Wolverines Win Tough Opener

Friday, March 14, 2003
Yost Ice Arena, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Both teams hit the ice looking to skate, but the flow of the game was almost immediately interrupted as Michigan was whistled for a penalty with barely one minute of play complete. The call, from behind the play, gave the Falcons an early break in this opening game of the CCHA first round. While the Falcons had the extra man, they were unable to take advantage and play continued with both teams at full strength.

With just over eleven minutes to play in the period Michigan would get their first chance on the power play when Bowling Green was whistled for a penalty. Unfortunately for the Wolverines their power play was shortened by a penalty of their own just forty-five seconds into the power play. When all penalties were over the score was still tied at zero.

Just as the clock moved under the eight minute mark the Falcons would come up with the games first big play when they would find a way to get the puck in Michigans net on just their fourth shot of the game. Creating a lot of traffic in front of the net the Falcons got off a shot that Montoya was able to block. However, he didn't cover the rebound and a waiting Falcon chipped it home for the games first goal.

Michigan would get one more power play chance in this period and would fail to score. The first period would come to an end with the Falcons leading by a score of one to nothing. The Wolverines would hold a slight edge in shots on goal with a then to seven count.

The second period was just thirteen seconds old when the Falcons were whistled for their first penalty of the second period, putting Michigan on the power play early in the middle period. With just over nineteen minutes yet to play Michigan would take advantage of that extra man to tie the game. Like the Falcons on their first goal, Michigan was able to create some traffic in front of the net. A somewhat harmless looking shot was taken that was blocked, but the rebound was not covered and Michigan chipped it in for their first goal of the game. Shouneyia would get credit for the power play goal, while Tambellini and Rogers would each receive an assist.

Shortly after scoring that power play goal Michigan would return the favor and put the Falcons on the power play. However, that power play would last just forty-seven seconds before the Falcons were whistled for a penalty of their own, ending their power play, and setting the Wolverines up for a short power play of their own. When all penalties were over the game was still tied at one goal each.

With just under twelve minutes to play in the period Michigan would take the lead for good when Ortmeyer made a fantastic shot off a rebound to score Michigan's second goal of the game. Tambellini would get things going by taking a shot from a bad angle left of the goal. While the Tambellini shot was blocked Ortmeyer scooped up the puck and snapped it home in the upper corner of the net where the goalie couldn't get to it. Both Tambellini and Shouneyia picked up assists on this goal.

With about nine minutes left in the period the Falcons would be whistled for a penalty, putting Michigan on the power play. Making a bad pass, the Falcons got control of the puck and broke into the Michigan zone. The closing Falcon took a shot that Montoya was able to stop, but the Falcon player kept coming and ran Montoya over, throwing him into the goal. That of course led to an altercation as Montoya lay on the ice. While Michigan saw a player go to the sin bin the Falcon player picked up a double minor leaving Michigan not only on the power play, but with a two man advantage for forty-nine seconds. Even with the two man advantage Michigan was unable to score another goal and the second period would come to an end with Michigan leading by a score of two to one. The Wolverines really extended their lead in shots on goal, ending the second period with a twenty-eight to fifteen advantage in the category.

With just under seventeen minutes left to play in regulation time a great pass down low by Burnes would lead to Michigans third goal of the game. Getting the puck out at the left circle Burnes looked to be winding up for a big shot. Just before taking the shot he saw Helminen all alone to the right of the goal. Making a great pass to Helminen, Dwight made the easy shot for the third goal. Both Burnes and Tambellini picked up assists on the goal.

Each team would take several penalties down the stretch, but neither team was able to take advantage of the extra man. Finally, with just 1:49 left in the game and a face off deep in the Michigan zone the Falcons took their time out. Pulling their net minder from the game to get the extra attacker the Falcons were looking for the first of the two goals they needed to send the game into overtime. Try they did, but they came up short and the game came to an end with the Wolverines winning, three to one. Michigan ended the game with a forty to twenty-five advantage in shots on goal.

As expected the Falcons came out and gave Michigan all they could handle in this game as they kept coming no matter what the outlook. While Michigan came out skating hard they seemed to lose something over the final half of the first period, leaving the Falcons with the lead after one period. Michigan clearly dominated the second period and Bowling Green had to be happy being down by just one goal. The third period was fairly evenly matched, with Michigan getting that one quick goal and then the remainder of the game saw both teams skating the puck up and down the ice. Michigan will look for the sweep tomorrow in game two of this best of three series.