Posted October 27, 2007
Three minutes into tonight’s game against Boston University, Michigan had taken three shots. Two hit the back of the net, the other trickled over the goalline for an apparent goal only to be waved off because of an early whistle.
With the early lead, the Wolverines never looked back, winning the game 6-2 and sweeping Boston University in its first series at Yost Ice Arena since 1989.
After Michigan’s first line had a goal taken back just 26 seconds into the game, the second line made up for it on the next shift. Freshman Ben Winnett took a cross-ice pass from junior Tim Miller and deposited the puck past Terrier goalie Karson Gillespie top shelf.
Unlike Friday night’s contest, in which the Terriers clearly controlled the pace in the first period, Michigan (5-1-0 overall) dominated from the opening face off. Using a bruising forecheck, the Wolverines stifled Boston University (0-4-1) in the opening minutes.
Michigan’s second goal came off freshman Max Pacioretty’s stick on the power play. The Montreal Canadiens’ first-round draft pick made good on his chance from the slot for his first career goal.
Minutes later Pacioretty showed the other side of his power-forward skill set, laying out a Boston University player at the Terrier blueline.
For the second straight night, Michigan took a penalty in the closing seconds of the first period. Friday night Boston University didn’t capitalize. Saturday it did.
Goalie Billy Sauer misplayed the puck behind his own net. The puck squirted out to Jason Lawrence who didn’t miss the resulting open net, cutting Michigan’s lead to one just over a minute into the second period.
Despite the misplay, Sauer had another solid night in net. Playing further out of the crease than in past seasons, the junior cut down on Boston University’s angles, giving the shooters little as a target. Along with his consistent goaltending, Sauer picked up his second career assist on Michigan’s third goal.
As they did Friday night, the Wolverines responded quickly to the Boston University goal. Freshman Carl Hagelin received a perfect outlet pass from Mark Mitera, snuck in behind the Terrier defense and easily put the puck past Gillespie for a power-play goal. It was the third goal of Hagelin’s six-game old career.
Hagelin was credited with a well-deserved assist on Michigan’s fourth goal. After driving the puck deep into the offensive zone, the freshman got just enough on a tip toward his classmate Kevin Quick at the point. Quick’s slapshot deflected off Gillespie into the air where a third freshman, Louie Caporusso, knocked it into the net.
Junior Travis Turnbull and senior Chad Kolarik added goals in the final minutes to put the contest away.
While the Wolverines couldn’t do anything to answer the “Let’s go Rockies,” cheer from the crowd, they did just about everything else en route to their fourth straight win.