Wolverines Chain Huskies

Sunday, December 28, 2003
Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan

The Wolverines seemed to solve many of their problems in this game as they dominated the Huskies, winning by a score of six to two. Michigan killed off seven Huskie power plays, while scoring two power play goals of their own. They put the puck into open nets when the opportunities presented themselves. Basically everything they couldn't get done yesterday, they did get done today.

Michigan would get things started fairly early in this game and it would be the power play that would get them going. With just two and a half minutes gone the Huskies found themselves in the penalty box, putting the Wolverines on the power play. After starting the power play a bit sluggishly the Wolverines started to apply some sustained pressure in the final minute of the man advantage. With time running out in the power play Michigan worked the puck out to the point where Rogers got off a big shot through a great screen set by Ryznar that beat the Huskie goalie in the top corner of the goal. With Rogers getting the goal both Ebbett and Ryznar picked up assists on this power play goal.

Both teams would take penalties through the next ten or twelve minutes of play, but neither team was able to score until the final five minutes of the period with the Wolverines would once again find twine while on the power play. The Huskies had been sent to the penalty box with just over five minutes left to play. Once again Michigan would apply some sustained pressure and once again they would score with time running out in the man advantage. Ebbett got things started when he got off a shot that was blocked before it reached the net, but it rebounded right out to Werner in the high slot. As he got control of the puck Werner lifted it up into the top corner of the net, allowing the puck to settle nicely into the goal for Michigan's second score of the game. Assists were originally given to Ebbett and Nystrom, but these assists were later removed with the goal being scored as unassisted.

The first period would come to an end with Michigan leading by a score of two to nothing. The Wolverines also ended the first period with an eleven to six advantage in shots on goal.

Michigan started the second period with 1:22 of power play time, however, they were assessed a team penalty for not being on the bench for the start of the period ending the power play and setting the Huskies up for a short power play of their own.

Michigan would score their first goal of the second period when Gajic would get just enough stick on the puck to direct it into the net as he was being dragged to the ice by a Huskie defender. Ryznar set this goal up by carrying the puck deep into the Huskie zone, drawing most of the defense to him, including the goalie, and then sliding a great pass over to Gajic who nudged it home for the score. Both Ryznar and Ebbett were given assists on this goal.

With just over thirteen minutes to play Michigan would get their fourth goal of the game. This time it would be Helminen getting things going by driving deep into the Huskie zone drawing the defense and the goalie to him. Showing great patience Helminen waited for Rohlfs to catch up, then made a spectacular pass across the crease to Rohlfs who put the puck into a wide open net. Helminen and Kautz each picked up assists on this goal.

Michigan would hold onto their four goal lead for about ten minutes of play when the Huskies would end the Wolverine shut out bid with a short handed goal. The Huskies were sent to the penalty box with just three minutes left in the period, giving Michigan a late power play chance. Unfortunately just fifteen seconds into the power play the Huskies would carry the puck into the Michigan zone, make some great passes to setup an easy shot for the short handed goal that would give them their first goal of the game. Michigan would not be able to answer on the power play, but they did answer the goal just as the power play ended.

As the power play was ending Hensick would carry the puck from one end of the ice to the other and wrapped around behind the goal. As he circled back toward the net, looking to move back to the other corner of the ice he slid a picture perfect pass out front to a charging Werner. As soon as the puck hit his stick Werner lifted the puck over the goalies stick and into the net for Michgan's fifth goal of the game, third of the second period. Assists went to Hensick and Ruden.

The second period would come to an end with Michigan leading by a score of five to one. The Wolverines continued to dominate in shots on goal ending two periods of play with a twenty-seven to eleven advantage in this category.

Michigan would strike for the sixth and final time of this game with just over three minutes played in the period. Moving the puck around the Huskie zone Werner would be pinched in deep and would receive yet another great centering pass. Showing patience with the puck Werner waited for the opening and then jammed the puck home through the five hole for his hat trick and Michigan's sixth. Assists on this goal went to Hensick and Kaleniecki. Following the sixth goal Michigan replaced Ruden with goalie Mike Mayhew to give him some game time work.

The Huskies would add their final score of the game with just over two minutes left to play when they would slip a shot past Mayhew. However, it was to little, to late, with the game ending with a six to two Michigan victory. Michigan ended the game with a forty-eight to twenty-six advantage in shots on goal.

Most of those little things that Michigan has struggled to do over the last six months they seemed to do in this game. They got their power play back on track, they buried their chances when they had them, and they played solid defense. Whether this was a one time game or whether Michigan has finally figured out what they need to do to compete game in and game out remains to be seen. This game and weekend will hopefully be a spring board for the Wolverines as they move into the second half of the season.

Michigan's next test will be a big one as they host the Ohio State Buckeyes to open the second half of CCHA play on January 9th and 10th. If Michigan wants to be a contender, both in the CCHA and nationally these are two games they simply must win.