Wolverines Explode in Third for Win

Friday, January 14, 2005
Yost Ice Arena, Ann Arbor, Michigan

It was a close game through two periods of play, but then the depth of the Wolverines came through leading to a huge third period that left the Nanooks wondering what hit them. The Wolverines scored three times in the first 10:19 of the final period to put the game in the win column.

Just as the clock reached the fifteen minute mark of the first period the Nanooks were whistled for the games first penalty, putting Michigan on the power play early in this contest. With just under fourteen minutes to play in the period and forty-five seconds left in the man advantage the Wolverines struck for the first time in this contest. The initial shot was taken from the face off circle, but it was stopped by the Nanook goalie even after being somewhat deflected. However, the rebound wasn't covered and it popped right onto the stick of Hensick who was positioned just outside the crease. Wasting no time Hensick stuffed the puck into the net for the score. Assists went to Rogers and Porter.

It was barely a minute later when Michigan would make the score two to nothing, making it look like a blow out was in the works. After digging the puck out of the corner Kolarik got a pass over to Brown as he closed with the goal. While hopping over or around a Nanook defender Brown drove the puck high over the net minders glove for the score. Both Kolarik and Nystrom received assists on the goal.

With about twelve and a half minutes to play in the period the Wolverines were sent to the sin bin, putting Alaska on the power play. Less than a minute into the man advantage the Michigan defense would turn the puck over at their own blue line, leaving a Nanook free with the puck. Charging right down the slot the Nanooks got off a shot that was initially stopped, however, since the puck wasn't covered the Nanooks kept chipping at it until they finally got it past Montoya for their first goal of the night.

Both teams be whistled for penalties through the final eight minutes of the opening stanza, but neither team would be able to take advantage of the extra man. The first period of play came to an end with Michigan holding a slim two to one lead. The Wolverines and Nanooks ended the period with each having taken twelve shots on goal.

Michigan started the second period with about twenty seconds of power play time, but they would be unable to take advantage of the extra man. However, it would be special teams play that would lead to the Nanooks second goal of the game. With the clock just under the ten minute mark the Wolverines were once again in the sin bin. Again using very little power play time the Nanooks got the puck in deep and Michigan could not clear it. With the puck bouncing all around the Wolverine net the Nanooks were finally able to chip another puck past Montoya to tie the game.

That lone Alaska goal with just over nine minutes left to play in the period was the only score of the second period. With two periods of play in the books the score was all tied up at two goals each. Michigan ended two periods of play with a twenty-three to twenty advantage in shots on goal.

Michigan would regain the lead fairly early in the third period when Hunwick got a floater past the Nanook net minder for an unexpected goal. Michigan had been working the puck along the boards with the clock ticking down to the fifteen minute mark. Receiving the puck at the blue line Hunwick wristed a high floater of a shot through traffic that somehow squeezed in between the far post and the Nanook net minder. Both Rohlfs and Ryznar picked up assists on the goal.

With the clock showing just over thirteen minutes to play a series of penalties would lead to the Wolverines fourth goal of the game. First Michigan sent a player to the sin bin with 13:19 to play. Then with 13:05 to play Alaska sent a player to the penalty box to leave both teams with four players each. Then with 12:55 left to play Alaska was whistled for a second penalty, leaving the Wolverines with a four on three power play. Using all that extra space Michigan was cycling the puck effectively when they got a quick pass down low to Porter who banged the puck home for goal number four. Both Hensick and Rogers picked up assists on the power play goal with just over twelve minutes to play in the period.

With the clock just moving under the ten minute mark the Wolverines would strike for the third time in the period to score their fifth and final goal of the game. Digging the puck out from behind the net Michigan quickly got the puck out front of the net. Wasting no time Nystrom jammed the puck into the net before any of the Nanooks could react to the puck and Michigan had goal number five. Both Kolarik and Tambellini picked up assists on this goal.

The game would come to an end with Michigan in the lead by a score of five to two. The Wolverines ended the game with a thirty-six to twenty-eight advantage in shots on goal.

The Nanooks made the Wolverines work their collective tails off to get this win tonight, keeping the score very close through two periods of play. In the third the Nanooks seemed to tire out as Michigan continued to roll four lines, keeping the pressure on the Nanook goal all night long. In the end the bench proved to be to deep and Michigan won the game going away. Tomorrow night both teams go at it again, same place, same time.