Michigan freshman Chris Brown makes his mark with physical play, big-game scoring

Twice this season - including in Michigan's CCHA quarterfinal sweep of the Spartans last weekend - Brown has found himself in front of the net in the third period, poking at the puck until it’s in the back of the net.

In January, Brown's late goal extinguished a Michigan State comeback at Joe Louis Arena and led the Wolverines to a 5-4 victory that sparked a second-half push.

Brown's goal last weekend against the Spartans not only helped extend Michigan's season, but again proved how important the CCHA Rookie of the Year finalist is to the Wolverines.

"I don't know if he's playing any different in big games, but the kid's working hard," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "He's playing physical, he's playing strong … and when you're playing well, things happen."

In addition to Brown's sense for scoring, his pairing with senior Brian Lebler has brought out the most in his game. The linemates have combined for 25 goals on a Michigan third line that has produced 32 goals, keeping pace with lines driven by the Wolverines' two leading scorers, Carl Hagelin and Louie Caporusso.

But it may be Brown and Lebler's physical side that has made their line so productive. At 6-foot-2 and 194 pounds, Brown's hard-nosed play has freed up Lebler (6-3, 212 pounds) to contribute more offensively.

Even when he doesn't have the puck, Brown is making something happening, often using his size to mix it up with defenders and find room to make prime-time goals.

"Big goals in big games? I guess I've fallen a little bit into that trap this year," said Brown, who also leads Michigan with seven power-play goals. "But I wouldn't be there without my teammates, and you take a few whacks at the puck in the crease and it goes in."

Brown hopes to carry over his big-game, big-goal mentality over to Friday's CCHA semifinal game with No. 1-seed Miami (Ohio) at Joe Louis Arena.

Despite having lost to the RedHawks twice this season, Michigan's playoff momentum moves into a one-and-done scenario after back-to-back weekends of playing in best-of-three series against Lake Superior State and Michigan State.

So which is easier?

"There's almost a little comfort level you have when you're playing a series where if you mess up the first night, you have another chance the second night," Brown said. "But on the other hand, this makes it easier because it's do-or-die. You have one game to put it all on the line to get toward the NCAA tournament, to get toward the CCHA championship.

"This is what you play for all year, and we've got to make our own story."

With so much on the line, Brown's teammates expect to see the freshman's best.

Lebler compares Brown's flair for the dramatic to Sidney Crosby, whose overtime goal lifted Canada to an overtime win over the United States in the gold medal game in last month's Vancouver Olympics.

"(Brown) comes in ready to play every game," Lebler said. "But those guys have those kind of games and score those kind of goals."

Jeff Arnold covers Michigan hockey for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at jeffarnold@annarbor.com or 734-623-2554. Follow him at Twitter @jeffreyparnold.