Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Michigan tops Team USA Tuesday

By Matt Mackinder/Michigan Beat Writer

Michigan was outshot Tuesday night, but recorded a 5-1 exhibition victory over the United States National Under-18 Team in front of 4,966 spectators at Yost Arena.

Robbie Czarnik, a future Wolverine, chipped in a power-play goal for Team USA, assisted by another future U-M forward, David Wohlberg.

Brandon Naurato, Brian Lebler, Ben Winnett, Chad Kolarik and Max Pacioretty scored for Michigan.

In net, Bryan Hogan stopped 14 shots in 40 minutes of action, while Shawn Hunwick made 11 saves in one period of playing time.

"It was good to get back into a game," Michigan head coach Red Berenson said. "It was good to get back some of our players. I thought we got off to a good start. I thought we had a good second period, and then the game kind of deteriorated a little bit, but it is good to get some players more ice time. We did not play (Kevin) Porter's line or (Mark) Mitera much in the third period. We got Hunwick some game time. I hoped to come out of this game seeing some good things and avoiding injuries, and that is what we did.

"Overall, I would say it was what we expected."

The top-ranked Wolverines (18-2-0, 11-1-0 CCHA) will face Western Michigan in a home-and-home series this weekend. On Friday, U-M will host the Broncos at 7:35 at Yost. The following evening, Michigan will travel to Kalamazoo to complete the series at 8:05 p.m.

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