Wolverines gain tough split in Fairbanks

By Bob Miller/Michigan Beat Writer

Michigan tapped into a vein of pure irony this weekend, finally thawing their recent cold streak with a split of a two-game series in frigid Fairbanks against the Nanooks of Alaska.

After Phil Di Giuseppe opened the scoring for the Wolverines in Friday night's opener, Alaska scored three of the game's next four goals to build a lead that Michigan simply couldn't overcome.

Lee Moffie and David Wohlberg found the net for the Wolverines, but Alaska managed to hang on for the 4-3 win.

Michigan goaltender Shawn Hunwick and Alaska netminder Scott Greenham both stood on their heads to prevent any regulation goals in Saturday's re-match.

Michigan freshman forward Alex Guptill finally broke the ice with a goal 57 seconds into the overtime period to give Michigan their first win in their last eight games, 1-0.

Hunwick turned aside 25 shots in his shutout performance and Greenham stopped 41 Michigan attempts before Guptill's deciding goal.

"I liked the way we played," said Michigan head coach Red Berenson after the one-goal victory. "I thought we played well last night and the puck wasn't going in their end, but it was going in our end. Tonight, give the team credit. We didn't give up anything and I thought we played a strong game."

The Wolverines share eighth spot in the CCHA standings with Miami.

Michigan returns to balmy Ann Arbor for a Friday night game against resurgent Michigan State this weekend, followed by a Saturday night visit to Munn Ice Arena in East Lansing against the Spartans.