Big third propels Michigan past BSU

By Matt Mackinder/Michigan Beat Writer

And the Shawn Hunwick saga continues.

Michigan's junior goalie, now 8-2-0 on the season, turned aside 26 of 27 shots tonight as the Wolverines advanced to tomorrow's Midwest Regional championship with a 5-1 win over Bemidji State at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Ind.

Michigan will face Miami for the right to go to Ford Field in two weeks for the Frozen Four.

Carl Hagelin scored twice in the third period, including one with Michigan down a man, and Luke Glendening and Louie Caporusso scored in the first and second period, respectively, before Brian Lebler's empty-netter sealed the game late in the third.

"It was a hard-fought game," said Michigan head coach Red Berenson. "I don't think it was a 5-1 game, but they were always in the game when you think about it. They scored a goal to get back in it and really the momentum was about to change, and then Carl scored his goal. It was an important comeback goal to keep the momentum on our side. Our penalty killing and goal keeping had to be solid. I thought it was a good team effort."

Matt Rust added two assists for Michigan.

Ian Lowe scored Bemidji State's lone goal and Dan Bakala made 26 saves in the loss.

"We got that goal and got a bit of momentum," said Lowe. "We had a tough break in there and a change, and then they got another one. We got momentum back and would have liked to get another one quick, but that is the way it goes."

Michigan playing Miami is what many experts predicted would be the regional final. The Wolverines eliminated Miami from the CCHA tournament in the semi-finals last Friday night at Joe Louis ARena.

"We're here and they're here and last week's game just motivated them," Berenson said. "I told their coach yesterday that we did everything we could to help them get ready for this week. They're the team to beat being the No. 1 seed. They went home and had a great week of practice. We know we'll have our hands full tomorrow."