Wolverines Prevail Over Huskies

Saturday, December 29, 2001
Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan

Michigan started the consolation game of the Great Lakes Invitational (GLI) looking for two things. One, some pay back for last years defeat at the hands of these same Huskies. Two, getting back on track after losing a disappointing game against North Dakota in the semi-finals of the GLI. Both teams started different goalies in this game as Rogers was in goal for the Huskies, while O'Malley got the start over Blackburn for the Wolverines.

Michigan started this game without much fire and certainly not taking care of the puck as they turned the puck over several times in or near their own zone. This carelessness finally cost the Wolverines as the Huskies converted one of those turnovers into a goal, barely two and a half minutes into the game. O'Malley managed to turn away the first shot, but a second Huskie was right there to steer the puck into the open net.

Michigan Tech would get the first chance with the man advantage, however, they were unable to mount any serious attack on the Michigan goal (it should be noted that the Michigan Tech power play is converting at only about eight percent). This penalty was called with 15:50 left in the period. As the clock moved under the fourteen minute mark Woodford stole the puck in the neutral zone, skated into the Tech zone unchallenged, and came up with a short-handed goal to even the contest at one goal apiece. While this goal counted, it certainly wasn't a text book score. Woodford looked be trying to swing wide to get a better angle and it appeared that he might have lost control of the puck. The puck went off the end of his stick, hit the Huskie net minders pads, and deflected into the goal for the score. It might not have been pretty, but it counted for the Wolverines and gave Woodford his first career goal.

Within a minute of that goal Michigan again committed a glaring defensive mistake, allowing a long up ice pass to a breaking Huskie. The pass was right on the stick of the streaking player, who walked in on O'Malley and beat him clean. Just as it looked like Michigan might be getting into the game, they give their goal tender no help and were once again trailing Tech.

The poor play by the Wolverines continued for the remainder of the period as they repeatedly turned the puck over, leaving O'Malley on his own. O'Malley came up with some great saves in the final ten minutes of the period to hold Tech to two goals. Michigan did have a couple of good scoring chances as Woodford and Ortmeyer both barely missed scoring chances. With just two and a half minutes to play it looked like Michigan might get their second goal as the puck, following a blocked shot, landed in the crease and just sat on the ice. While the Wolverines tried to get to it they simply didn't get there fast enough and the chance was gone. Michigan Tech was called for a penalty with 1:31 left in the period, but managed to hold the Wolverines at bay. The first period came to an end with Tech holding the two to one lead. The Wolverines held a slight edge in shots on goal with a twelve to seven count.

Michigan started the second period with twenty-nine seconds of power play time, but Tech killed the last of the first period penalty off. Tech would get called for another penalty with 17:06 left in the period, but again they were able to kill the penalty off, giving up no goals to the increasingly frustrated Wolverines.

Michigan was taking better care of the puck in this period, but they weren't getting any good looks at the goal, but then neither was Michigan Tech. With 14:42 left in the period Tech got control of the puck behind the Michigan net and just chipped it out in front of the Michigan goal. It wasn't a shot, it wasn't a pass to a fellow Huskie, it was just chipped out in front of the Wolverine goal. However, the puck hit O'Malleys stick which was angled back between his legs. The puck followed along the blade of the stick, bounced once off O'Malley's skate, and ended up in the net to give Tech a two goal lead.

Play would continue for the next several minutes, but as the clock neared the midpoint of the period Michigan would once again score a goal to get back within one. This time it was Shouneyia that would steal the puck, this time behind the Tech net. He would pass the puck out front to a waiting Wolverine who would take a shot, but it was blocked. With the puck at his feet Kautz took advantage of the opportunity and chipped the puck into the Huskie goal. Assists went to Moss and Shouneyia.

With 8:29 left in the period Michigan was called for a penalty, but the Wolverines were able to kill off the Tech power play. However, seconds after the Huskie power play ended Michigan didn't cover the puck or the Tech player with it, leaving him free to walk in on O'Malley, again uncontested. The shot was taken and the puck sailed into the Michigan net, beating O'Malley top shelf to once again extend the Huskie lead two goals.

With just over two minutes left in the period it appeared that Michigan had scored their third goal of the contest, but the referee immediately waved it off. It was a strange play as the puck had bounced up in the air in front of the net. Werner reached up with his hand and brought the puck straight down to the ice. He then pushed the puck into the goal tenders pads with his stick, but it still wasn't in the net. Coming across in front of the crease Gajic reached in and punched the puck in the net for the apparent goal. After review the goal was awarded to Gajic (and Michigan) with the assists going to Werner and Gajic.

The third period came to an end with Michigan Tech still leading by a score of four to three. Michigan had extended their edge in shots on goal to a twenty-eight to sixteen count.

Michigan came out in the final period looking to put this game away. With just over a minute gone Woodford got off a good shot that hit the crossbar and bounced over the goal. Then, barely thirty seconds later, Burnes got a long up ice pass to Woodford who walked in on the Tech net minder all alone. As he approached the goal he buried the puck in the net to get his second goal of the game and Michigan's fourth. Assists on this goal went to Burnes and Gajic.

The game continued with up and down action until the clock moved just under twelve minutes when Michigan would once again strike, taking the lead for the first time in the game. The Wolverines broke out of their zone, passing the puck ahead to Ryznar who split two defenders and got in clean on the Tech their. Ryznar let a wrist shot fly that slid through the five hole scoring Michigan's fifth goal of the contest. Assists on the goal went to Shouneyia and Rodgers.

About three minutes later Michigan would extend their lead. They had been working the puck around the Tech zone, digging in the corners and setting up at the points to keep the puck in the Huskie zone. As they worked it around the Tech zone the puck once again ended up on the stick of Woodford who blasted in his third goal of the game and his career to get his hat trick for the game. The assist on this goal went to Burnes.

This time it would take about four minutes, but the Wolverines had one goal left. This goal was again setup by some very hard work, this time behind and to the sides of the Huskie goal. Henderson and Shouneyia were moving the puck around the ice behind the Tech goal, passing it back and forth, keeping the puck behind the goal on their own. Finally, the work paid off as Henderson got just free enough to wrap around the goal and stuff the puck in the net for Michigan's seventh goal of the game. The lone assist went to Shouneyia. That would be the end of the scoring, with the game ending with Michigan getting their first win at the GLI in five games with a seven to four victory.

Michigan started this game out very slowly, not taking care of the puck, and not playing very good defense. They put their goal tender in bad situations that cost them dearly in the early going of the game. However, they didn't quit and by the end of the game they were playing with much more authority and taking much better care of the puck. The freshmen certainly stepped up in this game and in the GLI for that matter. Woodford got his hat trick, Gajic had two solid games racking up at least five points in the two games, Henderson got a goal, Moss got a goal, just all around good play by the freshmen.

Michigan returns to CCHA action next weekend on one of their rare weekends away from Yost in the seasons second half as they take on Notre Dame in two key CCHA games. With four points at stake and four key players still away from the team the remainder of the team will have to play very good hockey to secure wins; wins that they dearly need if they want to start their second half run out right.