Michigan
29-10-0,20-8-0-0CCHA
Alaska
17-15-6,13-10-5-3CCH
Michigan Beats Alaska, Will Play Notre Dame in CCHA Final
3/20/2009 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
Site: Detroit, Mich. (Joe Louis Arena)
Event: CCHA Championship Semifinal
Score: #3 Michigan 3, Alaska 1
Records: U-M (29-10-0, 21-8-0-0), Alaska (17-15-6, 13-11-5-3)
Attendance: 11,043
Next U-M Event: Saturday, March 21 -- vs. Notre Dame (Detroit, Mich.), 7:35 p.m.
Boxscore | Notes & Quotes | Photo Gallery | Video Report
DETROIT, Mich. -- The No. 3-ranked University of Michigan ice hockey team advanced to the CCHA Championship final for the eighth time in nine seasons with a 3-1 semifinal victory over Alaska on Saturday (March 20) at Joe Louis Arena. Hobey Baker finalist Louie Caporusso(Woodbridge, Ont.) led the offensive attack, registering the game-winning goal and a pair of assists. Aaron Palushaj(Northville, Mich.) contributed a marker and helper, while 2008 CCHA Tournament MVP Tim Miller(Davisburg, Mich.) chipped in two assists in the winning effort.
Michigan will face No. 2-ranked Notre Dame for the second time in three seasons in the CCHA final. In 2007 -- the last time the squads met in the contest -- UND won by a 2-1 margin.
The Wolverines lit the lamp first on a five-minute power play, but UAF used a power-play of its own to deadlock the score in the second period. Shortly after Alaska's tally, however, Caporusso netted the go-ahead goal and Palushaj scored an empty-net marker in the final minutes of play to solidify the win.
After Alaska's Bryant Molle was ejected from the contest for checking from behind, Michigan received a five-minute man-advantage at 15:36 of the opening frame, and the Wolverines capitalized. Caporusso passed down the ice to Miller at the bottom of the right circle and Miller crossed the puck in front of the net to Chad Langlais(Spokane, Wash.) -- who was skating in towards the left post where he wristed an on-the-go shot that flew past unsuspecting UAF goaltender and CCHA Player of the Year Chad Johnson for the 1-0 advantage at 17:17.
Travis Turnbull(Chesterfield, Mo.) was whistled for goalie interference at the close of the first period, giving the Nanooks a two-minute man-advantage to start the middle stanza. However, Alaska only managed a single shot during that time frame and remained down by a goal.
At 13:35 -- on its second power play of the period -- Alaska got the equalizer to knot the score at 1-1. Joe Sova ripped a shot from the left point that found its way to Braden Walls in the middle of the left circle where he redirected the puck through the legs of Mark Mitera(Livonia, Mich.) and into the right side of the net for his team-leading fifth power-play goal of the season.
The Maize and Blue responded to UAF's marker, garnering a goal at 15:49 in the stanza to retake the lead, 2-1. After receiving the puck from Palushaj, Steve Kampfer(Jackson, Mich.) carried the puck through neutral territory to the right corner of Alaska's zone. From there, Kampfer made a quick dish to Caporusso coming hard down the slot, and the Hobey Baker finalist bounced the puck off Johnson and into the left side of the net for the go-ahead tally.
With 2:12 left in the contest, Alaska received a penalty, and in order to make up for the loss of manpower, pulled Johnson, leaving the net open. At 17:56, just eight seconds later, Palushaj notched an empty-net goal on a nifty feed from Caporusso, who made a strong play to gain control of a loose puck, making the scoreboard read 3-1 in favor of U-M. Miller provided the second assist on the marker.
Michigan will play against Notre Dame tomorrow (Saturday, March 21) in the CCHA finals at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. The game will start at 7:35 p.m. and be broadcast by FSN Detroit.
Contact: Matt Trevor (734) 763-4423
