After just three minutes, it looked like the game would be a blowout.
But after the No. 4 Michigan hockey team took an early 2-0 lead, Nebraska Omaha didn’t lay down.

And though the Wolverines ultimately prevailed with an 8-3 win, the Mavericks looked like the better team after the first period. It was the most amount of goals scored by Michigan in a game this season.

Freshman Robbie Czarnik opened up the scoring just two minutes into the game, scoring a goal you won’t see everyday.

After setting up shop near the right side of the goal crease, Czarnik received a pass from junior acting captain Chris Summers from the point that hit Czarnik’s chest. The puck then trickled to the pads of Nebraska Omaha goalie Jeremie Dupont and creeped into the net for a power play goal.

Sophomore Carl Hagelin scored just a minute later to give the Wolverines a 2-0 lead. Hagelin deflected a shot from the left circle by sophomore Aaron Palushaj past Dupont.

After taking a 2-0 lead, Michigan was called for three consecutive first period penalties, but the Mavericks didn’t convert.
After taking another quick penalty by sophomore defenseman Tristin Llewellyn early in the second period, sophomore Ben Winnett got a chance on a fast break.

After freshmen defenseman Brandon Burlon stole the puck at center ice, he broke with Winnett on a 2-on-1 and passed the puck to Winnett in the offensive zone. The sophomore promptly deked the goalie and stuck it in five-hole.

That’s when the Mavericks started to pick it up.

Nebraska Omaha scored a power play goal off a rebound midway through the second period after both senior Danny Fardig and sophomore Tristin Llewellyn took penalties.

Between the end of the first period, and the beginning of the second period, the Wolverines were called for six straight penalties.

But after settling down, freshman David Wohlberg scored a goal of his own for the Wolverines to extend the lead back to three.

Wohlberg camped to the left of the Nebraska Omaha net and when he got the puck down low, he chipped at it until it finally deflected off the goalie into the net.

Michigan wasn’t able to sustain the lead for long however, Nebraska Omaha’s Rich Purslow scored 40 seconds after the Wohlberg goal to keep the Mavericks in the game.

But just like the back and forth affair that the game was, Michigan’s fourth line gave Michigan a two goal lead and 30 seconds later its top line extended the lead back to three.

After sophomore defenseman Scooter Vaughan took a shot from point, freshman Luke Glendening shot the ensuing rebound into the open net.
And the Wolverines scored in similar fashion just 30 seconds later.

Sophomore Aaron Palushaj put home a Vaughan rebound from the slot to give the Wolverines a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
And after grabbing the momentum, Michigan decided to put it to the Mavericks.

Junior Brian Lebler scored a goal on a power play midway through the third to give Michigan seven goals on the night.

The Mavericks really made the game interesting scoring 2:44 into the third period by jamming in a loose puck sitting in the crease with sophomore goalie Bryan Hogan out of position.

Burlon added another goal to make it 8-3.

Hogan was pulled in the middle of the third period for senior goalie Billy Sauer and left the game, his status is unknown.

The win keeps Michigan in third place in the CCHA since Miami (Ohio) also won.

The Wolverines and Mavericks return to Yost Ice Arena tomorrow night for an 8 PM game.