DEARBORN, Mich. – Mikhail Khudenko's two goals were the difference for No. 15 University of Michigan-Dearborn (1-3-0, 1-0-0) on Friday (Oct. 7). Khudenko's two goals in the 3rd period helped the Wolverines take down Concordia (MI) (2-1-0, 0-1-0) 3-2 in their Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference opener at the UM-Dearborn Fieldhouse. 

With the game tied at one going into the third period, The Wolverines and Khudenko scored two goals in quick succession to create an insurmountable lead over the Cardinals. 

Bailey Byrd scored his first points in the Maize & Blue as he took Kieran O'Connell's pass in the slot and sniped it over the goaltender's right shoulder for the 1-0 lead. The Wolverines were a mainstay in the offensive zone in the first period outshooting the Cardinals 14-7 in the first period. 

The Wolverines continued the onslaught in the second period, again outshooting the Cardinals 23-11. However, the Cardinals were able to push one past Tanner Beals with just one second remaining on the power play to make it 1-1 after two periods of play. 

Dearborn's persistence finally paid off in the early part of the third period, as Khudenko took a backdoor pass from Brendan West and beat the Cardinal goaltender on his glove side to give UM-D the 2-1 lead just 2:54 into the third period. Less than three minutes later, Jake Emery saucered a pass up the boards to the tape of Khudenko streaking up the left wing. Khudenko cut across the crease and roofed one over the goalie's left shoulder to give the Maize & Blue a 3-1 lead. That goal would prove important as the Cardinals got one back with just three minutes remaining but couldn't find a third goal as the Wolverines protected their home ice. 

Tanner Beals got the win (1-1-0) for the Wolverines stopping 29 shots in the win.

Up Next

 The Wolverines play Concordia on Saturday (Oct. 8) in the backend of a home-and-home series against the Cardinals. The puck drops at 5:30 in Chelsea, Mich.