They had to make up for a true freshman quarterback’s slow start somehow!
Another week, another number one. Who’s next on the deli line this week?
Written by James Blennau
Halloween sure was scary for a few ranked teams this year. Michigan fans, you probably don’t want to talk about it. Good thing I will! Conference play is nearly fully underway as we begin discovering who the biggest surprise teams could be, who our early best players are and what on Earth is going on at Penn State. It’s a good thing they call it Hockey Valley too, because there are few reasons to be happy at this point in the season.
As I say every week, you didn’t come just for my media references and witty remarks scattered about. Let’s talk hockey, because not enough people are.
Jake Karabela celebrates the game’s first goal on the power play. | Ohio State Athletics
Wolverines’ undefeated season extinct
Rivalry games have not disappointed so far this year. No. 1 Michigan’s trip to Columbus did not go as planned, losing to Ohio State 5-2 on Saturday night. A 5-2 performance saw the Buckeyes never give up the lead after Jake Karabela’s second period power-play opening goal, and saw Boston University star transfer Sascha Boumedienne pot his first goal this season.
Wolverines’ goaltender Jack Ivankovic’s 27 saves proved to be too few to support his team’s sputtering offense, scoring only twice on their 28 attempts against freshman netminder Jakub Milota. There must be something with Buckeyes’ goaltenders named Jakub considering Dobeš’ performances in the state capital just a few years ago.
Saturday’s game also marks the first time this season the Wolverines failed to score three or more goals, resulting in their only blemish on an otherwise perfect record. The Buckeyes would go on to steal another point for the Big Ten standings with an overtime loss on Sunday, shaking things up for one of the nation’s top teams.
Michigan, who moved to No. 2 in this week’s USCHO poll, next takes on a struggling Penn State team at home. If it gets swept, and ONLY if it gets swept, do I, as a totally unbiased neutral source, give permission for Michigan fans to panic.
Anthony Romani celebrates the game’s first strike in the second period. | Michael Caples/MSU Athletics
Even the wins are bigger in texas
No. 4 Michigan State continues to roll in its hot season, earning a fifth win in six games over No. 8 North Dakota in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game. The game marked the first-ever NCAA Hockey contest to take place in Texas, as the two teams dropped the puck at the H-E-B Center in Cedar Park, home of the Dallas Stars’ AHL affiliate, the Texas Stars.
NHL prospect and burgeoning star freshman goaltender Joshua Ravensburgen saved 33 of 35 from the Fighting Hawks’ onslaught, proving to take to Trey Augustine’s former spot rather well early on. I won’t make any comparisons between the two, but it definitely helps the returning skating corps to transition especially well with solid performance between the pipes.
On top of that, while the Spartans couldn’t seem to stay out of the box, the penalty kill went 5-7 on the night against a power play featuring the likes of Keaton Verhoeff, Will Zellers and Cole Reschny.
For the now No. 10 Hawks, no, it’s not time to panic. While losing three straight to Big Ten opposition after winning five straight to open the season may be cause for concern for some, the team returns to the Ralph this weekend to open NCHC play against No. 5 Western Michigan, who, like themselves, lost twice to ranked Big Ten opposition.
Viking skaters celebrate one of a season-high 12 goals. | Nicholas Buns/Relative Focus Photography
Vikings siege wildcats on home ice
Is there some sort of secret contest for who can score the most goals in a game this season? If there is, No. 8 Augustana, moving up three spots in this week’s poll, is the new leader. The Vikings scored 12 times, twice more than the current most by a few teams this season, against Northern Michigan on Friday night. Yeesh.
Not only did every goal come against an active goaltender, but 11 of 12 were scored even strength! Somehow, nobody scored a hat trick, but Nance Langus, Brett Meerham, and Heath Nelson all scored twice, with Meerham also collecting three assists. 15 of 20 skaters earned at least a point.
The cherry on top this time was the shutout. Mathis Langevin saved all 19 shots he faced as the Vikings, to word it bluntly, humiliated the Wildcats in all facets of the game. This win, alongside Saturday’s 4-1 victory, would extend Augustana’s total winstreak, regulation and overtime to six games. They’ll look to continue that streak this weekend at No. 13 Michigan Tech in a series that will start defining the CCHA’s best.
Ty Hanson celebrates the game’s only goal between Minnesota Duluth and Colorado College. | Colorado College Athletics
Hanson hobey campaign off and running
Yes, I know it’s only November. Yes, I know he’s played a few more games than some of the other leading scorers. Come on, though. Those numbers as a defenseman? I was always a fan of Erik Pohlkamp and Zeev Buium, so this stellar offensive d-man deserves his flowers, too.
The Bulldogs’ captain has 8 goals and 6 assists through 1o games, with 4 and 5 coming against currently ranked opposition. 3 power-play goals, one shorthanded, two game-winners. AS. A. DEFENSEMAN.
On the back-end, not only does Hanson kill penalties, he also blocks nearly a shot per game for fourth on the team, and carries a +9 rating. He’s taken 0 penalty minutes so far despite playing top-pair minutes for Scott Sandelin’s d-corps.
Hanson’s season-highs include scoring twice against No. 2o Minnesota and Bemidji State, notching two assists in the season opener against LIU for three total points, blocking three shots against a rising Augustana team, and his two power-play strikes in the aforementioned Minnesota contest.
He can score from anywhere in the offensive zone, and his speed can keep the No. 6 Bulldogs in the play against anyone. Time will tell if his form continues, but continuing to watch his season will be exciting for sure, as the campaign continues this weekend at home against Miami.
BU celebrates Caleb Malhotra’s overtime winner over No. 19 Maine on Halloween. | Katie Peverada/BU Athletics
Terriers look to continue streak against spartans
No. 13 Boston University has now won three ranked games in a row, and secured at least a point in the Hockey East standings in all four contests. Last weekend’s sweep at home over Maine with a 7-2 and 3-2 overtime win respectively could be just what the doctor ordered for a resurgent Terriers team.
With the nation’s 14th-ranked scoring offense continuing to heat up, this weekend’s series at No. 3 Michigan State will be one of the top watches this weekend. While Joshua Ravensburgen comes off a stellar performance against North Dakota’s deep offensive attack, the Spartans’ defense with an apparent lack of Matt Basgall will have their hands full facing Ryder Ritchie and Caleb Malhotra.
On the other side, Jay Pandolfo’s team will also look to hold on to possession as long as they can with the Spartans’ 10th ranked scoring offense nationally firing with speed. Anthony Romani, Ryker Lee and this year’s NHL 7th overall draftee, Chase Reid can make magic with the puck on their sticks.
The streak may stay alive in its young age, but like a Victorian child versus a Taco Bell burrito, this battle can go either way, and will result in important consequences. That is, in the NPI and the polls, not irreversible bowel damage.
Fast food debates aside, we’re beginning to see the same trends that are hitting the NHL here in the NCAA. Speed continues to be one of if not the most important element to win games, offense and strong goaltending above a disciplined defense will bring immediate results and players are choosing where they want to go wherever. Well, you don’t need a no-trade clause to use the transfer portal.
Be sure to check out everything else we have going on here at The Dan K Show, especially as Dan and Lucas return to in-season junior hockey coverage. I know I’ll see you back here next week, so grab your popcorn if you haven’t already. This is fun!
