Canton Alum Gears Up for CCHA Championships vs. Michigan

Canton's Ted Pletsch never doubted his Bowling Green State University team's ability to surprise some people.

For outsiders, the Falcons' chances in the high-profile CCHA tournament, populated by such collegiate hockey powerhouses as Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State, might have seemed slim.

The team had stumbled to a 10-21-5 record in the regular season and began the tournament as the 11th seed — out of 11 teams. After a series of upsets, however, the team plays Michigan on Friday at Detroit's Joe Louis Arena in the CCHA Championship semifinals.

Pletsch, a 2008 graduate who is in his first year with the team, said he saw what his struggling team was capable of accomplishing after what he says was a much-needed winter break at the end of 2011.

The team went into the break with a winless December and a sputtering offense.

"We really used that break and came back and started playing better hockey," Pletsch said.

Soon after returning from break, the Falcons picked up consecutive shootout wins against No. 2 Ohio State in early January and a 4-3 win at home over Michigan on Feb. 24.

"It's definitely been an experience," he said. "The first half of the season wasn't going to well for us."

In the first round of the CCHA Tournament, the Falcons dropped their first game in the best-of-three series to Northern Michigan before taking the final two.

In the quarterfinal round, the Falcons split the first two games with Ferris State before rallying from three goals down in Game 3 for a thrilling 4-3 overtime win to advance to Friday's semifinal.

"We believed that we could make it happen," Pletsch said. "It keeps helping us to push forward and know that we can (win)."

Adjustments came on, off the ice

Friday's game marks the final stretch of a transition year for Pletsch, who came to the collegiate game after three years in the junior system with the Pembroke Lumber Kings of the CJHL/CCHL.

"This year overall, for me, has been a pretty great experience just getting used to the league and being in school again," he said.

The adjustments, he said, came both on and off the ice.

"I'm getting into the swing of things with homework and stuff," he said.

On the ice, he said, the game is faster and more physical than he had encountered in juniors.

Pletsch, a 6-3, 200-pound forward, said over the summer last year he worked on his quickness in getting from Point A to Point B.

Pletsch had a familiar face in the collegiate game, however. His father, Fred, is CCHA commissioner.

Pletsch looks ahead to Michigan

Pletsch said he and his team are approaching Friday's marquee matchup much like they would any other game — but knowing more is at stake than before.

"If means more if we win now," he said.

Scouting the Wolverines, Pletsch said Michigan is a good transition team, generating plenty of opportunities on the rush and that they will try to force a lot of turnovers.

Pletsch said the Falcons will have to create opportunities of their own.

"We worked really hard and going into this weekend here, I think we can make things happen."

CCHA Championships information

Bowling Green will face off against Michigan at 8:05 p.m. Friday at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. The game will air on Fox Sports Detroit Plus.

The other semifinal matchup, between Miami and Western Michigan, starts at 4:35 p.m. Friday and also will air on Fox Sports Detroit Plus.

The CCHA Championship, with the winners of both semifinal games, starts 7:35 p.m. Saturday at Joe Louis Arena. It will air on Fox Sports Detroit.

Ted Pletsch wears number 21 for Bowling Green State University.