Michigan's Power Scores First NHL Goal

It took five games, but much-heralded rookie defenseman Owen Power (Michigan) finally has his first NHL goal.

Power, 19, the top selection in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft by the Buffalo Sabres, scored their fourth goal in last night's 5-2 victory at New Jersey. He took a pass from a prone Jeff Skinner on the left side in-close, and then swept the puck underneath Devils goaltender Andrew Hammond (Bowling Green) less than nine minutes into the third period to break open a 3-2 game. Tage Thompson (UConn) also assisted on the goal.

Power, from Mississauga, Ontario, now has one goal and one assist in five NHL games, four of which have been Buffalo victories. He recorded six goals and 42 assists for 48 points over the past two seasons at Michigan, and led the Wolverines to both this year's Big Ten championship and the NCAA Frozen Four.

Also concerning former Michigan players on Thursday night, Andrew Copp tallied a natural hat trick for the visiting New York Rangers in a 6-3 win over the rival New York Islanders. The Ann Arbor native, who was acquired by the Rangers from Winnipeg earlier this year, skated with his hometown Michigan from 2012 to 2015, collecting 40 goals and 81 points over three seasons. He has now appeared in over 500 NHL contests, regular and post-season combined, and has registered just over 200 career points to date.