|
Wolverines Survive Buckeyes
Saturday, February 4, 2006
Yost Ice Arena, Ann Arbor, Michigan
The Wolverines seemed to be sleep walking through the first forty minutes of
the this game as the Buckeyes skated circles around them, out working them all
over the ice, as they jumped out to a quick lead and looked to be on their way to a
sweep of the home standing Wolverines. Michigan managed to find their game in the
third to gain a win and avoid a sweep.
The Buckeyes had generated a great deal of offensive pressure in the opening minutes
of the game and this pressure eventually led to their first goal of the game, just over
six minutes into the contest. Forcing a turn over at center ice the Buckeyes skated
into the Michigan zone, went around the lone defender, and put the puck into the net over
Rudens shoulder to take the lead.
The first period would come to an end with the Buckeyes leading by a score of one
to nothing. The Buckeyes had a thirteen to seven advantage in shots on goal.
The Wolverines managed to get the game tied with the clock just under the twelve
minute mark. They forced a turnover in their own zone and broke out, coming down the
left boards. As they got to face off circle they fired off a shot that was blocked,
but the rebound was not covered and the Wolverines were able to chip it in for the score.
Miller got credit for the goal, while Kolarik picked up the lone assist.
Unfortunately for the Wolverines the Buckeyes regained the lead just thirty-one
seconds later as they took the puck end to end and blasted a slap shot from the
circles that beat Ruden for goal number two.
The second period would come to an end with the Buckeyes holding a two to one
lead. The Buckeyes out shot the Wolverines sixteen to six in the period ending
forty minutes of play twenty-nine to thirteen advantage in shots on goal.
Michigan came out charging in the third period getting the score back to even just
twelve seconds into the period. Ebbett dug the puck out of the corner, skated around the
net and sent a pass back out to Kaleniecki who pounded the puck home. Kaleniecki got
the goal and Ebbett picked up the lone assist.
About two minutes later, with the clock just under the eighteen minute mark, Michigan
would take the lead when Turnbull scored his first career goal. Michigan got a pass
out to Turnbull at the Buckeye blue line. Turnbull carried the puck into the zone and
slid the puck through the five hole for the game winning goal. Hunwick got the lone
assist.
The Wolverines managed to hand on for the win even when the Buckeyes pulled their
goalie with just under one minute to play. Ruden made a great save with just over
ten seconds left in the game to seal the win. Regulation time came to an end with
Michigan winning by a three to two score. Each team got twelve shots on goal during
the final period, but the Buckeyes ended the game with a forty-one to twenty-five
advantage in shots on goal.
Given how poorly they had played the previous night it was amazing to see Michigan
come out and get so out played for the first two periods of this game. Time continues
to run out on the season and they continue to experience problems that have the
potential to end their season much sooner than anyone expected. They need to address
and correct these issues now, but they only have two days to do it as they go out on
the road Tuesday night to finish their series against Western Michigan. They have
just seven games to position themselves in the CCHA race, we'll see if they make it
a race or if they end up with a season to forget.
|