Wolverine Woes Resurface Against Tigers

Saturday, March 26, 2005
Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, Michigan

After playing hockey the last month and half of the season and through the playoffs like the team that everyone thought this Michigan team would be, they fell prey to the same mental lapses that plagued them in the first half of the season. Soft goals, a defense that found itself in the wrong place at the wrong time, and an offense that suddenly couldn't put the puck into an open net led to the Wolverines final loss of the year. Unfortunately it was in a game where a loss ended their season, leaving the Wolverines, team and fans alike, wondering what might have been for another year.

While it took half the first period for Michigan to get on the score board the Wolverines controlled the tempo of the game right from the opening face off. When Colorado was whistled for a penalty with about twelve and half minutes to play in the opening stanza Michigan finally found the back of the net.

The Wolverines had worked the puck around the ice well during their first power play chance of the game, but had failed to score a goal. That is until there were just eight seconds left in the power play. Continuing to move the puck with crisp passes around the Colorado zone Michigan finally opened up a hole in their penalty kill and Tambellini wasted no time, sending a sizzling shot on net from the center point. The goal was scored and tallied, with assists going to Werner and Ebbett.

With the clock just under six minutes the Wolverines once again found themselves on the power play. They once again moved the puck around the Colorado zone crisply, but this time needed far less power play time to break the Tiger defense. Michigan moved the puck down low, then back up to the point, quickly back down low, and then through the crease for Kaleniecki who took care of the rest, directing the puck into the net for Michigan's second power play goal of the game. Assists went to Moss and Rogers.

The first period would end with Michigan holding a two to nothing lead. Michigan also held an advantage in shots on goal, finishing the first twenty minutes of play with an eleven to seven advantage in the category.

Both teams started the second period with four skaters each as they worked off the last 1:25 of a pair of matching penalties called at the end of the first period. The penalties were killed off without either team giving up points.

Seconds after the penalties were over, however, Michigan would score thier third and final goal of the game. Ebbett snagged the puck in his own zone and broke toward center ice. Nystrom broke with him and the two skated into the Colorado zone on a break away. Ebbett attempted to pass over to Nystrom, but the Colorado goalie stopped the pass trapping the puck. Before the whistled could be blown a Colorado defenseman ran into the Colorado goalie knocking the puck loose and over the goal line. After a review it was ruled the puck crossed the goal line prior to the whistle blowing. The goal was awarded to Nystrom, with Ebbett picking up the lone assist.

The beginning of the end began shortly after that third goal. Michigan reeled off three straight penalties over the next six minutes, eventually giving Colorado a two man advantage for an extended period of time. After making many stops Montoya was finally caught in a position he couldn't recover from and the Tigers had their first goal of the game, cutting the Michigan lead to two with just under fourteen minutes of playing time still on the clock.

With just over five minutes to play Michigan would get another power play chance looking to regain their three goal lead. Instead, roughly forty seconds into the power play the Michigan defense took a nap, allowing the Tigers to drive the puck right down the center of the ice, from end to end, eventually tucking the puck into the net for a short handed goal. Michigan's lead was down to one with under five minutes to play in the second.

The second period would come to an end with Michigan clinging to a three to two lead. Colorado out shot the Wolverines seven to six in the second period, but Michigan continued to hold a slim advantage in shots on goal with a seventeen to fourteen count.

Michigan was called for a penalty right at the twenty minute mark of the second period giving Colorado a full power play to start the third period, however, Michigan was able to kill off the power play.

With the clock just under the sixteen minute mark Colorado scored the game tying goal. Taking a shot from between the circles, through a screen, they beat Montoya high to tie the game at three.

With just under ten minutes left to play the Tigers scored the game winner when they got control of a puck right in front of the goal and chipped it back in off the rebound. Montoya had made the initial stop, but he was on the ice and the rebound was not covered. Colorado just lifted it up high and goal number four was theirs.

Michigan tried to get the game back to even to force an overtime period, but even with Montoya on the bench for the final fifty-two seconds of the game the Wolverines would not be able to find a way to score.

The game would come to an end with Colorado winning by a four to three score and earning a trip to the Frozen Four. Michigan ended the game with a twenty-seven to twenty-three advantage in shots on goal.

As much as they controlled this game through the first few minutes of the second period, Michigan was a different team from that point on. With a three goal lead you could just see them shutting down on the ice. They no longer attacked Colorado, but played more not to lose than they played to win. The end result was that Colorado took the momentum and the game, while Michigan once again ended their season in the NCAA quarter finals. No more changes exist for a large group of Seniors who accomplished much in their four years, but always seemed to come up just short of the "big" win. This was a team that was loaded with potential, but in the end they continued to come up just short.