Michigan
3-0-0, 1-0-0CCHA
Miami (Ohio)
3-2-0, 0-1-0CCHA
Michigan Knocks Off Defending CCHA Champion Miami
10/19/2006 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 5-ranked University of Michigan ice hockey team came from behind to defeat the No. 9-ranked Miami RedHawks 6-3 on Thursday (Oct. 19) at Yost Ice Arena. Junior forward Chad Kolarik (Abington, Pa.) notched a hat trick for the second-straight game, while senior forward David Rohlfs (Northville, Mich.) chipped in a goal and an assist.
Each team traded power-play opportunities in the first period, but neither team was able to break onto the scoreboard until 16:56. Gary Steffes snagged a feed from Alec Martinez and sped into the Michigan zone. Steffes' hard wrist shot from the left face-off circle beat Billy Sauer (Walworth, N.Y.) glove side to put the RedHawks up 1-0. The tally was the first U-M has allowed in the opening period of play this season, and Michigan trailed Miami 1-0 after 20 minutes of play.
The Maize and Blue evened the score at a goal apiece in the second stanza on Rohlfs' marker. T.J. Hensick (Howell, Mich.) scooped up the Kevin Porter (Northville, Mich.) dish, moving it up the left side before sliding a pass through traffic to Rohlfs. He nudged the puck past Charlie Effinger to light the lamp at 5:59. The goal was Rohlfs' third in as many games.
The Wolverines pulled into the lead at 7:56 of the middle frame. Whistled for an interference call, Michigan found itself down a man. But a turnover in the neutral zone proved costly for Miami. Andrew Cogliano (Woodbridge, Ontario) nabbed the puck, fought off a defender, and backhanded a shot past Effinger for the shorthanded goal.
Miami reknotted the game at 2-2 when Bill Loupee scored at 18:23. Loupee took a pass from Steffes in the neutral zone and brought it into the Michigan end. Loupee's shot traveled across the body of Sauer, and beat him stick side for the tally. Brian Kaufman also assisted on the play.
The tie was short lived; Porter stuffed home his first goal of the season at 18:50. Steve Kampfer (Jackson, Mich.) tracked down a loose puck and slipped it to Rohlfs stationed behind the goal line. The senior forward tried to muscle it behind Effinger, but his initial shot bounced out in front of the crease. Porter corralled the puck, roofing it behind Effinger to puck the Wolverines back on top, 3-2.
Going into the second intermission, Michigan had the 3-2 advantage.
A turnover at the blueline put U-M ahead 4-2 at 10:58 of the third session. Kolarik gobbled up the puck, skating in alone on Effinger. His shot beat the Miami netminder for the unassisted marker.
Kolarik scored his second goal of the night, and sixth of the season, at 14:35. On a two-on-one breakaway with Cogliano, Kolarik elected to keep the puck, firing a shot past Effinger for the 5-2 lead.
The third period scoring frenzy continued at 15:38 when MU tried to close the gap. Nino Musitelli dished to Marty Guerin, who rifled a shot on Sauer. Sauer batted down the initial pass, but was unable to control the rebound. Justin Mercier shrugged off a defender in front of the crease, backhanding the puck over the sprawling Michigan goaltender to make the score 5-3.
Miami pulled its netminder with 1:15 remaining in the game, attempting to rally against the Maize and Blue, but Kolarik's empty net goal at 18:59 put an end to MU's bid. The tally gave Kolarik a hat trick in back-to-back games, and brought his season total to seven markers.
Despite being outshot 24-20, the game ended with Michigan on top by a score of 6-3.
The Wolverines and RedHawks conclude their lone season series on Friday (Oct. 20) at Yost Ice Arena. The game will start at 8:05 p.m., due to CSTV's broadcast.
Contact: Matt Trevor (734) 763-4423
