Re: Michigan Wolverines 2011-2012 hockey thread
Who is Matthew Miller?
Where did HE come from?
Can anyone confirm he made it out of the parking lot alive?
That was his first time doing a Michigan game this season. It was Hall's second. He's been on the CCHA roster all season. The only other officials Michigan hasn't seen this season is Tocco (MSU grad) and Kronforst. Both did one of the exhibition games. Miller is the 15th different official Michigan has seen this season.
As far as the game, NMU played a really solid road game- physical, smothering- but couldn't generate a whole lot of offense, even with six PP chances.
I think it wore down the Wolverines after the first period, which is why they looked sluggish in the second (killed three penalties, too) and half of the third period.
Michigan capitalized on the gift first goal and made the best of their PP chances. Merrill was outstanding last night- saved several good chances, made the play to DeBlois on the breakaway and set up Moffie on the one timer. He also was the one who drew the slash knocking the stick out of his hands (basically turned to the official and put his hands up to say "THAT is a penalty, right?") against Gron to set up the 4th goal.
Moffie was strong (+2) 1G 1A and Hunwick was solid.
Not the most consistent performance, but a win is a win. Besides, Red alluded to the fact that NMU is bigger, older and stronger than our team (well, except for guys like Brown, Pateryn and maybe Guptill) so it was important for the team to use good positioning (like Merrill does) to win battles. I thought Bennett struggled last night, but for the most part, the team held their own physically- but it took a toll. It sounds like Clare got hurt late in the game, so Chiasson will be in tonight.