Wolverines Break Broncos

Friday, January 7, 2005
Yost Ice Arena, Ann Arbor, Michigan

As has been the case in recent years tonights game between Michigan and Western Michigan was a fast paced, chippy affair as both teams rode momentum shifts at various points in time. In the end it was Michigan's over all depth that proved to be to much for the Bronco's as Michigan came away with a hard fought win to open the second half of play.

With just over thirty seconds played Michigan was whistled for the games first penalty, giving the Bronco's an early power play chance. While they failed to score with the extra man they did score the games first goal just seconds after the power play ended. Michigan had the puck deep in their own zone when the Bronco's picked the players pocket. With the puck successfully stolen the Bronco's got off a shot that found the back of the net, top shelf over Montoyas shoulder.

The score remained one to nothing for most of the remainder of the period, but with just under three minutes left to play Michigan got a big boost from Hensick when he tied the game at one each. Gajic had the puck down low in the Bronco zone, in close to the net. He took a little back hand shot that was turned away by the Bronco goalie, however, the puck ended up on Hensicks stick on the other side of the net. As the puck hit his stick he jammed it past the goalie and into the net to tie the game. Assists went to Gajic and Hunwick.

The first period of play would end with the score all tied at one. Michigan held a slight edge in shots on goal with a sixteen to twelve count.

Michigan started the second period with 1:39 of power play time and they would take full advantage of the extra man to take the lead. With eighteen and half minutes to play, ten seconds on the power play, Michigan got the go ahead goal. Hensick got control of the puck in the corner, circled out to the face off circle. From there he fired a shot that squeezed between the goalie and the post to give Michigan a two to one lead. The goal was Hensicks of the game and assists went to Gajic and Rogers.

With just under thirteen minutes to play the Wolverines were sent to the sin bin, and the Broncos wasted no time taking advantage. Right from the ensuing face off the Broncos got control of the puck, charged into the Michigan zone, and shot the puck at the net. The initial attempt was blocked, but the puck was bouncing around in front of the goal and the Broncos finally chipped it in. The game was again tied, this time at two goals each.

It wouldn't take long for the Wolverines to respond as they scored their second of the period with just 12:02 left to play, less than a minute after the Broncos had once again tied the game. There was a face off to the left of the goalie in the Bronco zone. Michigan won the face off, got the puck straight back to Tambellini, who one timed it from above the face off circle, through the five hole for the go ahead score. Assists went to Nystrom and Ebbett.

With just under ten minutes to play in the period Michigan would notch their fourth goal of the contest, third of the period. Ryznar simply out muscled any and all comers to come through center ice with the puck. Ryznar carried the puck into the Bronco zone, with Gajic following. Waiting for a defenseman to commit, Ryznar finally sent a pass over to Gajic, who walked in on the goal, and shot the puck top shelf for the score. Assists on the goal went to Ryznar and Hunwick.

With just over seven and half minutes to play Michigan was once again in the sin bin and the Broncos were on the attack. Michigan had turned the Broncos away until just forty-one seconds left in the power play, when a soft little shot just floated the puck through Montoyas five hole for the Western goal. Not the kind of goal you want to see get scored.

Penalties to both teams were handed out in the closing minutes of the second period, but the period would end with the Wolverines holding a slim four to three lead. Michigan had a slight edge in shots on goal, finishing two periods of play with a twenty-nine to twenty-seven edge in the category.

Michigan started the third period with 1:01 of power play, however, unlike the second period Michigan was unable to take advantage of the extra man. Just as the clock moved under the fifteen minute mark the Wolverines would find the back of the net for their fifth goal of the game. Tambellini circled through center ice, coming all the way back to the Michigan blue line. Then he shot down the left side of the ice, putting on a burst of speed as he crossed the Bronco blue line. Tambellini got very deep into the Bronco zone and ended up taking a shot from a very flat angle (he was very close to the goal line). Somehow it just squeezed behind the Bronco net minder, sliding over the goal line, into the net for the score. Assists went to Dest and Werner.

With the clock just moving under the ten minute mark the Wolverines were whistled for a penalty and once again the Bronco power play would make them pay. With the power play about half over the Broncos were putting all kinds of pressure on the Michigan goal and Michigan couldn't get it cleared. Eventually they got the opening they needed and fired a shot high, to the wide side of the net for another power play goal.

With about four and half minutes left to play in the game and Michigan holding onto their one goal lead, the Broncos were whistled for a penalty to put Michigan on the power play. With the final minute of the power play ticking away Michigan was able to get some breathing room on the score board with a power play goal of their own. Michigan had taken a shot that was deflected through the crease. As it got to the opposite side of the goal Moss got his stick on it and chipped it up over the net minder for the goal. Nystrom and Tambilinni each received an assist on the goal.

With 1:48 to play the Broncos called a time out. As the teams returned to the ice the Bronco goalie stayed on the bench to put an extra attacker on the ice for the Broncos. Neither team would be able to score again and the game would come to an end with Michigan winning by a score of six to four. Michigan ended the game with a thirty-nine to thirty-seven edge in shots on goal.

The game was a bit closer than many would have thought with the contest being held at Yost, but this Bronco team just keeps coming at you from the opening whistle to end of the game. It was a back and forth game for most of the sixty minutes, with the score generally staying within one or two goals (mostly one goal). Tomorrow nights game should be very interesting since it will be played in Kalamazoo, a location where Michigan has had trouble playing.