Michigan
8-8-2, 4-6-2-1CCHA
Alaska
7-8-2, 4-7-2-0CCHA
Guptill's Quick Strike in OT Boosts U-M to Shutout Victory at Alaska
12/3/2011 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
Dec. 4, 2011
| Site: Fairbanks, Alaska (Carlson Center)
Score: Michigan 1, Alaska 0 (OT)
Record: U-M (8-8-2, 4-6-2-1 CCHA), UAF (7-9-2, 4-8-2-0 CCHA)
Attendance: 3,367
Next U-M Event: Friday, Dec. 9 -- vs. Michigan State (Yost Ice Arena), 7:35 p.m.
FAIRBANKS, Alaska -- The University of Michigan ice hockey team (No. 19 USCHO.com/NR USA Today/USA Hockey) needed just one goal to snap its five-game losing streak tonight (Saturday, Dec. 3), defeating the Alaska Nanooks, 1-0, in overtime at the Carlson Center.
Goaltender Shawn Hunwick (Sterling Heights, Mich.) turned aside 25 shots for his second shutout of the season and the seventh of his career. Hunwick is now tied (with Bryan Hogan and Jim Keough) for fifth on the program's all-time shutout list.
The teams skated through three scoreless periods; the first time Michigan has entered overtime with a 0-0 score since Dec. 29, 2007, when the Wolverines defeated Michigan Tech, 1-0, in double overtime to win the Great Lakes Invitational championship.
Freshman Alex Guptill (Newmarket, Ontario) captured the victory for Michigan just 57 seconds into the overtime period when his shot deflected off Alaska's Adam Henderson before sneaking past Nanook goaltender Scott Greenham for the win.
U-M thwarted two Nanooks power plays in the final frame while receiving nary a man-advantage itself in final period, including killing off a boarding penalty at 17:54 of the third. Both teams came up empty on four power-play opportunities in the near 61-minute contest.
Michigan peppered Greenham with 42 shots in the game, marking the third time this season that the Wolverines have eclipsed 40 shots.
The Wolverines return to action on Friday (Dec. 9) when Michigan State visits Yost Ice Arena for the first time this season. Game time is scheduled for 7:35 p.m.
Contact: Rob Tillotson (734) 763-4423
