Wolverines Shut Out Buckeyes

Friday, November 14, 2003
Schottenstein Center, Columbus, Ohio

Using strong first and third periods the Michigan Wolverines got a big road win over the current leaders of the CCHA, the Ohio State Buckeyes. After taking the first period lead both teams spent most of the second period going in and out of the penalty boxes, giving Ohio State some of their best scoring chances of the game. However, the Wolverines held on behind some outstanding goal tending by Montoya to start the third period with their two goal lead intact. Michigan scored two more in the third to seal the victory for Michigan, getting within two points of first place with two games in hand.

The Buckeyes got a great scoring chance with about thirteen and a half minutes to play in the period, but Montoya turned it away. It would be Michigan who would draw first blood as the clock moved under the twelve minute mark. Digging the puck out of the corner the Wolverines got it out in front of the Buckeye net to a waiting Mike Brown who let a point blank shot go that beat Betz top shelf for the first score of the game. Assists on the goal went to Helminen and Nystrom.

Play would continue up and down the ice with both teams taking some penalties, but once again it would be Michigan finding a way to get the puck into the net. This time Michigan got the puck to Martens at the blue line who let fly a wrist shot that beat Betz top shelf, through a screen. Assists on this goal went to Hensick and Ryznar.

With just forty-four seconds to play in the period both teams would once again send a player to the sin bin. Neither team would be able to find twine while skating four on four and the first period would come to an end with Michigan leading by a score of two to nothing. The Buckeyes ended the period with a nine to eight advantage in shots on goal.

The second period begins with the teams skating four on four for 1:16, but neither team would find a way to score. The entire second period was filled with a number of penalties by both teams. As with the first period, neither team was able to score with the man advantage. The second period came to an end with Michigan leading by a score of two to nothing. The Buckeyes continued to lead in shots on goal, ending two periods with a twenty-five to twenty-one advantage in this category.

Michigan started the third period strong, once again taking the play to Ohio State and the pressure would pay off just as the clock reached the fourteen minute mark. After having a big shot blocked by Betz the puck went behind the net where Brown gained control. He quickly fed the puck out front to Gajic who started across the crease. Seeing his scoring lanes blocked he slid the puck over to Helminen who was all alone behind the goal tender, leaving him with an easy shot for Michigan's third goal of the game. Assists on the goal went to Gajic and Brown.

Michigan would spend the remainder of the period playing stifling defense, finally generating a break deep in the Buckeye zone that would lead to their fourth goal of the night. Getting control of the puck near the boards, Woodford slid it out to a streaking Hensick who carried it to the net, made a great move to deke the Ohio State net minder, and made it look easy as he calmly slid the puck around the goalie and into the net. Assists on this goal went to Woodford and Hunwick.

The end of the game would see Michigan winning by a score of four to nothing. Michigan ended the game with a one shot advantage in shots on goal with a thirty-one to thirty count.

A great road win for Michigan as they play probably their best road game of the year against the conference leading Buckeyes. Michigan got solid play from pretty much everyone as they applied pressure early and often. Once again the second period saw a number of penalties being called, but this time Michigan weathered the storm and got out of the period unscathed. Tonight Michigan got all of their goals at even strength, failing to score on the power play for the first time in a long time. Both teams will do it all again tomorrow night as Michigan will look for the sweep and the Buckeyes will try to salvage the weekend with a split.