Wolverines Advance To CCHA Finals

Friday, March 18, 2005
Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan

Using a stingy defense and an offense that just kept coming the Wolverines finally found ways to get the puck past the Nanook goalie and advance to the Super Six finals to set up a rematch of last years final between the Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes.

The Nanooks gave the Wolverines two power play opportunities in the first period, but Michigan was unable to do anything with the man advantage. The first period came to an end with the score still tied at zero. The Wolverines held a thirteen to six advantage in shots on goal.

Penalties were called against each team at the end of the first period, leaving both teams skating four on four to start the second. With just over nineteen minutes to play Michigan was whistled for another penalty putting the Nanooks on the power play (4 on 3 for 1:07, then 5 on 4). With the clock just under the eighteen minute mark the Nanooks were whistled for a penalty ending their power play and setting Michigan up for a power play. Even with all the man advantages to start the second period neither team was able to score and play continued up and down the ice.

Play continued up and down the ice and it looked like this game was on its way to a repeat of last Saturdays zero to zero tie at the end of regulation, but that all changed with the clock just under the eight minute mark. Tambellini carried the puck into the Nanook zone slightly left of center holding the puck until the defense committed to him. As the Irish defender closed with him he slid a pass across the ice to Kaleniecki who was at the bottom of the right circle. As the puck got to him Kaleniecki fired a shot that beat the goalie for the Wolverines first score of the game (their first goal in regulation time in over ninety minutes). Assists went to Tambellini and Hensick.

With just eighteen seconds left in the period a great outlet pass led to Michigans second goal of the game and period. Michigan got the puck to Tambellini at center ice who put on a burst of speed that had him all alone and closing with the Nanook net. As he got to the face off circle he fired a wrist shot that the goalie never saw until it was in his net for Michigans second tally. Assists went to Kaleniecki and Dest.

The second period came to an end with Michigan holding a two to nothing lead. Michigan continued to dominate in shots on goal ending two periods of play with a twenty-nine to nine advantage in the category.

Michigan was called for a penalty at the end of the second period to put the Nanooks on the power play to start the second period. While the Nanooks were unable to score on the power play the did cut the Michigan lead in half with just over seventeen minutes to play. The Wolverines won a face off in their own zone to Montoyas left. However, as he tried to make a clearing pass Martens bobbled the puck, turning it over right in front of the Michigan goal. A Nanook got the puck, quickly moved on the Michigan goal, got Montoya to commit to covering the far side of the goal and then slipped the puck through the five hole for the score.

With the clock just under fifteen minutes the Nanooks would once again head to the sin bin and this time Michigan took advantage of the extra man. Using great puck movement the Wolverines got the Nanook defense to over commit to one side, leaving Kolarik all alone on the back side. A quick pass over to Kolarik and he buried the puck for Michigans third score of the game. Assists went to Nystrom and Ebbett.

The Nanooks took a number of penalties down the stretch as time began to run out, but there would be no further scoring. The game ended with Michigan winning by a score of three to one. The Wolverines ended the game with a forty-six to thirteen advantage in shots on goal.

The Nanooks held the Wolverines at by for the first half of this game in no small part because of the outstanding play of their goal tender who made some great saves in the opening thirty minutes of the game. However, in the end the Wolverine pressure was just to much for him to keep up with and Michigan eventually started to get the puck in the net. With the Buckeyes beating Michigan State in the second semi-final game tomorrow will see a rematch of last years finals between Michigan and Ohio State. It should be a great game as Michigan looks to power into the NCAA tournament and get a little pay back for last years Ohio State victory.