FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The University of Michigan-Dearborn men's ice hockey team came up just short in a hard-fought contest, falling 4-3 to the No. 12-ranked Indiana Tech Warriors at the Indiana Tech Ice Arena on Friday night. Despite a strong effort and three different Wolverines finding the back of the net, UM-Dearborn couldn't overcome Indiana Tech's potent power play and depth, dropping to 9-10-0 on the season.
Both teams exchanged quick strikes in the first period. UM-Dearborn struck first at 13:32 when Joey Cibor buried a goal off assists from Brenden Paden and Zak Januszkowski. However, Indiana Tech answered less than a minute later, at 14:43, with Alex Carrothers scoring to tie the game at 1-1, sending the two teams into the intermission even.
The Warriors gained momentum in the second period, quickly taking the lead in the opening minute. Connor Funke, assisted by Brandon Plummer, gave Indiana Tech a 2-1 advantage with a goal just 54 seconds into the period.
The Wolverines responded well, leveling the score at 2-2 on the power play at 6:09. Ryan Stanley fired a shot past Warriors goaltender Gage Reimer, with Bailey Byrd and Caleb Cathcart providing the assists. The tie was short-lived, however, as Indiana Tech reclaimed the lead on another power-play goal at 14:33. Alex Arnold, who had already assisted on two earlier goals, netted a power-play goal off a feed from Jeremy Dunmore to make it 3-2 heading into the final period.
The third period saw Michigan-Dearborn continue to battle. Will Barrett tied the game once again at 9:50 with a goal set up by Blake Petterle and Carter Allen. But the Wolverines' hopes for a comeback were dashed when Indiana Tech's Joey Mocnik scored on the power play at 17:39 to seal the 4-3 victory for the Warriors.
Goaltender Drew Adams made 21 saves in the loss, while Reimer earned the win for Indiana Tech, stopping 24 shots. The Warriors' power play was the difference in the game, as they converted on both of their opportunities, while Michigan-Dearborn was able to capitalize on just one of four power plays.
