Wolverines Nip Huskies

Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan

The Huskies made Michigan work for every goal they got, keeping the game within one goal through two periods of play. In the end the Wolverines proved to be to much for the Huskies as they won with a two goal third period to win the opening game of this years Great Lakes Invitational.

The Huskies were whistled for a penalty with the clock just shy of three minutes played. The Wolverines were unable to take advantage of the early power play. However, Michigan would strike for the first goal of the game just seconds after the power play expired. As the power play expired Michigan was able to keep the puck in the Tech zone, keeping the pressure turned up. They got a shot off that was blocked, but the puck was left bouncing around on the ice. Kaleniecki would finally get to the puck, banging it home for the goal. Rogers and Gajic each received an assist on the goal.

Both teams would kill off some penalties through the remainder of the period, with play going up and down the ice. Neither team would find the net through the rest of the opening period. Period one came to an end with Michigan leading Michigan Tech by a one to nothing score. The Wolverines out shot the Huskies nineteen to nine in the opening twenty minutes.

The Huskies would tie the game on one of the strangest goals your ever going to see. The Huskies got off a shot, but as the puck was making its way to the goal, the net got lifted way up off the ice, titling forward on its moorings. With the back of the net off the ice by at least eight inches of open space, the puck slid through the crease and out the back of the net. Even though the net was off the ice it was finally ruled a goal after a number of consultations between various officials (the conference later agreed that the goal should not have been awarded). Whether right or wrong the end result was a tie game with just over ten minutes to play in the second period.

The teams would battle up and down the ice with the game tied until Michigan would once again take the lead with just over two minutes to play in the period. Ryznar carried the puck into the Tech zone, fought through an attempt to knock him off the puck, and got a pass off across the ice to Henderson. Henderson wasted no time putting the puck neatly into the net for his first goal of the season. Both Ryznar and Moss received assists on the goal.

The second period would come to an end with Michigan leading by a score of two to one. The Wolverines continued to lead in shots on goal, finishing two periods with a thirty-six to twenty-one advantage in the category.

The Huskies started the third period of play with 1:29 of power play time, but they would be unable to take advantage of the extra man. In fact it would take just over thirteen minutes before either team would score, when Michigan finally took the lead for good.

Michigan was working the puck around the Tech zone when Moss got off a shot. The shot was blocked, but the rebound was not covered. Ryznar was in the right place at the right time as he grabbed control of the puck and just slid it around the goalie and into the goal. Assists went to Moss and Henderson.

Shortly after scoring their third goal the Wolverines were put on the power play as the Huskies went to the sin bin. It would take almost the entire two minutes of the power play to score, but Michigan would finally get their fourth goal and stretch their lead to three goals. Michigan worked the puck around the Tech zone very well during the power play, finally getting the puck to Moss who slammed the puck into the net for the goal. Nystrom and Tambellini each picked up an assist on the goal.

With just under four minutes to play the Wolverines were whistled for a penalty giving the Huskies a late power play. With just over half the power play over the Huskies would get their second goal of the game to finish the scoring.

The game would come to an end with Michigan winning by a score of four to two. The Wolverines ended the game with a forty-eight to thirty-one advantage in shots on goal.

Michigan didn't play bad for their first game in over two weeks and missing five of their top players. The depth of this team showed as they went about their business in workman like fashion, with everyone stepping their game up. There was a little bit of rust showing, but all in all it was a solid game. The Wolverines will get a tougher test tomorrow night when they play Michigan State for the championship. The Spartans beat New Hampshire in the second semi-final to advance to the final game.