Wolverines Run Away From Broncos

Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Yost Ice Arena, Ann Arbor, Michigan

The Wolverines got off to a slow start at least on the scoreboard, but put on a scoring clinic in the second and third periods to win going away, defeating the visiting Broncos by a seven to three score.

Michigan had basically dominated the first period of play, but it would be the Broncos getting on the board first with the clock showing less than four minutes to play in the period. The Broncos had the puck deep in the Michigan zone and got it bouncing around in front of the net. The Bronco players continued to get to the puck before any of the Wolverines could, getting off several shots at point blank range that Michigan goalie Sauer was able to turn away. However, finally the number of shots became to much and the Broncos got the puck past Sauer for the score.

The first period would come to an end with the Broncos holding a one to nothing lead. The Wolverines ended the first twenty minutes of play with a fifteen to ten advantage in shots on goal.

The Wolverines were sent to the penalty box with just over sixteen minutes to go in the second period putting Western on the power play. Michigan was keeping the Broncos off balance, thwarting their ability to generate any real scoring chances, until the midpoint of the Bronco power play. With just over fifteen minutes to play in the period the Broncos got a couple of quick passes around the Michigan zone, setting up a shot from between the circles that beat Sauer to give the Broncos a two to nothing lead.

Barely a half minute later both teams would lose a player to the penalty box, leaving each team skating with four players. With just twelve seconds left in the penalties Michigan would get their first score of the game off a great pass from Ebbett. The Wolverines got a turnover at center ice and Ebbett carried it along the left boards into the Bronco zone. As the closed with the goal he sent a quick pass through the slot to Kolarik. Kolarik quickly slammed the puck home for the goal, cutting the Bronco lead to one. Ebbett and Johnson each picked up assists on the goal.

With just under eleven minutes to play the game would be tied as Michigan picked up their second goal, this one compliments of a Bronco player. Michigan got the puck deep into the Bronco zone and got off a shot that hit the cross bar. It bounced off the bar going up in the air, then rolled down the back of the goal tender. As the puck hit the ice another Bronco player went to clear it out of the crease, but he hit the puck while drawing back his stick, sending it into the goal for the score. Fardig got credit for the goal with Kaleniecki picking up an assist.

With the clock still showing just over ten minutes left in the period the Broncos were going to be called for a penalty allowing Michigan to pull their goalie and get a sixth attacker on the ice. Michigan got the puck in close and took an initial shot that was blocked. A number of players from both teams were in front of the net with Michigan players trying to punch the puck into the net and Bronco players trying to clear it out. Finally Kolarik was able to get just enough of the puck to get it behind the Bronco net minder for Michigans third goal of the period. Porter and Johnson each picked up an assist on this score.

With just over eight minutes to play both teams saw a player head to the penalty box, once again leaving them skating four on four. Once again Michigan controlled the play as both teams skated short handed, but it would once again be the Broncos who would end up with the score. With just four seconds left in the penalties the Broncos got a great rush up the ice, drove right down the center, ending with a shot over Sauers shoulder for the score, tying the game.

With the clock just under three minutes the Wolverines would score their fourth goal of the period to retake the lead, once again thanks to a fantastic setup by Ebbett. Ebbett carried the puck from left to right in front of the net, then dropped the puck off to Kaleniecki who was moving from right to left. As he received the puck Kaleniecki flipped the puck up and over the Bronco net minders shoulder for the score. Ebbett picked up the lone assist.

The second period would come to an end with Michigan holding a four to three lead. The Wolverines out shot the Broncos thirteen to three in the period to end forty minutes of play with a twenty-eight to thirteen edge in shots on goal.

With exactly fourteen minutes left to play in the final period the Wolverines opened up a two goal lead when Porter scored his first goal of the game. Michigan had the puck behind the goal when Hensick popped out on the right side of the net, made a quick pass to the left side, where Porter was all alone for an easy shot into a wide open back door. Hensick and Rohlfs each picked up an assist on the goal.

With just two and half minutes left in the game Michigan would use some great passing to break out of their own zone, getting the puck up the ice to Fardig. Fardig would carry it into the Bronco zone, closing with the goal, and blasting a shot that would find the twine for Michigan's sixth goal of the game. Rohlfs and Mitera each picked up an assist on the goal.

Just thirty-two seconds later, with the clock still showing a little over two minutes to play, the Wolverines scored their seventh and final goal. Once again they used some crisp passing the get the puck up the ice and deep into the Bronco zone. The Bronco defense collapsed toward the puck, once again leaving a Michigan player all alone with an easy shot through a wide open back door. Naurato picked up the goal, while Hensick picked up his second assist.

The game would come to an end with Michigan winning by a score of seven to three. The Wolverines ended the game with a forty-four to twenty advantage in shots on goal.

For the first time in a couple of months Michigan played a solid game from start to finish. While they didn't score any goals in the first period they really did control the play, only coming up short on the score board. Even as they fell behind by two goals the Wolverines didn't lose their composure and fall back on silly penalties and lost composure. Tonight they stayed under control, continued to play solid hockey, and eventually the goals came. They picked up a much needed win to vault from fifth into a tie for second place in the CCHA. Now they need to do the same thing this coming weekend when they host the Buckeyes for a pair of games.