Byron Center, Mich. — The University of Michigan-Dearborn Wolverines showcased why they're undefeated and ranked No. 16 in the ACHA with a pair of wins over the Aquinas men's hockey team this weekend.
The Saints (4-6, 2-2 WHAC) were shutout on Friday night (Oct. 13) in Dearborn, 8-0, before returning home and being dealt a 7-2 defeat on home ice Saturday night (Oct. 14) at the Southside Ice Arena.
Friday: No. 16 UM-Dearborn 8, Aquinas 0
The Wolverines more than doubled the Saints in total shots, 55-22, in a contest that was pretty much wrapped up halfway through the second period.
UMD scored two goals in the first period, five in the second and one more in third period. Four out of the eight goals came on the power play.
Bailey Byrd and Joey Cullinan each scored twice for the Wolverines. Byrd also had two assists for a team-high four points. Ryan Stanley and Brendan West each collected three assists. Cullinan also got to three points with an assist.
Also scoring for UMD were Mikhail Khudenko, Craig McKague, Declan Flanagan and Matt Cunningham.
Four Saints registered a team-high three shots on target:
Christian Look,
Alex Johnson,
Nick Dashner and
Austin Gilmore. Wolverines goaltender Drew Adams, however, stopped all 22 of AQ's shots for a shutout.
Between the pipes for the Saints,
Max Johnston made 47 saves in the defeat.
Saturday: No. 16 UM-Dearborn 7, Aquinas 2
Aquinas turned some heads when the Saints scored two early goals to take a 2-0 lead after eight minutes.
Xavier Erickson and
Ben Cesario both scored unassisted after taking advantage of a pair of turnovers.
It was Cesario's first collegiate goal, playing in his 10th straight game as an incoming freshman.
The quick strike by Aquinas only briefly fazed the Wolverines. UMD responded with goals by Stanley (10:05), Chance Mathews (8:08) and Cullinan (4:21) to regain the lead at 3-2 going into the first intermission. The equalizing goal by Mathews was scored short-handed.
UM-Dearborn continued to chip away and knocked in two more goals in the second period to distance themselves. Byrd and Dawson Nelson found the back of the net.
Khudenko and McKague added insurance goals in the third period to push the final score out to 7-2.
Aquinas kept the shots closer than what happened on Friday night, but UM-Dearborn still maintained a 42-24 edge.
UMD goaltender Tanner Beals made 22 saves to earn the win. Johnston added 35 saves and the loss to his season totals.
With the two wins, UM-Dearborn improved to 6-0 overall (4-0 WHAC).
Next week doesn't get any easier for the Saints as they face off against No. 12 Indiana Tech. Aquinas will play at home first on Friday (Oct. 20) at 7:40 p.m. followed by the road game Saturday (Oct. 21) at 5:30 p.m. in Fort Wayne, Ind.
