Wolverines sweep Nebraska-Omaha

By Matt Mackinder/Michigan Beat Writer

Just another weekend in Ann Arbor.

Two games. Two wins. Such is life as a Michigan Wolverine.

"We had guys come through again," Michigan head coach Red Berenson said after UM swept Nebraska-Omaha at home last weekend. "This is team time of the year and it doesn't matter that your leading scorers are the goal-getters. It doesn't matter who scores, you just need goals."

In Friday night's 8-3 blowout, Aaron Palushaj had a goal and four assists and 11 other Wolverines registered points in the contest, with five players in all contributing multi-point efforts.

"It is probably just the puck bouncing my way," a humble Palushaj said. "I got a goal, though, which is nice, but I wasn't really doing too much. I was just moving the puck and we were bearing hard."

Brandon Burlon, Carl Hagelin, Robbie Czarnik and Brian Lebler all had a goal and an assist, Scooter Vaughan had two assists and Bryan Hogan needed to make just 11 saves in 53:03 before Billy Sauer played the final 6:57 and stopped four shots.

Ben Winnett, Luke Glendening and David Wohlberg also scored for UM.

Saturday night, Glendening scored the game-winner with 4:28 left and later added an empty-netter to cap a 4-2 comeback win.

Louie Caporusso tallied three assists, Wohlberg added a pair and Sauer made 28 saves for the win in net.

"Caporusso gave me a great pass and it was just me and the goalie," said Glendening of his game-winning tally. "My eyes got big and I just shot the puck. It was a great pass and a great play. I didn't really have to do much but shoot it."

Travis Turnbull had a goal and an assist and Lebler also scored for the Wolverines (23-9-0, 17-7-0-0 CCHA), who had to battle through a penalty-filled game.

"It is amazing how much penalties can take away from the game," Caporusso said. "It is pretty obvious to tell that when there are a bunch of penalties, there is no rhythm to the game. It is just icing the puck and chasing it. And really, it is just bad hockey. Without the penalties, it definitely helps out the rhythm and we were finally starting to get it back in the third period because the referees started letting us play."

The Wolverines head to Ohio State for a two-game series this weekend. Friday's contest will start at 7:35 p.m. and be broadcast by the Big Ten Network. Saturday's game will begin at 8:05 p.m. and will be televised by CBS College Sports.