Spartans Throttle Wolverines

Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Munn Ice Arena, East Lansing, Michigan

Turnovers, penalties, failure to clear the puck, and getting out worked at every turn; does that sound familiar? It should as the University of Michigan hockey team played another uninspired game of hockey tonight on their way to a two to nothing loss to arch rival Michigan State.

With six and half minutes left in the first period Michigan was whistled for not one, but two penalties to give the Spartans a full two minute, five on three power play. While the Wolverines held them at bay for over half of that power play, the two extra men finally proved to much for Michigan as the Spartans score the first goal of the game. Getting the puck down low, to the left of Ruden, they got off a shot that slid through the crease. Ruden poked the puck, but it didn't clear and a Spartan was able to sent it home from the right side for the power play goal.

The first period would come to an end with Michigan State holding a one to nothing lead. The Spartans also held a slight fifteen to fourteen advantage in shots on goal.

With the clock just under eleven minutes the Spartans were sent to the penalty box putting Michigan on the power play. Unfortunately it was the Spartans who came up with the special teams play required to score a goal. With the puck deep in their own zone a Spartan player flipped the puck and out of the zone to a teammate at center ice. Being behind everyone the second Spartan skated into the Michigan zone all alone, deked Ruden, and slid the puck home for a short handed goal.

A few more penalties were called in the last half of the period, but neither team was able to score another goal. The second period would come to an end with the Spartans leading by a score of two to nothing. The Spartans continue to lead in shots on goal with a twenty-six to twenty-four count.

Neither team was able to score in the third period as each team had power plays and chances to score, although the Spartans had more chances as they had several more power play chances in the final twenty minutes of play. At the end of the game it was Michigan State two, Michigan nothing. The Spartans out shot the Wolverines ten to seven in the final period for a thirty-six to thirty-one advantage in shots on goal.

The Spartans came out ready to play and as has become the norm for the Wolverines of late, they didn't. The Spartans out hustled and out muscled the Wolverines all night long as the Wolverines looked lost for most of the game. The win moved the Spartans ahead of Michigan in the CCHA standings, dropping Michigan into fifth place, with games in hand against every team in front of them. With that being said the Wolverines have got to start playing better hockey or they won't move up in the standings, they will continue to move down. Michigan's next games are this weekend when they have a home and home series against Bowling Green, two games that now look like must win games.