Michigan
Michigan Tech
Wolverines Fall Behind Early, Drop Series Opener at Michigan Tech
10/31/2014 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
Oct. 31, 2014
Site: Houghton, Mich. (John J. MacInnes Ice Arena)
Score: Michigan Tech 4, #13 Michigan 1
Records: U-M (2-4-0), MTU (5-0-0)
Attendance: 4,466
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Nov. 1 -- at Michigan Tech (Houghton, Mich.), 7 p.m.
HOUGHTON, Mich. -- Freshman forward Dylan Larkin scored a third-period goal, but the University of Michigan ice hockey team (No. 13 USA Hockey, No. 15 USCHO) fell behind 2-0 after two periods of play and dropped a 4-1 decision at Michigan Tech (RV USA Hockey, No. 17 USCHO) in front of 4,466 fans on Friday (Oct. 31) at MacInnes Ice Arena.
The Wolverines finished the night 0-for-6 on the man-advantage, including an 0-for-4 mark in the second period. Michigan Tech's Walker Hyland scored at 7:36 of the third period, as his dump in off the end boards deflected off Nolan De Jong's stick and into the net to give the Huskies a 3-0 lead.
Larkin scored a little more than two minutes later, as senior forward Zach Hyman set up the play with great puck control. Hyman drew two players on the right wing then fed Larkin in stride as he crossed the blue line. Larkin beat Michigan Tech goaltender Jamie Phillips over the shoulder at 10:16 to make it 3-1.
With five minutes to play, Dexter Dancs nearly made it a one-goal game, but his deflection in front of the net went just wide.
The Wolverines pulled goaltender Zach Nagelvoort (30 saves) for an extra attacker with 2:40 to play, and Michigan Tech's Malcolm Gould sealed the win with an empty-net goal at 19:16.
The Huskies outshout Michigan, 34-29, for the game, as Phillips made 28 stops to earn the win in net.
The Wolverines penalty-kill unit finished a perfect 6-for-6 on the night and kept the Wolverines in the game.
In a first period that featured quality scoring chances for both teams, it was the home Huskies that got on the scoreboard first, just over midway through the frame. Michigan Tech gained the zone on a 4-on-3 rush, and David Johnstone fed Reid Sturos for a tap-in backdoor goal at 12:32.
Michigan's penalty kill was sharp early, as the Wolverines killed off two penalties, at 1:10 and 13:01 of the opening period, before three straight power-play chances. The Wolverines had their best chance to score on the second man-advantage of the frame, as Larkin cut in front of the net and wired a shot just wide with 10.2 seconds to go.
Larkin was tripped up on the play, giving the Wolverines another man-advantage, but they could not convert, with the majority of the man-advantage in the opening minutes of the second period.
After Michigan failed to register a shot on its fourth power-play chance of the night, Michigan Tech capitalized on a delayed penalty to make it 2-0 at 7:23 of the middle frame. Cliff Watson hit Tanner Kero with a great diagonal pass, and Kero fired a shot into the top corner.
At 10:04, Michigan's Michael Downing was issued a major penalty and game misconduct for checking from behind, but the Wolverines killed off the penalty and were down by two goals heading into the final period of play.
The Wolverines will close out the weekend series against Michigan Tech on Saturday night (Nov. 1) at 7 p.m.
Communications Contact: Jeffrey Weinstein (734) 763-4423
