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Wolverines Sweep Buckeyes
Saturday, January 10, 2004
Yost Ice Arena, Ann Arbor, Michigan
For the first time since at least October and perhaps for the first time this
season the Michigan hockey team put together a complete weekend as they simply
dominated the visiting Buckeyes from Ohio State to sweep the weekend, vaulting
from sixth place to first place in the CCHA.
The Wolverines wasted little time in starting their onslaught as they attacked
right from the start, getting the games first goal less than one minute into the
first period. Hunwick made a great pass to start a break out from deep in the
Wolverine zone, getting the puck out to Tambellini near the blue line. Tambellini
carried the puck into the Buckeye zone, moving slightly to his right and drawing
the Buckeye defense to him. As the defense closed he made a beautiful pass over
to Helminen who was skating stride for stride with Tambellini. Helminen then went
in uncontested and stuffed the puck home for Michigan's first goal. Both Tambellini
and Hunwick received assists on the play.
While they scored early in this game the Wolverines did not let up on the pressure
as they continued to push the puck at the Buckeye net. Less than two minutes later
they would pick up their second goal of the game, this one setup by some outstanding
passing. Michigan passed the puck crisply around the Buckeye zone, eventually driving
the puck down near the end boards in the Buckeye zone. With the puck behind and to
the right of the net minder a quick pass out front and to the left of the goalie
left Gajic with an easy shot for goal number two. Assists on this goal went to
Hensick and Hunwick.
As the clock moved under the thirteen minute mark the Wolverines would be whistled
for a penalty putting the Buckeyes on the power play. The Buckeyes managed to bring
the puck through the neutral zone, but it appeared they entered the Michigan zone
off side. However, that was not called and the somewhat disorganized rush continued.
The Buckeyes got through the Michigan defense and got off a shot, in close, that
just managed to dribble across the goal line to draw Ohio State within one.
The game would continue with just a single goal separating the two teams for the
next seven or eight minutes when it was Michigan's turn to take advantage of the
power play and regain their two goal lead. The Buckeyes went to the sin bin with
just under six minutes to play in the period, the Wolverines immediately went on
the attack. Michigan passed the puck around the Buckeye zone looking for that all
important opening. As the power play neared its final thirty seconds that passing
won out, pulling Ohio State's defense out of position, allowing Michigan to score.
The Wolverines passed the puck from side to side near the blue line. Suddenly an
lane opened up through the center of the zone and Michigan passed it from left to
right, deep into the zone ending up behind the goal. From there another great pass
out front and across the goal to a wide open Kaleniecki who banged the puck home
as soon as it hit his stick. Both Hensick and Ebbett picked up assists on the
goal.
Both teams would send a man to the penalty box in the final minute of play, but
the Buckeyes were assessed one additional penalty putting Michigan back on the power
play. The Wolverines were unable to score with the extra man before the end of the
opening period, leaving Michigan in the lead by a score of three to one after twenty
minutes of play. Michigan held a slight nine to six edge in shots on goal.
Michigan started the second period with 1:12 of power play time, but would be
unable to score with the extra man. However, with just under seventeen minutes left
in the period the Buckeyes would turn the puck over at their blue line right in front
of Helminen. Taking advantage of the situation Helminen scooped up the puck, drove
hard into the Buckeye zone, and buried the puck to extend Michigans lead to three
goals, unassisted.
While both teams would send players to the penalty box over the next five minutes
neither team would be able to find twine until a sequence of penalties and hard play
would lead to Michigans fifth goal of the game. With about thirteen and half minutes
to play in the period and twenty-eight seconds in a Buckeye power play Ohio State was
whistled for a penalty ending their power play and setting Michigan up for a power play
of their own. With just over thirteen minutes to play, using more of the great passing
that was a hallmark of this game, Michigan charged into the Buckeye zone, went right
for the net, and punched the puck home for goal number five. Brown was credited with
the goal, while Ryznar and Dest both picked up assists. That was also the Buckeye goalie
as he was replaced.
Both teams would spend the remainder of the second period taking trip after trip to
the penalty box, including game misconduct penalties given to Eric Nystrom from Michigan
and Nate Guenin from Ohio State. The second period would come to an end with Michigan
leading by a score of five to one. Michigan out shot Ohio State seventeen to four in
this period giving them a twenty-six to ten advantage in shots on goal through two periods
of play.
The Buckeyes started the third period with 1:29 of power play time, but they were
unable to mount any kind of challenge against the Michigan defense. Michigan would
take penalties with just eighteen minutes to play and again with exactly fourteen
minutes left on the clock. With just ten seconds left in the Ohio State power play
and Michigan skating the puck in circles around the neutral zone, the Buckeyes
decided to change lines. The ill timed change left Brown alone with the puck at
center ice and he immediately headed for the Buckeye zone. Skating into the zone
with him was Helminen. As the Buckeye goalie and what remained of the defense closed
on Brown he slid the puck to his left, hitting Helminen in stride. Helminen marched
the puck right to the net and banged a back hand shot home for Michigans sixth goal
of the night and Helminens hat trick. Both Brown and Moss picked up assists on this
goal.
Just as the clock moved under the ten minute mark the Buckeyes would once again
head to the sin bin putting Michigan back on the power play. Making it look like childs
play the Wolverines used more fantastic passing to knife through a shell shocked Buckeye
defense, slamming home their seventh and final goal with just over nine minutes left
to play (1:35 left in the power play). Helminen was credited with the goal, while
Hunwick and Tambellini each picked up assists.
The game would come to an end with Michigan winning by a score of seven to one.
The Wolverines would end the game with a twenty-eight to sixteen advantage in shots
on goal.
Michigan finally put together a solid weekend of hockey, their best weekend of hockey
since the series against Northern Michigan back in October. This weekend should rate
as better than that weekend since they skated stronger on Saturday than they did on
Friday. While the score certainly shows the strength of Michigan's game this night
it doesn't begin to show just how dominating Michigan was. The defense would give
Ohio State no room for the entire game and much of the weekend. Michigan's offense
finally woke from their slumber with a large number of players picking up points
over the weekend. In addition, the special teams play was also in top form with
Michigan scoring on the power play and short handed.
Perhaps the most important thing of the night and weekend was the emergence of
the junior class, led by Dwight Helminen. He was all over the ice on both nights
playing solid, tenacious defense and of course he scored four of Michigan's seven
goals tonight. Gajic has a three game scoring streak going, also scoring in four
of the last five games for Michigan. While he hasn't been big on the scoreboard
Ryznar has been a monster on the ice, returning to the dominant form we saw at the
end of last season. To a man they all seem to be coming out of their funk at the
same time and it couldn't be a better time for this team. Hopefully this is a sign
of good things to come as Michigan prepares for the stretch run, only time will
tell if Michigan has finally started to play to their potential or if this is a
blip on the radar screen.
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