Michigan
(1-0-0, 0-0-0CCHA)
St. Lawrence
(0-1-0, 0-0-0ECAC)
Wolverines Sneak by St. Lawrence in Season Opener
10/10/2008 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
Score: #2 Michigan 4, St. Lawrence 3
Records: U-M (1-0-0), SLU (0-1-0)
Attendance: 6,241
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Oct. 11 -- vs. St. Lawrence (Yost Ice Arena), 7:35 p.m.
Boxscore | Notes & Quotes | Photo Gallery | Video Report
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Tim Miller(Davisburg, Mich.) scored with 2:33 left to play to complete the come-from-behind victory as the No. 2-ranked University of Michigan ice hockey team narrowly defeated the St. Lawrence Saints, 4-3, on Friday (Oct. 10) in the season opener at Yost Ice Arena. U-M's other goal scorers included Ben Winnett(New Westminster, B.C.), Carl Hagelin(Sodertalje, Sweden) and Chad Langlais(Spokane, Wash.), who tallied his first career goal.
Michigan fell into a 2-0 hole quickly, allowing St. Lawrence goals at 9:33 and at 13:23 in the opening period. Kevin DeVergilio and Brandon Bollig both took advantage of failed U-M clearing attempts to net the markers.
Winnett trimmed the deficit to 2-1 at 13:52 with a skillful redirection of a shot from Steve Kampfer(Jackson, Mich.). Five minutes later, Hagelin tied the game at 2-2. Aaron Palushaj(Northville, Mich.), skating down the right side, spotted Hagelin in the slot and connected with his linemate at the left post for the marker.
With the score tied, U-M took its first lead of the game on a goal from Langlais at 12:45 in the second period. Matt Rust(Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) took the puck from behind SLU's net to the far side of the right circle before crossing the puck to Langlais in the middle of the left circle. Langlais then flicked it between the legs of SLU netminder Alex Petizian for the score.
The Wolverines could not hold onto to the lead for long, however, as St. Lawrence answered at 13:52 of the second stanza on a four-on-three power play. Shawn Fensel took a shot from the point and Mike McKenzie redirected it from just outside the crease behind U-M goaltender Billy Sauer (Walworth, N.Y.).
The only goal of the third period was the gamewinner with 2:33 left in regulation. Travis Turnbull(Chesterfield, Mo.) brought the puck in on the right wing and fired a low shot that was kicked out into the left circle. Miller beat his defender to the loose puck and swatted it into the net for the 4-3 victory. Eric Elmblad(St. Ignace, Mich.) was also credited with an assist, giving the junior his first career point.
Michigan will conclude its weekend series with SLU tomorrow (Oct. 11) at 7:35 p.m. at Yost Ice Arena.
TV Changes for Saturday: Comcast Television will be broadcasting the game live to Comcast cable subscribers in Michigan. The game will be shown on channel 190 -- it was previously set to air on channel 900. Furthermore, the NHL Network in Canada will show the game live, while NHL Network in the U.S. will show the game tape-delayed at noon on Sunday (Oct. 12).
Contact: Matt Trevor (734) 763-4423
