Wolverines Take Bite Out Of Terriers

Saturday, October 9, 2004
Nutter Center, Dayton, Ohio

After a less than stellar outing last night the Wolverines hit the ice flying tonight as they played the Terriers from Boston University. Unfortunately for the Terriers, Northeastern woke the sleeping Wolverines and they took out their frustration from that Northeastern game on the Terriers, scoring early and often. In the end it was a seven to two victory for Michigan to split their weekend at the Lefty McFadden Invitational.

The Terriers didn't do themselves any favors when they sent a man to the sin bin just thirty-one seconds into the first period, an opportunity that Michigan didn't let get away. After putting some pressure on early in the power play things had settled down when the Wolverines broke out of their own zone with time beginning to run down in the power play. Moss carried the puck up the right side of the ice, getting off a shot as he closed with the net. While Moss' shot was blocked the rebound was not covered and Kolarik was right their to chip that rebound top shelf for the Wolverines first goal of the game. Both Moss and Hunwick picked up assists on this power play goal.

A couple of coincidental penalties would leave both teams skating with four men and the extra ice would lead to more early game problems for the Terriers. With just over seventeen minutes left in the period, barely a minute after their first goal, Hunwick would pinch down and fill in on the left wing. Taking a pass from Rogers, Porter would see Hunwick all alone by the net, flip him a pass, and Hunwick would drive the puck up and over the goalies blocker for Michigan's second goal of the game. Porter and Rogers both picked up assists on the goal.

Roughly two and half minutes later, with just over fourteen minutes left to play, the Wolverines would strike for goal number three. This time it was Martens who would pinch down, jumping into the play. Taking the puck behind the net Martens would send a pass out front that Tambellini would send back toward the net, only to be re-directed past the goalie by Woodford. Woodford got credit for the goal (originally scored for Tambellini) while Tambellini and Martens each picked up an assist.

The Terriers took a time out immediately following the Wolverines third goal, but it didn't do them much good as the Wolverines took a little less than two minutes to strike for the fourth time in the period. Tambellini would get things started on this goal by getting the puck up the ice to Hensick. Hensick would get the puck to a streaking Moss, who would carry it to the circle and then blast a shot through the five hole for the score. Both Hensick and Tambellini picked up assists on the score.

The rest of the period would see both teams skating up and down, with Michigan getting periodic flurries of pressure on the Terrier goal. In the end there would be no further scoring in this period as the first twenty minutes of play ended with Michigan leading by a four to nothing score. Even though the Wolverines had the solid lead in goals the shots were all even at thirteen per team.

Both teams would start the second period skating four on four for 1:25. Michigan would get hit with a bench minor less than a minute into the period giving the Terriers a power play. Michigan would kill off the penalties and survive the Terrier power play.

With just over sixteen minutes to play in the period Michigan was putting some massive pressure on the Terrier goal with several shots. Finally, Tambellini got off a slap shot that was stopped, but this time the rebound went right to Gajic who wasted no time punching the puck into the net for the Wolverines fifth goal of the game. Both Tambellini and Ebbett picked up assists on the goal.

As in the first period, once the flood gates opened it was difficult for the Terriers to close those gates once again. Less than one minute later Michigan would score again as Rohlfs got a step on the Terrier defense. Ryznar got a pass out to Rohlfs who then broke into the Terrier zone. As he closed on the goal he lifted a back hand shot top shelf to notch the goal. Ryznar and Martens both picked up assists on the goal.

It would take four minutes and two seconds for Michigan to get goal number seven, but it was a thing of beauty. Ebbett would pick up the puck in the Terrier zone and close on the goal. Showing great patience he drew the goalie to him and once committed he flipped a pass over to Gajic who wasted no time burying the puck in the net. Ebbett picked up the lone assist on the goal. The Terriers replaced their net minder after Michigan's seventh goal.

Both teams would pick up and kill off a couple of penalties in the final ten minutes of the period, but there would be no further scoring. Period number two would come to an end with Michigan holding a seven to nothing lead. The Wolverines opened a little gap in shots on goal ending two periods of play with a twenty-eight to twenty-five shot advantage.

Michigan would start the third period with about a minute and a half of power play time. While they came close to picking up goal number eight, close would be all they would get.

Michigan would get some pressure on the Terrier goal in this period, but it looked like the game would end at seven to nothing. That would all change with just under six minutes to play in the game. The Terriers would get the first of their two goals, ending Montoya's bid for a shut out, as they got the puck into the net at the 14:11 mark of the period (the puck appeared to deflect off a leg or skate in front of the net).

Just under three minutes later the Terriers would get their second and final goal of the game when they would get a wrist shot past Montoya from the left circle.

The game would come to an end with Michigan winning by a score of seven to nothing. The Terriers would finish the game with a thirty-two to thirty-one edge in shots on goal.

A much better effort by Michigan in tonights game as they really controlled the game from beginning to end. If they continue to play like they did tonight that loss to the Huskies last night will quickly fade from everyones memory. However, if they continue to struggle on the road the season will be long and difficult. They won't have to worry about playing on the road next weekend as they welcome New Hampshire and St. Lawrence into Yost to open the seasons home schedule. The game against New Hampshire will be a rematch of last years Northeastern Regional opening contest between the Wildcats and Wolverines. The Wildcats opened their season by sweeping two games in the Ice Breaker Tournament, hosted by the Wildcats. Next weeks home opener should be a good one.