Michigan
9-9-0/5-7-0-0
Notre Dame
8-8-4/5-5-4-2
Second-Period Irish Goals Doom U-M in Road Loss
12/13/2009 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
Dec. 13, 2009
Site: South Bend, Ind. (Joyce Center)
Score: Notre Dame 2, Michigan 0
Records: U-M (9-9-0, 5-7-0-0 CCHA), Notre Dame (8-8-4, 5-5-4-2 CCHA)
Attendance: 2,802
Next U-M Event: Tuesday, Dec. 29 -- vs. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - Great Lakes Invitational (Detroit, Mich.), 7:30 p.m.
SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Despite holding a 38-20 shot advantage in the game, the University of Michigan ice hockey team lost 2-0 at Notre Dame (NR USA Today/No. 18 USCHO) on Sunday (Dec. 13) at the Joyce Center.
The Fighting Irish scored their two goals just over five minutes apart in the second period. U-M outshot the UND by a 38-20 margin, but could not solve goalie Mike Johnson. Michigan gave Notre Dame nine power plays, seven of which came after U-M was down two goals.
The teams traded scoring chances in the first period of play. The best opportunity came on a shorthanded breakaway by Notre Dame's Riley Sheahan, who was stoned by junior goalie Bryan Hogan (Highland, Mich.).
Due in part to a power play, Michigan dominated play territorially in the first five minutes of the second period. However, it was Notre Dame that capitalized on its scoring chance. Christiaan Minella fought off two U-M players at the left half boards and poked the puck to Nick Larson, who wristed a shot from the top of the left circle past Hogan.
UND went ahead 2-0 at 10:48 thanks to a five-on-three power play. Calle Ridderwall walked in to the right hash marks and blasted a shot through a screen and into the top left corner of the net.
Penalties continued to plague Michigan through the rest of the second period as U-M was whistled for infractions at 15:46 and 18:34, further inhibiting its comeback bid.
Michigan's two best scoring chances came during four-on-four action in the third period, but junior defenseman Chad Langlais (Spokane, Wash.) and senior defenseman Chris Summers (Milan, Mich.) were denied on partial breakaways.
The Wolverines could not generate a final offensive surge due to penalties that were committed at 17:20 and 18:28.
The Wolverines are off for the next 15 days for final exams in Ann Arbor. U-M returns to action on Tuesday, Dec. 29, when it takes on RPI in a Great Lakes Invitational semifinal at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. Michigan will play either Michigan State or Michigan Tech on Wednesday, Dec. 30, in the third-place game or championship game. Tickets are available on MGoBlue.com/tickets or by calling (734) 764-0247.
Contact: Matt Trevor (734) 763-4423
