Wolverines Last Stand

Friday, March 24, 2006
Englestad Arena, Grand Forks, North Dakota

In a scene reminiscent of Custers last stand the Wolverines couldn't escape the relentless pressure applied by the North Dakota Fighting Sioux as Michigans season came to an end with a thud.

Just over three minutes into the game the Wolverines found themselves on the penalty kill when they had to take a penalty to stop an odd man rush created by a collision between two Wolverines at center ice. North Dakota took most of the two minutes, but they got great movement with the puck, finally leading to an open shot that beat Ruden for the games first score just over five minutes in.

With just over fourteen minutes to play Michigan was once again in the penalty box and North Dakota was once again on the prowl. Once again it would take the majority of the power play time, but once again North Dakota would eventually get a player free, this time right in the slot for a shot that beat Ruden top shelf. Their second power play goal of the game came with twelve and half minutes still to play in the opening period.

The first period would come to an end with the Sioux leading by a score of two to nothing. Michigan held a slight nine to five advantage in shots on goal.

North Dakotas special teams would continue to pound Michigan in the second period, starting out with a short handed goal just as the clock moved under the sixteen minute mark. North Dakota went to the penalty box with just over seventeen minutes to play and Michigan came close to scoring about a minute into the power play chance. However, North Dakota got out of the scramble in front of their net with the puck, flew up the ice into the Michigan zone, finally snapping a shot past Ruden for the three to nothing lead.

Less than thirty seconds later with fifteen and half minutes yet to play Michigan would finally get on the board. A rebound wasn't covered down in front of the North Dakota net allowing Kaleniecki to get to the puck, leading to a quick pass to Kolarik. Kolarik got off a quick shot that beat the Sioux net minder over his glove. Kaleniecki and Hunwick each picked up an assist on the goal.

With just over five minutes to play in the second period North Dakota would score their second of the period, fourth of the game off a rebound. The Sioux had gotten off a shot that Ruden blocked, but the puck popped up into the air. When it landed on the ice nobody was their except a North Dakota player who got an easy chip in for the score to re-establish a three goal lead.

The second period would come to an end with North Dakota leading by a four to one score. Michigan out shot North Dakota fifteen to fourteen in the second period for a twenty-four to nineteen advantage in shots on goal.

The third period looked like it might go scoreless, but once again with just over five minutes to play the Sioux found the back of the Michigan net for the fifth and final time. This time it was a slap shot from the left circle that notched the goal and ended the games scoring.

When the final horn had sounded it was North Dakota five, Michigan one. Michigan ended the game with a thirty-five to thirty-three advantage in shots on goal.

Michigan actually played this game fairly well, taking fewer penalties than their opponent and out shooting their opponent. Unfortunately, as has been the case for most of the second half, the Wolverines failed to take advantage of scoring chances when they had them, the penalties they did take often came at the worst times, and their special teams play was average at best. While the out come may have been what many people expected given the different roads these two teams took in getting to this game, the final score was perhaps a bit worse than many expected.

Following their worst season in almost two decades the Wolverines will now have the off season to reflect and decide how they approach next season. Will they use the learn from the mistakes that were plentiful in this season and improve or will they learn nothing and doom the team and program to another year of mediocrity? We can only hope that these Michigan players, those that return, will use the frustration of this year to motivate them both in the off season and during next season to once again make Michigan a favorite in the CCHA conference and a solid contender in the NCAA tournament.