LYNCHBURG, Va.— The University of Michigan-Dearborn men's ice hockey team traveled to Virginia for a weekend series against the Liberty University Flames this past Friday and Saturday night in Lynchburg, Va.
On Friday night, the Wolverine offense was clicking, jumping out to a two-goal lead in the first five minutes. Billy Brock scored the first for UM-Dearborn, just 36 seconds into the opening period, with Brendan West getting the lone assist. Newly appointed captain Adam Groat would add the second tally at the 5:24 mark from Brock and West. Liberty would regroup after the first, finding the back of the net three times in the first three minutes of the second period. Colin Baird, Daniel Schwenke, and Michigan-local Kam Ottenbreit were credited with the goals for the Flames, holding on for the 3-2 win.
On Saturday night, the Wolverines looked to bounce back in front of a packed-house, as Liberty University hosted UM-Dearborn for "Midnight Mayhem. After a scoreless first, the two teams traded off goals, but the Flames found their stride in the third, scoring three goals to pull away for a 5-2 win over all the Wolverines. Joe Cullinan would tie the game at one apiece with Henry Laukkanen getting the assist. West would add his second of the weekend with Brock getting the helper. Special teams were the story in the second game as UM-Dearborn couldn't get anything going on the power play, while Liberty connected three times on the man-advantage.
Freshman goaltender Tanner Beals got the nod in both games, playing strong in his first two career starts with the Wolverines. Beals would register 28 saves on Friday and followed it up with 42 saves on Saturday.
The two losses drops UM-Dearborn to 2-2-0 overall on the season.
The Wolverines return to action with the first of a home-and-home against Adrian College at 7:30pm Thursday, October 7th at Arrington Ice Arena in Adrian, Mich. The second game will take place at 7pm Friday, October 8th at the UM-Dearborn Fieldhouse in Dearborn, Mich. The Wolverines will open up WHAC competition the following weekend with a home-and-home against the Lawrence Tech Blue Devils.
NOTE: Photo used from previous season.
