DEARBORN, Mich. – The University of Michigan-Dearborn men's ice hockey team opened the 2018-19 season in front of a packed crowd on Homecoming Night at the UM-Dearborn Ice Arena.
The Wolverines weathered a slow start and pulled in front 4-0 over Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference rival Indiana Tech, but the Warriors scored three in the third period to make the game interesting late.
No. 10 UM-Dearborn held on for the 4-3 win to open the season 1-0 under sixth-year Head Coach Chris Haltinner.
UM-Dearborn got the scoring started late in the first period as Michael Hodgson broke the ice on the season with a goal from the slot on assists from Justin Dunn and Billy Brock to bring the large crowd to its feet and send UM-Dearborn to the first intermission up 1-0.
The Wolverines extended their lead to 2-0 with a goal from Conor Cunningham, who's shot from the blue line made its way through the traffic in front and past the Warrior goaltender. Assists on Cunningham's goal went to Brock and Andrew Spiegel. Kyle Schnettler scored his first of the season less than a minute later to make it 3-0, as he netted a loose puck in front on assists from Kevin Bechard and Tyler Groat.
After Brock scored his first of the season on a feed from Spiegel and John Ames, the Warriors stormed back, cutting the 4-0 deficit to one with just under five minutes to play.
UM-Dearborn goaltender Thomas Proudlock stood tall and pushed the Wolverines to the win. Indiana Tech outshot the Wolverines 39-24 as Proudlock made 36 saves in the season-opening win.
The Wolverines and Warriors conclude the weekend series at 5:30 pm Saturday in Fort Wayne, Ind.
