Wolverines Sweep Irish

Saturday, December 4, 2004
Joyce Center, South Bend, Indiana

After winning the first game of this weekends pair against Notre Dame in the friendly confines of Yost Arena, the Wolverines headed to South Bend to see if they could get a win on the road against Notre Dame; something they haven't done in over two years. As it turned out, they not only got a win, they dominated an Irish team that seems to have come completely apart after making the NCAA tournament just last year.

The Wolverines got off to a fast start, getting their first goal of the game with less than two minutes ticked off the clock. There was a delay penalty in the works against the Irish and Montoya was headed to the bench when Michigan got off a shot that was blocked, but the rebound was not covered. In the right place, Hensick jumped on the rebound and punched it right back at and into the net. With just 1:53 run off the clock Michigan was up one to nothing. Assists went to Hunwick and Porter.

That score wouldn't last long, however, as the Wolverines added as second goal with just over minutes played. Michigan had just gone on the power play barely fifteen seconds prior to the score when a quick pass from the right circle over to the left gave Kolarik a great chance for a one timer. Not passing up the opportunity he fired the shot which was deflected by the Irish net minder, but still found its way into the net for the score. Assists went to Porter and Rogers.

Both teams would kill off penalties through the remainder of the period and it looked like the first period was going to end with a two to nothing score in favor of the Wolverines. That would all change with just twenty-eight seconds left to play with the Wolverines once again on the power play. A big shot from the point would be blocked by the Irish goalie, but like the first goal of the night he did not cover the rebound. This time it was Werner just off to the left of the goal who pounced on the rebound, putting it back in the net before the goalie could react. Assists went to Moss and Kolarik.

The first period came to an end with Michigan leading by a score of three to nothing. The Wolverines also had a commanding lead in shots on goal, holding a twenty to eight advantage in the category.

They didn't pull him during the period, but the Irish replaced their starting goalie at the beginning of the second period, but in the end it didn't help very much. The first half of the second period was a penalty marred affair that saw a seemingly endless parade of players from both teams going in and out of the penalty boxes.

With just over eight minutes to play in the period the Irish would take one penalty to many, putting the Wolverines on the power play. Working with the puck Hensick made a great pass to Porter from left to right in front of the goal. As the puck hit Porters stick he got off a one timer that found its way into the goal. Hensick and Kolarik both picked up assists on the goal.

Less than a minute later, with just over seven minutes to play in the period, Michigan would once again put the puck in the back of the Irish goal to extend their lead to five goals. This time it was Tambellini who got off a shot from the slot that beat the Irish goalie over his shoulder for goal number five. Rogers and Nystrom each picked up an assist on the goal.

The second period would come to an end with Michigan leading by a score of five to nothing. The Wolve rinse allowed the Irish just four shots on goal during the period, while tallying thirteen of their own. Through two periods of play Michigan held a thirty-three to twelve edge in shots on goal.

The Irish would start the final period of play with 1:05 of power play time. Michigan would help the Irish further by picking up a second penalty less than a minute into the period giving the Irish a two man advantage. The Wolverines killed off all of the penalties without giving up a point.

Michigan would notch its sixth goal with some great effort by freshman Kevin Porter. Showing off his defensive skills he would steal the puck from an Irish skater in the high slot. He then spun and fired a shot that beat the Irish net minder for the score. The goal was scored as unassisted.

Shortly after the Porter goal Notre Dame would get whistled for a five minute major penalty putting Michigan on an extended power play. Seconds into the long man advantage the Wolverines picked up their seventh goal of the game, fourth on the power play, when Tambellini banked a shot of the Irish goalie for goal number seven. Ebbett picked up the lone assist on the power play goal.

Notre Dame didn't do themselves any favors when they were whistled for a second penalty shortly after Michigan's seventh goal, giving Michigan a long two man advantage. Working the puck around Michigan would get it to Ryznar who would bang it home for the eighth and final goal of the game. Assists went to Moss and Rogers.

The game came to an end with Michigan winning by a score of eight to nothing. Michigan ended the game with a forty-seven to sixteen advantage in shots on goal (giving up just four shots in each of the second and third periods).

The Wolverines pick up a convincing road win to finish up the weekend and get ready for the final weekend of play in the first half. They will have their work cut our for them as they get ready to play Bowling Green, a team that is sitting in fourth place in the CCHA after this weekends split with Michigan State. Next weekend will be of a similar format to this weekend with Michigan hosting Bowling Green on Friday and then making the trip to Bowling Green for the Saturday night game.