Michigan presents a difficult challenge for Bowling Green in the quarterfinals of the Central Collegiate
Hockey Association playoffs.
The Wolverines – ranked fifth nationally after winning the league’s CCHA regular-season title – are
23-9-4 entering their best-of-3 series against the Falcons (10-25-4).
The series starts tonight and continues Saturday and, if needed, Sunday.
"They do everything well," BG coach Chris Bergeron said. "It’s a very difficult team to
play against. They’re very deserving of all of their accolades. They’re underrated for their competition
level. This team competes extremely hard. For a team as talented as they are, they compete extremely
hard."
The Wolverines are third in the league in goals scored (3.39 per game), power-play conversions (17.4
percent, 26-of-149), tied for third in goals allowed (2.31 per game) and fifth in penalty-killing (82.3
percent, 130-of-158).
FRESHMEN: Eight freshmen – seven forwards and one defenseman – continue to play play well in key roles
for BG.
Forwards Bryce Williamson, Mike Fink, Brett Mohler. Chad Sumsion, Ryan Viselli, Camden Wojtala and
Wallace combined for five goals and six assists at NMU; and Jake Sloat played regularly on defense and
had two assists. They also skate on the special teams.
"If they don’t make strides, we don’t win games," Bergeron said. "Obviously, they’re not
young guys any more. They’ve played a ton and have been in the lineup just about every night. They’re
really developed and still have room to grow."
POISE: One of the major keys to the series is BG’s ability to continue to make safe and smart plays with
the puck, just as it did during last weekend’s upset of sixth-seeded Northern Michigan.
The Wolverines have terrific speed and skill, making every turnover – regardless of where it occurs – a
potential quality scoring chance.
"We have to take care of the puck," Bergeron said. "Michigan is a team that will expose
you badly if your attention to detail isn’t very good and your process isn’t very good."
PENALTIES: BG also needs to stay out of the penalty box. Although it had just 15 penalties in three games
at NMU, Bergeron said a number of the penalties were unnecessary.
MIAMI TIES: Three of the eight head coaches remaining in the CCHA playoffs are former Miami assistants –
Bergeron, Enrico Blasi of Miami and Jeff Blashill of Western Michigan.
LEADERS: Senior forward Carl Hagelin is Michigan’s leading scorer with 45 points. He has 17 goals and 28
assists in 36 games.
Freshman defenseman Jon Merrill was a second-team All-CCHA pick, while senior Shawn Hunwick is the team’s
No. 1 goalie. He has a 2.31 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage in 27 games.
