Michigan
12-1-0, 8-0-0CCHA
Wisconsin
5-6-0, 2-4-0WCHA
Wolverines Hold Off Late Wisconsin Rally for Showcase Win
11/23/2007 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
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ANN ARBOR , Mich. -- The No. 2-ranked University of Michigan hockey team held off the No. 14 Wisconsin Badgers, emerging with the 3-2 victory Friday (Nov. 23) at Yost Ice Arena. The Wolverines held a three-goal lead going into the third period, but the Badgers scored twice in 18 seconds to bring the game down to the wire.
Chad Kolarik(Abington, Pa.) was instrumental in the win, notching a point on each of the U-M goals and compiling a 1-2-3 line on the night. Linemate Kevin Porter(Northville, Mich.) added a goal and an assist of his own, while Billy Sauer(Walworth, N.Y.) made 24 saves to preserve the win.
Michigan had the first quality scoring chance of the night six minutes into the contest. Streaking up the center of the ice, Porter collected a perfectly-placed Scooter Vaughan(Placentia, Calif.) pass. The captain skated in alone on Shane Connelly, but his quick wrister was denied by the goalie.
Brian Lebler(Penticton, B.C.) drew a major penalty, giving Wisconsin a five-minute man advantage, but the Badgers were unable to find the back of the net, registering only a pair of shots during the span.
However, with seven seconds left on the penalty, the Wolverines broke open the scoring with Kolarik's second shorthanded goal of the campaign. Steve Kampfer(Jackson, Mich.) hit the right winger in stride just outside of the blueline, and Kolarik deked past a sprawling defender and banked a shot off the far post for the tally. The goal, Kolarik's seventh of the season, came at 11:25 and gave the Maize and Blue the 1-0 lead.
U-M was given its own five-minute power play late in the period but could not convert, mustering only three shots on goal.
After 20 minutes of play, Michigan outshot the Badgers 9-8 and led 1-0.
The Wolverines were whistled for a pair of penalties 1:20 apart to start the second stanza. Wisconsin produced a flurry of shots on the power play, with the best coming at the tail end of the five-on-three advantage. Stationed at the edge of the crease, Kyle Turris flipped a shot that glanced off a skate and into the air. Sauer grabbed the puck out of midair, diving across the goal mouth to make the glove save and preserve the lead.
The teams continued to trade power-play opportunities throughout the period. Taking its turn on the man advantage, Michigan extended the edge to a pair of goals at 12:36. Aaron Palushaj(Northville, Mich.), Kolarik and Porter played tic-tac-toe with the puck for the tally. Palushaj dished to Kolarik behind the net, and the alternate captain slid the puck across the crease to Porter, who deposited it behind Connelly. The goal was Porter's 14th of the season.
The Maize and Blue padded its lead less than three minutes later on Max Pacioretty's (New Canaan, Conn.) third goal of the year. Once again behind the net, Kolarik collected the feed from Porter and relayed the puck to Pacioretty. The freshman immediately dumped the puck over the goal line for the power-play tally 3-0 lead.
At 17:10 of the final period, Wisconsin ended Sauer's shutout bid with a goal by Podge Turnbull. Blake Geoffrion snagged a pass from Brendan Smith and sent the puck low to Turnbull. The UW freshman lifted a backhand shot over Sauer's right shoulder to cut Michigan's lead to 3-1.
Just 18 seconds later, the Badgers pulled to within a goal. Davis Drewiske roped a pass to Ben Street, who raced into the zone and lit the lamp at 17:28.
Wisconsin pulled Connelly in an effort to knot the game, but time expired before UW could do so. Michigan emerged on top by a final of 3-2.
To wrap up the 15th Annual College Hockey Showcase, the Maize and Blue will faceoff against No. 15 Minnesota on Saturday (Nov. 24). The puck is scheduled to drop at 7:35 pm and will be shown on tape delay on the Big Ten Network.
Contact: Matt Trevor (734) 763-4423
