Saturday, October 20, 2001

Saturday, October 20, 2001, Yost Ice Arena, Ann Arbor, Michigan

The Michigan Wolverines will attempt to salvage something from this weekend with a win to split the weekend series with the Western Michigan Bronco's. The Bronco's handed Michigan their second consecutive loss last night on their home ice. Tonight the Wolverines welcome the Bronco's to Yost in their regular season home opener.

Michigan continued to their penalty filled ways as they were whistled for a total of ten penalties in last night's contest. The only thing that might have kept the Bronco's from doing more power play damage than they did was the fact that they were whistled for eleven penalties of their own. However, it was power play that got Western their first goal of the game and it seemed to light a fire under the Bronco's as they went on to score a total of three unanswered goals to send Michigan home with a Friday night loss. Michigan needs a win tonight to keep from starting the year in to deep a hole.

After opening the season with a tie against Michigan State and looking like they might be better right out of the gate than expected, the Wolverines have had a tough time over the last two games. The followed up the tie with a win over then number six Providence, but then dropped a close game to unranked Minnesota-Duluth. That was followed by last nights loss to Western, the first victory for the Bronco's over the Wolverines since 1995 (a win also earned at Lawson arena). Last nights loss also marks the first time Michigan has had a loosing record in hockey, currently 1-2-1, since the 1991-1992 season - when they opened the season with a loss to Michigan State. The Wolverines certainly hope to turn things in a different direction tonight on their home ice.

Michigan drew first blood in this contest near the mid-point of the first period when Komisarek got a wrist shot past the Bronco netminder. Komisarek started his own scoring opportunity when he dumped the puck down low go Gajic. Gajic skated into the slot and got off a shot that was deflected off a Bronco skate right to Komisarek. Komisarek shot the puck, beating the goalie high on his glove side. The lone assist on the goal went to Gajic.

The Wolverine lead would not last long as Western was able to tie the game exactly four minutes after the opening Wolverine goal. The score remained tied at one goal each at the end of the first period. Michigan held a slight edge in shots on goal with an 8 to 5 count.

Michigan would retake the lead with just over sixteen minutes left in the second period when Cammalleri picked up a rebound of his own shot and stuffed it into the Bronco net. The lone assist on this goal went to Komisarek. This time it didn't quite take four minutes for the Bronco's to tie the game (3:49 to be exact). A number of players were tangled up in front of the net and Blackburn was down on the ice, when a lone Bronco picked up the puck and chipped it into the Michigan net.

With just over five minutes left in the period Michigan would pick up their second goal of the game and once again re-take the lead. Once again it was the big man, Mike Komisarek, who got his own rebound and beat the Bronco goalie high on his glove side for the second time in the game. Komisarek took his first shot from the point. This shot was blocked, but the rebound bounced back out to Komisarek who sent it back to the goal. Assists on this goal went to Shouneyia and Mink.

Less than two minutes later the Wolverines would pick up their second straight goal when Shouneyia took a pace from Ortmeyer. Shouneyia put a backhand shot between the Bronco netminder's legs to tally the score. Assists on this goal went to Mink and Nystrom. The second period came to an end with Michigan leading by a score of four to two. Michigan stretched their lead in shots on goal in this period, having a 22 to 13 edge at the end of two.

Western would cut the Wolverine lead to one goal with just under fourteen minutes to play when Bronco Paul Davies tipped in a shot. It looked like the game would end with a four to three score, but the Bronco's pulled their goalie with twenty-one seconds left in the game. With the net empty Ortmeyer knocked in a shot to seal the win for the Wolverines. The Wolverines ended the game with a 26 to 21 advantage in shots on goal.

It wasn't pretty and it was another penalty filled contest with the Wolverines getting whistled for nine, while the Bronco's picked up ten of their own. Pretty or not it was a win and that is what Michigan needed most of all right now. Going into next weekend with back to back losses against the Bronco's could have made things tough on the Wolverines. As it stands they go into next weeks games against the Northern Michigan Wildcats with a win and feeling a little better. They still have a lot of work to do in the area of discipline and special teams, but there record is at least even again and they picked up some points in the conference race.

Next weekends two games against the Wildcats are the only two that Michigan will play against Northern. With Northern looking to challenge for the CCHA championship these two games are important for the Wolverines. Michigan really needs to come up with a weekend sweep to get an edge over Northern. If not a sweep then the Wolverines must get at least a split with Northern, but they have them on their home ice - that should help. Next weekend's games are the last home games until Thanksgiving so if you want to see Michigan play get on down to Yost next weekend.

Tonight's win was the 450^th win for coach Red Berenson, only the 14^th coach in NCAA history to reach 450 wins.