March 25, 2019

UM-Dearborn falls in ACHA semis in 2OT

FRISCO, Texas – The University of Michigan-Dearborn men’s ice hockey team’s season came to a close in the American Collegiate Hockey Association Division I National Tournament semifinals Monday at the Comerica Center in Frisco, Texas.

FRISCO, Texas – The University of Michigan-Dearborn men's ice hockey team's season came to a close in the American Collegiate Hockey Association Division I National Tournament semifinals Monday at the Comerica Center in Frisco, Texas.

The No. 2 Wolverines held a 2-1 lead for the majority of regulation over No. 5 Iowa State University before the Cyclones tied the score with a goal in the final minutes of the third. After a scoreless first overtime period, Iowa State found the game-winner on a deflection early in the second extra frame.

The loss ends UM-Dearborn's season with a record of 30-4-1, the most successful under sixth-year head coach Chris Haltinner.

The Cyclones found a fluke goal early in the game as a shot was deflected up in the air and fluttered its way into the Wolverine net. UM-Dearborn answered right back with two goals from Tyler Groat. The senior scored his first shortly after the Iowa State goal at 12:42 of the first on an assist from Billy Brock. Groat put the Wolverines on top with 90 seconds remaining in the first on a power-play goal, with assists going to Brock and Kevin Bechard.

The score remained 2-1 in favor of the Wolverines until Nicholas Sandy snapped home a loose puck for the Cyclones with 3:17 left in regulation to force overtime and set up the Iowa State game-winner early in the second extra period.

Thomas Proudlock made 22 saves to close out his tremendous junior season in net for UM-Dearborn.

The game was the last for Wolverine seniors Tyler Groat, Kevin Bechard, Andrew Spiegel, Troy Saunders, Tyler Dalton, John Barlow, and Christian Ramage. The group made the ACHA National Tournament each of the last four seasons, winning three conference tournament titles and the 2018-19 Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference regular-season championship.