DEARBORN, Mich. – The University of Michigan-Dearborn men's ice hockey team jumped out to an early lead and cruised to a crucial Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference win over No. 8 Indiana Tech Friday at the UM-Dearborn Ice Arena.
The No. 6 Wolverines scored five times in the opening period to pull away from the Warriors in a 6-1 win. The victory pushes UM-Dearborn to 16-3-1 overall and 11-1-0 in the WHAC, moving UM-Dearborn into first place in the WHAC standings alone, two points ahead of Indiana Tech.
In the first period of his Wolverine career, Mikhail Khudenko found the net twice, scoring the first goal of the game just 4:34 into the first period. Later in the first, Nic LaBurn scored two power-play goals in less than 20 seconds, followed shortly by the second goal from Khudenko. Mathieu LaForest kept the scoring going with a goal late in the opening period to make it 5-0.
After Indiana Tech got on the board in a penalty-filled second period, Brendan West added a goal for UM-Dearborn in the third. Reigning WHAC Offensive Player of the Week Billy Brock and Justin Dunn finished with three assists each.
Thomas Proudlock was strong in net for the Wolverines with 30 saves in the win.
The series finale is set for 7 pm Saturday at the UM-Dearborn Ice Arena.
