Michigan
Blue/White Intrasquad (ex)
White Defeats Blue in Season-Opening Scrimmage
9/28/2001 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Yost Ice Arena)
Event: Blue/White Intrasquad (exhibition)
Result: White 2, Blue 1
Next U-M Event: Sunday, Sept. 30 -- Michigan vs. Queen's (Yost Ice Arena), 2:05 p.m. (exhibition)
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan hockey team held its annual Blue/White intrasquad scrimmage tonight (Friday, Sept. 28) at Yost Ice Arena with the White team defeating the Blue 2-1. The event gave Michigan fans the first look at the 2001-02 Wolverines, including the 10-member freshman class.
Junior J.J. Swistak (West Bloomfield, Mich.) opened the scoring with a goal midway through the first period with a tip from the right side of the crease after an initial shot from walk-on tryout Charlie Henderson.
In the second period, junior John Shouneyia (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) extended the lead for the White team with an unassisted goal from behind the goal line. Shouneyia received the puck behind the net and banked it off goaltender Josh Blackburn (Choctow, Okla.) into the net.
For the final period, the teams played 15 minutes with a running clock, and halfway through the period, the Blue team got on the board when freshman Eric Nystrom (Syosset, N.Y.) scored his first goal in a Wolverine uniform. Senior Craig Murray (Penticton, B.C.) took the initial shot from the right faceoff circle and the rebound was kicked over the Nystrom, who was unguarded in the slot. Nystrom lifted the puck over a sprawling Kevin O'Malley (Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich.) to pull the Blue team within one goal.
O'Malley played in net the entire game for the White team, stopping 24 shots and allowing just one goal. For the Blue team, Blackburn and sophomore Justin Spurlock, a potential walk-on, combined to stop 19 of 21 shots. Blackburn made 18 of the saves and allowed both goals, while Spurlock stopped all three shots he faced.
Tonight's game was played without several veteran players, who sat out due to injury. Junior Mike Cammalleri (Richmond Hill, Ontario) has a hip flexor, senior Jay Vancik (Medina, Ohio) suffered a separated shoulder this week in practice, junior Mark Mink (Livonia, Mich.) has a broken hand, and sophomore David Wyzgowski (North Street, Mich.) a swollen spleen.
The game drew 1,781 fans, with all proceeds from ticket sales going to the Dekers Club Hockey Scholarship.
The team reunites Sunday afternoon (Sept. 30) to face Queen's University at Yost Ice Arena in the Wolverines' first exhibition game. Opening faceoff is scheduled for 2:05 p.m.
GAME SUMMARY
| Goals By Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | F |
| Blue | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| White | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
1st period
1, WHITE, J.J. Swistak (Charlie Henderson) 11:13.
PENALTIES - None.
2nd period
2, WHITE, John Shouneyia (unassisted) 4:21.
PENALTIES - J.J. Swistak, WHITE (obstruction-hooking) 1:29.
3rd period
3, BLUE, Eric Nystrom (Craig Murray, Dwight Helminen) 13:39 (pp).
PENALTIES - J.J. Swistak, WHITE (tripping) 9:14; Andy Burnes, WHITE (interference) 12:50.
Shots on goal: BLUE 10-7-8 25; WHITE 6-12-3 21. Power plays: BLUE 1 of 3; WHITE 0 of 0. Penalties: BLUE 0 (0 min); WHITE 3 (6 min). Goalies: BLUE, Josh Blackburn (45:00 minutes, 18 shots-16 saves) , Justin Spurlock (14:08, 3-3) , EMPTY NET (00:52, 0-0); WHITE, Kevin O'Malley (60:00, 25-24). Referee: Steve Piotrowski. Assistant Referees: Chris Davis, Bruce Vida. Attendance: 1781. Time: 1:53.
Q U O T E S
Head Coach Red Berenson
On the game ... "It was sloppy at times, but they were working hard. You need to play in a game environment like this. It can be tiring at times with so few players, and it's tough on the defense to be playing only four defensemen. We're pretty thin right now, but I think the players will be better off for it. Hopefully when we put one team together from the two, there will be a little more flow."
Senior Goaltender Josh Blackburn
On the game ... "It was a little bit sloppy, but it's just the beginning of the year. It was our first time out there as a team. Offensively, (Milan) Gajic was flying out there; he did a good job as far as the freshmen go. Overall I think it was pretty good."
Junior Forward Mike Cammalleri
On the freshmen ... "I think their attitudes are great, and they're all really enthusiastic. At the same time, they're not overrun by being here. They're going out there and showing they're here for a reason. They're going to be a big part of the team this year. On the ability we have up front, with the size and speed, we're going to see more goal-scoring throughout the lineup."
Contact: Paul Thomas (734) 763-4423
