Wolverines rally late to beat Boston University

By Matt Slovin – 

ANN ARBOR – After running through a gauntlet of early non-conference games, it looked as if the Michigan hockey team had finally met its match Friday night against Boston University.

But two third-period goals saved the Wolverines’ unbeaten record as they defeated the Terriers in come-from-behind fashion, 2-1, at Yost Ice Arena.

It took Michigan (4-0-1) over 50 minutes of game time to figure out 6-foot-6 Boston University goaltender Matt O’Connor, who made 42 saves to keep the Terriers ahead for much of the night despite a heavy discrepancy in shots. The Wolverines dominated in that regard, outshooting their opponents by a 44-19 margin.

Boston University struck first, just outside of the final minute of the opening frame, on a Robbie Baillargeon snipe from the circle that beat Michigan freshman netminder Zach Nagelvoort, making his first-ever home start. From that point on, Nagelvoort was stellar while filling in for the usual starter, Steve Racine, who was injured against New Hampshire last weekend.

“I liked our goalie. I really liked our goalie,” said Michigan coach Red Berenson after the game. “This was his first home start. There was a lot of pressure on him for a lot of reasons. He’s a local Michigan kid, his grandparents live here, he has always wanted to come to Michigan. This was his chance to start at home, and I thought he looked solid.”

The Wolverines, meanwhile, had shot after shot turned away by O’Connor. Michigan appeared to have equalized early in the third period in a scrum near the goal. But after a review, the referees determined that the puck crossed the goal line just as the goal was coming off of its moorings, and the Terriers held their narrow lead.

The breakthrough finally came on the power play at the 7:16 mark of the third period, when freshman Tyler Motte, a U.S. National Team Development Program product, scored for the fourth time in as many games. He one-timed home a beautiful pass from senior captain Mac Bennett for the easy finish after much frustration for the Michigan forwards.

But asking for two Wolverine goals past O’Connor seemed like a tall order. That’s why Michigan junior forward Alex Guptill was feeling the heat when Boston University’s Mike Moran was whistled for a hook at 8:46 of the third period, giving Guptill a penalty shot.

“It was pretty nerve-racking, to be honest,” Guptill said. “My heart was racing pretty good.”

Guptill, who remembered playing against O’Connor growing up in the greater Toronto area, decided not go backhand, instead aiming for the five-hole and finding it for the eventual game-winner.

“This was a well-played, hard-played game between two teams,” Berenson said. “We might have had the momentum — and we should have because we’re at home and we’ve got to get on a run — but we all know hockey is a game of momentum. These kids are embracing it, and they’re doing well.”

Michigan will be back in action Saturday night against Massachusetts-Lowell at Yost. Boston University travels to Munn Ice Arena to face Michigan State.