Monday, January 22, 2007

Michigan earns road sweep in Alaska

The No. 13 Michigan Wolverines ventured to Alaska last weekend and came home with a two-game sweep of the Nanooks.

Saturday, with the score tied at 1-1 in the third period, the Maize and Blue erupted for three goals over 2:09. Brandon Naurato had a career-high three points on a goal and two assists. He had the primary helper on U-M's first and second goals before tallying the fourth in the 5-2 win.

Goalie Billy Sauer made 32 saves for the win and Andrew Cogliano, Tim Miller, David Rohlfs and Jack Johnson also scored for U-M.

On Friday, T.J. Hensick scored once in each period for his first career hat trick as the Wolverines collected a 6-2 victory.

"The last two were great plays," said Hensick. "The second one by Chad Kolarik on the back door, I think my little sister could have put that one in. The other one was Jack Johnson. He said, 'Get open,' and he found me. Chad had a good screen in front of the net and luckily it went in. On the first one, Kevin Porter had a good shot on net and I put the rebound in. The puck was going in tonight. It's a good feeling to finally get back on the scoreboard. I was lucky enough to get one and I got three, so I'm pretty happy about it."

Cogliano, Naurato and captain Matt Hunwick tallied U-M's other goals to back Sauer's 29-save performance in goal.

"He played a great game," Johnson said of Sauer. "He played the way we know he can play. We expect him to be that good the rest of the year."

Michigan (17-9-0, 12-6-0 CCHA) returns to Yost Ice Arena for two games this weekend against Ferris State.

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