Michigan
21-2-0, 14-1-0CCHA
Notre Dame
18-8-1, 11-5-1CCHA
Caporusso Caps Comeback Win Over No. 8 Notre Dame
1/18/2008 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Yost Ice Arena)
Score: #1 Michigan 3, #8 Notre Dame 2
Records: U-M (21-2-0, 14-1-0 CCHA), ND (18-8-1, 11-5-1 CCHA)
Attendance: 6,984
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Jan. 19 -- vs. Notre Dame (Auburn Hills, Mich.), 7:05 p.m.
Boxscore | Postgame Notes | Quotes | Photo Gallery | Video Report
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The top-ranked University of Michigan ice hockey team rebounded from a two-goal deficit to pull out a 3-2 victory over No. 8 Notre Dame Friday (Jan. 18) at Yost Ice Arena. In front of 6,984 fans -- the second-largest crowd since Yost's renovation in 1996-97 -- Louie Caporusso(Woodbridge, Ontario) sealed the U-M win with just 20.3 seconds remaining in the game.
Down by a pair of goals after 20 minutes of play, the Wolverines responded with three unanswered goals in the final two periods of the game. Billy Sauer(Walworth, N.Y.) shut down the Irish offense after allowing a pair of goals on five shots, making 21 consecutive saves and 24 total on the night.
Notre Dame controlled the tempo in the first minutes of the period and capitalized at 3:33. Kevin Deeth snagged the puck in the neutral zone and hustled into Michigan territory. The center slid into the left faceoff circle and roped a shot at the net that deflected off a U-M defenseman for the unassisted tally, giving the Fighting Irish the 1-0 lead.
The Irish extended their lead just 1:20 later on Justin White's fourth goal of the season. Calle Ridderwall laced a pass to Ryan Guentzel, who relayed a quick pass to White. The junior shrugged off pressure from behind and deftly slid a shot between a sprawling Sauer's legs for the 2-0 edge.
The teams battled throughout the period, with each team getting a chance with the man advantage. With under a minute left to play in the opening stanza, Michigan was given a four-on-three power-play opportunity that carried over into the second period.
The Maize and Blue used the power play to its advantage, breaking onto the scoreboard just 21 seconds into the middle frame. Chad Langlais(Spokane, Wash.) took the puck just inside the blue line and sent a cross-ice pass to the stick of Kevin Porter(Northville, Mich.). The U-M captain blasted a shot that found its way through traffic in front of the crease and into the back of the net, cutting the lead to 2-1. The marker, Porter's nation-leading 21st of the campaign, was the senior's NCAA-best 12th power-play tally.
The Wolverines knotted the game at two goals apiece on Matt Rust's (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) eighth goal of the year. Aaron Palushaj(Northville, Mich.) sent a pass through center ice that hit Rust in stride. The center raced to the left faceoff dot before unleashing a shot that rocketed over Jordan Pearce's blocker at 12:05.
Chris Summers(Milan, Mich.) was whistled for a major penalty to begin the third period, giving Notre Dame a five-minute power-play opportunity. The U-M defense dominated the span, however, stifling the Irish and not allowing a single shot on goal.
U-M capped its comeback at 19:39 with a late tally by Caporusso. Deep in Notre Dame's zone, Travis Turnbull(Chesterfield, Mo.) slid a pass from behind the net to Brandon Naurato(Livonia, Mich.). The left-winger's initial shot was turned aside by Pearce, but Caporusso shoveled the rebound over the goal line to give Michigan the 3-2 come-from-behind victory. The marker was Caporusso's third game-winner, and Turnbull's helper pushed the junior to the 50-point plateau for his career.
The teams will travel to the Palace of Auburn Hills to finish out the two-game set Saturday (Jan. 19). The puck is scheduled to drop at 7:05 p.m., and the game will be televised on Comcast Local.
Contact: Matt Trevor (734) 763-4423
