Nov. 9, 2007
Box Score
The No.2 ranked Michigan Wolverines proved too much for the Nanooks, as the home team struck three late goals in the span of seven minutes to run away with a 4-0 win. A first period goal from Michigan's Chad Kolarik held up, as goaltender Billy Sauer recorded 15 saves on his way to his third career shutout. Travis Turnbull, Aaron Palushaj, and Kevin Porter also found the net for the Wolverines.
The U-M goal would be the only score of the first period. The Wolverines out shot the Nanooks 8-6 and had a 1-0 lead at the close of the opening stanza.
Goaltending was the name of the game in the middle frame. Alaska's Chad Johnson (0-3-0) had nine saves, while Sauer had six saves for the Wolverines. In the back-and-forth action, both teams posted solid shots, although neither side was able to capitalize on their attempts.
The Nanooks got their chance to even the tally at 5:18 in the third period, when U-M's Brian Lebler assessed a five-minute major penalty for hitting from behind. He was also an assessed a game misconduct. However, the Woverines were stingy and did not allow Alaska a single shot on goal during its power play. The Nanooks woes didn't end there though as junior center Adam Naglich got charged with hooking at 6:59 and Alaska had to kill off a fourth penalty.
Unable to find an answer and even the tie, U-M widened the gap with Turnbull's goal at 13:57 in the last frame. Just fourty seconds later the Wolverines put another tally on the board. Palushaj pushed the puck from the left goal post into the back of the net to give the Wolverines a 3-0 advantage at 14:47.
With less than two minutes left to play in the game, Porter capped the scoring and extended his point streak to eight games. After receiving the puck from his teammate, Porter moved down the slot, deked a few times, and shot high toward the back of Alaska's net. The shot beat Johnson, giving Michigan a 4-0 victory at 18:13.
Both teams were unable to capitalize through four man-advantage opportunities and Alaska was limited to just 15 shots on goal for the second time on the young season.
The Nanooks (0-5-0, 0-3-0 CCHA) meet the Wolverines (8-1-0, 5-0-0) again Saturday (Nov. 10) in Yost Ice Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:35 p.m.
