Chris Brown
The Michigan Wolverines split the weekend against Ohio State with a 5-3 loss back on Friday and then a 2-1 win back on Saturday. Brown looked very good in both games as a goal and an assist on Friday night as the Wolverines were able to keep up to keep up with the rival Ohio State Buckeyes as the 2nd period ended 2-2 with Chris Brown scoring to tie the game on a 4 on 4 goal with 5 minutes left in the 2nd period.
Then later in the 3rd, he assisted on Michigan's lone goal of the 3rd period on a 2 man advantage with 3 minutes left in the game to close the gap to 4-3. Unfortunately, the Buckeyes scored an Empty Netter goal in the final minute gave Ohio State a 5-3 win.
The next night, Brown assisted on both goals as the Wolverines scored both goals on the PP as Michigan beat Ohio State 2-1 as Michigan scored midway through the 1st period, then to make it 2-0 with a goal by Matt Rust in the opening minute of the 3rd period.
Overall, on a team that has been struggling all year long, Brown will need to play big time for Michigan as a majority of the attention as opponents will focus on him.
He also was named CCHA Offensive player of the week as he a goal and 3 assists over the weekend. Honors like this should get the attention of USA Hockey as the USA Hockey will look for standout players and performances as we get closer to December 26 and the pre Tournament Training Camp that will be in North Dakota from December 17-19.
On a team that going to be on the bottom end of the CCHA, Chris Brown is going to have to take his game even higher to have a shot at making the World Junior Team.
Friday
Boxscore: www.uscho.com/box/?date=20091204&vis=um&home=osu&gender=m
Game Recap: www.uscho.com/recaps/20092010/m/12/04/um-osu.php
Saturday
Boxscore: www.uscho.com/box/?date=20091205&vis=um&home=osu&gender=m
Game Recap: www.uscho.com/recaps/20092010/m/12/05/um-osu.php
Player of the Week: www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/120709aaa.html
Matt Donovan
The Pioneers of Denver has a win and a tie against in state rivals Colorado College as they won a defensive battle 2-1 back on Friday night as Denver were able to keep their lead in the WCHA over the weekend. Even though Donovan was kept scoreless he played a physical role in the 3rd period, to help protect Denver's lead in the 3rd period after Colorado College forward Nate Prosser scored to make it 2-1 early in the 3rd period. Most notability was the 6 on 4 in the final minute and a half to help protect the lead and the 2-1 win.
Then on Saturday, Matt Donovan had an assist on the first Rhett Rakhshani goal was scored the PP at the 12:52 mark of the 3rd period to help put up put Denver up 3-2 just after the midway point of the game. Being a defensemen, he's going to have to play very physical and will need to find a way to increase his scoring ability as he to compete with players like John Moore of the Kitchener Rangers, Cam Fowler of the Windsor Spitfires and Justin Faulk of the USNTDP.
With the lack of scoring threat from Donovan, he's going to need to have a strong physical presence and move the puck well to the forwards. Also, he's going to need to have the ability to block shots and steel some passes and maybe improve their play on the Special Teams as he point totals will be low, so improving his play in these areas is going to help him out with his chances.
Friday
Boxscore: www.uscho.com/box/?date=20091204&vis=du&home=cc&gender=m
Recap: www.uscho.com/recaps/20092010/m/12/04/du-cc.php
Saturday
Boxscore: www.uscho.com/box/?date=20091205&vis=cc&home=du&gender=m
