ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The University of Michigan ice hockey team (No. 12 USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine, No. 11 USCHO) allowed Union College to score twice with less than five minutes in regulation as the Dutchmen snatched a 4-3 victory from the Wolverines in the season opener for both clubs Friday night (Oct. 7) at Yost Ice Arena.
The two teams return to Yost tomorrow (Saturday, Oct. 8) in a 5 p.m. start for the program’s ALS Awareness Game. [ Tickets ]
Union’s Spencer Foo capped a three-point night (2 G, 1 A) with his assist to Jeff Taylor as his cross-ice pass was met with a swift one-timer off the lefty’s stick for the game-winner at 17:51. Foo scored Union’s first two goals as the Dutchmen erased an early 2-0 Michigan lead in an entertaining affair at historic Yost.
The turning point in the game came just two minutes earlier as Michigan took a high-sticking penalty, with Union’s Mike Vecchione capitalizing to tie the game, 3-3.
“That goal, we took an unnecessary penalty and, sure enough, you have to pay for it,” said 33rd-year head coach Red Berenson following the game. “I thought [Zach Negelvoort] played well and gave us a chance.”
U-M needed all of Nagelvoort Friday as the team, despite suiting up seven defensemen, surrendered 40 shots, including several prime chances.
Michigan has taken a 3-2 lead in the second period thanks to freshman Will Lockwood, who intercepted a pass near center ice, dragged the puck from left to right and then flicked a precision shot back to the left, past Union’s Alex Sakellaropoul’s glove hand.
Michigan’s other goal scorers were juniors Sam Piazza and Tony Calderone, who built a 2-0 lead for the Wolverines midway through the opening period. Calderone’s marker came right as a Union power play ended. Senior Max Shuart gave his everything, lunging at a centering pass in the defensive zone and flipping the puck to Calderone coming out of the box. Calderone deked Sakellaropoul to his backhand before stopping on a dime and easing a shot into the net with his forehand.
