2005-06 IHM vs. Nebraska-Omaha -- Notes and Quotes
12/9/2005 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
N O T E S
Brandon Kaleniecki's first-period goal gives him a goal and points in back-to-back games for the first time this season. His goal and two assists give him his first multi-point game since March 18, 2005, in the CCHA semifinals.
Andrew Ebbett extended his point streak to a season-best four games with his goal and two assists. He has earned a line of 2-5-7 over the past four contests.
Ebbett has two goals and nine assists in 10 games against the Mavericks to lead all active Wolverines against UNO.
With two assists tonight, Ebbett has 89 career helpers. Ebbett's next assist will tie for 25th on U-M's all-time forward assists list with Chris Seychel (1983-86).
Jason Dest played in his 100th straight game tonight. The junior defenseman has the longest active consecutive games played streak on the team.
Dest scored for the first time in 41 games with his first career shorthanded marker. His last goal came nearly a year ago to the day on Dec. 11, 2004, in a 5-4 win at Bowling Green. Dest has tallied one goal in each of the previous two seasons.
Mark Mitera recorded his first point and assist since Oct. 22, 11 games ago against Michigan State.
The Wolverines have scored a power-play goal in all 16 contests this season, compiling 31 goals on 119 chances. Coming into tonight's game the Wolverines ranked first in the nation on the man advantage.
Michigan scored its third shorthanded goal of the season and the second in as many games.
Michigan held Nebraska-Omaha's Scott Parse, who was tied for the national point lead coming into tonight, without a point for the first time this season. U-M also ended Bill Thomas' 10-game point streak.
U-M snapped its four-game losing streak, which had been its longest skid since the 1988-89 season.
Q U O T E S
Michigan Head Coach Red Berenson
On tonight's game ... "I cannot tell you that there was a big difference between the teams out there tonight. I think we got some important goals at the right time. Obviously the power-play goal got us back in the game, and the shorthanded goal by (Jason) Dest was a big goal. The goals came at the right time and we needed them. We had a good battle; they are a really good team. It seems like everybody we play against is a really good team. You saw their top line; they could have lit it up. Billy Sauer gave us a chance. There were times in the first, second and third periods where they had the puck and they had good scoring chances and he was solid. This was a very close game and I feel fortunate that we came out ahead."
On the play of the seniors Andrew Ebbett and Brandon Kaleniecki "I thought they were huge. Just the way they played, the way they talk, you just feel it. They took it upon themselves to make a difference in the game. You talk about leadership, that is leadership. They killed penalties, they are key players on the power play, they played against that big line all night, and they did a great job."
On the number of odd-man-rushes in tonight's game ... "I can tell you at times we did a good job and others times we did not. There were times we got lured up the ice, and then we would turn the puck over and they would come back and we were trapped. Not a lot, but it does not take a lot, just a lot of isolated chances. They are a dangerous team on the transition. When we would turn the puck over, they would have four guys gone. It is good hockey for the fans, but for a coach, you are on the edge all night. You just try to do the right thing with the puck and then being able to catch them coming back the ice."
U-M Senior Forward Andrew Ebbett
On the seniors' leadership role on the team ... "I think it's up to the seniors to take control. Coach challenged us in practice this week and let us know that we have to take their top line out and play against them. We took it upon ourselves to do the job and shut them down and hopefully get a few chances ourselves."
On the difference in tonight's game ... "Just working hard and working smart. We talked a lot this week about working smart and with more passion and energy. I thought we did a better job tonight than we have the last two weekends."
On the game plan for tonight ... "Yes, it was a lot of fun. That's one thing we talked about right before the game was just getting back to the basics and having fun. We just needed to get shots to the net and work hard, just go out there and get a hit. We really worked on that, just simplifying the whole game."
U-M Senior Forward Brandon Kaleniecki
On his first multi-point game of the season ... "It felt nice. Two of them weren't really much. I guess with all three of them, I didn't really touch the puck more than a split second. I just chipped two pucks and the other one hit off my stick. It was really nice; I got a couple of breaks."
On shutting down UNO's top scoring line ... "I think we just focus on trying to make them play in their zone. Obviously they're a talented line, and if they're playing with the puck, they're going to have a good game. There were a couple of shifts where they had control of the puck and they were playing down low, and they were creating chances. We just focused on trying to get the puck in their zone and make them play a little bit of defense."
