Michigan
9-1-0, 6-0-0CCHA
Alaska
0-6-0, 0-4-0CCHA
Kolarik Capitalizes in Michigan Sweep of Nanooks
11/10/2007 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
About five minutes into the game, U-M took a 1-0 lead on Chad Kolarik's (Abington, Pa.) fifth goal of the 2007-08 campaign. Deep in his offensive zone, Max Pacioretty (New Canaan, Conn.) picked up a rebound off of a Chad Langlais (Spokane, Wash.) shot and zipped a pass to Kolarik in the slot. The alternate captain deked to the left and lifted a backhand shot over Rogers' shoulder at 4:57 of the opening frame.
A power-play marker late in the stanza allowed Michigan to push its advantage to a pair of goals. With just over a minute to play, Sauer left the puck behind his own net for Steve Kampfer (Jackson, Mich.), who skated the length of the ice before he dished to Brandon Naurato (Livonia, Mich.). As Naurato was falling, the left winger flicked a low shot past Rogers for his first goal of the season at 1:07.
With Jeff Penner in the box for Alaska, Michigan improved its power play to 2-for-3 on the night when Kolarik tallied his second goal of the night. Aaron Lee's clearing attempt found the senior's stick, and Kolarik roped a shot into the top of the net at 1:09 of the middle session to give the Maize and Blue a three-goal margin.
Alaska ended Sauer's shutout bid at 18:50 when Dion Knelsen took an Adam Naglich pass from the top of the right faceoff circle and sent a quick one-timer over Sauer's outstretched glove hand. The tally cut the Wolverine lead to 3-1.
In the third stanza, U-M pushed its advantage back to three goals on Aaron Palushaj's (Northville, Mich.) third goal of the year. Naurato dumped a pass down to Tim Miller (Davisburg, Mich.), who immediately tipped the puck over to Palushaj. The freshman lit the lamp for his class-leading ninth point of the season at 1:48.
With a four-on-three man-advantage, Alaska pulled to within two goals on Knelsen's second goal of the contest. Naglich picked up a Penner feed and relayed it down to Knelsen in the right faceoff circle. The center took a short-angle shot that beat Sauer at 16:29.
The Nanooks pulled Rogers in an attempt to put the game within reach, but time expired on them and Michigan emerged on top by a 4-2 final.
U-M will travel to the Upper Peninsula next weekend to take on Lake Superior State in a two-game set. Friday's matchup is scheduled to kick off at 7:35 p.m. and Saturday's contest will begin at 7:05 p.m.
Contact: Matt Trevor (734) 763-4423
