Michigan Drops Rubber Match to Spartans

Saturday, February 16, 2002
Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan

The Wolverines and Spartans each play just one game this weekend and that is against each other at Joe Louis Arena. This game does not count in the CCHA standings so no matter what the outcome both teams will remain deadlocked for first place in the conference standings. However, this game does have large implications in the NCAA tournament picture. Both teams can solidify thier position for an at large bid, should one become necessary, with a win tonight. This should be another classic battle between the Wolverines and Spartans and once again it is being played out on the national stage.

This game started out chippy and looked like it might turn into a goal fest as three goals were scored in the first six minutes of the game. To get things off and rolling each team lost a man to the sin bin with just twenty seconds gone in the first period. It would be while skating four on four that the Spartans would draw first blood in this game. With just forty-four seconds left in the opening penalties Michigan tried repeatedly to clear the puck from their zone, but a Spartan always seemed to keep the puck in. Finally, the Spartans knocked the puck loose, got it to one of their players behind the defense, and he carried it in for an uncontested shot that beat Blackburn low and tight to the post. With barely one and half minutes of play in the books the Spartans had the one to nothing lead.

It would take about two minutes, but the Wolverines would respond to the early Spartan goal with one of their own. The Wolverines would get things going off a face off to the right of Miller. Helminen won the draw and got the puck back to Henderson. Henderson took one step toward center ice, then fired a low shot that Miller appeared to have blocked. However, the puck bounced into the air, went over Millers head, and dropped back down to the ice in the crease and rolled into the net. Just as suddenly as they had fallen behind the Wolverines had tied the game at one goal apiece.

It would only take the Spartans about another minute to once again move into the lead. This time it would be the Spartans skating the puck out of their own zone and heading into the Michigan zone. Once again the Michigan defense was all over the Spartan attacker and once again it looked like they would make the play. This time the Spartan defender drove into the Michigan zone, right down the center of the ice, until the Michigan defense collapsed on him and he could go no further. Once he was as far into the zone as he could go he just flipped the puck, toward the net where it looked like an easy play for Blackburn. However, Blackburn didn't get over in front of the puck expecting to stop it with his glove. Rather than glove it the puck took a little hop, went over Blackburns glove, and rolled into the net for one of the softest goals Blackburns given up all year.

Michigan would get the first power play chance of the game late in the first period, but they were unable to mount any kind of meaningful attack. The first period came to an end with the Spartans holding the two to one lead. The Wolverines had a slight edge in shots on goal with a nine to eight count.

The Wolverines should have started the second period with 1:10 of power play time, however, Werner was called for a penalty after time expired in the first period to end the Wolverine power play. The second period started with each team skating four men each for 1:10, then a fifty second Michigan State power play ensued. The Spartans would get another power play opportunity with just under fifteen minutes left to play, but Michigan's penalty kill continued to shut down the Spartan power play.

The final ten minutes of the second period would see Michigan miss on several golden scoring opportunities that could have vaulted them into the lead. With all the missed chances the second period came to an end with the Spartans still leading by a score of two to one. The Wolverines really extended their advantage in shots on goal as they ended the second period with a twenty to eleven shot advantage.

Once again a period ended with penalties being called, this time each team lost one man so the third period started with each team skating with four men. Neither team could come up with a score and all penalties would eventually be killed off.

With just over thirteen minutes to play it again looked like Michigan would score the game tying goal when Helminen made a nice little pass through the crease to Ryznar who was looking at a wide open net. Ryznar just kind of nudged the puck along the ice, but he had so little energy on the puck that Miller was able to recover and make the save. Another golden chance passed by the Wolverines.

With just under ten minutes left to play Michigan would make perhaps their biggest mistake of the game as they turned the puck over near their blue line. An opportunistic Spartan was right there to pick up the puck and walk in on the Michigan goal practically unmolested. Roemensky was in front of him, but he was beaten badly leaving the Spartan all alone against Blackburn. This time they went to the wide side of the goal, but the result was a Spartan goal to give Michigan State a two goal lead with under ten minutes to play.

Michigan pulled Blackburn with 1:33 left in the period, but at the 1:15 mark Henderson was called for a penalty to force Michigan to put Blackburn back into the goal as the number of attackers evened up. Michigan State ended the game on the power play, but they were unable to score another goal. The game came to an end with the Spartans winning by a two to one score.

Once again Michigan outplays the Spartans everywhere on the ice except in goal and on the score board to give the Spartans the lone win of this seasons series between these two teams. Michigan had numerous chances to score (good chances too) in this game and either missed the opening or saw Miller make tremendous save after tremendous save. The Spartans helped their NCAA tournament standing, while the Wolverines saw their chances once again dim as they move closer to the bubble. Both teams remain tied atop the CCHA standings with each team having four games left. Next weekend the Wolverines host the Buckeyes for a critical two game home stand, while the Spartans travel to Miami for thier next two contests. Things haven't changed for the Wolverines as they still must win out and hope that Michigan State throws a little more help their way. This time they only need someone to come up with a tie against the Spartans. The advantage of having the number one seed in the CCHA tournament couuld help the Wolverines. They have that and the regular season championship to play for right now. Once the regular season is over they have to concentrate on the CCHA tournament. Michigan can take all the guess work out of things if they win the CCHA tournament, but now they must just take care of business one game at a time and let the bigger picture take care of itself.