Michigan
18-9-0, 13-6-0CCHA
Ferris State
7-17-3, 4-13-2CCHA
Johnson Notches Hat Trick as Michigan Tames Bulldogs
1/26/2007 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 11-ranked University of Michigan ice hockey team pummeled Ferris State by a 9-4 count on Friday (Jan. 26) at Yost Ice Arena. The Wolverines jumped out to a 4-0 lead after 20 minutes and then matched FSU's goals in the second and third stanzas. Jack Johnson (Ann Arbor, Mich.) tallied his first career hat trick with a goal in each period -- his last two were shorthanded markers. He also added an assist for a single-game career-high four points. Kevin Porter (Northville, Mich.) earned a career-high five points with two goals and three assists. T.J. Hensick (Howell, Mich.) also tied his career-high point total with a 2-2-4 line.
The Wolverines got off to an early lead at 1:27 in the opening stanza. Brandon Naurato (Livonia, Mich.) passed the puck to Tim Miller (Davisburg, Mich.), who spotted an open Travis Turnbull (Chesterfield, Mo.) skating in front of the net. Turnbull took a strong shot on the goal and elevated the puck into the air. The shot flew past both a Ferris State defenseman and goalie Derek MacIntyre into the back left corner of the net. The score gave the Wolverines a 1-0 lead.
Michigan put another tally on the board at 2:42, giving the Wolverines a 2-0 advantage. Matt Hunwick (Sterling Heights, Mich.) began the play by sending a shot on goal from the left side. MacIntyre was able to block the attempt, but David Rohlfs (Northville, Mich.) was there to collect the rebound. Rohlfs skated around the net and pushed the puck off a Bulldog defenseman's skate into the net.
The Wolverines put another tally on the board with a power-play goal. With assists from Chad Kolarik (Abington, Pa.) and Andrew Cogliano (Woodbridge, Ontario), Porter's initial shot was blocked by a defender, but the rebound fell in front of him and he knocked the puck into the net, giving the Wolverines a 3-0 lead at 12:29.
The Maize and Blue continued its scoring streak with another power-play goal at 17:33. Porter carried the puck down the right side and skated towards the corner. He spotted a wide-open Johnson waiting just inside the blue line. Porter passed to Johnson, who immediately took a strong slap shot on goal. The puck soared through a screen in front and into the net. The tally gave the Wolverines a 4-0 advantage against the Bulldogs heading into the first intermission.
Ferris State put its first mark on the board at the beginning of the second period. A pass from Corey Couturier to Cody Chupp set up a shot on goal. The puck bounced off the left post and landed just in front of the net. Brendan Connolly was there for the Bulldogs to push the puck into the goal; at 4:31 Ferris State made the score 4-1.
Michigan responded to the Bulldogs score with a goal from Hensick at 7:36. Hensick converted on a two-on-one opportunity with Porter to put the Maize and Blue up by a score of 5-1.
The Wolverines continued to score as Porter went one on one with the Bulldog netminder. Hensick shoveled the puck to Porter, and the left wing skated past the lone Bulldog defender. Porter flew down the center of the ice and pushed the puck past Macintyre's stick side. The Wolverines gained a five-goal advantage over FSU (6-1) at 11:27.
Michigan extended its lead to 7-1 at 15:07 on a shorthanded tally. Cogliano was skating hard down the right side of the ice. The sophomore spotted Johnson who had placed himself in front of the goal. Cogliano made a short pass to Johnson, who -- after a few quick moves -- slid the puck behind Macintyre's glove side.
Ferris State did not retire, however, and its second score of the evening came at 17:31. Left wing Eric Vesely scored the goal for the Bulldogs, as he scooped the puck over the shoulders of Sauer. Vesely's marker ended a five-goal second period by U-M and FSU.
While the scoreboard favored the Maize and Blue at the end of two periods, Ferris State outshot Michigan 32-21, including a 24-6 mark in the second stanza. FSU's 24 attempts marked a period season-high for shots allowed by U-M.
Ferris State scored the first two goals of the third period to narrow its deficit to 7-4. Mark Bomersback scored at the four-minute mark, and Vesely tallied on a tic-tac-toe passing play with a man-advantage at 7:16.
After the three-goal run by the Bulldogs, Johnson completed his hat trick by scoring on a two-on-none shorthanded breakaway at 13:15.
Hensick finished the scoring at 9-4 with an easy power-play marker at 16:40. He converted on a backdoor feed from Porter.
Michigan will host Ferris State again on Saturday (Jan. 27) at Yost Ice Arena at 7:35 p.m. FSN Detroit will broadcast the game.
Contact: Matt Trevor (734) 763-4423
