Week 13 Preview
Weekend Recap
The Golden Grizzlies took on an MCHC – East opponent over this past weekend in a traditional two-game series against #9 Saginaw Valley State University. The MCHC opponent is in their last season in the MCHC before they move to the ACHA D1 level and have been in the top 10 in the national rankings for most of the season. Coming into the weekend, coach Stirling and his staff were 6-4-0 against the Cardinals and currently are sitting at 11th in the national ranking period.
In the first of the two-game series, the Golden Grizzlies were at home against SVSU. The game that took place at Buffalo Wild Wings Arena saw the teams trade goals in the first and second periods which saw the game tied at 3-3 after the second period. Goals from senior forwards Evan Chippa (x2) and Brody Plant had the Grizzlies in a great position to win the contest. The game would continue into overtime which saw both teams creating chances but to no success. The game would end tied 3-3 and go down as Oakland’s second tied game this season (MSU). In net for the Golden Grizzlies was junior goalie Tate Potteiger who made 42 of 45 stops in the contest. For the Cardinals, Brendan Cobb was in net and made 32 saves in the game. Oakland was outshot 45-35 in the contest.
The next night was the second and final game of the series with SVSU. In one of the most highly attended games of the season at Saginaw Bay Ice Arena, the Grizzlies struggled in the first period and went down 2-0 after the first. As the Grizzlies continued to battle back in the contest, the Golden Grizzlies would find themselves down 3-2 late in the third period. After a Cardinal major penalty, assistant captain Jack Abbo would find the back of the net on a redirection from Brendan Danou to tie the game late in the 3rd period. As with the night before, the game would be forced to overtime. Halfway through the overtime session, Jake McCatty would find senior forward Evan Chippa on a break and that would prove to be the game-winner for the Golden Grizzlies. This would be the seventh time the Golden Grizzlies have entered overtime this season. Scoring in the contest was Jake McCatty, Alex Sharpe, Jack Abbo, and Evan Chippa. Freshman goalie Evan Hays improved to 3-0-1 in the contest by making 38 saves. The Grizzlies had 34 shots in the game.
After 12 weeks of play (record of 15-5-2-2), the team highlights are below:
Leading in Goals: Brendan Danou (16)
Leading in Assists: Jack Abbo (23)
Leading in Points: Jack Abbo (32)
Team Powerplay: 26 of 105 (24.76%)
Team Penalty Kill %: 81 of 99 (81.82%)
Leader in Wins: Tate Potteiger (7)
Leader in GAA (at least 180 minutes played): Evan Hays (1.70)
Leader in Save % (at least 180 minutes played): Evan Hays (94.02%)
Week 13 Preview (#31 Central Michigan University)
The regular season continues this weekend as the Golden Grizzlies (15-5-2-2) welcome a home-and-home series with #31 Central Michigan University (6-11-1-0). The Chippewas will be returning from the winter break in their first action this semester. The Chippewas are currently 3-2-1-2 in MCHC – East play and sit tied for third in the MCHC – East standings. Oakland hosts the Chippewas on Friday night at Buffalo Wild Wings Arena with a return trip to Martin Ice Arena on Saturday afternoon. Oakland had three games against CMU last season as they also met in the MCHC – East playoffs with scores of 6-3 (W), 3-1 (L) and 4-3 (W). CMU is 4-11-1 against like opponents this season.
CMU is led by forwards Isaac Gibbs and Owen Campbell this season. The returners lead the Chippewas with 16 points and 11 points respectively. The group continues with another nine players over five points this season. In goal for Central, the tandem of Sam Zavelson (10 GP, 3-5-0-1, 3.83 GAA and 88% Save %) and Caleb Woolery (8 GP, 3-3-1-0, 4.35 GAA and 86.5% Save %) have combined for appearances in all 18 games this season. Head coach Matt Stirling and his staff are 5-5-0 in their tenure against the Chippewas.
The game times for this coming weekend are as follows. Friday night’s game is at Buffalo Wild Wings Arena and is an 8:30 PM puck drop. Oakland will return the trip to Martin Ice Arena for Saturday’s afternoon contest which is a 4:30 PM puck drop.
Other News and Notes
Program Notes:
With the 15th win last weekend, the Golden Grizzlies passed last season’s regular season win total.
Freshman Forward Jules Sainte-Marie and returning forward Michael Sana played in their 1st regular season games for the Golden Grizzlies this past weekend.
Rankings:
The fourth-ranking period of the season was announced on 12/15 via social media and the ACHA website. The Golden Grizzlies are currently ranked 11th in the national ranking system. The fifth ranking will be 1/19. This will include any games played by other teams over the break and the games against SVSU.
The rankings will continue throughout the season on a bi-weekly basis until the final ranking period in the middle of February (games through 2/18). The top 16 teams with some automatic bids for league winners (must be in the top 25 nationally) will make the tournament which is hosted in St. Louis this season. There are currently two Auto bids outside of the top 16 (with a third at 27th), as of this writing, that will potentially replace the 14th, 15th, and 16th seed.
Transactions:
Through the end of January, the program is allowed to add players who are currently enrolled at Oakland University. With that, the following players will be added to the roster for the second semester starting this week:
#40 Dylan McMullen (Oakland University)
Out-of-Town Schedule for Week 13 Relevant Games
Miami Ohio Showcase: University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown/Miami (OH) University/Purdue/IUP/Kent State
Northwestern Showcase: New Mexico/Indiana/Northwestern/MSOE (D2)
#5 University of Missouri vs #12 University of Arkansas
#8 Calvin vs #1 Grand Valley State
#36 Nebraska vs #4 Hope College/#1 Grand Valley State (Sunday Only)
#9 Saginaw Valley State vs #10 University of Michigan
#15 Notre Dame vs #2 Florida Gulf Coast
#47 U of M – Flint vs #58 Adrian
#27 Saint Vincent College vs #51 Akron
#74 United States Coast Guard vs #7 Air Force
#3 Lawrence Tech vs #48 Trine University
#6 Michigan State vs #65 Western Michigan
MCHC – East Standings (As of 1/14/2024, 14 Games)
1) LTU – 10-0-1-1 (21 Points)
2) Oakland – 5-2-1-0 (11 Points)
3) SVSU – 4-0-1-1 (10 Points)
4) CMU – 3-2-1-2 (9 Points)
5) Adrian – 3-7-0-0 (6 Points)
6) Michigan – 2-3-0-0 (4 Points)
7) Northwood – 2-5-0-0 (4 Points)
8) U of M – Flint – 1-6-1-0 (3 Points)
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