Wolverines Be-Devil Saints

Saturday, October 16, 2004
Yost Ice Arena, Ann Arbor, Michigan

This game had pretty much everything you can cram into a college hockey game, it had power play goals, short handed goals, empty net goals, penalty shots, and even strength goals. It was up, down, and all around and while the Wolverines came away with a five to two win, this game was a nail biter right to the end.

In what has become all to common this year both teams in this game would trade penalties through the first ten minutes of the game. It would be a penalty against the Saints, called just as the clock moved under the ten minute mark, that would lead to the first goal in this game. Working the puck around the Saints zone on the power play Michigan came close to scoring a couple of times, but would come up just short. Finally, with the power play almost half over they would get a shot that was blocked, but the rebound landed on the ice in front of the net. Several Wolverines converged, along with a host of Saints, and the scramble was on. With Saints trying to clear the puck and Wolverines trying to chip it into the net, it would be the Wolverines who finally got a stick on the bouncing puck to tuck it home for the games first score. Ebbett would get credit for the goal, with Kaleniecki and Werner each picking up an assist.

The remainder of the period would see each team kill off a penalty each, with the Saints picking up an additional penalty with just thirty-seven seconds left in the period. While Michigan would try to notch their second power play goal of the period, the first period of play would come to an end with Michigan holding a one to nothing lead. The Wolverines would also hold an edge in shots on goal with a twelve to eight count.

Michigan would start the second period with 1:23 of power play time, but they would be unable to score with the extra man. However, just as the power play ended Michigan got the puck down deep in the St. Lawrence zone to the goalies left. From their Gajic made a beautiful pass through the crease to Hensick who one timed it into the net for Michigan's second goal of the game. Both Gajic and Werner picked up assists on the goal.

After Michigan's second goal, the action was fast and furious up and down the ice as both teams wheeled up and down the ice. With just over eleven minutes left to play the Saints got the puck deep into the Michigan zone and got a couple of shots at the goal. Unable to clear the puck and with Montoya unable to cover the puck as the rebounds kept popping out. Finally the Saints were able to chip one of those rebounds past Montoya to get on the board and cut the Michigan lead to one.

With eight and half minutes left in the period Ryznar was sent to the penalty box to serve two minutes. The Wolverines killed the penalty off and were able to get the puck to Ryznar just as he came out of the box. Breaking free into the Saint zone it looked like Ryznar was going to get a clean shot at the goal, but he was dragged down from behind by a Saint player. The referee immediately made the signal for a penalty shot and a relatively rare occurrence took place. The teams headed to their benches as the puck was placed at center ice and Ryznar was left alone to take his penalty shot. As the referee gave him the signal to proceed Ryznar put the motor in gear, scooped up the puck, and came blazing into the Saint zone. As he closed on the goal he found his spot and rifled a shot just below the goal tenders shoulder that squeezed its way into the net. Michigan would regain their two goal lead on the strength of the Ryznar penalty shot goal.

Michigan would get hit with a penalty with just 1.6 seconds left in the period, but the second period of play would come to an end with Michigan leading by a score of three to one. The Wolverines would expand their lead in shots on goal with a twenty-nine to fourteen advantage.

The Saints would start the third period with 1:59 of power play time, but it would be killed off. The Saints would also kill off a penalty, called on them just as their opening power play ended. It would be a slashing penalty against Montoya with just over fifteen minutes to play in the game that would lead to the Saints second goal of the game. Michigan seemed to be a bit disorganized at the beginning of this penalty kill and that was all it took. Just eight seconds into the power play the Saints took a shot from the blue line, that hit a couple of players, and bounced its way past Montoya for the score.

St. Lawrence had started to look a bit tired, but that goal would re-energize them and the action really picked up as the Saints looked for the equalizer and the Wolverines looked to protect their slim one goal lead. The one goal lead would stand until there were just over two minutes left to play in the game. Michigan was cycling the puck in the Saint zone when Gajic saw Werner all alone in the high slot. Making another fantastic pass, Gajic got the puck to Werner who walked in all alone, finally blasting the puck past the Saint net minder to move Michigan's lead back to two goals. Gajic got the lone assist on the goal.

With 1:05 left to play Michigan was whistled for icing, moving the face off deep into their zone. At this time St. Lawrence took a time out and when they returned to the ice their goalie stayed on the bench. The Saints would essentially keep the puck in the Michigan zone, but the Wolverines didn't give them any good looks at the net. With just twelve seconds left to play Michigan was whistled for their last penalty of the game, giving the Saints a six on four power play. Even though they had the two extra attackers it would be the Captain, Eric Nystrom, who would loft the puck down the ice and into the empty net with just two seconds to play. Ryznar was given an assist on the goal to finish the game.

The game would come to an end with Michigan leading by a score of five to two. The Wolverines would end the game with a forty-three to twenty-five advantage in shots on goal.

While they still have plenty of things to work on Michigan did play a solid sixty minutes of hockey tonight. They didn't have any huge let down in the second period and battled hard through the entire game. The Saints are a Senior laden team that certainly looks better than their pre-season number seven pick would seem to indicate; either that or Michigan has a lot of work to do before they can hope to reach the goals they have for this season. Michigan starts CCHA play next weekend against Lake State, playing at Lake State on Thursday, and at Joe Louis on Saturday.