RPI OUTLASTS MICHIGAN 4-3 IN GLI SEMI
THUD. That’s the sound the Michigan hockey team loudly made in the opening round of the GLI Tuesday night. Riding the wave of exceptional goaltending and timely scoring, the Engineers beat Michigan 4-3 and will move on to face MSU in the Final.
Michigan dominated the shot total 46-14, but fell behind early in the first period on the first of two Chase Polancek power play markers. Polancek, stationed to Michigan netminder Bryan Hogan’s right, redirected a shot from the slot to give RPI a 1-0 lead. Michigan pressed the Engineers and out shot them 15-3 in the period, but could not solve RPI goalie Allan York.
Polancek, RPI’s leading points man, struck again with :06 left in the first period, firing a right point shot that found its way through traffic past Hogan. Not only was that goal deflating, but several Wolverines questioned whether it should have counted considering RPI had a man in the crease. The play was reviewed, but was upheld, and the teams skated to the dressing rooms.
Michigan came out strong in the second period, often pinning the resilient Engineers in their end for whole shifts. David Wohlberg finally capitalized on a turnover and was fed a perfect centering pass in the slot. He skated to York’s left and lifted a backhander past his blocker to put Michigan on the board. The back breaker came minutes later as RPI counter attacked after a Michigan neutral zone turnover. Paul Kerins lofted what appeared to be an innocent shot from the top of the right circle that caromed off of the tip of Hogan’s glove and into the net to extend the RPI lead to 3-1. Michigan held a 24-5 shot advantage up to that moment.
Coach Berenson had seen enough, and sent back up netminder Shawn Hunwick, who hadn’t seen a second of regular season time all year, out to start the third period. The period started much like the second, with Michigan forcing the play. RPI took a series of penalties, including two in the same play sequence, to give Michigan a full two minute 5x3 advantage. Carl Hagelin made good on a rebound with about a minute left in the advantage to give Michigan the momentum. RPI finished killing the rest of the second penalty, but soon after Michigan tied the score on Kevin Lynch’s first career goal with a little less than ten minutes left.
The game opened up after that, with both teams gaining opportunities. RPI regained the lead with a little less than seven and a half minutes left, when Marty O’Grady fired a perfect shot shortside, and from an impossible angle, over Hunwick’s left shoulder to give RPI a lead they would not relinquish.
Michigan continued to force the play, and RPI took two penalties late in the game, setting up opportunities for the Wolverines. Hunwick was pulled with a little over 1:20 left to give Michigan a 6x4 advantage, but could not dent York.
Michigan falls to 9-10 on the season and will face Michigan Tech in the consolation game. Tech was embarrassed by MSU 10-1.
YOST Bits
David Wohlberg’s second period goal snapped a Michigan goal less string of over 94 minutes going back to the Notre Dame series.
Bryan Hogan was yanked after yielding 3 goals on 10 RPI shots. It was not the Junior’s finest effort as he appeared shaky from the start.
The Michigan PK unit yielded two goals, an uncharacteristic performance for the then #2 PK unit in the country. The first goal was a coverage mistake. The second was a shot Hogan had deflect in front of him, but still was not in good position to stop.
RPI continues its mastery over Michigan, now posting a 7-3-1 record versus the Wolverines.
Yostmeister three star selections:
1. RPI-Allen York- 43 saves on 46 shots, and clearly outplayed his counterparts at the other end of the
ice.
2. RPI- Chase Polancek- 2G on the night and several good defensive plays to pace the Engineers
3. Michigan- Carl Hagelin- 1G and 1A on the night for the best player on the ice for Michigan
Revised Prognostications:
Michigan 4 Michigan Tech 2 in the consolation game.
MSU 3 RPI 1 in the Championship game.
Written by Yostmeister
Go Blue -- Wear Maize!
5 comments:
Thud is right ... this team is sinking fast and I do not see them pulling anything out now.
Well I guess the earlier post I read here proclaiming RPI as the "weakest GLI team in recent memory" has been debunked. By the way, its P-O-L-A-C-E-K (no N).
John,
Nothing like waiting till after the game to bring this up. Why not bring it up before they played "IF" you really believe what your saying and stand behind it.
That is what we do. We actually say stuff and go out on a limb with predictions and with our previews.
E
Well John, (if that is your real name, or a troll name) considering that RPI hasn't made the NCAA tourney in some time, hasn't won a NCAA title since 1985, has basically been a mediocre team in a weak conference for years, I would agree that it is the weakest invitee to the GLI since Providence a couple years ago. Considering that BC, BU, North Dakota and CC have all won this tourney in the recent past...I'd say that RPI caught Michigan at the worst time in their program in twenty years, and they still dominated you.
I would also put away your smugness because you're in line to play a better team that doesn't have a sieve in net, doesn't have mental breakdowns, and capitalizes on its PP chances. They hang 46 shots on net and York will have be superman again.
Good luck with MSU, you'll need it, with or without D'Amigo or Po-la-cek.
John,
Thanks for the spell check. Sometimes it happens here. Sorry.
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