Who: #4 Ferris State Bulldogs @ #3 Michigan Wolverines
When: Wednesday, December 11, 7:05 EST
TV: Fox Sports Detroit Plus, Fox College Sports for the out-of-towners
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>It's Game Day. #3 Michigan vs. #4 Ferris State tonight at <a href="https://twitter.com/YostIceArena">@YostIceArena</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23GoBlue&src=hash">#GoBlue</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23UMichHockey&src=hash">#UMichHockey</a> <a href="http://t.co/M2lFRBdWkC">pic.twitter.com/M2lFRBdWkC</a></p>— Michigan Hockey (@umichhockey) <a href="https://twitter.com/umichhockey/statuses/410787774116012033">December 11, 2013</a></blockquote>
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It's a showdown. Ferris State! Michigan! Wednesday night! YOST ICE ARENA! CAGE MATCH
Barring any NCAA tourney appearances, this will be the only time the teams meet this season. FSU comes in hot, having coasted through their OSU Football Schedule early season slate relatively unscathed. They've been blasting cupcakes since mid-October and haven't lost since 10/18 at home to St. Lawrence. That schedule though...a murderers row it is not. 2 games at ALA-Huntsville, 2 at home Bemidji State, 2 at home Bowling Green, 2 at home Alaska, 2 on the road at Northern Michigan, 2 at Lake State. You have to give them credit for handling the teams on their schedule. They're 13 games unbeaten with some healthy road trips in there.
That being said, Yost should be a more difficult venue for them. This will Michigan's final mid-week game of the year. It'll be interesting to see how the building is full given the fact that it is finals. The Student Section should be filled, but some end of term malaise is to be expected. Even the hockey team will suffer as Michigan could be without one unnamed player who has to miss the game due to Finals.
From the Daily
FINALS FATIGUE: When Michigan takes on No. 4 Ferris State on Wednesday in the thick of finals week, it will be missing one Wolverine due to a scheduled economics exam. Though Berenson would not specify which player would be absent from the lineup, he expressed frustration with the time conflict.
“I understand that they have to take the exams,” Berenson said. “But that doesn’t help the team. There’s no question that they’re really focused on schoolwork. We’re playing at home, and that’s why we don’t play the next week.”
The Wolverines will play their final game of the semester during the midst of finals week, and are feeling the pressure in the classroom as much as on the ice. Though classes officially end Wednesday and the earliest finals are scheduled for Friday, most papers will be due before game time.
“For me personally, it’s tough,” Bennett said. “I have a 10-page paper due and an exam. There a bunch of guys who have papers due and exams this week, so it’s hard.”
Dangermen for FSU
- Garrett Thompson (Sr., LW) leads the team in goals and points with a 9-11= 20 line in their 17 games played. He has only had 1 minus game (home against Alaska) and is a shot taker, high volume kind of guy. He may not have a career in broadcasting, ya know...
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- Justin Buzzeo (Jr., F) second on the team with 7-11=18 line. He's another top line guy with some touch. Also, he has his priorities in order
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Home Alone is on ...so much for studying !!</p>— Justin Buzzeo (@jbuzzeo21) <a href="https://twitter.com/jbuzzeo21/statuses/409880681695551489">December 9, 2013</a></blockquote>
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- If you don't know by now, the bulldogs main netminder is C.J. Motte. If that name sounds familiar it's because he is the older brother of Tyler Motte, Michigan Freshman Forward. He's been stellar this year, backstopping Ferris to a 13-0-2 record with a 2.23 GAA. He's also good with the puck.
Other notes
- Expect Michigan to come out firing as they are looking to get some positive momentum after dumping another late lead against the USNTDP last week. Probably not as sharp, but with jump.
- Bring your bear.
Teddy Bear Toss -- All fans are encouraged to take part in our annual Teddy Bear Toss. During the first intermission, all fans will have a chance to toss their bears onto the ice. We ask that all bears be wrapped in a plastic bag. All of the bears will be donated to local charities after the game.
Here's video from last year. This is one of my favorite traditions.
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