Dearborn, MI - The hockey team won its first ever Great Lakes Hockey Tournament on Sunday night with a 3-0 win over Sagniaw Valley State University. After two high scoring wins (8-2, 8-4), defense was on display Sunday night. After a scoreless first period, sophomore Michael Payne scored midway through the second period to give the tournament host a 1-0. Michigan-Dearborn kept the pressure on Saginaw Valley peppering goalie Garrett Chronawski with 19 shots on goal in the second period. Even with the 19 shots, the Wolverines would only score one goal in the period.
The score remained 1-0 until about five minutes into the third period when sophomore Derek Kessler put one past Chronawski extending the Michigan-Dearborn lead to 2-0. The play was in the Saginaw Valley end almost the entire third period as the Wolverines outshot the Cardinals 22-3 in the third period and 53-15 for the game. A late goal by senior Ryan Arndt sealed the victory for the home team and the championship trophy. Freshman Nathan Ferris stopped all 15 shots for his first collegiate shutout.
Freshman defenseman Ryan Urso was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. Urso, a Livonia native, helped lead the Wolverines defense that allowed six goals in the three game tournament. He also had one goal and five assists on the weekend. For the complete tournament bracket, please click on the link at the end of this article.
Next up for the hockey team is a home and home series against the Rochester College Warriors. Friday night's home game will begin at 7:30pm.
