ALLENTOWN, Pa. — After missing out on last season’s big dance due to COVID complications, this year’s top-ranked team didn’t waste any time making its presence known in its return to the NCAA tournament.
Big Ten playoff champion Michigan, with a lineup featuring no less than a dozen NHL draft choices, defeated 16th-seeded American International 5-3 in Friday’s first semifinal contest of the 2022 NCAA Allentown Regional at the PPL Center.
“We got off to a good start,” Michigan coach Mel Pearson said. “We were ready to play and it was the first NCAA experience for a lot of our guys.”
Garrett Van Wyhe opened the scoring for the Wolverines just 3:37 into the contest when he corralled a deflected puck in the slot and beat AIC netminder Alec Calvaruso up high. Just 39 seconds later, Matty Beniers came up with the puck in the right corner of the AIC zone and passed across to Ethan Edwards, who dropped down uncontested from the left point and wristed home a shot on Calvaruso’s stick side.
Michigan continued to dominate possession time as the first period wore on, outshooting AIC 10-3 at one point, before the Atlantic Hockey champion Yellow Jackets got going offensively.
Blake Bennett was sprung on a breakaway from center ice with just under eight minutes left in the opening stanza, but his backhand attempt was stopped by Michigan goaltender Erik Portillo. Less than half a minute later, AIC regained the offensive zone, with Portillo forced to make a save on a Zak Galambos shot from the left point. The rebound, however, caromed around the crease area until it was knocked home by Brian Rigali, with the other assist going to Bennett.
“We talked about just staying in the fight,” AIC coach Eric Lang said. “I’m as proud today as I was at any game we won this year.”
A penalty for interference on AIC’s Brian Kramer at the end of the first period, however, set the stage for Michigan to regain its two-goal lead. Just 43 seconds into both the power play and the second stanza, No. 1 NHL draft choice Owen Power fed Brendan Brisson in the right circle for a one-timer and a 3-1 lead on Brisson’s 20th goal of the season.
“Special teams are so important, and we’re confident in our power play and our penalty kill,” said Brisson.
Exactly two minutes later, Brisson and Kent Johnson teamed up to set up Beniers for his 20th goal on a back-door tap-in that made it 4-1 for Michigan.
“You give them a power play on a fresh sheet of ice, they’re going to make you pay,” said Lang.
AIC refused to go away, however, and cut the lead in half again when Justin Young picked up a loose puck in the left circle, cut across the crease and put the puck between Portillo’s pads at 6:15. The Wolverines, however, responded just 28 seconds later when Power set up Dylan Duke for a short shot inside the left post to make it 5-2, with the goal holding up following a subsequent official review.
The Yellow Jackets couldn’t convert on overlapping power plays late in the second period and were still down three goals before Bennett connected on a man advantage with 6:12 remaining in regulation for the only score of the third period.
“Benny came up big for us and I’m proud of him,” said AIC forward Justin Cole.
It was AIC’s last hurrah even as the Yellow Jackets outshot Michigan 32-31, including 25-16 over the final two periods.
“I want to compliment AIC,” said Pearson. “They gave us some fits. They’re really good, and they proved it tonight. … Erik (Portillo) made a difference in this game.”
Calvaruso, who was pulled for an extra attacker with just over two minutes left, finished with 26 saves in goal for AIC, which was playing in its third straight NCAA tournament and concluded the season at 22-13-3.
“Alec kept us in the game,” said AIC forward Luka Maver. “He’s my roommate and one of my best friends, and it was an outstanding performance by him.”
Portillo finished with 29 stops. He and the Wolverines improved to 30-9-1. Michigan will meet the winner of Friday’s nightcap between Quinnipiac and St. Cloud State in the regional final on Sunday for the right to go to the Frozen Four in Boston in two weeks.
“Congratulations to Mel and Michigan,” said Lang. “You may be looking at one of the best college hockey teams ever assembled.”
