Huskies Humble Wolverines

Friday, October 8, 2004
Nutter Center, Dayton, Ohio

The Wolverines opened the 2004-2005 season with high expectations, both within the CCHA and nationally. Unfortunately while the expectations were high their first night on the ice was anything but a high point. The Wolverines were out skated, out hustled, and just plain out worked as the Northeastern Huskies humbled the nations pre-season number one team by a four to two score.

A number of penalties were handed out to both teams in the first ten minutes of this game, with both teams successfully killing the opponents power play chances. That would all change when the Huskies gave the Wolverines their third power play chance of the game with just over ten minutes left in the opening stanza. The Wolverines worked the puck around the Northeastern zone until they found the opening they were looking for. Gajic was positioned on the goal line somewhat behind the goalie when Hensick made a great pass to Gajic who buried the back door shot for the first goal of the game with just over ten minutes played. Hensick and Tambellini picked up assists on this power play goal.

Both teams would kill off more penalties in the final ten minutes of the opening period, but there would be no more scoring. The first period would come to an end with Michigan holding a one to nothing lead. The Wolverines held a slight edge in shots on goal with a thirteen to eleven count.

It looked like Michigan might get out to a strong start in the second period of play when Brown punched the puck into the Huskie net just thirteen seconds into the period, but the goal was waved off. The officials waved the goal off indicating that Brown had directed the puck into the net with his skate. That call may have been over ruled with the benefit of replay, but replay was not available and there was no goal.

Barely thirty seconds later, still with less than one minute played in the second period, the Huskies got in tight to the Michigan goal with numbers. Montoya was able to stop one shot, but with the rebound uncovered and to many Huskies near the goal Northeastern picked up their first goal of the period and game to tie the score.

With just over fourteen minutes left to play Michigan would once again take the lead when Kolarik made a great pass up the ice to Moss. Moss carried the puck into the Huskie zone, forcing the goalie to make a play. With the goalie committed Moss switched to his backhand and chipped the puck up over the prone net minder for the goal. The lone assist went to Kolarik.

A series of penalties just as the mid point of the period was coming up would eventually leave the Wolverines down by two men. They had just gotten back to being one man down when the Huskies found the back of the Michigan net for the second time this period. This power play goal emptied the penalty box, putting Michigan back to full strength, but the damage had been done.

The Huskies would strike for their second power play goal of the period with just four minutes left to play. Working the puck around the Wolverine zone the Huskies would finally get their opening. Getting the puck down to a player who had been left all alone on the goal line. A quick fake drew Montoya in one direction while the Huskie wrapped the puck around the other way, slipping it into the net.

The second period would come to an end with the Huskies leading by a three to two score. Michigan still held a slim twenty-three to twenty-one edge in shots on goal.

Michigan would start the third period with a penalty barely twenty seconds into the final stanza and while they would kill off the penalty without giving up a goal it was just a sign of things to come in this period.

Both teams would battle up and down the ice through the final twenty minutes and just when you would think would start to think about pulling Montoya to try and get the game tied the Huskies struck for their fourth and final goal of the night. With just fifty-five seconds left to play Northeastern rifled a shot from the point that beat Montoya, giving the Huskies a two goal cushion. Michigan would pull Montoya shortly after that, but they would be unable to score another goal.

The game would come to an end with Northeastern winning by a score of four to two. The Huskies also ended the game with a one shot edge in shots on goal with a thirty-four to thirty-three count.

This was certainly not the way the Wolverines wanted to open the season as it opens the team up to more questions than it answers. With a large Senior class that has been deep into the NCAA playoffs in each of their three previous seasons, experience was supposed to be one of this teams strong points. However, even with all that experience the Wolverines simply did not show up for their season opening game. That, more than the loss itself, is the most disappointing aspect of this game. While this loss will most likely cost them their number one ranking (and that won't be all bad) they can get things switched around and back on track with a strong outing against Boston University tomorrow night in their second game at the Lefty McFadden Invitational.