FORT WAYNE, Ind.- The No. 18 University of Michigan- Dearborn (21-13, 17-7) men's ice hockey team beat No. 16 Lawrence Tech (25-9, 16-8) Blue Devils 5-1 Saturday (Feb. 25) night to advance to the WHAC tournament final for the second year in a row. The number two seed Wolverines started where they left off Friday against Rochester, scoring the game's first goal midway through the first period. They never trailed in the contest, beating the Blue Devils for the third straight time. The Wolverines swept a home and home series with Lawrence Tech last weekend to end the regular season.
Forward Mikhail Khudenko opened the scoring on a goal at the 10:44 mark of the first period, assisted by Blake Petterle and Josh Makarchuk to give the Wolverines the 1-0 lead. Later in the period Lawrence Tech was awarded a penalty shot when Dearborn's Kieran O'Connell was called for tripping at 14:54 to stop a shorthanded opportunity for the Blue Devils. Blake Heier attempted the penalty shot that missed the net, ringing harmlessly off the post.
The Wolverines opened up their lead in the second period with goals from forward Quest Bigelow and O'Connell to make it 3-0. Penalties were the story for Lawrence Tech giving Dearborn nine chances on the power play. Bigelow's goal would be the lone power play goal for the Wolverines.
Dearborn started the third with twenty seconds of a 5 on 3 advantage, however, it was the Blue Devils that would draw first blood in the period. Garret Sample put Lawrence Tech on the board at the 12:05 mark of the third period cutting the Wolverines lead to 3-1. The rally would not last long as WHAC player of the year, Brendan West fired a lazer past goalie Spencer Krul putting Dearborn back up by three, 4-1. Forward Bailey Byrd would complete the scoring for the Wolverines, scoring with 2:43 left in the contest extending their lead to 5-1.
Goalie Eric Polzin had a strong game between the pipes for Dearborn, making 13 saves on 14 shots in the victory. Meanwhile, Krul would save 23 out of 28 shots for the Blue Devils.
Next Up
Dearborn heads to the WHAC championship game for the second year in a row, after losing to Indiana Tech last season. The Wolverines will face the Concordia University (19-18) Cardinals, who upset the number one seeded and tournament host Indiana Tech (30-4) Warriors to reach the final. A win for the Wolverines means an automatic bid to the national tournament as WHAC champions. Puck drop is scheduled for Sunday (Feb. 26) at 1:00 p.m.
