Notes & Quotes: #2 Michigan 3, Bowling Green 2
12/8/2007 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
N O T E S
The win tonight over the Falcons pushed Michigan's record this season to 16-2-0. The total equals the 1963-64 squad for the program's fourth-best record through 18 games.
The Wolverines moved out of a three-way tie and into sole possession of first place in the CCHA standings. With an 11-1-0 record in the conference, Michigan surpasses Miami and Notre Dame in the rankings.
Michigan's record against BGSU improves to 70-32-3 all-time. In Ann Arbor, U-M leads the series 41-14-0.
The Maize and Blue has scored at least three goals in all but one contest this season. U-M was held to just a pair of goals in a 3-2 loss to Ohio State on Nov. 30.
In the past six games, U-M has allowed its opponents to score only one first-period goal. In total, Michigan has only given up eight goals in the opening period of play this year.
Both Tim Miller and Travis Turnbull appeared in the 100th games of their careers. Neither junior has missed a game in their time with the Maize and Blue.
With the first shorthanded goal of his career, Matt Rust now has a three-game goal and point streak to his credit (3-1-4).
Kevin Porter equaled his season-best point streak, reaching the eight-game mark with his goal in the first period of tonight's contest. During the span that dates back to Nov. 16, the senior has amassed nine goals and eight helpers.
Max Pacioretty pushed his point streak to four games, notching a 2-4-6 line over that time.
Q U O T E S
Senior Forward Kevin Porter
On how they keep winning games like tonight's ... "Hard work. We talked about it earlier this year. That is how we are going to win games. We are not going to win on talent alone, so if we come out and work hard, we are going to get those bounces and be able to win the game."
On beginning the second half of the season ..."We are going to play the same that we have been. No one really expected us to do this well. We were ranked fourth in the CCHA (in the preseason poll) and now we are ranked second in the country. So, I think everyone is a little surprised. But now we are going into the second half, and we shouldn't be that surprising anymore. We know that we are one of the top teams in the nation, so if we come out and work hard, we should have a good second half as well."
Junior Forward Brandon Naurato
On his game-winning goal tonight ..."The player on Bowling Green just tried icing the puck at the end of the period and (Steve) Kampfer kept it in and passed it to Carl (Hagelin) and Carl dropped it back to me. I just put it on net, and it went in."
On the importance of that goal ..."It was huge. We got dominated in that second period. Bowling Green had two goals. But any goal in the first or last two minutes of a period is huge for momentum. So, that was a big goal."
Freshman Goaltender Bryan Hogan
On his shot off the post at the end of the game ..."I was just thinking about clearing the puck and the only lane I saw was down the middle ... Well, (honestly), yeah, I was thinking, 'Oh my god, I have a chance (to score) here.' But it is what it is; I will remember that for the rest of my life."
Head Coach Red Berenson
On tonight's game...."I think we were lucky. I think we had good goalkeeping. I think our team got down, but got lucky at the other end and put our chances in. But it is not the kind of hockey we want to play. We have to give Bowling Green credit, they were probably the better team on the ice tonight."
On the penalty kill..."We are trying to get better on the penalty kill. We have been talking about it all year. I think we are making some steps, and I think we are getting more confidence. We are identifying some players, such as (Chris) Summers this weekend, who gave us speed. Carl (Hagelin) is now one of our top penalty killers; whereas a month ago that was not the case. (Matt) Rust is getting a lot more confidence now; he going to be one of the best two-way players in the league, in time. But right now he is fast, smart, and he anticipates well. He scored a big shorthanded goal tonight. Our defensemen are learning to trust our forwards a little more and stand up and create turnovers on the penalty kill. We work on it almost every day, and it is showing."
On the first half of the season..."Obviously, it is surprising. I do not think anyone would have predicted this team could have pulled that off. But you never know until you play the games. I do not think anyone could have predicted how Kevin Porter would come out of the gate and carry this team on his back. I do not think it could have been predicted that Billy Sauer could have stepped up to the level he has stepped up to. We are playing with four freshmen defensemen and six freshmen forwards. But when we get in situations where we are two men short, I am confident putting (Carl) Hagelin and (Matt) Rust out there. They have gained a lot of confidence and trust, and these kids have earned it."
