The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/589596
MICHIGAN HOCKEY Record: 2-0 Best Win — 3-2 over Mercyhurst: Michigan began the season with a se- ries sweep of the Lakers, beating Mer- cyhurst 6-4 in the Friday night affair Oct. 16 and 3-2 in the Sunday late after- noon matinee Oct. 18. The latter proved a better victory because the Wolverines responded to head coach Red Beren- son's postgame challenge from open- ing night to play better defensively. After ceding four goals and 30 shots to the Lakers, U-M held its opponent to just 21 total shots and two goals in the second contest. Six different Michigan skaters, all for- wards, tallied markers for the Maize and Blue during the first weekend of play, and junior goalie Zach Nagelvoort looked solid in net during Sunday's game, turning away 90.5 percent of the shots he faced. Quote: "We made that decision last night. I thought he played fine. He wasn't tested a lot. When he was, at cru- cial times in isolated chances, he was good. But I have said all along, we have two goalies that can play. So, don't be surprised if you see both of them. If one of them gets really hot, we'll play the hot goalie." — Berenson, on start- ing Nagelvoort in Sunday's game after senior Steve Racine started on opening night and stopped only 86.7 percent of the shots he faced. MVP — Freshman forward Kyle Connor: The first-round talent — he was the No. 17 overall selection in the 2015 NHL Draft — showcased his im- mense physical ability in the Wolverines' opening weekend of play, scoring three goals and adding an assist for a team- high four points. Connor netted his first career goal on a shorthanded tally during Friday's game, rifling his shot into the top left corner of the goal before adding an empty-netter to help seal the win. In Sunday's victory, he recorded the first game-winner of his career. Connor ranks fifth nationally overall and second amongst freshmen with 2.00 points per game, as of Oct. 18. Freshman Impact — Forward Coo- per Marody: He will not generate the headlines of his classmate, Connor, but Marody could be an impact forward for the Wolverines this season, and already has contributed with a goal and an as- sist in the opening weekend. Centering Michigan's third line, Ma- rody enjoyed a stellar debut, assisting on U-M's third goal and then scoring its fourth, tying the game at 4-4 late in the second period en route to the 6-4 victory. He also finished his weekend with a team-best face-off success rate of 58.3 percent. Player To Watch — Junior forward Tyler Motte: Berenson offered huge praise for Motte coming into the year, noting that on many nights in 2014-15, the junior left winger was Michigan's best player. However, that didn't always translate into production, with Motte registering just nine goals. This season, he's already lit the lamp once, recording the game-winner in the Wolverines' 6-4 HOCKEY REWIND: OCT. 16‑18