Michigan
19-9-0, 14-6-0CCHA
Ferris State
7-18-3, 4-14-2CCHA
Michigan Cruises Past Ferris State for Series Sweep
1/27/2007 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 11-ranked University of Michigan ice hockey team concluded its home series sweep of the Ferris State Bulldogs with a score of 6-2 on Saturday (Jan. 27). The team was led offensively by defensive partners Jack Johnson (Ann Arbor, Mich.) and Matt Hunwick (Sterling Heights, Mich.). Johnson tied his career high in points for the second night in a row with a 2-2-4 effort that included the game-winner. Hunwick chipped in one goal and one assist. Andrew Cogliano (Woodbridge, Ontario) contributed to the victory as well, notching three points with a goal and pair of helpers to increase his point streak to 10 games.
The first U-M score of the night came from Hunwick at 13:11 in the opening stanza. Travis Turnbull (Chesterfield, Mo.) carried the puck across the blue line and passed to forward Brandon Naurato (Livonia, Mich.). Naurato skated towards the net and viewed Hunwick to his left in the slot. Naurato dished the puck to the available Hunwick, and the defenseman was able to slide the pass by Bulldog netminder Mitch O'Keefe. Hunwick's score put the Wolverine's on top 1-0.
In the closing minute of the first frame, Michigan put another mark on the board with a goal from Cogliano at 19:25. Johnson skated down the center of the ice, and he passed the puck towards Chad Kolarik (Abington, Pa.). Kolarik tipped the puck just enough to direct it towards an open Cogliano down the right wing. The center made a few moves and took a hard wrist shot on the goal. The puck deflected off the pads of a startled O'Keefe into the top of the net. Cogliano's tally increased U-M's lead 2-0.
The Bulldogs came out strong in the first minute of the second frame, scoring a goal at 0:36. Adam Welch bounced the puck off the boards and his teammate Matt Verdone was there to recover it. Verdone then passed the puck to Mark Bomersback, who was skating near the net. Bomersback managed to take the pass and push it past Wolverine netminder Billy Sauer (Walworth, N.Y.). The FSU goal made the score 2-1.
Michigan responded to Ferris State's goal at 2:06, making the score 3-1. Hunwick viewed an open Danny Fardig (Ann Arbor, Mich.) posted near the net. Fardig's shot on goal was saved by O'Keefe, but the deflection trickled out to the high slot. Johnson picked up the loose puck and took a hard, elevated shot that landed in the back of the net.
The Wolverines put another tally on the board with a score from freshman Brian Lebler (Penticton, B.C.) at 9:16 to make the score 4-1. The play started as Cogliano carried the puck down the right side. He pushed the puck towards the net, although an FSU defender was there to deflect the attempt with his stick. Fortunately for U-M, Lebler was posted near the goal and was able to redirect the deflection past O'Keefe.
Michigan continued its scoring streak at 13:23 with a power-play goal from Turnbull. Johnson stood inside the blue line and spotted Naurato in the lower right circle. Naurato's subsequent one-timer bounced off of O'Keefe and directly to Turnbull, who stood at the opposite post. Turnbull first gained control of the puck with his skate, and then he shoveled the puck into the net with his stick. The goal gave U-M a four-goal lead (5-1).
The Bulldogs would be the first to score in the third stanza, with a power-play goal from Zac Pearson at 7:36. Matt Verdone took a shot on the goal, but a U-M defender was there to block the attempt with his leg. Pearson collected the deflection and shot the puck low past Sauer. The FSU goal made the score 5-2.
Johnson had his second score of the evening at 18:23 with a power-play goal. Helpers came from Cogliano and T.J. Hensick (Howell, Mich.). Johnson drilled a hard slap-shot near the top of the right face-off circle. The sophomore's mark gave the Maize and Blue a 6-2 win over Ferris State.
The Wolverines travel to Western Michigan Friday, Feb. 2 to take on the Broncos. The game is slated to begin at 7:35 p.m. The following night (Feb. 3), U-M hosts WMU for senior night at Yost Ice Arena.
Contact: Matt Trevor (734) 763-4423
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