By Aarif Deen, Assistant Sports Information Director
DEARBORN, Mich. – The No. 2 University of Michigan-Dearborn men's hockey team remained unbeaten on home ice after defeating Rochester College for its 13th straight win in a Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference matchup on Friday at the UM-Dearborn Ice Arena.
The Wolverines scored four times in the second period on their way to a 9-1 victory, improving to 24-2-1 on the season and 8-1-0 in the WHAC with one more conference game remaining on the schedule. UM-Dearborn has clinched at least a share of the first-ever WHAC regular season title and can take the outright championship with a sweep over Rochester.
Justin Dunn got the scoring started, giving UM-Dearborn a lead just over four minutes into the contest. After John Barlow made it 2-0, the Warriors got on the board to pull within a goal heading to the second.
The Wolverines put the game away in the second period, finding the back of the net four times to take a 6-1 lead into the third. Leading the way offensively for the Wolverines was Dunn, who scored twice in the third for a hat trick while adding one assist. Kevin Bechard recorded two goals and two assists, while Tyler Groat scored two goals.
In goal, Thomas Proudlock earned his 21st victory of the season, making seven saves through 40 minutes. Proudlock was replaced by Rafael Goncalves in the third period. The freshman goaltender added two saves in his first appearance for the Wolverines.
The Wolverines close out its WHAC schedule against Rochester at 12:45 pm Saturday at the Fraser Hockey Land Arena in Fraser, Mich.
