Tigers#1
12-07-2002, 11:48 AM
Michigan’s first big CCHA test on the road got off to a rocky start as the Wolverines fell to Northern Michigan 5-2 on Friday night. The Wildcats scored the first two goals of the game less than 10 minutes in and never looked back, holding onto the lead the entire contest.
“I think our team handled it well, and we came back and had a pretty good first period after the first five minutes,” U-M head coach Red Berenson said. “We got back in the game in the second period, and then our power play couldn't capitalize when we really needed them to.”
Forward Jeff Tambellini scored his team-best eighth goal of the season just 1:21 into the second frame to close the gap. Linemate Dwight Helminen fed Tambellini on a 2-on-1 breakaway and the freshman only had to knock the puck into the open net for the score. But NMU would score the game’s next goal to regain a comfy two-goal advantage.
Northern’s goal came on the power play, one of two power-play goals they scored against the nation’s best penalty killing unit. U-M had killed off 44 consecutive penalties. Michigan’s own power play was lackluster as the Maize and Blue failed to convert on all seven of their chances. It was one of those games when U-M had control – they outshot the Wildcats 34-27 – but couldn’t put the puck in the net when they had the opportunities.
The Wolverines opened the third period trailing for the first time this season. Michigan regained some momentum and was poised to set up a dramatic finish when freshman Brandon Kaleniecki fired a shot from the left faceoff circle and into the net with 6:23 remaining. However, the Wildcats would score two minutes later to deflate U-M’s optimism for victory.
“Their fourth goal was huge after (Brandon) Kaleniecki scored to bring us back in the game,” Berenson said.
Northern would add an empty net goal to finish the scoring.
“This is the best team that we've faced so far this season,” Berenson said. “They didn't get the respect that maybe they should have, but they are a real good team. They're going to finish in the top three or four in the league. This was not a big upset, if anyone considers it an upset. This is a very real, legitimate team, and we have to play much better if we expect to win a game in this building.”
Notes
• U-M's three-goal deficit was its largest deficit of the season.
• Michigan lost on the road for the first time in 16 games, having last lost a road game Oct. 19, 2001.
• Dwight Helminen extended his point streak to five games with an assist. Helminen leads the team with nine assists.
• Jeff Tambellini paces U-M with eight markers.
• Brandon Kaleniecki scored his first goal in nine games and notched a point for the first time in his last seven appearances.
“I think our team handled it well, and we came back and had a pretty good first period after the first five minutes,” U-M head coach Red Berenson said. “We got back in the game in the second period, and then our power play couldn't capitalize when we really needed them to.”
Forward Jeff Tambellini scored his team-best eighth goal of the season just 1:21 into the second frame to close the gap. Linemate Dwight Helminen fed Tambellini on a 2-on-1 breakaway and the freshman only had to knock the puck into the open net for the score. But NMU would score the game’s next goal to regain a comfy two-goal advantage.
Northern’s goal came on the power play, one of two power-play goals they scored against the nation’s best penalty killing unit. U-M had killed off 44 consecutive penalties. Michigan’s own power play was lackluster as the Maize and Blue failed to convert on all seven of their chances. It was one of those games when U-M had control – they outshot the Wildcats 34-27 – but couldn’t put the puck in the net when they had the opportunities.
The Wolverines opened the third period trailing for the first time this season. Michigan regained some momentum and was poised to set up a dramatic finish when freshman Brandon Kaleniecki fired a shot from the left faceoff circle and into the net with 6:23 remaining. However, the Wildcats would score two minutes later to deflate U-M’s optimism for victory.
“Their fourth goal was huge after (Brandon) Kaleniecki scored to bring us back in the game,” Berenson said.
Northern would add an empty net goal to finish the scoring.
“This is the best team that we've faced so far this season,” Berenson said. “They didn't get the respect that maybe they should have, but they are a real good team. They're going to finish in the top three or four in the league. This was not a big upset, if anyone considers it an upset. This is a very real, legitimate team, and we have to play much better if we expect to win a game in this building.”
Notes
• U-M's three-goal deficit was its largest deficit of the season.
• Michigan lost on the road for the first time in 16 games, having last lost a road game Oct. 19, 2001.
• Dwight Helminen extended his point streak to five games with an assist. Helminen leads the team with nine assists.
• Jeff Tambellini paces U-M with eight markers.
• Brandon Kaleniecki scored his first goal in nine games and notched a point for the first time in his last seven appearances.