Michigan
19-13-5,10-11-7CCHA
Ferris State
17-14-8,13-10-5CCHA
Wolverines Outscore Bulldogs, Grab Early Series Lead
3/10/2006 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 14-ranked University of Michigan ice hockey team pulled out a clutch 6-4 victory over Ferris State in the first game of the best-of-three CCHA quarterfinal series on Friday (March 10). Andrew Ebbett (Vernon, B.C.) scored the first two CCHA tournament goals of his career and added an assist, while Kevin Porter (Northville, Mich.) added a goal of his own and tallied a pair of assists. Michigan established a 5-1 lead in the second period, but had to defend against an FSU three-goal run before scoring the clinching goal in the final minutes.
The Maize and Blue opened the scoring in the game with a goal by T.J. Hensick (Howell, Mich.) at 7:47. A clearing attempt by FSU was corralled by Jason Dest (Fraser, Mich.)just inside the blue line. The U-M defenseman dumped the puck down to Porter below the right faceoff circle. Porter passed the puck through traffic in front of the crease to Hensick, who banged it over Mitch O'Keefe's right shoulder to light the lamp.
U-M extended its lead to 2-0 at 8:51. Matt Hunwick (Sterling Heights, Mich.) propelled the puck to Ebbett, who was stationed in the slot. Ebbett fired a one-timer past O'Keefe for his first career CCHA playoff goal.
Ferris State answered with a goal of its own at 12:13. Justin Lewandowski flipped the puck up to Mark Frank, who scooped up the pass in the neutral zone and flicked it over to Matt Verdone along the boards. Verdone streaked in and pulled up in the center of the faceoff circle. He let a shot fly that beat Noah Ruden (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) glove-side to make the score 2-1.
Each team continued its offensive pressure, and the period ended with Michigan outshooting the Bulldogs 9-8.
Ebbett's second goal of the night at 6:56 of the second period gave U-M a 3-1 lead. Porter made a cross-ice pass to Andrew Cogliano (Woodbridge, Ontario), who relayed the puck over to Ebbett. The captain shot the puck inside the far post for his 13th tally of the season.
FSU had its first quality scoring chance of the middle frame, but Ruden denied the Bulldogs the goal on a sprawling stick save. Greg Rallo flicked a shot at the empty U-M net, but Ruden was able to dive across the crease to make the save and preserve the lead.
U-M was able to capitalize on the man advantage at 10:38 to make the score 4-1. Chad Kolarik (Abington, Pa.) took the puck along the side boards and passed it over to Hunwick above the left faceoff circle. Hunwick deked past his defender and ripped a shot that caromed off the post. Brandon Kaleniecki (Livonia, Mich.) scooped it up in front of the net and slammed home the rebound for his 16th goal of the season and fourth career tally of the CCHA playoffs.
The Wolverines widened the lead to 5-1 when they capitalized on a turnover in the defensive zone. Kolarik grabbed the puck and flicked it up-ice. Ebbett skated end to end before passing it to Porter streaking up the ice. Porter received the pass just outside of the crease and hammered it home at 14:17.
Ferris State was finally able to quell Michigan's momentum just 24 seconds later, when Eric Vesely put the puck in the back of the net. Joe Van Culin slipped a pass over to Lewandowski, who skated just inside the left faceoff circle before backhanding a pass to Vesely alone in front of the net. Vesely sent a one-timer in over Ruden's stick.
After the flurry of goals in the second, U-M again outshot Ferris State 14-10.
Jack Johnson (Ann Arbor, Mich.) had a chance to add to Michigan's lead in the third period, but O'Keefe's quick glove stymied his opportunity. Johnson spotted the rebound dribbling up the middle of the ice. He wound up for a hard slap shot, but O'Keefe flashed his glove and robbed Johnson.
FSU closed the gap to 5-3 at 9:44 off a Mark Bomersback goal. Jim Jorgensen passed the puck to Rallo, who it turn tossed it to Bomersback skating up the middle. Bomersback split the Michigan defense and skated past two U-M blueliners before slipping the puck between Ruden's legs.
The Bulldogs continued to close in on the Maize and Blue, narrowing the lead to just one goal at 10:24. Corey Couturier lobbed a shot in on Ruden, who was able to make the initial save but left the rebound sitting outside the crease. Riedel fought his way from the right corner and stuffed the puck behind Ruden, making the score 5-4.
A turnover in the neutral zone proved costly for Ferris State at 16:20. Travis Turnbull (Chesterfield, Mo.) stole the puck from a FSU forward and proceeded to dump the puck deep in the zone. Turnbull regained control of the puck behind the net, walked out from the corner, and fired it over the right shoulder of O'Keefe for his fourth goal in as many games.
Ferris State pulled its goalie with 1:37 left in the final frame in an attempt to knot the score, but the period expired with Michigan emerging victorious with a 6-4 final.
Michigan is slated for a rematch against the Bulldogs on Saturday night as part of the best-of-three series. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:35 p.m. at Yost Ice Arena.
Contact: Matt Trevor (734) 763-4423
