Michigan
2-1-0,0-0-0BIG 10
Ferris State
0-5-0, 0-2-0WCHA
Late Goal by Piazza Pushes U-M Past Ferris State
10/15/2016 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
Oct. 15, 2016
» Jack LaFontaine made 28 saves in his collegiate debut.
» Jake Slaker scored his first collegiate goal and also picked up an assist in the win.
• Boxscore 
Site: Big Rapids, Mich. (Ewigleben Ice Arena)
Score: #12 Michigan 2, Ferris State 1
Records: U-M (2-1-0), Ferris (0-5-0)
Next U-M Event: Friday, Oct. 21 -- vs. Michigan Tech (Yost Ice Arena), 7:30 p.m.
BIG RAPIDS, Mich. -- The No. 12-ranked University of Michigan ice hockey team capitalized on two power-play opportunities, and Jack LaFontaine made 28 saves in his collegiate debut en route to a 2-1 victory over Ferris State on Saturday night (Oct. 15) at Ewigleben Ice Arena.
Sam Piazza tallied his third goal in as many games for the winning marker late in the third period on the man-advantage, while Jake Slaker recorded his first collegiate goal on a man-up advantage in the second period and also picked up an assist on Piazza's game-winner.
Slaker sparked Michigan with a power-play goal at the 7:05 mark of the second period, taking a pass from Dexter Dancs to beat the keeper between the pads and break the scoreless deadlock.
After failing to score on their first three man-up opportunities, Ferris State equalized the contest on a power-play goal by Andrew Mayer at the 8:37 mark of the third period. Corey Mackin found Mayer in front of the Michigan crease and took a point-blank shot to beat Lafontaine on his blocker side, tying the score at 1-1.
Piazza's goal came at the 15:32 mark of the third period on the Wolverines fifth man-up advantage of the game. Slaker pulled the puck out from a scrum in the corner to Alex Kile, who slid it across the point to a wide-open Piazza. Uncontested by Ferris skaters, Piazza wound up from the blue line to a crowded net for the game-winner.
Lafontaine was tested on multiple occasions by an aggressive Ferris offensive attack. The U-M penalty-kill unit helped their rookie netminder, including on a two-man advantage for the Bulldogs early in the second period, when the hosts were only able to muster two shots.
"They put pressure on us all game and especially in the second period when we were two men short," said head coach Red Berenson. "It was good for (Jack) as a freshman goalie to come in here and win a game like that is really impressive."
With the win, Michigan improves to 70-30-4 against Ferris State and has won the last two meetings against their former CCHA rival.
Michigan returns to Yost next weekend (Fri-Sat., Oct. 21-22) as it hosts Michigan Tech in a pair of 7:30 p.m. games. The 1996 NCAA national championship team will return to Ann Arbor and be recognized during the first intermission of Friday's contest as part of Weekend of Champions festivities. [ Tickets ]
Communications Contact: TJ Garske
