Michigan
2-1-0
Vermont
2-3-0
Norris Leads Michigan to Win in Home Opener
10/20/2017 11:02:00 PM | Ice Hockey
Site: Red Berenson Rink at Yost Ice Arena
Score: Michigan 4, Vermont 1
Records: U-M (2-1-0), Vermont (2-3-0)
Next U-M Event: Sat., Oct. 21 -- vs. Vermont (Ann Arbor, Mich.), 5 p.m.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Michigan used a dominant offensive performance to ease past visiting Vermont in the team's 4-1 victory Friday (Oct. 20) in the home opener at the newly renamed Red Berenson Rink at Yost Ice Arena.
The Wolverines had a big scoring opportunity in the middle of the first period when freshman Josh Norris earned a penalty shot after a tripping call against Vermont. Norris sent his shot wide right, keeping the game scoreless. Michigan controlled the game offensively in the first period, outshooting the Catamounts, 16-5. Despite Michigan's strong play, the game remained scoreless after the opening period.
Coming off a power play in the second period, Michigan was called for consecutive penalties to put the Wolverines at a five-on-three disadvantage for over a minute. The Maize and Blue successfully killed both penalties as sophomore goaltender Jack LaFontaine recorded four saves while Michigan was shorthanded. The Wolverines finally capitalized on their many scoring chances with five minutes left in the period when sophomore Will Lockwood scored an unassisted goal on a breakaway from the right side. U-M put another goal on the board with 54 seconds remaining in the period when junior Brendan Warren put a shot past the Vermont goaltender. Warren's goal was assisted by sophomores Adam Winborg and Luke Martin. After two periods, Michigan held a 2-0 lead while putting up 32 shots and holding Vermont to just 10.
» Freshman Josh Norris became the first Michigan player to score two goals in his home debut since Kyle Connor in 2015.
» Michigan held Vermont to just 16 shots, the lowest total allowed by the Wolverines since they held Wisconsin to 17 shots on Jan. 24, 2015.
» Sophomore goaltender Jack LaFontaine recorded 15 saves and earned the win.
At the 4:20 mark of the third period, Norris recorded his first career goal in the winged helmet to give Michigan a 3-0 lead. Sophomore Jake Slaker and senior Sam Piazza tallied assists on the goal. Just two minutes and 20 seconds later, Norris put another goal in the back of the net for Michigan. Freshman Quinn Hughes notched his first career assist on the play. Norris became the first Michigan player to record two goals in his home debut since Kyle Connor on Oct. 16, 2015, against Mercyhurst. Vermont put its first goal on the board at the 10:56 mark in the period.
LaFontaine recorded 15 saves for the Wolverines while improving his record to 2-0-0 on the season.
Michigan controlled the puck throughout the game, finishing with 45 shots. The 16 shots put up by Vermont is the lowest total allowed by Michigan since it held Wisconsin to 17 shots on Jan. 24, 2015.
The Wolverines close out the weekend series against Vermont on Saturday (Oct. 21) at Red Berenson Rink at Yost Ice Arena in Ann Arbor with puck drop at 5 p.m.
