DEARBORN, Mich. – Stepping on the ice at the Dearborn Ice Skating Rink, eight new Wolverines were dawning the Maize & Blue for the first time. However, nerves were never an issue as the University of Michigan-Dearborn men's ice hockey team throttled the Rochester Christian Warriors in their season opener on Tuesday (Sept. 17). Despite 75 penalty minutes being dispersed between the two teams, the Wolverines came out with an 8-0 victory.
The Wolverines utilized a five-goal first period to provide an early cushion. Three Wolverine rookies etched their names on the scoresheet for the first time as Carter Allen, Brenden Paden, and Will Barrett scored the first three goals. Each is marking their first collegiate goal. Reigning WHAC Player of the Year, Bailey Byrd closed out the period as he scored two goals in the final five minutes of the period.
Things slowed down in the second period for the Wolverines as the lone goal came at the 15:58 mark when Jake Emery followed up a Caleb Cathcart rebound for his first goal of the season. Leading 6-0 heading into the final period, the game began to turn on its head as 60 penalty minutes were issued. With most of the period being played 3v3 and 4v4, the Wolverines managed two goals, both off the stick of Carter Allen. The two goals completed the hat-trick for Allen, giving him four points in the game.
The Wolverines take on the Warriors tomorrow night (Sept. 18) in the conclusion of the home-and-home series to open the season.
