ANN ARBOR – No. 1 overall draft pick Owen Power returned to Michigan for his sophomore season to continue his development and have a true college experience.
There were no fans allowed in Big Ten rinks last season because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but they are back for the 2020-21 season. Power, who was selected by the Buffalo Sabres, and the third-ranked Wolverines gave the Yost Ice Arena crowd plenty to cheer about in Friday’s season-opening 6-1 victory over Lake Superior State.
Power, just the fourth NCAA player selected No. 1 in an NHL draft, recorded one goal and three assists, while four other Michigan first-round picks had at least one point.
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Michigan canceled postgame interviews because of a water main break at Yost.
Power, running the point on Michigan’s No. 1 power-play unit that is comprised of all top-40 picks, assisted on the team’s first three goals, including two on the power play. All came in the first 14 minutes of the game.
Sophomore forward Kent Johnson, one of seven first-round picks on Michigan’s roster – the most ever on a college team -- tipped in the third goal on a centering feed from forward Brendan Brisson, a Vegas Golden Knights 2020 first-round pick.
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Johnson, the 2021 fifth overall pick by the Columbus Blue Jackets, also set up freshman forward Mackie Samoskevich, the 2021 No. 24 overall pick by the Florida Panthers, for his first career goal that made it 2-0. Brisson, meanwhile, finished with a goal and two assists.
Samoskevich wasn’t the only one to find the scoresheet in his college debut. Forward Dylan Duke, a 2021 fourth-round pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning, capitalized on a gaffe by LSSU goalie Seth Eisele behind the net and scored on a wraparound. Defenseman Luke Hughes, the fourth-overall pick by the New Jersey Devils in this year’s draft, and forward Mark Estapa each recorded an assist.
After Michigan’s abrupt end to last season, having to withdraw from the NCAA Tournament hours before its first-round game because of COVID-19 protocols, the team enters this year with high expectations.
The Wolverines returned nine of 10 scorers from last year’s team that finished 15-10-1. They had a copious amount of scoring chances against LSSU, firing 47 shots on goal.
Michigan goalie Erik Portillo, a third-round pick of the Sabres, took a shutout into the third period before LSSU scored on the power play at the 1:30 mark. He made 24 saves.
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The two teams are scheduled to wrap up the two-game series at 7 p.m. Saturday at Yost.
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