DEARBORN, Mich. - The University of Michigan-Dearborn men's ice hockey rebounded after dropping a shootout in the opener to top No. 20 Missouri State University in the weekend series finale Saturday at the UM-Dearborn Ice Arena.
The Wolverines took control early and built onto their lead throughout the contest, eventually closing out the win 6-1. The victory moves UM-Dearborn to 8-1-2 overall on the season.
The No. 8 Wolverines got the scoring started in the first period. Nic LaBurn (JR/Northville, MI) scored the first goal just over five minutes in on an assist from Justin Dunn (SO/Trenton, MI). UM-Dearborn took a 2-0 lead on a goal from Jared Dedenbach (JR/Warren, MI) later in the first. Tyler Groat (JR/Wyandotte, MI) capitalized on a tip-in attempt from a point shot by Chase Best (FR/Plymouth, MI) to make it 3-0 in the second period.
The Wolverines kept the offense coming in the third, with Groat, Kevin Bechard (JR/Trenton, MI) and John Barlow (JR/Shelby Twp, MI) each finding the back of the net.
Assists on the night for the Wolverines included two each for Dunn, LaBurn, Chase Best and Andrew Palushaj (SR/Livonia, MI), while Barlow, Tyler Dalton (JR/Northfield, OH) and Silas Johnson (FR/Calgary, Alberta, Canada) each added one helper.
"Any team can run into a hot goalie like we did the first night and I think the important thing is how we came back tonight instead of being frustrated the bounces weren't going our way," Bechard said. "Sometimes learning those lessons early in the season is more beneficial than a sweep."
Adam Ranck (SO/West Bloomfield, MI) started in goal for UM-Dearborn tonight and recorded 31 saves for the victory.
The Wolverines return to home ice to take on John Carroll University at 7:30 pm Friday at the UM-Dearborn Ice Arena.
