WOLVERINES BLANK NANOOKS 4-0
Rudy!  Rudy!  Rudy!

Senior goalie Noah Ruden got the start in net and got his first career shutout in the process, turning aside 23 shots en route to a 4-0 victory over Alaska Fairbanks.

"When I get my chance like this, I got to make sure I play my best," Ruden said.

T.J. Hensick, Jack Johnson, and Matt Hunwick each had a goal and pair of assists to help out Ruden.  The Wolverines special teams also came to life.  After going a dismal 1-for-8 on the power play last night, U-M netted all four of their goals on the man-advantage tonight.

They got an early opportunity as Nanook Justin Binab was given a five minute major and game misconduct for checking from behind 1:56 into the contest.  UAF would take a second penalty during that, giving Michigan a two-man advantage for two minutes.  The Wolverines were unable to cash in on that opportunity, but finally connected with 1:51 left on the major when Hensick slid the puck across the crease to Kevin Porter, who slammed it past UAF goalie Wylie Rogers.

Late in the first period, Lucas Burnett would get a breakaway chance stopped when Johnson hooked him down, resulting in a penalty shot.  On that shot Burnett tried to go high to the blocker side, only to get stoned by Ruden to preserve the 1-0 lead.

Midway through the second period on another power play, Johnson ripped a shot from the blueline that redirected off a UAF player between the circles and past Rogers.

Early in the third period, the Wolverines would suffer a setback they didn't want.  Brandon Kaleniecki was sent to the showers early after a checking from behind penalty, which on replay was extremely weak (the UAF player was already falling to his knees and Kaleniecki really didn't touch him... definitely not a hit from behind, not even a penalty altogether).  Nevertheless, it gave the Nanooks a five minute power play, but the Wolverines continued to shut them down.

Before you knew it, the Nanooks took two penalties during the Kaleniecki major and Michigan was back on the power play.  That's when Johnson ripped a shot wide of the net, but it bounced off the end board right back out the other side of the net to an unguarded Hensick, who had an easy slam dunk to make it 3-0 just past the halfway point.

Then with 2:30 remaining, on another power play, Matt Hunwick threw a wrist shot from the right circle on net that appeared to beat Rogers cleanly over his right shoulder.

Rogers finished the game with 30 saves for Fairbanks.

Michigan was 4-for-9 on the power play, while the Nanooks were 0-for-7.

The Wolverines pretty much dominated the game tonight.  The early penalties by UAF resulting in the Michigan goal really took the crowd out of the game and the Wolverines never gave up that goal to let them back in it.  There were still a few close calls--UAF hit the post twice--and some rookie mistakes that need to be worked on.  On one play, Johnson got caught way out of position... as in, behind the UAF net fighting for the puck like he was a forward... that resulted in a break for the Nanooks and Hunwick having to take a penalty to prevent a goal.  But overall, it was a strong performance.  Ruden looked good, the power play was excellent, and the penalty kill was solid.

Michigan is on the road next Friday at Notre Dame, then they host the Fighting Irish on Saturday.

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That's all for now...

Go Blue!

Jason
Michigan Hockey Net
http://michiganhockey.net/