Michigan
27-13-2
New Hampshire
20-15-6
Kaleniecki Nets Pair in NCAA Win Over New Hampshire
3/27/2004 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
MANCHESTER, N.H. -- Making its record 14th straight NCAA ice hockey playoff appearance, regional No. 2 seed University of Michigan advanced to the Northeast Regional final by knocking out No. 3-seeded New Hampshire, 4-1, on Saturday afternoon (March 27) at Verizon Wireless Arena. The Wolverines received two goals from Brandon Kaleniecki (Livonia, Mich.) and two assists from Milan Gajic (Burnaby, B.C.) to go along with 27 saves from goalie Al Montoya (Glenview, Ill.).
| | The Wolverines ran up a 4-0 lead on regional host UNH on the way to the 4-1 triumph. |
The Wolverines wasted little time in quieting down the pro-New Hampshire crowd as Kaleniecki roofed a backhander over the right shoulder of Michael Ayers just 1:05 into the game. After his intial shot was stopped by a defender, Kaleniecki pounced on the loose puck near the left post and gave the Maize and Blue a 1-0 advantage.
Michigan had numerous chances to extend its lead throughout the period as it outshot the Wildcats 14-2 in the first frame. However, Ayers and the UNH defense stymied two U-M power plays as well as a few odd-man rushes. Michael Woodford Jr.'s (Westford, Mass.) shot while on a two-on-one went wide and a Dwight Helminen (Brighton, Mich.) backhander while he was cutting to the net glanced off the facemask of Ayers.
New Hampshire garnered its first chance on the man-advantage a few seconds into the middle period when it had a four-on-three power play. The Wildcats had just a single shot on goal during the span as the U-M penalty killers kept UNH to the perimeter and forechecked effectively once the puck was cleared.
New Hampshire gathered some confidence following the power play and began to counter the Michigan attack. The Wolverines weathered the UNH storm and generated some flurries in front of the Wildcat net. At 9:45 the Wolverines upped their lead to 2-0 following a successful two-on-one break by Gajic and Andrew Ebbett (Vernon, B.C.). Gajic carried the puck down the right side and flipped a pass left to Ebbett, who had gotten behind the lone defender. Ebbett faked forehand before bringing the puck to his backhand and sliding it through the goalie's five hole.
Just 2:21 later at 12:06, Eric Werner (Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich.) made it 3-0 while on the power play. From the point, T.J. Hensick (Howell, Mich.) sent the puck into the left corner for Gajic. Gajic eluded a defender and fired a pass to Werner, who was cutting into the slot from the right point. As Ayers stacked his pads in an effort to stop the ensuing shot, Werner wristed the puck up and over the sliding goalie.
Michigan continued to dominate play in the second half of the period and prevented any appreciable scoring chances by New Hampshire. The shots after two periods of play were 28-12 in favor of U-M. The only true low point of the second stanza for U-M came when Montoya appeared to injure his right leg after sliding across the crease late in the period.
Montoya removed any doubt that he was injured just one minute into the final period when he made two quick saves in a row, including a split save to his right on Justin Aikins. Michigan immediately regained possession of the puck and fed it up ice to Kaleniecki. He sent a slapper low on Ayers while he fought off a defender skating down the left side. While the initial shot was stopped, Kaleniecki continued to work hard and managed to pop the loose puck up and over the out-of-position goalie into the open net for a 4-0 lead at 1:11.
With 6:14 remaining in the game New Hampshire finally solved Montoya to make the score 4-1. Steve Saviano had a shot attempt blocked and the puck rolled behind the goal. He recovered the errant shot and centered the puck in the slot to an open Nathan Martz, who tapped the pass between the legs of Montoya for the tally.
The Wolverines move on to play No. 1-seeded Boston College in the Northeast Regional final at 4 p.m. Sunday (March 28). The winner of that contest will head to the Frozen Four on April 8-10 in Boston, Mass.
Contact: Andew Ladd (734) 763-4423
