Michigan
1-1-0
North Dakota
2-0-0
U-M Succumbs to Sioux Comeback in Showcase Finale
10/12/2002 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The No. 3 University of Michigan ice hockey team surrendered a two-goal lead to No. 13 North Dakota in the final 3:14 of the championship game of the Xerox College Hockey Showcase on Saturday (Oct. 12) at the HSBC Arena and could not change the momentum of the contest in overtime as the Fighting Sioux came from behind to post a 5-4 win 3:27 into overtime. Four different Wolverines scored in the contest, which marked the third straight overtime game against the Sioux and extended U-M's winless streat against UND to three games (0-2-1).
| | Nystrom |
Michigan was outshot by North Dakota 30-19, including 2-0 in the extra frame. Montoya finished the game with 25 saves on 30 shots, while UND's Josh Siembida stopped 15 of the 19 shots he faced.
The Fighting Sioux took advantage of a 5-on-3 power play to take a 1-0 lead when Nick Fuher became the first player of the season to solve Montoya. With sophomore forward Dwight Helminen (Brighton, Mich.) and sophomore defenseman Brandon Rogers (Rochester, N.H.) serving minor penalties, the Sioux worked their power play in the U-M zone, with Fuher eventually taking from the left faceoff circle a shot that beat Montoya over his right shoulder to halt his season-opening shutout streak at 71:30.
Michigan responded with a power-play goal of its own at 14:36 when sophomore forward Eric Nystrom (Syosset, N.Y.) tipped a shot from Helminen past Siembida to make it 1-1. Helminen's blast came from the right side of the blue line to Nystrom, who re-directed it along the ice past Siembida's glove hand. Gajic nearly gave Michigan its first lead just seconds later when he hit the post, but sophomore forward David Moss (Livonia, Mich.) eventually put the Wolverines ahead at 19:36 when he wristed a shot from the left circle that slid underneath Siembida's glove.
North Dakota tied the game at 2-2 just 4:21 into the second period on a Michigan power play when Zach Parise converted a 2-on-1 advantage. Montoya's clearing attempt was intercepted by UND's Quinn Fylling, who quickly headed the other direction with Parise. Parise, regarded as the best U.S.-born freshmen in the nation, finished the play by beating Montoya with a wrist shot past his glove hand.
Michigan regained the lead with 1:01 left in the stanza when senior forward Mark Mink (Livonia, Mich.) beat Siembida on a 2-on-0 breakaway with sophmore forward Michael Woodford (Westford, Mass.). Montoya set up the play, firing a long pass to Woodford to generate the odd-man rush. Mink converted on Woodford's pass, tapping it into the left side of the net.
In the third period, freshman forward Jeff Tambellini (Port Moody, N.C.) gave Michigan a two-goal lead at 15:02 when he tipped a shot past Siembida. Nystrom set up the play, firing the puck towards the net, where Tambellini and Gajic were screening the goaltender. North Dakota responded 1:44 later to close the gap to 4-3 when Parise scored his second of the night, then forced overtime when Brandon Bochenski received a pass from Parise and beat Montoya at 17:29.
Michigan finished the game with one power-play goal on four opportunities, while UND was 1-for-6 with the man advantage.
The Wolverines will return to Ann Arbor to open the home portion of their 2002-03 schedule, hosting Merrimack for a two-game series on Friday and Saturday (Oct. 18-19). Opening faceoff is slated for 7:35 p.m. both nights at Yost Ice Arena.
N O T E S
Head coach Red Berenson was not behind the bench for tonight's game. Berenson was en route to Saskatchewan to attend festivities for his father's 90th birthday. Associate head coach Mel Pearson assumed coaching duties in Berenson's absence.
David Moss netted his first goal of the season in his second game, repeating the feat from last season. Moss posted three points (1-2-3) in his first two games, well ahead of his scoring pace after two games a year ago (1-0-1).
Mark Mink has two goals after two games. He scored five during the 2001-02 season.
Each of the last five meetings between Michigan and North Dakota has been decided by one or fewer goals. In addition, each of the last three meetings between the two teams has gone into overtime.
Contact: Paul Thomas (734) 763-4423
