Michigan splits with Nebraska-Omaha

By Bob Miller/Michigan Beat Writer

Score first and score early.

That's the lesson Michigan learned from their weekend two-game series with Nebraska-Omaha as the first goal was the key each night.

Nebraska-Omaha jumped on top early on Friday night and coasted to a 4-2 win.

Michigan struck first on Saturday and steadily added to their lead, picking up the 6-1 decision.

David Wohlberg's goal eight seconds into the game on Saturday was the fastest game-opening goal for a Michigan player since the NCAA started their record keeping, four seconds faster than the previous record of 12 seconds set by Mike Knuble in 1994.

Scooter Vaughan added two goals of his own in the Saturday night win for the Wolverines.

Bryan Hogan turned aside all but one of UNO's 36 shots, allowing Michigan to build their lead.

"We had more energy, more push and we had more conviction," said Michigan head coach Red Berenson, comparing the Saturday effort to the team's disappointing Friday night loss. "It's tough to sweep any team in their own building including us, but our team had to make a better commitment to the game and I thought we did. We played with more passion, more energy, we worked harder and we got more puck luck. Last night, they may have gotten the puck luck.

"Tonight, you saw Wohlberg's puck go in, you saw two on Scooter Vaughan's goals - you can't say they were great goals or earned goals, but tonight they were going in. Last night, they weren't going in and when you work harder, you get luckier."

Michigan squares off for a home-and-home pair with CCHA rival Ferris State this coming weekend.