Michigan
U.S. NTDP U-18 Team (ex)
21-12-1-1-0
Michigan Stumbles in Exhibition Game with USA Hockey
1/25/2020 10:44:00 PM | Ice Hockey
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Yost Ice Arena)
Score: U.S. NTDP 4, Michigan 1
Records: U-M (10-11-3), U.S. NTDP U-18 (20-12-0)
Next U-M Event: Friday, Jan. 31 -- vs. Ohio State (Yost Ice Arena), 7:30 p.m.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Despite multiple opportunities to narrow the gap and a sellout crowd behind it, the University of Michigan ice hockey team fell short in its exhibition, 4-1, against the United States National Development Program (USNTDP) U-18 team on Saturday (Jan. 25) at Yost Ice Arena.
After being whistled for interference 2:36 into the game, the USNTDP found itself on a two-on-one rush following a defensive zone faceoff. The pursuing puck carrier slid the puck to his teammate who, in turn, ripped a one-timed shot to beat Strauss Mann and gave the USNTDP a 1-0 lead on a short-handed goal.
The Wolverines went on the offensive creating chance after chance but fell short in getting the puck past the USA netminder, Drew Commesso.
Midway through the first period, the USNDTP extended its lead. The second tally of the night for the Red, White, and Blue came off a redirected shot from the point which snuck by Mann on the short side. The goal came at the 11:03 mark of the first frame, and the score remained 2-0 in favor of the USNTDP heading into the first intermission.
The second period saw limited action as each team traded opportunities but neither found the back of the net.
Thirty-one seconds in the second period, the Maize and Blue went back on the man-advantage for the second time in the game. Redshirt sophomore Emil Örhwall was given a wide-open look on the ensuing power play, but Commesso again came to the rescue by gloving the shot. The penalty was killed off and play resumed at full strength.
Replacing Mann in net, senior goaltender Hayden Lavigne stopped all 10 shots he faced to keep the game at 2-0.
In the third period, the USNTDP offense added two more goals.
On a delayed Michigan penalty, the visitors led the way the down the ice on an odd-man rush. The puck was dropped to the trailer just behind the puck carrier and then slid over to the far-side winger who slammed it home past a sprawling Lavigne. The USNTDP led, 3-0, with just over nine minutes remaining.
With 3:07 remaining in the game, USA scored its second goal of the period and fourth goal of the night.
The Wolverines got on the scoreboard at 19:01 when Johnny Beecher fired a one-timed missile past the USTNDP netminder for a power-play goal. Eric Ciccolini and Jack Summers were credited with the assists.
The Wolverines finished the game outshooting the USNTDP, 33-27, including a 5-1 shot advantage on the power play.
Michigan will return to Big Ten play next Friday (Jan. 31) when they welcome rival Ohio State to Yost Ice Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., and the game will be streamed live on BTN Plus.
