Michigan
9-4-1,5-2-1CCHA
Miami (Ohio)
10-2-1, 9-1-1CCHA
Michigan Allows Two Shorthanded Goals, Falls to Miami
12/2/2005 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
OXFORD, Ohio -- The No. 3-ranked University of Michigan hockey team lost its third straight game as No. 8 Miami (Ohio) scored three unanswered goals in the second period -- two while shorthanded -- for a 4-2 victory Friday (Dec. 2) in Goggin Ice Arena. Michigan was outshot 46-35 in the game, 22-7 in the decisive second frame. Freshman defenseman Jack Johnson (Ann Arbor, Mich.) had two assists, and freshman goalie Billy Sauer (Walworth, N.Y.) made a career-high 42 saves.
Only 1:20 into the contest defenseman Mark Mitera (Livonia, Mich.) was assessed a five-minute major for checking from behind, along with a game misconduct. U-M's penalty killers received some relief a minute later when Miami took a penalty. Following the four-on-four play, the Wolverines killed off the rest of the major penalty to keep the game scoreless.
U-M went on the power play at 8:26. Kevin Porter (Northville, Mich.), U-M's top goal scorer, redirected the puck into the goal at 8:49 to extend Michigan's season-long power-play goal streak to 14 games. Johnson drew the first assist with a well-placed shot along the ice from the left side. Andrew Ebbett (Vernon, B.C.) also earned a helper.
Less than a minute after the goal, Miami had a chance to even the score when it received its second power play of the night. Michigan shut down the RedHawk power play to hold its lead.
In the final minutes of the opening frame the game became increasingly physical and a scrum erupted in the Michigan end. Two Wolverines ended up in the penalty box, while Miami was issued just one penalty. With their third man-advantage chance of the period, the RedHawks finally capitalized when Geoff Smith beat Sauer with a one-touch wrister from the right circle off a Mitch Ganzak feed.
Brandon Kaleniecki (Livonia, Mich.) missed reestablishing Michigan's lead by inches with 1:15 left on the clock. U-M had MU outnumbered behind the net, and Kaleniecki ended up with a goal-mouth chance all alone, only to see the puck stopped by the outstretched pad of goalie Charlie Effinger. The high-flying first period featured 27 shots, 15-12 in favor of Miami.
Fifty-five seconds into the second period T.J. Hensick (Howell, Mich.) cashed in on a one-on-one chance to give U-M a 2-1 lead. Miami turned over the puck near the top of the U-M zone and Johnson broke back the other way. He spotted Hensick streaking along the right side and sent him in alone. Hensick faked to his forehand and then flipped the puck over the goalie with a backhand shot.
Michigan's lead vanished in the middle of the frame and quickly turned into a two-goal deficit by the time nine minutes were left in the period.
Marty Guerin tied the game at 8:26 on two quick passes made from behind the net and then into the slot. Then the RedHawks scored two shorthanded goals on one penalty at 9:49 and 10:59. Matt Davis was assisted by Justin Mercier for the first tally when U-M coughed up the puck near its own goal line. The next goal came from Mercier with the assist going to Matt Davis to give MU the 4-2 lead.
Miami had back-to-back power plays over the next six minutes, but the Wolverines kept their deficit at two goals.
Michigan got another power-play opportunity with 1:40 to play in the stanza. One minute later Ganzak was called for a five-minute major, checking from behind penalty to give the Wolverines a great chance. Unable to score before the end of the frame, U-M entered the third period with a two-man advantage.
Despite the extended time with a man advantage to begin the third period, Michigan registered just two shots on goal and could not capitalize. Michigan received its fourth power play of the game midway through the frame, but again could not cash in.
Chad Kolarik (Abington, Pa.) had a prime chance in the slot with less than nine minutes to play. Effinger got his left shoulder on the shot to maintain the RedHawk cushion. After killing a penalty with less than nine minutes remaining in regulation, the Maize and Blue focused again on the Miami end.
With four minutes to play Michigan was buzzing in front of Effinger with three consecutive shots. Matt Hunwick's (Sterling Heights, Mich.) first shot was saved by the goalie, and Porter's rebound attempt was blocked in front, but the puck sat in the slot. Andrew Cogliano (Woodbridge, Ontario) had the third chance, but Effinger got back to his feet and smothered the shot.
Michigan pulled Sauer in the final minute in an effort to generate more offense. The Miami defense remained sharp and finished off the win.
The Wolverines and RedHawks wrap up their season series on Saturday (Dec. 3) at Goggin Ice Arena. Faceoff is at 7:35 p.m.
Contact: Matt Trevor (734) 763-4423
