Wolverines Split Weekend With Bulldogs

Saturday, February 1, 2003
Ewigleben Arena, Big Rapids, Michigan

Following a pattern set last night in Ann Arbor the Bulldogs wasted little time in scoring the games first goal barely one minute into the game. Gaining control of the puck off to Montoyas left Kunitz sizzled a shot past the Michigan net minder to give the early lead just 1:19 into the game.

Ferris continued to follow Friday nights pattern as they scored goal number two barely two and half minutes later. Once again it would be Kunitz who would start the Bulldog scoring drive. Kunitz let loose another shot that it looked like Montoya would get blocked, but the puck was redirected in front of the net and it slid past Montoya for Ferris goal number two.

Michigan would get some decent scoring chances over the next couple of minutes, but the Ferris net minder would turn them all away. With just over eight minutes to play Ferris would break the mold they created last night and score their third straight uncontested goal. This goal was another that got redirected at the last second to get past Montoya. No matter how they get into the net, they count, and the Bulldogs find themselves with a three to nothing lead.

Michigan would continue to get some scoring chances, but they would not be able to find the net. As the clock began to wind down in this period tempers started to flair just a bit as several players from each team started making trips to the penalty box. Neither team would be able to score again in this period and the first period ended with Ferris leading by a three to nothing lead. Michigan would end the period with a nineteen to ten advantage in shots on goal.

The second period would be just seconds old when both teams send a player to the penalty box as the physical game picks up right where it left off at the end of the first period. With just 1:36 played Michigan had just missed on a great scoring chance, but following that chance Ortmeyer and Shouneyia collided with each other creating an odd man rush for Ferris. The Bulldogs walked into the Michigan zone and scored their fourth goal of the game to really put the Wolverines in a hole.

With just over two minutes played and Michigan getting some great pressure, Ferris pulled Gajic to the ice to stop a scoring chance. Michigan would get come close to scoring their first goal of the game on the ensuing power play, but they continued to just miss the net.

Michigan would kill off a penalty called against them with just over four minutes played, but they would finally get on the board shortly after returning to full strength. Continuing to put great pressure on the Ferris goal an all freshman line made some great passes to set up a scoring chance for Kaleniecki. Getting the puck in scoring position Kaleniecki got the puck in the net for Michigans first goal. Assists on the goal went to Tambellini and Ebbett.

Seconds after scoring that first goal the Wolverines would turn the puck over giving Ferris a clean break on the Michigan goal, but Montoya came up with a great save to end the scoring threat. Michigan would get called for another penalty behind the play with 8:20 played to put Ferris on the power play. Michigan was able to kill off the power play without giving up another goal.

Not long after Michigan returned to full strength the Bulldogs were whistled for a penalty as they dragged Kaleniecki to the ice to stop what looked to be a sure scoring chance. Michigan worked the puck around the Bulldog zone trying to get their second goal of the game and they do as Rogers took a shot from the top of the right face off circle that deflected off another Ferris player to cut the Bulldog lead to two goals with twelve minutes played. Assists on the goal went to Richmond and Shouneyia.

Michigan would put Ferris back on the power play as the Wolverines cross checked a Ferris player into Montoya. Michigan would just miss on a great short handed scoring chance as they stole a pass in the Bulldog zone. With 1:06 left in the Ferris power play the Bulldogs were whistled for a penalty to end the power play and set Michigan up for short power play of their own. In the end neither team was able to take advantage of the extra man and play continued.

Ryznar would come close to scoring Michigans third goal of the game, but the Ferris net minder just managed to stop the shot. The second period would come to an end with Ferris leading by a score of four to two. Michigan would continue to lead in shots on goal as they end two periods of play with a thirty to fifteen advantage in this category.

With play over in the second period a Ferris player gave Gajic a shot to the head that the officials saw and Ferris was whistled for a penalty. The Wolverines will start the third period with a full two minutes of power play time. Michigan got some pressure on this power play, but was unable to get the early third period score.

Michigan would get their third goal of the game with just under fifteen minutes to play as Tambellini walked into the Ferris zone. Showing great patience Tambellini waited for his screen and then rather than sending a blistering shot he just slid the puck nicely through the five hole to cut the Ferris lead to one. The lone assist on this goal went to Rogers.

Play continued up and down the ice as Ferris settled into a center ice trap to slow things down. Michigan would get whistled for a penalty with just over eight minutes played. Montoya made a couple of huge saves to keep Ferris from scoring a fifth goal. Michigan continued to put great pressure on the Ferris goal, but continued to just miss getting that tying goal.

With just 5:01 to play Montoya came up with a great save, but Ebbett was whistled for a penalty to put Ferris back on the power play. Even though Ferris was skating with an extra man it was Michigan that got great pressure on the Ferris goal. Even with the pressure the Wolverines were unable to get the score even.

Michigan is whistled for a penalty with under two minutes to play and the Wolverines call time out to decide how to proceed. With forty seconds to play more penalties are called, one of them being a misconduct to Rogers. Ferris also loses a player to the box, but the Bulldogs continue on the power play. Michigan is unable to get things back to even and Ferris wins the game by a score of four to three. Michigan ended the game with a thirty-seven to thirty-one advantage in shots on goal.

Once again Michigan let Ferris get out to an early lead, actually spotting the Bulldogs four goals, and simply could not come back in this game. This loss just points out how important last nights home win was for the Wolverines as Ferris continues to go unswept on the year. At the end of the weekend Ferris will retain their four point lead in the conference race, but the Wolverines have two games in hand. This race may come down to tie breakers and in that category Michigan should hold the edge against Ferris by virtue of scoring more goals than the Bulldogs in head to head competition. The CCHA race tightens up as the month of February starts with lots of hockey yet to be played.