Spartans Force Weekend Split

Saturday, February 15, 2003
Munn Ice Arena, East Lansing, Michigan

Both teams started this game wheeling up and down the ice, both teams wanting a win even more than they did last night. While there was a lot of back and forth action, there were few shots as this fast paced, but defensive game played through the first twenty minutes.

Michigan would get the first break of the game when the Spartans were whistled for the first penalty of the game with just over fifteen minutes left to play. Michigan got a few good looks at the goal on this power play, but just couldn't connect for a goal.

With just over thirteen minutes left to play the Wolverines were whistled for a penalty, ending their power play (only seconds left) and setting the Spartans up for their first power play of the game. Like the Wolverines before them, the Spartans would be unable to score with the extra man.

Michigan would get another power play chance near the midpoint of the period and would once again be unable to score with the man advantage. Just as the power play ended Montoya would have to come up with two incredible saves to keep the Spartans off the board. The action continued up and down the ice as the final minutes began to tick off the clock.

With just over one minute left to play Michigan would be whistled for their second penalty of the game, giving the Spartans a late power play chance. The Wolverines would hold the Spartans at bay and the first period would come to an end with the score all tied up at zero. Michigan ended the period with a slight edge in shots on goal with a nine to seven count.

The Spartans started the second period with fifty-four seconds of power play time. As it did last night the Spartan power play would get the Spartans on the board. Forty-eight seconds into the second period, with just six seconds left on the power play, the Spartans got off a shot that was slightly deflected and went into the Michigan goal over Montoyas shoulder.

That quick goal to start the second period gave the Spartans a little extra jump and that paid off as they scored their second goal of the game barely two and half minutes after scoring their first. This time it was a weak shot from a Spartan that wasn't much of a shot, but Montoya lost sight of the puck and it fluttered into the Michigan net for a two to nothing lead.

It would take almost eight minutes of the second period, but Michigan finally got their first goal of the night just fifteen seconds short of eight minutes. With some great passing and hard work in the Spartan zone Helminen finally got a clear look at the Spartan goal and banged it home. Mink received the lone assist on this goal.

There was quite a mix of action for the final twelve minutes of the period, but none of that action led to goals. There were power plays on both sides, but Michigan spent a bit more time in the box. Michigan appeared to have scored the tying goal, but the referee waved off the goal under somewhat strange circumstances. Michigan would get some great scoring chances with under two minutes to play, but again no further goals were scored. The second period came to an end with Michigan State leading by a score of two to one. Michigan continued to lead in shots on goal, having a twenty-one to seventeen advantage in this category.

There were penalties called at the twenty minute mark of the second period so each team started the third period with just four players on the ice. Neither team would score in the first two minutes, but it wouldn't take the Spartans long to put their third goal of the night on the board. This was another soft shot from the point that was deflected in close to the net. No matter how it got there the Spartans had a two goal lead.

With just over eight minutes to play the Spartans would get their fourth goal of the game as a shot deflected off of Montoyas glove and into the net. As the midpoint of the period approached the Spartans had a three goal lead.

Just short of the ten minute mark the Spartans were whistled for a penalty to put Michigan on the power play. Just eighteen seconds into the power play the Wolverines scored their second goal of the game to cut the Spartan lead to two. Ortmeyer would get the puck to Tambellini who put the puck in the net with a slow moving shot of their own.

Just twenty seconds later (10:01 left to play) Michigan would get their second straight goal to cut the lead to one. Once again it would be Ortmeyer who would start the scoring drive. Carrying the puck deep into the Spartan zone, Ortmeyer got off a shot that was blocked. However, the rebound came out to Tambellini and once again Tambellini snapped the puck into the Spartan goal for his second goal of the period. Both Ortmeyer and Richmond received assists on this goal.

Michigan State took a time out after the second Michigan goal to settle themselves down and then action resumed with both teams wheeling up and down the ice. Michigan was getting some decent shots at the Spartan goal, but they just couldn't get another one past the Spartan net minder. Michigan would call time out with 1:47 to play with a face off deep in the Spartan zone. Montoya would remain on the bench as the time out ended with Michigan bringing the extra attacker on the ice. The Wolverines won the face off, but they couldn't do anything with the puck. It didn't take very long before the Spartans had stolen the puck, skated just over the red line, and fired in the empty net goal to seal the win for the Spartans. The game ended with Michigan State winning by a score of five to three. Michigan ended the game with a thirty-five to twenty-nine advantage in shots on goal.

Michigan continues to struggle while on the road and wind up the weekend with a split against their rival from East Lansing. The defense didn't play as well tonight and the Wolverines continued to take a few to many penalties. The Spartans kept the Wolverines off balance for most of the game and always chasing the lead. Ohio State lost their second game to Miami this weekend so Michigan ends the weekend still in striking distance of the Buckeyes. Ferris was winning, but plays in Kalamazoo tomorrow so the Wolverines will have to wait and see if the Bronco's will give the Wolverines some help. With five of their last six regular season games on the road the Wolverines had better figure out how to win on the road or they could rapidly drop out of contention.