Hunwick to start; Hogie back-up
According to Detnews.com (http://detnews.com/article/20100317/SPORTS0201/3170376/1131/Starting-wa…)
Hunwick will start against Miami... Red's going with the "hot goalie" / "Guy who got us here" strategy:
"It's a pretty easy decision," Berenson said before practice Tuesday afternoon. "I have to play Hunwick. He got us there. (Bryan) Hogan's skated at practice. He'll take shots today. He'll be our backup if he's ready to go."
God bless Hunwick... hope he holds up. Minor note of hope: it seems that Reichard (Miami's goalie) got shelled in the loss on Sat to Ohio State and Rico Suave decided to bench him for the deciding Sunday game. I wasn't aware Miami had a two-goalie system, so is this a modest sign we might be able to shake Rico's confidence in his goaltender with a quick goal or two?
March 17th, 2010 at 11:05 AM ^
and it won't matter.
it sounds like Hogan isn't 100% anyway. stick with the hot hand works for me.
March 17th, 2010 at 11:24 AM ^
I wasn't aware that we had a two goalie system either.
March 17th, 2010 at 11:10 AM ^
Hunwick has played well and deserves the start, if Hogan is even slightly suspect still, you don't have any reason whatsoever to put him in. It is a bad break for Hogan but like the coach said, easy decision for him.
March 17th, 2010 at 11:12 AM ^
Hunwick has been competent (if inconsistent) and isn't coming off a groin injury.
March 17th, 2010 at 11:18 AM ^
Michigan is playing their best hockey of the year. Miami struggled with Ohio State and probably is not the same team that methodically dismantled us in November. Here is the thing though, if Hogan is ready, Red will not hesitate to put him in if Hunwick goes all Billy Sauer in Denver. Michigan needs to come out with the desperation they did in the past two weekends. Miami is a damn good team, but I have faith. I will be at the Joe Friday night and I am really, REALLY looking forward to this game.
March 17th, 2010 at 11:24 AM ^
I'm not questioning Red's decision-making by any means, and it appears that Hogan isn't ready to play. That does not make me any less nervous for this game however; I was in East Lansing for the game Saturday night and Hunwick let in 3 soft goals on about 8 shots in the first period. Granted, Tristan Llewellyn was in the box for all three of them, but I felt like I was going to have a coronary every time he left the crease.
Hopefully the team will be playing so well the goalie will not be the deciding factor.
Agreed. I hope Hunwick plays well but let's not assume we will not need good goalie play. UM is not going to dominate play like it did vs. FYS (MSU).
March 17th, 2010 at 11:39 AM ^
Hunwick looked REALLY shaky last game. Let in some softies and was way out of position while MSU was attacking. He doesn't play his angles very well, which is what sets apart great goaltenders.
March 17th, 2010 at 11:51 AM ^
Neither does Hogan... I'd rather go with the guy who is less known but playing well than the guy that is well known to not play all that well in high-pressure situations.
March 17th, 2010 at 11:51 AM ^
I agree that his positioning isn't very good, but I think it should be noted that Hunwick is typically fine, but inconsistent. Of course, this is also concerning...
On the other hand, I'll take the starter whose record is 5-1 is his first six games outside of garbage time that happened to also fall during crunch time for the team over the goalie recovering from a groin injury...
March 17th, 2010 at 12:56 PM ^
The groin injury is a kiss of death for a hockey player - then you mention this is on a goalie - and it escalates 10 fold. We'll be with the pint size netminder for the rest of the season. What I like most about the last three weeks is the goal support. With Louie starting to light the lamp, this team is starting to gel at the right time! Go BLUE!
I was going to start a thread like this for the purpose of asking the same question. I'm going to agree with Red, go with the player that got you here (not that Hogan didn't contribute all year). With Hunwick in goal, there seems to be a defensive concentration to make up for the lack of (his) talent. Red is definitely 'old school' and will go with the hot hand. I wonder what will happen if/when Hogan is healthy and UM has a game to play (this season). I might stay with Hunwick.
i've heard rumor that both of miami's goalies are drafted or are looking at getting picked up by an nhl team. what a nice problem they must have. play drafted goalie A or drafted goalie B? hm