Michigan
29-9-3
Maine
24-10-5
Montoya, Ortmeyer Lift U-M Past Maine in NCAA Opener
3/29/2003 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Yost Ice Arena)
Event: NCAA Midwest Regional
Score: #7 Michigan 2, #9 Maine 1
Records: U-M (29-9-3), Maine (24-10-5)
Attendance: 6,798
Next U-M Event: Sunday, March 30 -- Colorado College at NCAA Midwest Regional (Yost Ice Arena), 3 p.m.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- In a tremendously played game by both teams, the University of Michigan ice hockey team edged the University of Maine 2-1 in an NCAA Midwest Regional semifinal contest on Saturday (March 29) at Yost Ice Arena. Michigan's captain, senior forward Jed Ortmeyer (Omaha, Neb.), notched the decisive goal while on the power play with 1:31 remaining in the game, and all three goals were scored in the third period. Michigan will face off against No. 1 seed Colorado College at 3 p.m. Sunday (March 30) for a berth in the Frozen Four.
Both goaltenders, Maine's Frank Doyle and Michigan freshman Al Montoya (Glenview, Ill.), had solid games, with Doyle making 25 saves while Montoya stopping 34 of 35 shots.
Maine and Michigan played a very evenly matched yet scoreless first period, although the Black Bears outshot the Wolverines 12-6. Each team had one power-play opportunity.
The second period also had zero scoring but featured high-quality scoring chances for both sides. Michigan's first forward line of freshman Jeff Tambellini (Port Moody, B.C.), John Shouneyia (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) and Ortmeyer buzzed around the Maine zone five minutes into the stanza; however, Doyle turned aside their shots before smothering the puck in front.
Halfway through it was the Black Bears' turn to test Michigan. Gray Shaneberger snapped a shot from the left circle that was headed for the top corner before Montoya snagged the puck with his trapper. Just after an expired power play with less than five minutes left, Michigan's Danny Richmond (Buffalo Grove, Ill.) took a pass and used a hesitation move to beat a defender and the goalie, but his backhand shot skimmed just over the crossbar.
Maine concluded the back-and-forth second period with a go on the man advantage. The Black Bears had one legitimate attempt that was gloved by Montoya, and the Michigan penalty killers stymied the rest of the power play.
Maine had the best opportunity of the game to that point just 90 seconds into the final period. Robert Liscak broke in alone and hit the inside of the left post. The puck then rolled along the entire goal line and out to Montoya's right side. Montoya kept the game scoreless as Maine received a power play three minutes later. The Michigan goalie made two saves with his trapper along with one from either pad during Maine's man advantage.
Just as the penalty was running out, Michigan cleared the puck and sophomore forward Eric Nystrom (Syosset, N.Y.) chased down a Maine player and forced a loose puck in the slot. Sophomore forward Michael Woodford (Westford, Mass.) trailed the play and had a shot at the left side blocked by a defender at the goal mouth. With three Black Bears and the goalie in the crease area, Nystrom swatted the bouncing puck into the open net at 6:47 for a 1-0 Michigan lead.
Maine finally solved Montoya with 3:54 remaining as Colin Shields tipped a crossing feed by Martin Kariya into the goal.
With 2:02 remaining, the Wolverines earned a power play when Travis Wight took down Dwight Helminen (Brighton, Mich.) as he tried to turn the corner in the Maine zone. Michigan capitalized 30 seconds later after a shot deflected in front and went to Ortmeyer for the game-winner.
Contact: Paul Thomas (734) 763-4423
