Wolverines split with No. 1 Irish

By Matt Mackinder/Michigan Beat Writer

Top-ranked Notre Dame had their 20-game unbeaten streak ended Friday night by Michigan in South Bend, but the Irish rebounded with a win Saturday night in Ann Arbor.

Goaltender Bryan Hogan made 28 saves and Travis Turnbull and Tim Miller scored for the No. 7 Wolverines in the 2-1 win Friday night.

The UM penalty killers also wiped out all five Notre Dame power play chances.

"The [penalty kill] did a pretty good job, mind you they had their chances in the first period," said Michigan head coach Red Berenson. "[Bryan Hogan] had to be sharp. Tonight, we did all the things we needed to do to survive."

"I was really proud of our penalty kill tonight," Miller said. "We've been emphasizing Notre Dame's power play all week. We wanted the challenge; we were ready for the challenge and I thought we did a great job."

Last night back at Yost Arena, Aaron Palushaj and Robbie Czarnik each posted a power-play goal in the third period, but it wasn't enough as the Irish picked up a 3-2 victory in front of a season-high crowd of 6,983, which is the third-highest total since the 1996-97 renovation of Yost.

Ryan Thang converted on a penalty shot for Notre Dame in the first period and it was the first time an opponent scored on a penalty shot since March 2, 1997.

Hogan finished with 19 saves and Michigan captain Chris Summers assisted on both goals.

"I thought we got better as game went on," said Berenson. "I thought we were better in the third than we were in the first. Michigan has to come out and play well. This has been our trademark and I can't tell you that we did that. Give Notre Dame credit. They're a tough team to play against, but we still needed to play better and that didn't happen. So then it became their kind of game - a good road game. Our crowd stayed in the game and they had something to cheer about in the third period and we nearly pulled it off."

Michigan (19-9-0, 13-7-0 CCHA) hosts Lake Superior State next weekend. Both Friday and Saturday's contests will start at 7:35 p.m. Saturday's game will be televised by Comcast channel 900 and the NHL Network.