Michigan
Toronto (ex)
Late Goal Pushes Wolverines Past Toronto in Exhibition
10/2/2005 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan ice hockey team managed to pull out a 3-2 victory in its exhibition skate against the University of Toronto today (Sunday, Oct. 2) at Yost Ice Arena. The Wolverines dominated the game, outshooting the Varsity Blues 53-18, but the game was tied late in the third period. Kevin Porter (Northville, Mich.) tallied the game-winning goal with one minute left in the final frame to deliver the win.
Just 1:13 into the game, Michigan went on the power play as Toronto's Greg Palka received a five-minute checking-from-behind penalty and a game misconduct. Although they generated a lot of chances, the Wolverines could not find the net as some shots went wide and others failed to find their way through.
At 4:23 of the first period, Toronto was whistled for another penalty and Michigan enjoyed a five-on-three power play for nearly two minutes. Freshman Travis Turnbull (Chesterfield, Mo.) had the best opportunity when his point-blank shot was blocked by UT goaltender Ryan Grinnell with 25 seconds remaining on the first penalty.
Toronto's Chad Elliot was called for obstruction-hooking at 7:26 of the first period and Michigan's power play was able to capitalize. T.J. Hensick (Howell, Mich.) had the puck behind the net and found sophomore Chad Kolarik (Abington, Pa.) just below the left circle for the goal at 7:55. Junior Matt Hunwick (Sterling Heights, Mich.) also assisted on the play.
Freshman Jason Bailey (Nepean, Ontario) almost made it 2-0 with just under a minute remaining in the period when Turnbull found him out front. The pass was just out of the reach of Bailey in between the circles. At the end of the period, the teams got into a scuffle with four players getting two-minute penalties for roughing after the whistle.
Toronto's Julian Sarraino came close to tying the score 2:45 into the second period when his shot beat freshman goaltender Billy Sauer (Walworth, N.Y.), but clanked off the goal post.
Michigan had many opportunities to score in the second period but could not finish. Hensick found Kolarik again in front, but he was stopped twice by Grinnell. Freshman Tyler Swystun (Cochrane, Alberta) found Brandon Kaleniecki (Livonia, Mich.) in the slot, but Grinnell made a kick save. Freshman Jack Johnson (Ann Arbor, Mich.) beat two Toronto players, but his shot rang off Grinnell's mask.
With two and a half minutes remaining in the period, Toronto's Simon Barg came in alone on Sauer, who came up with the big save shorthanded.
Senior Noah Ruden (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) started the third period between the pipes for Michigan. Toronto got on the board 2:11 into the period when Barg made a cross-ice pass to Charles Amodeo to score on a two-on-one play.
Johnson almost put Michigan back ahead a minute later, but his shot from between the circles clanged off the crossbar.
On the power play 5:17 into the period, Toronto's Julian Sarraino found Mark Heatley in the left circle with a wide-open net. Ruden kept the game tied at 1-1 when he slid across the crease and made a fully extended glove save to rob Heatley of the goal.
Michigan made the score 2-1 when Hensick scored a highlight-reel goal at 6:50 of the third period. Hensick toe-dragged the puck at center ice to split two Toronto defenders, then carried the puck into the offensive zone. He then slid the puck through a defenseman's legs and wristed the shot just inside the left post for the goal.
Michigan came close to extending its lead when freshman roommates Johnson and Bailey teamed up on the penalty kill. After Bailey blocked a UT shot, Johnson retrieved the puck and sent it up ice to Bailey. Bailey took a shot from the corner that Johnson redirected just outside the goal crease as the Michigan penalty expired.
Toronto tied the game at two when Barg scored with one second left on the power play at 18:04.
Porter scored the winning goal with one minute remaining in the game. Hensick carried the puck between the hash marks and passed it to Hunwick at the corner of the crease. The shot popped up into the air and the scramble left Hensick finding Andrew Cogliano (Woodbridge, Ontario) near the right circle. Cogliano sent it across to Porter on the goal line and he banked it in past Grinnell.
Michigan starts the regular season next week with two games against Quinnipiac at Yost Ice Arena. Friday's contest (Oct. 7) game is schedule for an 8 p.m. faceoff, while Saturday's game is scheduled for 7:35 p.m.
Contact: Matt Trevor (734) 763-4423
