Wolverines Survive Lakers

Saturday, February 2, 2002
Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan

After securing the win Thursday night at Lake State Michigan returns to the South of the state, but also a little East as they prepare to play Lake State at Joe Louis Arena. Michigan has picked up one point on Michigan State as they were played to a tie last night by Ohio State. However, still trailing by three points Michigan has to take care of business and complete the weekend sweep of the Lakers.

Michigan once again got on the board early in this game and again it would be special teams that would come up with the goal. This time it would be the power play, not the penalty kill, that would come up big. This time it would be Murray who would get things started by taking a shot from the slot, but the shot would be blocked. While the shot was blocked, the rebound was not covered and Werner was there to slip the puck into the net, just inside the pipe. The assists on this power play goal went to Murray and Shouneyia.

Michigan would apply moderate pressure to the Laker goal during the remainder of this period, but they could not get another one past the Laker net minder. The first period came to an end with Michigan leading by a one to nothing score. Michigan would hold a sizable lead in shots on goal with a twelve to three count.

The second period became a defensive struggle. Lake State would get a couple of great scoring chances during the period, but neither of them would go. While the Laker net minder was good, Blackburn was better giving up no goals through two periods of play. The second period came to an end with Michigan still leading by a one to nothing score. Michigan out shot the Lakers nine to five in the period for a two period lead of twenty-one to eight.

The third period was another defensive, goal tending, battle. Again there weren't a large number of shots taken, but Michigan got most of the ones that were. Michigan's defense kept most of the shots away from Blackburn in this final period as he faced only six shots for the entire period. Through it all Blackburn and the defense would preserve their second straight shut out, winning by a score of one to nothing. Michigan ended the game with a thirty to fourteen advantage in shots on goal.

Well Michigan did their part on the weekend, winning both of their games against Lake State. For the second straight game the Wolverines also got some unexpected help from the Spartans, who were played to a tie for the second straight night by Ohio State. For the first time this season Michigan has taken advantage of a Michigan State misstep as they find themselves now just two points away from tying the game and just three points away from winning the CCHA title.

Next weekend Nebraska-Omaha comes to town looking to get some revenge for the weekend sweep Michigan handed to them early in the season. The Mavericks could also move into second place ahead of Michigan if they can return the favor and sweep the Wolverines on their home ice. That should lead to some very exciting hockey next weekend as one team tries to keep a grip on their second place standing, while keeping pace with Michigan State and the other looks to take up the chase for those same Spartans. Hopefully this weekend the Wolverines can do something they haven't managed much this year - a sweep at home, they need it.