Mavericks Come Back, Tie Wolverines

Saturday, February, 18, 2006
Civic Auditorium, Omaha, Nebraska

Even though they got the start they wanted, jumping out to a two goal lead, they managed to let the Mavericks back into the game, eventually having to settle for a tie, rather than a win. Michigan twice held two goal leads in this game and led going into the third period, but a late third period goal by the Mavericks sent the game into overtime where neither team was able to score, ending any hopes of a Michigan win and almost guaranteeing that Michigan finishes no better than third in the CCHA, the first time Michigan has finished outside the top two positions in nearly two decades.

It took almost six minutes for the Wolverines to register a shot on goal in the opening period of this game and that shot led to a goal. Kolarik took a shot from a strange angle from the left side of the goal that somehow squeezed through the Maverick net minders pads for the score. Ebbett and Cook each picked up an assist on the goal.

Ebbett and Kolarik would join forces again, this time reversing their roles, with just over five minutes to play in the period to score the Wolverines second goal of the game. Kolarick had taken a shot that was blocked, but the rebound bounced all the way out to a face off circle where Ebbett was able to get control of it, firing a shot back at the net that beat the net minder for the score. Kolarik picked up the lone assist on the Ebbett goal.

Shortly after scoring that second goal, with the clock just under four minutes, Johnson was sent to the penalty box putting the Mavericks on the power play. With just over two minutes to play and the power play winding down the Mavericks fired a shot from the right of the Michigan goal. The puck hit Ruden, redirecting into the goal, cutting Michigans lead to a single goal.

The first period would come to an end with Michigan holding a slim two to one lead. The Mavericks ended the first twenty minutes of play with a twelve to eleven advantage in shots on goal.

With just over sixteen minutes yet to play in the second period the Mavericks tied the game when the Mavericks continued to play while the Wolverines stopped playing. Thinking that an icing call was going to be made the Wolverine defense slowed, allowing a Maverick player to continue into the Michigan zone all alone. The icing wasn't called, the Maverick player scooped up the puck, skated around the Michigan net, coming out the other side and sticking a wrap around shot past a diving Ruden for the score.

With the clock just under fifteen minutes Michigan once again had the lead when Hensick scored on a wrap around goal of his own. The Maverick goalie lost track of the puck, allowing Hensick to slip around the net, coming out front and stuffing the puck into the goal. Johnson and Rohlfs each picked up an assist on the goal.

As the clock was nearing the mid point of the period Michigan once again extended their lead to two goals when Turnbull popped a rebound into the net for the score. The Wolverines had a number of shots in close to the goal that were all stopped, but the rebounds were not covered and eventually the goalie was pulled out of position, leaving Turnbull with a shot at an open net. Kolarik and Rohlfs each picked up an assist on the goal.

With just over nine minutes to play Johnson was sent to the box for a penalty, less than a minute later Hunwick joined him giving Nebraska over a minute of two man advantage with both of Michigan's top defensemen in the penalty box. Michigan almost killed off both penalties, however, the Mavericks scored their third goal of the game just before the power play ended, cutting Michigan's lead to one goal with just six and half minutes to play in the second.

The second period would come to an end with Michigan leading by a four to three score. The Mavericks out shot the Wolverines eleven to eight in the period to end forty minutes of play with a twenty-three to nineteen advantage in shots on goal.

It looked like the Wolverines were going to hang on to win this game, but with just 2:02 to play in regulation time the Mavericks got off a shot from the point that was past Ruden before he even reacted to it, tying the game.

Michigan would get a power play with just over a minute left to play in regulation time, but they would fail to score leaving the game all tied at four goals each at the end of sixty minutes. The Mavericks out shot the Wolverines eight to six to end regulation time with a thirty-one to twenty-five advantage in shots on goal.

Michigan would put three shots on goal to the Mavericks one in the overtime period, but neither team would score ending the game with the score still tied at four. The Mavericks ended the game with a thirty-two to twenty-eight advantage in shots on goal.

Michigan continues to fade as this season reaches its conclusion. Twice in this game they gave up two goal leads, giving up the tying goal with the game almost over to end up in an overtime contest. Michigan now sits in third place, just one point ahead of Nebraska. The Wolverines need one point to lock a first round CCHA bye. Unfortunately wins over next weeks opponent won't do much to help their NCAA position. If the Wolverines were to sweep the Bulldogs, something that isn't very likely given the last couple of months of play, the Bulldogs would fall below .500, giving those wins much less meaning in the NCAA tournament calculations. Michigan has a lot riding on next weekends games so you hope they come out playing a much more intense brand of hockey. The only problem is the Wolverines have had a lot to play for every game for the last month and that doesn't seem to translate into any sense of urgency for this team as they continue to plod through the final weeks of this season.