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Wolverines Sweep Into Semi-Finals
Saturday, March 12, 2005
Yost Ice Arena, Ann Arbor, Michigan
After last nights pummeling the Irish put up much more resistance in tonights
game, following the lead of their Senior goalie Morgan Cey. Cey made save after
save, holding the Wolverines at bay throughout the game, leading to a zero to zero
tie at the end of regulation time. The Wolverines needed just over two minutes
of overtime before they could finally get a puck past Cey to complete the CCHA
first round sweep of Notre Dame.
There was one set of matching penalties in the opening period, called with just
under seven minutes to play. The extra space on the ice didn't lead to any scoring
and the first period ended with the score tied, zero to zero. The Wolverines had
a fourteen to eight advantage in shots on goal.
Both teams were called for and survived a number of penalties in the second,
leaving the score all tied at zero after forty minutes of play. The Wolverines
out shot the Irish thirteen to five in the second period for a two period advantage
of twenty-seven to thirteen in shots on goal.
Each team was called for one penalty in the third period of play, with neither
team able to take advantage of the extra man. At the end of regulation the score
was still tied at zero. Michigan had a thirty-eight to nineteen advantage in shots
on goal.
Barely twenty seconds into the overtime period both teams had a player sent to
the sin bin, leaving each team to skate with four men. With the clock just under
eighteen minutes and fifteen seconds in the matching penalties remaining, the Wolverines
ended the game with a rebound goal. Moss picked off a pass just outside the blue line
and immediately charged into the Irish zone. He got off a shot that the Irish net
minder stopped, but for about the first time in the game he let a rebound get away
from him. The puck popped out right in front of a streaking Werner who quickly
chipped the puck into the net for the score. Moss and Martens each received an
assist on the goal.
With the score the game was over with Michigan winning by a one to nothing
score. The Wolverines out shot the Irish six to nothing in the overtime period
to end the game with a forty-four to nineteen advantage in shots on goal.
It was an exciting game that saw the action move up and down the ice at a rapid
pace all night. It was really a night for the goal tenders, with Cey leading the way
simply because of the number of shots he faced (many of them quality scoring
chances). The win completes the first round sweep in the CCHA tournament and sends
Michigan to the first semi-final game being played next Friday at 4:30 pm. The opponent
will be determined during next Thursday's play in games.
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