Wolverines Back On Track

Thursday, January 23, 2003
Taffy Abel Arena, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

Both teams chased the puck up and down the ice for first five or so minutes of the first period, but things would get rolling not long after that. With just over six minutes played in the period Moss would get the Wolverines on the board first. Ryznar drove into the Laker zone, drawing the defense to him. As the defense closed Ryznar made a nice pass to Moss who back hands it into the goal for the score. Assists on this goal went to Ryznar and Gajic.

Just seconds after scoring the goal Ortmeyer would just miss scoring a second goal. He had the Laker goalie looking behind himself, but the puck had gotten hung up in his pads, avoiding the score. A few minutes later Michigan would continue applying the pressure as they got off a flurry of shots. While they had failed to score another goal, the Wolverines were really keeping the heat to the Lakers feet.

As the clock was running down to the midpoint of the period the Wolverines would strike for the second time in this game. This goal simply came out of nowhere as both teams seemed to once again be chasing the puck up and down the ice. However, this time Tambellini got into the Laker zone and got off a rocket from the top of the circle. The shot was just way to fast for the Laker goalie and the Wolverines had goal number two. Assists on this goal went to Olson (the first point of his career) and Shouneyia.

Much like the first goal the Wolverines would once again come close to scoring another goal just seconds after notching goal number two. This time it was Helminen getting a chance at an open net, but he just couldn't quite get it up in the air and the chance was gone. With about nine minutes to play in the period Michigan would be whistled for the first penalty of the game. The Lakers would be unable to take advantage of the man advantage and Michigan returned to full strength without giving up a score.

The Wolverines were cycling the puck relentlessly around the Laker zone looking for another score when Nystrom would suddenly pop free in front of the net with the puck in his possession. Wasting no time he sent a back hand shot through the Laker goalies five hole and Michigan was on top by a score of three to nothing with just over four minutes to play. The goal was unassisted.

Michigan would get a power play chance of their own and like the Lakers before them they would be unable to find the twine. In the closing minutes of the period Michigan would get off another flurry of shots coming close to scoring, but only close. The first period would come to an end with the Wolverines in the lead by a score of three to nothing. The Wolverines also held a significant edge in shots on goal with a fifteen to five count.

Michigan continued to apply the pressure as the second period got under way, but through five minutes of play the Wolverines were unable to notch another goal. The Lakers would be whistled for a penalty with about seven minutes gone, but even with the man advantage Michigan was still unable to score that fourth goal.

With about nine and half minutes to play Ortmeyer would head to the sin bin to give the Lakers their second power play of the game, but like the Wolverines before them they would be unable to take advantage of the extra man. Michigan continued to put the pressure on, but the Laker goalie continued to come up with some great saves.

With just over four minutes to play it looked like the Lakers were going to get a goal of their own, but a great play Montoya ended the scoring threat. Montoya had moved out of the net to play the puck, but it hit a Michigan player and deflected right toward the Michigan goal. With the puck looking like it was going to slide into the wide open Michigan net Montoya dove back into goal from nowhere and came up with the stop to end the threat.

The second period would come to an end with Michigan continuing to lead by a score of three to nothing. The Wolverines continued to hold a significant edge in the shots on goal category ending the second period with a twenty-five to nine advantage in the category.

Just twenty seconds into the final period Michigan struck for their fourth goal of the game. Charging into the Laker zone Tambellini got off a hard shot that was blocked, but the rebound came right out to Shouneyia who slid it right into the Laker goal. Tambellini got the lone assist on the goal.

With just over fifteen minutes to play in the period play got a big chippy as several players got tied up in a pushing and shoving match. In the end each team lost a player to the sin bin and the teams skated four on four. As time was beginning to run down in the penalties the Lakers called time out and put their back up goalie into the game.

With just over eight minutes to play the Lakers would score a goal to end Montoya's shut out bid. Sending the puck toward the net from the corner in what looked to be a harmless shot. However, the puck hit a Michigan players skate and deflected past Montoya for the Laker score. The Laker score was followed in short order with a Michigan penalty and suddenly tonights game looked like it was going the way that the Wolverines last game went; with a third period meltdown. After killing off the penalty the Wolverines settled down and the game got back to its up and down flow.

Neither team was able to find the net again and the game would come to an end with Michigan winning by a score of four to one. The Wolverines ended the game with a thirty one to seventeen edge in shots on goal.

The Wolverines jumped out to the early lead in this game, scoring three unanswered goals in the opening period. After that somewhat fast start the Wolverines would play the Lakers to a tie. Neither team was able to score in the second and in the third each team scored one goal each. Once again Michigan seemed to start a game by burning up the ice and then they steadily fall off the pace as the game goes on. The had fifteen shots in the first, ten in the second, and only six in the third. The Wolverines can get away with that against the Lakers, but they have to play more consistent games of hockey was they prepare to move into the final month of play.