Michigan
3-1-0, 2-0-0CCHA
Northern Michigan
1-3-0, 0-2-0CCHA
Kolarik's Late Tally Delivers Wolverine Win at NMU
10/20/2007 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
Score: #6 Michigan 4, Northern Michigan 3
Records: U-M (3-1, 2-0 CCHA), NMU (1-3, 0-2 CCHA)
Next U-M Event: Friday, Oct. 26 -- vs. Boston University (Yost Ice Arena), 8:05 p.m.
Kolarik's Late Tally Delivers Wolverine Win at NMU
Event Recap| Boxscore| Postgame Notes
MARQUETTE, Mich. -- The No. 6-ranked University of Michigan hockey team pulled out a 4-3 win for a road sweep of the Northern Michigan Wildcats Saturday (Oct. 20) at the Berry Events Center. U-M took a 3-2 lead on freshman Ben Winnett's (New Westminster, B.C.) first career goal at 15:22 of the third period -- only to surrender a Wildcat power-play marker with 41 seconds left to play. Still shorthanded due to a major penalty, senior Chad Kolarik (Abington, Pa.) played the hero for the Wolverines as he tallied the game-winning goal with 21.1 seconds on the clock.
Michigan had two power-play goals, which came from junior Mark Mitera (Livonia, Mich.) and senior Kevin Porter (Northville, Mich.). Northern Michigan scored twice on its eight power-play opportunities. Junior Billy Sauer (Walworth, N.Y.) made 18 saves in the victory to improve to 7-1-0 in his careern against NMU.
U-M's penalty killers were ready to play early as they stopped an NMU power play two minutes into the game. NMU did not register a shot on goal during the advantage.
Michigan took advantage of its first power play of the night at the 10-minute mark.Mitera's second career goal came on a high wrist shot from just inside the left side of the blue line. Junior Travis Turnbull (Chesterfield, Mo.) distracted goalie Derek Janzen in front and the puck sailed into the net. Freshman Louie Caporusso (Woodbridge, Ontario) and sophomore Steve Kampfer (Jackson, Mich.) provided the assists.
U-M's flawless penalty killing record to start the season was stopped at 14 when the Wildcats scored at 16:16. NMU's Jared Brown executed a textbook one-timer from the left circle to knot the game at 1-1.
The Wolverines successfully killed the Wildcats' next power play -- which came 35 seconds after NMU had tied the game -- to leave the score tied 1-1 after 20 minutes.
The parade to the penalty box continued in the second period when Michigan was called for interference at 5:23.
Penalties on the Wildcats at 10:35 and 11:43 gave U-M a two-man advantage for 52 seconds. Just after the first NMU penalty expired, Nick Sirota and Ray Kaunisto were sprung on a two-on-none breakaway. Sirota dished to Kaunisto in the right slot, but Kaunisto flubbed the shot and the puck went wide.
Immediately after the NMU chance, Michigan recovered the puck and headed off the other way to take a 2-1 lead at 13:08. Kolarik wrapped the puck around the right side of U-M's zone, where freshman Aaron Palushaj (Northville, Mich.) then tipped the puck ahead. Porter took possession and raced down the right wing to create a three-on-two. With freshman Max Pacioretty (New Cannan, Conn.) crashing the crease, Porter sent a shot on goal and the puck ended up deflecting into the net off of an NMU defender.
U-M held its lead until the second intermission thanks to a successful penalty kill in the final four minutes of the stanza.
The Wildcats would tie the game at 2-2 on an even strength goal at 3:11 of the third period. Billy Sauer (Walworth, N.Y.) made a tough left pad save on Nathan Sigmund in the slot, but Phil Fox was uncovered in front and roofed the rebound.
The Wolverines were unable to retake the lead despite two power plays over the next eight minutes of play. U-M tested Janzen with four shots over the two man-advantages.
U-M took its third lead of the night on Winnett's hard wrist shot with 4:38 left in regulation. Winnett crossed over the NMU blue line uncontested and fired a hard shot over the goalie's glove hand. Freshman Matt Rust (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) and freshman Carl Hagelin (Sodertalje, Sweden) picked up assists.
Rust was assessed a five-minute major penalty for checking from behind with 2:02 remaining. NMU took advantage with a tip-in goal by Fox with 40.2 seconds on the clock. Matt Siddall's right point shot got through two U-M penalty killers and went right to Fox at the left edge of the crease.
Not to be denied, Kolarik stripped an NMU player of the puck just outside U-M's blue line and broke in alone. Kolarik wound up for a slapshot and drove the puck through backup goalie Brian Stewart's pads for the unassisted game-winner.
The Wolverines make their season debut at Yost Ice Arena next weekend against Boston University. Friday's (Oct. 26) opener will begin at 8:05 p.m., and be aired by CSTV. Saturday's (Oct. 27) contest will also be a late start -- face off is slated for 8:35 p.m.
Contact: Matt Trevor (734) 763-4423
