan 9 2010. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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