Wolverines Let Another Slip Away

Saturday, January 28, 2006
Yost Ice Arena, Ann Arbor, Michigan

After trading goals with the Spartans for most of the first two periods the Wolverines went into the second intermission with a one goal lead. They quickly extended that lead to two goals less than a minute into the third period and appeared to be on the way to their first victory over Michigan State in some seven games. However, staying true to what has become an all to familiar theme in recent weeks Michigan committed uncalled for penalties, losing their composure down the stretch to allow the Spartans back in the game, eventually having to settle for yet another tie.

Just over a minute into the game Michigan was skating a man short as Johnson made an early trip to the penalty box. However, the Spartans were whistled for an infraction of their own as their power play reached the midpoint. Shortly after Michigan returned to full strength the Spartans were whistled for a second penalty to give Michigan a two man advantage. With the two extra attackers Michigan was able to get the puck into the net for the games first goal with just over sixteen minutes left to play. Hensick had the puck at the left face off circle when he slid a pass across the ice to Porter who ripped a one timer past the Spartan net minder. Hensick and Kolarik each received an assist on the goal.

The Wolverines held that one goal lead until there were just over six minutes left to play when the Spartans were able to draw even for the first time in the game. The Spartans scored off a back hand shot just seconds after a Michigan power play had ended. They had gathered in the puck following a stop by their goal tender and headed back up the ice. They used the end to end rush to close on the Michigan goal and score the goal.

Just over one minute later, with the clock just under the five minute mark, the Wolverines would once again take the lead. They had the puck in close to the Spartan net and had a couple of great chances to score, both of which were turned away. However, the puck was not covered and Rohlfs was right there to put it into the net for the goal. Cogliano and Mitera each received an assist on the goal.

Just over a minute later, with just over three minutes left to play in the game, the Spartans scored their second goal to once again tie the game. The Spartans had the puck behind the Michigan goal when they made a quick pass out front and into the crease. With the puck on the ice it appeared that another Spartan player skated into the crease and kicked the puck past Sauer, but after a review the goal stood and the game was tied.

The Spartans would go on the power play as the clock moved under the three minute mark, pretty much eliminating any hopes of the Wolverines scoring another goal in the opening period. However, Michigan intercepted a pass at the blue line, made a quick pass into the Spartan zone to a flying Cogliano. As he got between the circles he fired a blistering shot that beat the Spartan goal tender to give Michigan a short handed goal and the lead for the third time in the period. Miller picked up the lone assist on this goal.

The first period would come to an end with Michigan holding a three to two lead. The Wolverines had a decisive nineteen to six advantage in shots on goal.

Michigan had been whistled for another penalty very late in the first period, giving the Spartans most of a full power play to start the second period. The Spartans advantage was increased to two men when Michigan was whistled for a second penalty with thirty-three seconds remaining on their first period ending infraction. The Spartans didn't waste time with the two man advantage scoring off the ensuing face off to tie the game for the third time.

The game would remain tied at three until there were just under four minutes left to play when the Wolverines would retake the lead with their fourth goal of the game. With just over five minutes left in the period the Spartans were whistled for their first second period penalty. With the extra attacker the Wolverines got off a shot from the point that was redirected in front of the goal to beat the Spartan goal tender. Johnson and Hensick each picked up an assist on the goal.

The second period would come to an end with Michigan holding a four to three lead. The Spartan out shot the Wolverines ten to six in the period, but Michigan still held a twenty-five to sixteen advantage in shots on goal.

The Wolverines gained their one and only two goal lead just thirty-six seconds into the third period when Ebbett led a charge into the Spartan zone. He carried the puck down the right boards, finally sending a pass across the ice to Kaleniecki who redirected the puck into the net for the score. Ebbett and Kolarik each picked up an assist on the goal.

With just over eight minutes left in the game the Spartans would score the first of two game closing power play goals, leading to the game ending in a tie. While on the power play the Spartans got off a shot from the point that was blocked by a defenseman. However, another Spartan player got to the puck first and fired off another shot which went wide of the net, however, it hit the boards and bounced right back out front of the net. Before any Michigan player could react the Spartans had the puck in the net and the Wolverine lead was down to one.

With just over five minutes to play Michigan was once again in the penalty box, putting the Spartans back on the power play. With the clock just under four minutes the Spartans blasted a shot top shelf to tie the game.

Regulation time would come to an end with the game all tied at five goals each. The Spartans out shot the Wolverines in the third period nine to eight, but Michigan still held a thirty-three to twenty-five advantage in shots on goal.

Both teams would get and miss on fantastic scoring chances in the overtime period, but in the end the game ended with the score still tied at five goals each. The Wolverines ended the game with a thirty-four to twenty-seven advantage in shots on goal.

The Wolverines had a chance to not only move from fifth to second place in the CCHA, but they could have also moved ahead of the Spartans in the standings. Instead they still sit in fifth place, one point behind the Spartans. If the Wolverines have any hope of climbing up the standings and positioning themselves for any sort of playoff run they must learn to close games and they must learn quickly.