Wolverines Burst Into Finals

Friday, March 19, 2004
Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan

Using a burst of goals in the third period the Wolverines pulled away from the Wildcats, scoring four unanswered goals in route to a five to one victory. This win, in the opening CCHA semi-final game, leaves Michigan just one win away from winning their third straight CCHA tournament title.

The first period would be a fast paced period with both teams moving the puck up and down the ice with speed. Michigan would have two power play opportunities in the period, failing to connect on either of them. The first period would come to an end with the score all tied at zero. Michigan held a thirteen to eight edge in shots on goal.

Michigan would be whistled for a penalty early in the second period, but they were able to kill that penalty off without giving up a goal. The Wildcats were whistled for a penalty just over eight minutes into the period and they would not be as fortunate. The power play was over, but before they could get a fifth player into the action Michigan had found the back of the net. Michigan had driven the puck deep into the Wildcat zone, pulling the Northern defense over to one side of the zone. A quick pass through the slot found a wide open Kaleniecki who one timed the puck into the open net. Both Werner and Gajic received assists on the goal.

The Wildcats were whistled for a penalty late in the period, but Michigan would not find a way to score before the period ended. After two periods of play it was Michigan one, Northern zero. Northern out shot the Wolverines in that period eight to six, but Michigan held a nineteen to sixteen advantage in shots on goal for the game.

Michigan started the third period with forty seconds of power play time, but they would need just twenty-eight of those seconds to find twine. As they have so many times this year the Wolverines used crisp passing to create an opening for a back door shot. They worked it to perfection, with Hensick finishing it off with a laser of a pass across the crease to a wide open Kaleniecki. Once again Kaleniecki one timed the shot and Michigan was up by two. Both Hensick and Gajic received assists on this power play goal.

After scoring that quick goal the Wildcats seemed to lose a half a step, while Michigan seemed to pick up the pace. With just over eleven minutes left to play in the game that extra pressure would pay off when Michigan got broke into the Northern zone two on one. Hensick carried the puck down one side of the ice, holding it until the last possible second, when he calmly slid a pass across the ice to a waiting Tambellini who buries the puck in the net for goal number three. Hensick and Rohlfs each received assists on this goal.

Just over a minute later, with roughly ten and a half minutes to play, Michigan was once again entering the Northern zone on a two on one break. This time it was Moss and Ryznar, with Moss carrying the puck into the zone. Much like Hensick before him Moss held the puck, but as he closed with the goal he snapped a wrist shot rather than make a pass, putting the puck in the net over the net minders shoulder. Ryznar got the lone assist.

Just as the clock moved under the nine minute mark Michigan would score their third goal in roughly two and half minutes to essentially seal the win. Once again it would be Hensick and Tambellini breaking into the Wildcat zone. This time it was Tambellini who carried the puck into the zone, held it until the last second, making a perfect pass to Hensick who simply lifted the puck up and over the goalie for the Wolverines fifth marker of the game. Tambellini and Rohlfs each received an assist on this goal.

With barely a minute and half left in the game Michigan's Montoya lost his shut out bid as the Wildcats were able to re-direct a shot past the Michigan net minder. The game would end with Michigan winning by a five to one score. Michigan ended the game with a thirty-four to twenty advantage in shots on goal.

While the final score was one sided this game was very close through two periods of play, with the Wolverines finally wearing the Wildcats down as the third period progressed. Michigan played a solid game, working hard through each period, finishing the game with a strong push, out shooting the Wildcats fifteen to four. They will need to play with a bit more desperation tomorrow night when they look to complete their defense of the Mason Cup against either Ohio State or Miami.