Michigan
19-8-0-025-10-0;CCHA
Ferris State
9-13-5-212-16-7;CCHA
Michigan Hammers Ferris State in Regular-Season Road Finale
2/27/2009 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
Site: Big Rapids, Mich. (Ewigleben Ice Arena)
Score: #3 Michigan 6, Ferris State 1
Records: U-M (25-10-0, 19-8-0-0 CCHA), FSU (12-16-7, 9-13-5-2 CCHA)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Feb. 28 -- vs. Ferris State (Yost Ice Arena), 8:05 p.m.
Boxscore | Notes & Quotes | Video Report
BIG RAPIDS, Mich. -- The No. 3-ranked University of Michigan ice hockey team methodically dispatched Ferris State by a score of 6-1 on Friday (Feb. 27) at Ewigleben Ice Arena. U-M scored three goals in the first period, two goals in the second period and a final tally in the third period. Senior captain Mark Mitera(Livonia, Mich.) made his return after missing 33 games due to a knee injury to help U-M stifle the Bulldog offense.
Brian Lebler(Penticton, B.C.) had a team-high two goals. Louie Caporusso(Woodbridge, Ontario) got his 23rd goal of the season, which was the gamewinner, and had an assist. Bryan Hogan(Highland, Mich.) was effective between the pipes, making 22 saves and helping the Wolverines kill all six Bulldog power plays.
Fifty-five seconds after the opening faceoff, Tim Miller(Davisburg, Mich.) deposited a Caporusso centering pass behind goalie Pat Nagle to put U-M up 1-0.
Ferris State got the equalizer two minutes later, however, when Justin Menke got a puck through traffic and past Hogan from the inner edge of the right circle.
Caporusso notched a power-play goal at 7:43 to put U-M back in front for good at 2-1. Steve Kampfer (Jackson, Mich.) rushed the puck down the left side and made a touch pass into the left slot that Caporusso lifted into the left corner of the net. Travis Turnbull (Chesterfield, Mo.) got the second assist.
Carl Hagelin(Sodertalje, Sweden) single-handedly created Michigan's third goal. FSU had possession in its own zone and wrapped the puck around the right wing. Hagelin beat a Bulldog forward to the puck and dashed out into the right circle where he snapped a shot over Nagle's blocker at 16:33.
The first 20 minutes were riddled with penalties; U-M was assessed 16 penalty minutes, while FSU got 10 minutes.
The first nine minutes of the second period were even until the Wolverines struck at 9:07 and then again at 10:42, both on deflections. On the first goal, Michigan botched a two-on-one break, but Matt Rust(Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) eventually scored. A Rust pass intended for Aaron Palushaj(Northville, Mich.) was a stride behind, forcing Palushaj to spin and drop it into the slot. Hagelin sent a shot towards the left of the net, where Rust was waiting to knock the puck out of midair and into the net.
Lebler scored U-M's fifth goal as a result of a faceoff play. Turnbull won the offensive-zone faceoff back to Robbie Czarnik(Washington, Mich.), who drew the defense before sliding the puck to Kampfer at the right point. Kampfer's shot was then tipped in by Lebler.
The Bulldogs had two power plays in the final eight minutes of the second period, yet the Wolverines maintained their 5-1 lead heading into the second intermission.
Lebler got his second goal of the night with 5:08 remaining in the third period. Turnbull scooped up the puck along the right side and fed it between the circles, where Lebler beat Nagle through the five-hole.
Michigan concludes regular-season play against Ferris State on Saturday night (Feb. 28) at Yost Ice Arena. Faceoff is set for 8:05 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on CBS College Sports. Afterwards, U-M will honor its six-member senior class in an on-ice ceremony.
Contact: Matt Trevor (734) 763-4423
