Michigan
4-0-1
Robert Morris
2-1-2
Four-Goal Third Period Lifts Wolverines Past RMU
10/30/2015 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
Oct. 30, 2015
» The Wolverines scored four unanswered goals in the third period.
» Freshman Kyle Connor (assist) extended his point streak to five games.
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Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Yost Ice Arena)
Score: #10 Michigan 5, Robert Morris 3
Records: U-M (4-0-1), RMU (2-1-2)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Oct. 31 -- vs. Robert Morris (Yost Ice Arena), 3:05 p.m.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Trailing 3-1 entering the third period, the University of Michigan ice hockey team rallied for four unanswered goals to earn a 5-3 win over Robert Morris on Friday night (Oct. 30) inside Yost Ice Arena. With the win, the Wolverines remained unbeaten at 4-0-1, matching the team's best start in the last 10 seasons (U-M also started 2013-14 at 4-0-1).
Freshman forward Cooper Marody scored, defensemen Michael Downing and Zach Werenski added power play goals, and sophomore forward Tony Calderone capped off the third period rally with his third goal of the season to help Michigan complete the comeback, U-M's first from a two-goal deficit since March 16, 2012 (Trailed 0-2, Won 3-2 (2OT) vs. Bowling Green).
Junior forward JT Compher notched his first of the season in the opening period of play, and junior goaltender Zach Nagelvoort (3-0-0) made 27 saves to earn the win in net.
Marody kicked off Michigan's third period rally on an odd-man rush, taking a pass from Calderone as the trailer on a 3-on-2 rush and beating Robert Morris goaltender Terry Shafer (42 saves) over the shoulder at 1:38.
A slashing penalty on RMU's David Friedmann gave Downing the opportunity to tie it up, as his blast from straightaway went through a Brendan Warren screen in front of the net past Shafer at 5:23.
Two consecutive penalties on RMU's Tyson Wilson (boarding) and Matt Cope (high-sticking) gave Michigan a long 5-on-3 power play midway through the period, and Werenski gave Michigan its first lead of the game, skating in from the high slot and picking a spot on the short side with Shafer out of position at 11:55.
Calderone finished off the Michigan rally, finishing off a pretty passing play from junior forward Max Shuart to Marody, then cross-ice to Calderone for a one-timer into an open net at 14:19.
Nagelvoort made several key stops late in the game, as Michigan killed off 44 seconds of a 6-on-3 power play for Robert Morris, as Shafer was on the bench for an extra attacker.
Michigan had its share of scoring chances in the first period, outshooting Robert Morris 16-10 in the frame, as the Wolverines had three power plays in the frame. But it was the visiting Colonials who took a 1-0 lead into the break, scoring just after U-M's second power play of the period expired.
The Wolverines' best scoring chance came on a great play by JT Compher, who eluded two Robert Morris skaters behind the net and found Tyler Motte all alone in front. Motte's one-timer was squeezed by Shafer at 13:06.
Later in the period, RMU took the lead just after Michigan's second power play of the frame expired. Brandon Denham skated in on a 2-on-1 after Kyle Horsman exited the penalty box, and passed to Greg Gibson, who put a shot on net from the slot. Denham put in the rebound at 16:16 to put Robert Morris ahead 1-0.
The Wolverines continued to pile on shots and scoring chances in the second period, but the Colonials emerged from the period with a 3-1 lead thanks to two late goals.
Midway through the period, Compher notched his first goal of the season after an impressive individual effort. Compher redirected a pass to Motte, who fired wide of the net. Compher chased the puck behind the goal, skated out in front and on his third effort jammed the puck past Shafer at 11:15.
Just over a minute later, RMU's Spencer Dorowicz skated out in front of the net from the corner and beat Nagelvoort on a second-effort at 12:30 to put the Colonials back in front.
Who ordered the 4 UNANSWERED goals for dessert?!? Way to go, @umichhockey!!!! #GoBlue
-- Dekers Club (@DekersClub) October 31, 2015
The Colonials took a two goal lead at 18:19 after Nagelvoort made a spectacular sliding stop on Greg Gibson's 2-on-1 shot. Zac Lynch put in the rebound with the puck sitting in the crease, and Robert Morris led 3-1 entering the final period of play.
Michigan will wrap up its Halloween weekend series against the Colonials on Saturday at 3:05 p.m. inside Yost Ice Arena.
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Communications Contact: Jeffrey Weinstein
