Michigan
6-1-0, 3-1-0
Northern Michigan
3-3-0, 2-2-0
Power Play Blasts Wolverines Past Northern Michigan
10/26/2003 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No.6 University of Michigan ice hockey team completed its weekend sweep of the Northern Michigan Wildcats with a 5-2 victory Sunday afternoon (Oct. 26) at Yost Ice Arena. Sophomore Andrew Ebbett (Vernon, B.C.) led the way for the Wolverines with two goals, including the game-winner.
The Wolverines took the early 1-0 lead at 6:57 of the first period when junior forward Eric Nystrom (Syosset, N.Y.) netted a power-play marker for his third goal of the season. Nystrom, who was stationed in front of the Northern net, redirected a shot from junior Brandon Rogers (Rochester, N.H.) over Wildcat goaltender Craig Kowalski, who was screened by both Nystrom and David Moss (Livonia, Mich.).
The Wildcats evened the score four minutes later when freshman Darin Oliver slotted a rebound shot past the outsretched glove of sophomore goaltender Al Montoya (Glenview, Ill.). The initial shot from Northern defender Matt Maunu was saved by Montoya, but the Michigan goaltender was unable to control the puck as it dribbled out to the right side of the crease. Oliver quickly jumped on the rebound and put the puck past Montoya for his fourth goal of the year.
For the remainder of the first period, the Michigan defense had its hands full as the Wildcats pushed the action into the Michigan zone. The Wolverines finished the period with only two shots while the Wildcats, who were outshot 57-19 in Friday's game, managed eight shots on the Michigan net.
Moss netted his first goal of the season on the power play to put the Wolverines back on top, 2-1, only 38 seconds into the second period. Moss, who was skating out in front of the Wildcat net, pounced on a rebound from a Jeff Tambellini (Port Moody, B.C.) slap shot and wristed the puck past Kowalski from the right side of the crease.
Northern knotted the game at two 4:30 into the second period when Dirk Southern flipped the puck over a sprawled-out Montoya. The goal came during 4-on-4 action, as Rogers and Northern Michigan forward Dusty Collins had picked up penalties for hitting after the whistle.
For the third time in the game the Wolverines captured a one-goal advantage, as Ebbett notched his second goal of the season at 7:34 of the second period to give Michigan a 3-2 lead. Ebbett, who was set up in the slot, redirected a shot from freshman Matt Hunwick (Sterling Heights, Mich.) past Kowalski high to the glove side. Hunwick received a nice pass out to the point from junior Michael Woodford Jr. (Westford, Mass.) before winding up for the shot.
The remainder of the second period saw both teams spend significant time in the penalty box but with no resulting goals. The Wolverines accumulated five penalties for 18 minutes in the period and the Wildcats amassed seven penalties for 22 minutes.
Michigan extended its lead to 4-2 at 2:51 of the third period when Tambellini netted his team-leading fifth goal of the season. Tambellini's goal came unassisted as he intercepted a Wildcat clearing attempt and shelved the puck over Kowalski's left shoulder from just inside the right circle.
Ebbett picked up his second marker of the game when he scored a power-play goal at 8:17 of the third period to give the Wolverines a 5-2 lead. Ebbett calmly sent a one-time shot into an open Wildcat net after receiving a penetrating cross-ice pass from the right circle from junior Eric Werner (Gross Pointe Woods, Mich).
The Wolverines (6-1, 3-1 CCHA) resume play when they take on Niagara University in a single non-conference affair next Saturday (Nov. 1) at Yost Ice Arena. Faceoff is scheduled for 7:35 p.m.
Contact: Andrew Ladd (734) 763-4423
