Wolverines Power Past Nanooks

Friday, February 6, 2004
Carlson Center, Fairbanks, Alaska

Using the momentum of two power play goals scored during a five minute major penalty to the Nanooks, the Michigan Wolverines broke open a close game late in the third period to win their weekend opener in Fairbanks.

While the Nanooks are known for being a skating team, they started this game absolutely flying as they kept the Wolverines on their heals for the bulk of the first period. The first period saw both teams get power plays, neither team able to score with the extra man. Between penalties both teams moved the puck up and down the ice at top speed. There was plenty of action, but the first period would come to an end with the teams tied at zero. The Nanooks held a nineteen to eight advantage in shots on goal.

The teams continued to move the puck quickly up and down the ice, but it would take another ten minutes before one of these teams finally got the puck in the net to break the score less tie. With just under ten minutes to play Michigan broke out of their zone, using a series of excellent passes to move the puck sharply and quickly up the ice and into the Nanook zone. Ebbett was carrying the puck into the Nanook zone on the left, while Ryznar was racing into the zone down the right side. As they passed through the circles, Ebbett slid a pass across the ice to Ryznar who blasted it into the net over the goalies shoulder. Both Ebbett and Moss received assists on the goal.

About two minutes later the Wolverines would be whistled for a penalty, a penalty that would prove costly. While the Wolverines came close to killing off the penalty, the Nanooks got the Michigan defense turned around, leaving them with a slight opening that they took advantage of to tie the game. With only about ten seconds left in the power play and just under six minutes to play in the period, the score was once again tied, this time at one goal each.

The second period would end in that one to one tie, with the Nanooks continuing to hold their lead in shots on goal ending two periods of play with a twenty-nine to sixteen advantage in the category.

The Nanooks spent the night charging Montoya, sending him to the ice on several occasions, drawing penalties for at least two of those charges. The final charge they made at Montoya would see the Nanooks hit with a five minute major, putting the Wolverines on an extended power play with just nine minutes left in the game and the score still tied at one each.

With just under eight minutes to play, less than two minutes into the power play, Michigan would break the tie and retake the lead using their power play. Working the puck around the Nanook zone, pulling the Alaska defense over to the right. Gajic held the puck down low, waiting for the defense to come to him and Werner to get into the zone. As Werner entered the zone Gajic passed the puck to him. Receiving the puck at the point, Werner skated in, got to the circles, and shot the puck into the net over the goalies shoulder. Werner was credited with the power play goal, while Gajic and Hensick both picked up assists on the goal.

About two minutes later, with just over six minutes left in the game the Wolverines would score on a play that was almost identical to their first power play goal, just minutes earlier. Once again the drew the defense right, got the puck over to a player coming down the left side, and once again the puck got buried in the net over the goalies shoulder. This time it was Rogers getting the power play goal, while Hensick and Gajic were once again responsible for the assists.

With about 1:25 to play the Nanooks pulled their goalie to get an extra attacker on the ice. Even with the extra man on the ice the Nanooks were having trouble keeping the puck in the Michigan zone. Just as the clock moved under one minute to play Michigan would get the puck to Ryznar as he skated through the neutral zone heading for that open Alaska net. As he neared the circle he fired the puck into the heart of the net for Michigans fourth goal of the game. Assists would go to Ebbett and Moss.

The game would end with Michigan winning by a score of four to one. The Nanooks ended the game with a thirty-seven to thirty-four advantage in shots on goal.

This game was expected to be close and it was until the Wolverines broke it open using the power play late in the third period. Alaska kept the pressure on all through the first period, but the Wolverines weathered the storm. Montoya got the saves he needed to get and the Wolverines continued to work hard, gradually turning the momentum toward themselves.

The Nanooks haven't lost many at home this year so you know they will come out tomorrow night giving it everything they have. Michigan will most likely have to weather another storm at the start of the game. Exactly how tomorrow nights game will play out is uncertain. What is certain is that it should be another great game.