Wolverines win Game 1 in 2nd OT

By Michael Caples –

ANN ARBOR – The Wolverines went 82:03 between their two goals Friday night. Somehow, that was still enough to top their rivals from South Bend.

Chris Brown’s snapshot 3:11 into a second overtime period broke a 1-1 tie between Michigan and Notre Dame, giving the Wolverines the first win in their CCHA quarterfinal match-up.

“It’s huge; it’s a really big victory where we can take that confidence and get that momentum going farther, not even just for the CCHA tournament but for the NCAA tournament as well,” Brown said. “We’ve had many battles like that in the past where we had a double overtime and single overtime and lost a couple of them so now that we actually won one, it’s kind of nice.”

Luke Glendening scored the Wolverines’ regulation goal, just 1:08 into the contest. The score would remain in Michigan’s favor until halfway through the third period, when Anders Lee finished off a flurry of chances for the Fighting Irish.

It was a battle of superb goaltending throughout the extended contest. Notre Dame’s Steven Summerhays stifled the Wolverines’ offense all night, stopping 40 shots in the four-plus periods. Meanwhile, Shawn Hunwick stopped 37 in another strong showing by the fifth-year senior.

“It was a great game for the fans,” coach Red Berenson said. “It was heart-attack hockey for the coaches. I’m pleased that we won and I liked the way that we stayed with our focus. But let’s face it, Shawn Hunwick had to keep us in that game. There were some glorious chances, particularly in the second period, and a couple in the third. He made the difference in that game.”

The game seemed destined to be a high-scoring affair. In the opening minute of the game, Michigan forward A.J. Treais knocked down a clearing attempt by the Fighting Irish, and Phil Di Giuseppe grabbed the loose puck. The freshman’s shot was partially stopped by Summerhays, but Glendening was able to get his stick on the rebound to score his ninth goal of the season.

The Wolverines weren’t able to build on the lead, however. They were 0-4 with the man-advantage on the night, including a rare overtime power play when David Gerths was whistled for cross-checking 1:36 into the first extra period.

Notre Dame was also held scoreless on the power play, going 0-2.

The Fighting Irish are now on the brink of elimination. Game 2 is tomorrow night, again at Yost Ice Arena.

“Obviously it is a huge win, but we’re not at the end yet,” Glendening said. “It’s a three-game series so you have to enjoy while you can, but we have to get back to work tomorrow.”