Wolverines Sweep Through First Round

Saturday, March 15, 2003
Yost Ice Arena, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Michigan started this game with a bit more determination than last night, but once again found themselves in the penalty box early. With barely thirty seconds ticked off the clock the Falcon net minder got caught up behind his net and was jostled; that drew the penalty and the Wolverines were on the defensive. Bowling Green managed a couple of shots on this power play, but no real great scoring chances presented themselves and the penalty was killed.

As the clock moved under the seventeen minute mark it would be Michigan getting their first power play chance of the game as the Falcons sent a man to the sin bin. The Wolverines worked the puck around the Falcon zone with great confidence and some very crisp passing. Finally, that precision passing forced the opening as they get the puck over to a wide open Ortmeyer who makes the back door goal look easy. Assists on the Ortmeyer power play goal went to Shouneyia and Rogers.

The Wolverine lead would be short lived, however, as the Falcons slipped a soft little back hand shot past Montoya with just under thirteen minutes left to play; barely two minutes after Michigan had scored the games first goal. It looked like Montoya had this one stopped, but somehow it just trickled over the goal line barely moving as it did. No matter how it got there it was in the net and the game was once again tied.

Michigan would once again be on the power play with just under twelve minutes to play in the period, but this time the Falcons killed the penalty off without giving up a goal. Both teams would lose a man to the penalty box with just over seven and a half minutes to play. While there was more ice to work with, neither team could find a opening and play continued.

As the clock moved under the five minute mark the Falcons would be whistled for a penalty putting the Wolverines on the power play late in the first period. With just over three minutes to play, twenty-five seconds left in the power play, more great passing would see the puck zipped over to Gajic who would shoot it back across the goalie to his wide side and into the net. Michigan's second power play goal in three tries would return them to the lead. Assists on this goal went to Kaleniecki and Rogers.

With just over one minute to play in the period a couple of quick passes would get the puck to Moss just outside the Michigan blue line. With great effort Moss carried the puck into the Falcon zone, closed on the goal, skated through the slot, spun around and fired a shot that beat the Falcon net minder for Michigan's third goal. Both Gajic and Ryznar picked up assists.

The first period would come to an end with Michigan leading by a score of three to one. The Wolverines would also hold a decided advantage in shots on goal with a sixteen to six count.

A scuffle between the players at the end of the first period led to several penalties the end result of which was a Michigan power play to start the second period. The Wolverines would never get this power play going and it was easily killed by the Falcons. That pretty much set the tone for the entire second period as both teams spent the period skating the puck up and down the ice. Michigan hit a couple of posts, missing chances to blow the game open. Both teams would get chances on the power play and be unable to take advantage. In the end the second period came to an end with Michigan still leading by a score of three to one. The Wolverines continued to lead in shots on goal, holding a twenty-three to fourteen edge in this category.

The third period was pretty much a mirror of the second period in that both teams continued to skate the puck up and down the ice. Both teams had power play chances through the period and Michigan hit another post or two. Still trailing by two and just 1:38 left on the clock the Falcons pulled their goalie. Eighteen seconds later the puck found its way to Helminens stick at the red line. Having an open look at the net Helminen banged it home from the red line and appeared to have sealed the win for Michigan. Mink picked up the lone assist on the goal.

From the ensuing face off play moved into the Michigan zone and the Falcons once again had their goalie pulled to get the extra attacker. With just 1:09 to play in the game the Falcons once again cut the lead to two as they got another soft little floater of a shot toward Montoya. The puck made it through the crowd of players in front of the net and once again Montoya appeared to have it gloved down. However, the puck just slid out from under Montoyas glove and into the goal to cut Michigan's lead to two goals.

Once again the Falcon net minder was in the game for the ensuing face off and once again, as play moved into the Michigan zone, the Falcon goalie headed straight to the bench. With just forty-three seconds left the puck was frozen in the Michigan end and a face off was coming up to Montoya's left. At this point the Falcons would call their time out, to determine strategy. It took them longer than they wanted, but the Falcons were finally able to get their third goal of the game as they relentlessly pushed the puck toward the net. With just twelve seconds left to play Michigans lead was suddenly down to one and the fans were on the edge of their seats.

Both teams battled hard for the puck, but Michigan couldn't get it out of the zone for another shot at the open net and the Falcons couldn't get it under enough control to setup a scoring chance. The game came to an end with Michigan defeating Bowling Green by a score of four to three.

The Wolverines get the much needed sweep of the eleventh seeded Falcons from Bowling Green to win their best of three first round series. There is only one more spot to be decided for next weekends super-six at the Joe as all the home teams swept their series, save Miami. The Redhawks will have to play a third and deciding game tomorrow that will see either Miami or Notre Dame advance to Joe Louis.

The Wolverines continue to hold down the number nine position in the Pairwise and could still be in doubt of making the tournament should they lose their semi-final game next weekend. In all likelihood this weekends sweep got the Wolverines an at large bid to the NCAA tournament, but for a win in next weekends semi-final would go a long way to solidifying that bid. Of course if they win the CCHA tournament they will receive the conferences automatic bid to the tournament, removing all doubt as to whether they will play in the NCAA or not. All the conference tournaments will be over and the tournament field set by six PM next Sunday. The selection show will air on ESPN next Sunday, March 23, 2003, at 5:30PM.