#10 Michigan Evens Series; Mich 2, UNH 1

Freshman Adam Clark Stops
32 Out of 34 Shots on Goal

After dropping a 5-1 decision on Friday night, the Michigan Wolverines rebounded with a 2-1 victory over the UNH Wildcats at Yost Ice Arena this evening. The game was more evenly matched than the night before with Michigan finishing with 34 shots on goal and UNH with 32.

On both Michigan goals from just inside the blueline, UNH uncharacteristically did not block the long-distance shot before it reached goalie Adam Clark. UNH continued to battle as Senior Captain Matt Willows scored a short-handed goal with 5:35 left in the second period.

At the outset of the game, UNH was down one defenseman as John Furgele was injured in the second period Friday night. Freshman Dylan Chanter replaced Furgele. UNH lost another defenseman with 1:29 left in the second as Dylan Maller was penalized with a 5-minute major. UNH managed to kill off the penalty.

UNH had several opportunities to tie the game in the 3rd period as they outshot Michigan 16-8. But Michigan goalie Steve Racine closed the door. UNH goalie Adam Clark was very impressive over both nights in the pressurized environment of Yost Ice Arena. In all he faced 60 shots and he made 57 saves. I'll have more details on the weekend series in a future post, but for now, here are the goals from tonight's game.

On Michigan's first goal at 19:32 of the second period, Mike Downing launched a slap shot from the top of the faceoff circle. Defensive stalwart Brett Pesce was in front of goalie Adam Clark, but the puck got past both of them. Michigan 1, UNH 0.



The second Michigan goal, which came a little over a minute later, was a bit of a fortunate bounce for the Wolverines. Defenseman Cutler Martin fired a shot from the top of the opposite faceoff circle. The shot appeared to be going wide of the UNH net, but Kyle Smith inadvertantly redirected the puck past Adam Clark. Michigan 2, UNH 0.



With over 6 minutes left in the second period, Michigan had an opportunity to go ahead by 3 goals as they went to the power play. Matt Willows blocked a pass with his skate just inside the UNH blueline, gathered the puck in the neutral zone, and outraced the Michigan defenseman down the ice. He beat Racine with a quick backhand shot. Michigan 2, UNH 1.



UNH went on the power play with 1:56 left in the second period. Michigan dumped the puck into the UNH zone and Andrew Sinelli and Dylan Maller raced for the puck as it went into the corner to Clark's right. Maller hit Sinelli with his arm and shoulder just as Sinelli appeared to be turning away from him. Sinelli went hard into the boards and Maller was given the game misconduct penalty. Sinelli was not injured.



With the final seconds ticking away, UNH pulled Adam Clark for an extra skater. UNH generated a couple quality bids but did not score the tying goal.



With three games in the books, UNH's record is now 1-2-0. They've played two top 10 teams, scored 7 goals and allowed 6 goals. Next up is the home opener against Colorado College a week from tonight at the Whittemore Center.