Oct. 22, 2009
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Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Yost Ice Arena)
Score: #4 Michigan 3, Niagara 2
Records: U-M (2-1-0), Niagara (0-3-1)
Attendance: 6,295
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Oct. 24 -- at Boston University (Boston, Mass.), 7:05 p.m.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 4-ranked University of Michigan ice hockey team clung to its first-period lead for a 3-2 win in its 37th home opener on Thursday (Oct. 22) at Yost Ice Arena. The Wolverines tallied a 3-0 lead and held on for their second win of the campaign.
A strong special-teams performance in the first period resulted in an early two-goal lead. Center A.J. Treais (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) and left wing Carl Hagelin (Sodertalje, Sweden) scored power-play goals 1:41 apart. Right winger Robbie Czarnik (Washington, Mich.) scored Michigan's third straight goal in the opening frame at 11:38. Niagara responded with unanswered goals late in the first and second periods. U-M goaltender Bryan Hogan (Highland, Mich.) delivered the win with 32 saves, including 16 stops in the third period.
Michigan got off to a quick start, scoring its first goal 1:47 into the contest with the man advantage. Treais carried the puck through the neutral zone before dishing it to Czarnik from the blue line. Czarnik backhanded a pass from the left faceoff dot to Treais, who had rushed up the slot toward the crease and was able to beat Niagara netminder Adam Avramenko.
The Wolverines extended their lead to two goals 1:41 later on their second power play of the evening. With a chance to set up and cycle the puck, U-M ultimately found the back of the cage. Defenseman Greg Pateryn (Sterling Heights, Mich.) fired a shot from the high slot with the rebound going straight to center Matt Rust (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) stationed just inside the left hash marks of the right faceoff circle. Rust quickly passed to Hagelin, who had set up on the right goal line and easily popped the puck up into the net.
Czarnik scored the first even-strength tally of the game 11:38 into the opening frame. Defenseman Steve Kampfer (Jackson, Mich.) and left wing Brian Lebler (Penticton, B.C.) played give-and-go upon entering the Purple Eagles' zone. Kampfer then found an open Czarnik on the left side of the crease for the goal.
Niagara responded with just over four minutes remaining in the first stanza, making the score 3-1 thanks to a goal by forward Ryan Olidis.
The Wolverines were unable to capitalize on their four power plays in the second period, registering nine shots and numerous scoring opportunities, including a two-on-one, in the middle frame.
Hogan stuffed defenseman Tyler Gotto but lost his stick on a two-man breakaway with a little over one minute left in the second stanza. The Wolverines could not get the puck out of their zone and defenseman Chad Langlais (Spokane, Wash.) was forced to hand over his stick to Hogan. The Purple Eagles proved to be too much with left winger Paul Zanette scoring on the ensuing play.
Despite numerous breakaway opportunities, the Maize and Blue remained scoreless in the second and third periods. With 1:03 remaining in the contest, Niagara pulled its goalie to no avail as Hogan held rock solid.
The Wolverines will head to Boston to face off against Boston University on Saturday (Oct. 24) in Boston, Mass. The game is slated to start at 7:05 p.m. Streaming video (with a fee) will be available on GoTerriers.com, while streaming audio will be on MGoBlue.com.
Contact: Matt Trevor (734) 763-4423
