Andrew Albano makes his first collegiate start against NTDP

As he blocked his first shot between the goals in a Michigan sweater, senior goalkeeper Andrew Albano looked composed, as if he had seen shots like this a thousand times before. Although he may have played in net in practice, he hasn’t appeared in a game yet.

After the 10th-ranked Wolverines maintained possession in the offensive zone for five minutes, it was Albano’s turn in the spotlight. And when the US National Team Development Program sent a wrist throw from the point, Albano centered himself between the pipes and made his first pad save of the night.

In the Michigan hockey team’s overtime exhibition victory over the NTDP, Albano earned his first collegiate start in Division I. After being on the Wolverines’ roster for the past year and usually sitting on the bench as a third-line goalie, Albano has waited his turn to play in the goal area.

But when he got his chance, it was a surreal experience not only for him, but also for coaches and teammates who had been waiting for the day when Albano could strap on the pads and play in a real game.

“He’s just an incredible teammate,” Michigan coach Brandon Naurato said. “He does everything right, on and off the ice, he puts in a real effort every day, he’s a Michigan man in everything it involves. … I’m just glad that he enjoys so much respect for his personality on and off the ice in our team.”

In the first period, the NTDP was not able to get many shots on Albano as the Wolverines’ defenders played in the neutral zone and did not allow the NTDP any dangerous scoring opportunities. Although he fired his first shot about five minutes into the first period, he did so with ease and set the tone for the remainder of the first period.

In the final minutes of the first period, Albano had NTDP’s first big chance of the game, being pelted with pucks and making saves. NTDP shot from the slot, which Albano parried with his pads, but the puck flew out of control and two forwards at the front of the net hoped to score the puck. But when Albano connected on each of them, he thwarted both chances, giving Michigan the momentum to score its own goal on the rush.

“Staying focused can always be difficult,” Albano said. “But one technique I use is, even when the puck is at the other end and I’m just watching the game, I just try to read the plays we’re making and they make them, that helps me stay ready, “When he’s back in our zone.”

After holding NTDP scoreless in the first half, Albano entered the second half confident he could do the same. Facing more than twice as many shots as he did in the first game, NTDP waited for Albano to crack under the pressure. Midway through the second period, on an NTDP power play, forward Will Moore fired a long-range shot from above, past each Wolverine and over Albano’s head, into the net before he could even notice it.

What he didn’t know, however, was that the floodgates would open for NTDP.

In the third period, three goals were scored for NTDP – one of which came off the puck and into the net, one from a one-on-one with NTDP forward Richard Gallant and the last from a deadly slap shot from the right faceoff point by defenseman Drew Schock IV.

Although these goals could have deterred Albano and gotten on his mind, affecting both his confidence and his play between the posts, that was not the case. He was just so happy to be playing at Yost Ice Arena with a team that supported him last year and longed for him to get the chance to play.

“It was an experience I will never forget,” Albano said. “There is so much love for each other and so much support on this team. This is something I probably never could have imagined two years ago, and they recognized it and celebrated it. And I think that’s exactly what a family does: celebrate each other’s successes.”

With 29 shots in the entire game, Albano learned about hockey in Michigan in a high-intensity match against NTDP. Even though it was a competitive exhibition and NTDP is not a college team, being around Yost, with fans cheering loudly for him as his name was announced in the starting lineup, was all Albano needed to be satisfied .

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