Wolverines Break Broncos

Tuesday, February 7, 2006
Lawson Ice Arena, Kalamazoo, Michigan

The Wolverines jumped early and often in this game, running out to a three goal lead by the end of the first period, then playing solid hockey the rest of the way in route to a four to one victory.

Michigan got the scoring started early as Hensick got behind the Bronco defense and scored the games first goal with just over nineteen minutes to play. Michigan gathered the puck up in their zone, sending a nice pass up the middle of the ice to Hensick. It hit Hensicks stick right at the Bronco blue line where he walked right in and punched the puck past the net minder for the score. Dest and Porter each picked up an assist on the goal.

With just nine and half minutes to play in the period Hensick got the next score started with a nice pass over to Porter. Hensick had the puck by the boards and lifted a pass over a Bronco stick to Porter at the top of the circles. As it hit his stick Porter fired a shot that hit the post and deflected into the net. Hensick picked up the lone assist on the goal.

With the clock just under eight minutes the Broncos were whistled for a penalty, putting Michigan on the power play. With just under six minutes to play, ten seconds in the initial penalty, the Broncos were whistled for a second penalty to extend the Wolverine power play. With just over four minutes left in the first period, twelve seconds in the power play, Johnson would gather up the puck, step around a diving Bronco, and fire a blistering shot top shelf that beat the Bronco net minder for Michigans third goal of the game. Kaleniecki and Ebbett each picked up an assist on the goal.

With just two and half minutes to play it appeared that Michigan would pick up their fourth goal, but the net came off the moorings just before the puck went into the net, causing the goal to be waved off.

The first period would come to an end with Michigan leading by a score of three to nothing. Michigan held a slim nine to seven advantage in shots on goal.

After battling to a standoff for most of the period the Wolverines would strike for their fourth goal with just over four minutes to play in the second period. Turnbull would make a great play to keep the puck in the Bronco zone. Hensick would gather up the puck, getting it behind the net near the boards. With his back turned he made a fantastic pass out front to Porter who buried the puck for his second goal of the night to extend the Wolverine lead. Both Hensick and Turnbull picked up assists on the goal.

The second period would come to an end with Michigan holding a four to nothing lead. The Wolverines would out shoot the Broncos ten to nine in the period to end forty minutes of play with a nineteen to sixteen advantage in shots on goal.

With just over eleven minutes to play in the final period the Broncos would be sent to the penalty box, however, it would be those same Broncos that would come up big while short handed. With just fifteen seconds left in the Michigan power play the Broncos forced a turnover and broke into the Wolverine zone all alone. The initial shot was blocked as were a couple more Bronco blasts. However, the pressure stayed high and eventually they got one past Ruden to end the shut out.

The game would come to an end with Michigan winning by a score of four to one. The Broncos out shot the Wolverines ten to five in the final period to end the game with a twenty-six to twenty-four advantage in shots on goal.

Michigan played much better defensively tonight and they got the crowd out of the game with an early goal in a tough venue to play. With the win Michigan moves into second place in the CCHA, one point ahead of Michigan State. There are now just six games left to the regular season, three on the road, three at home. The Wolverines could build some real momentum heading into the playoffs if they could win out, but they have some tough games in some tough places yet to play.