Michigan
18-11-3, 13-8-3CCHA
Lake Superior
15-9-6, 11-9-4CCHA
Wolverines Earn Much-Needed Victory Against Lakers
2/11/2006 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 7-ranked University of Michigan ice hockey team opened up a 4-0 lead in the first period and never relinquished it in knocking off Lake Superior State, 4-2, on Saturday (Feb. 11). Brandon Kaleniecki (Livonia, Mich.) and Andrew Ebbett (Vernon, B.C.) teamed up for three goals and three assists. Kaleniecki scored the first two goals with feeds from Ebbett, then assisted on Ebbett's goal, the eventual game-winner. Noah Ruden (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) made 18 saves for the win.
As a result of the win, Michigan (28 points) moved into second place in the CCHA standings, ahead of idle Michigan State (27 points). Both teams have four regular-season games left.
Michigan started the scoring at 3:49 of the first period. Ebbett picked off a soft LSSU pass inside the left faceoff circle and dished it in front of the net to Kaleniecki positioned just outside the crease. Kaleniecki flicked a shot over Jakaitis for his 12th goal of the season, giving the Wolverines the 1-0 lead.
U-M was able to keep up the offensive pressure, not allowing a Lake Superior shot on goal until 9:01 of the opening frame.
The Maize and Blue was able to capitalize on a Laker turnover to extend its lead to 2-0. An errant pass hit the stick of Ebbett to keep the puck in the Michigan zone. Ebbett relayed it to Kaleniecki, who flubbed his initial shot, causing Jakaitis to prematurely open his five-hole. While falling down, Kaleniecki corralled the puck and slid it through the sprawling goalie's legs at 11:42.
Michigan added to its lead 2:46 later, following a goal by Ebbett. Jason Dest (Fraser, Mich.) took the puck from behind the Michigan net and slid it up to Kaleniecki, who sent a sharp pass off the boards to Ebbett. Ebbett streaked up the left wing and slapped a shot from just inside the blue line over the glove of Jakaitis for his career-best 10th goal of the season.
The Wolverines got out to 4-0 lead at 17:31 with a give-and-go goal by Tyler Swystun (Cochrane, Alberta). Swystun skated through the neutral zone and slid the puck to Danny Fardig (Ann Arbor, Mich.). Fardig passed the puck back to Swystun just beyond the crease, where he stuffed the puck behind Jakaitis for his second career goal.
Lake Superior was able to turn the momentum in their favor, breaking onto the scoreboard at 18:29. Jeff Rainville took the puck and sent it up ice to Steve McJannet in the neutral zone. McJannet skated the puck into the right faceoff circle, then rifled it cross-ice to Kory Scoran, who was able to put the puck between Ruden and the goalpost for the score.
LSSU closed the gap to 4-2 just 34 seconds later. Nathan Ward dropped a pass back to Derek R. Smith. Smith propelled the puck to Dan Eves, and Eves slid it into the back of the net.
Michigan was given its first power-play opportunity at 19:11. Despite the man advantage, the Wolverines were only able to register a shot, and the period expired with Michigan outshooting the Lakers 12-7.
U-M and Lake Superior traded power-play chances in the second period, but neither team was able to capitalize as both goalies stonewalled the offense. The score remained 4-2 at the end of the middle frame.
Both Ruden and Jakaitis remained strong in the third period, keeping the score at 4-2. Lake Superior pulled its goaltender at 18:15 in an attempt to close the gap, but in the end the combination of Ruden and the Michigan defense was too much for the Lakers.
The Wolverines head out on their first weekend road trip since early December when they travel to Nebraska-Omaha on Feb. 17-18. Both games will be 7:05 p.m. CST starts.
Contact: Matt Trevor (734) 763-4423
