Wolverines rally for exhibition win

Michigan played the youngsters from across town and had to rally for a late exhibition win Saturday night.

Jeff Tambellini scored three goals with his last one coming with six seconds left in the game to give the Wolverines a 6-5 win over the United States Under-18 National Team.

"They're a good squad, but they're 17-year-old kids and not too many 20- or 23-year-old guys want to lose to 17-year-old guys," said Tambellini. "We just kind of sat there. There really wasn't any yelling or screaming but we had a mindset in the third period and I'm glad that we came through."

Nick Martens, Milan Gajic and Kevin Porter also scored for U-M. Noah Ruden made 25 saves in net.

Future Wolverines Jack Johnson and Dan Fardig scored for Team USA along with a pair from Phil Kessel and a single from Nathan Gerbe, a Boston College recruit from Oxford. Jeff Frazee stopped 41 shots.

"The score shouldn't have been what it was and we know that," said Porter. "We definitely have to work hard. We have Bowling Green next week and it's a big weekend, so we're definitely going to have to pick up the pace this week and get ready for next weekend."

The Wolverines are in Bowling Green Friday night and close out the regular season the next night at Yost Ice Arena at 7:35 p.m. A win either night would clinch first overall in the CCHA. Ohio State is three points back in second place.