2006-07 IHM vs. Michigan State -- Notes & Quotes
11/21/2006 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
N O T E S
With his marker and helper on the night, T.J. Hensick moved into sole possession of 18th place on U-M's all-time forward point list. Hensick passed fellow Michigan native Mike Knuble (1992-95), and is just three points away from tying John Madden (1994-97) for 17th on the list.
Hensick has notched an assist in three consecutive games, putting up a 1-4-5 line. He leads the nation with 19 assists.
Kevin Porter's goal pushed the junior's point streak to a career-best nine games. He has accumulated a 10-9-19 output in that span.
Jack Johnson's assist extended his career-best point streak to nine games. The defenseman has posted a 4-5-9 line, with assists in four consecutive games.
Andrew Cogliano tied his career-best point streak, as he upped his current streak to six games. In that time, Cogliano has amassed a 3-4-7 line. The sophomore also has a four-game assist streak.
With their two-for-seven showing on the power play tonight, the Wolverines have tallied multiple power-play goals in back-to-back games for the first time this season. Last Saturday (Nov. 18), U-M scored three times with the man-advantage.
Both Hensick and Porter put up multi-point efforts for the eighth time this season. The duo is tied for the team lead in points, with 24 each.
The Maize and Blue has won six games in a row for the first time since rattling off 12 straight wins late in the 2004-05 season.
Michigan's victory tonight marks the first time U-M has beaten the Spartans in back-to-back games since the Wolverines swept MSU in a home-and-home series on Nov. 18 and 20, 2004.
Billy Sauer has won a career-best six straight games this season, dating back to Nov. 4 against Michigan State. During the streak, he has a 1.83 goals against average and a .940 save percentage, while allowing more than two goals just once (4, vs. UNO on Nov. 10).
Michigan did not allow a power-play goal for just the second time this season. U-M held MSU scoreless on five power-play chances. The other perfect penalty-killing occurrence came vs. Nebraska-Omaha on Nov. 11.
Q U O T E S
Michigan Head Coach Red Berenson
On tonight's match up ... "It was a hard-fought game by both teams. We weren't having our best game, but we got better as the game went on. It was a gut-check type game. Somehow, the referee put us on our heels in the last period. We had to kill off at least three penalties and that's a tough way to have to play at home. But we did it; we killed those penalties and we got the goaltending. It was a good team goal. The winning goal was something you can't coach, but you can recruit."
On the momentum of back-to-back power plays in the second period ... "I think it gave us a lot of confidence. We could have scored on the first one, but we moved the puck well and did all kinds of improvising out there. Hockey is not a game of set plays. You might have the odd set play, but other than that, you're improvising. These five guys in particular (Jack Johnson, Andrew Cogliano, T.J. Hensick, Kevin Porter, and Chad Kolarik) are moving the puck well. They had a special game tonight. This will give us an idea of what kind of team we are right now. And so far, we're going in the right direction."
Junior Forward Kevin Porter
On the difference between tonight's game vs. MSU and the last game against the Spartans ... "I think this game started out a little bit slower. It wasn't a great game at first, and then both teams picked it up. Both goalies played great."
On the team's confidence in Billy Sauer ... "We've always had confidence in Billy. At times, our defense has broken down and left him stranded. But the team confidence right now is really high."
Senior Forward T.J. Hensick
On the power play tonight ... "There were five us out there and we're all skilled guys. I thought we moved the puck well and moved well without the puck. Those are the keys to a successful power play. We had tons of chances, and we got one goal. That was a big one."
On his game-winning goal ... "Kevin Porter found me in the slot and luckily I got in behind the defense. With Lerg being as short as he is, he left open the upstairs over his glove. I'm not sure how it went in, but I just shot there, and it went in. It was a good feeling; I haven't scored in a while. My last goal was against Michigan State, actually. It was good to get back on the scoreboard."
Sophomore Goalie Billy Sauer
On the team's confidence boost in the last few games ... "Sometimes all it takes is one game. The streak started with Michigan State and we've had six wins since then. It's a good streak that we have going. I'm feeling great and I think the team in front of me is feeling great too. It's a good feeling to be going into Minnesota and Wisconsin with."
On the last minute of the game ... "I think it's the third game in a row that we have had a penalty at the end of regulation. I've gotten used to it."
