Wolverines Sweep Irish

Saturday, November 5, 2005
Yost Arena, Ann Arbor, Michigan

The Michigan special teams continue to propel this team as the Wolverines rode three more power play goals to a four to two victory over the visiting Fighting Irish. Added to last nights total of four power play goals the Wolverines are converting over thirty percent of their power play opportunities. When you add to that a penalty kill that is effective over ninety percent of the time and you have some powerful special teams.

The Irish drew their first penalty of the night with the clock just under the sixteen minute mark, giving Michigan their first opportunity of the night on the power play. Michigan got the puck into the Irish zone and were cycling it in the corner very effectively. A small gap between a number of players appeared and Ebbett sent a beautiful pass over to Cogliano who simply redirected it through an open back door and Michigan was on the board. Ebbett picked up the lone assist on the power play goal.

That slim lead would hold up until there were just over thirteen minutes left to play when a Michigan turnover at their own blue line led to the first goal of the night for the Irish. Following the turnover Notre Dame worked the puck quickly toward the net with a series of short choppy passes. Their first couple of shots were blocked, but the Wolverines were unable to find the puck and eventually the Irish were able to punch it over the goal line for the goal.

The game remained tied until the clock had moved under the nine minute mark at which time the Irish scored one of those goals that leaves you shaking your head. They had the puck close to the boards on the right circle when they fired a floater of a shot toward the net. Instead of being grabbed or blocked it squeezed between Sauer's pads and the post for a very unexpected goal. The Irish were up two to one.

It looked like Notre Dame would take a lead into the first intermission when they were whistled for a penalty with just 13.4 seconds left in the period. Michigan won the face off following the penalty and got the puck out to the point to Johnson. Johnson looked to shoot, but instead moved toward the high slot area. From there he fired off a shot that was blocked, but the rebound came right out to Kolarik who punched it right back into the net to tie the game. Johnson and Porter each picked up an assist on Michigans second power play goal of the game.

The first period would end with the score all tied at two goals each. In similar fashion to last night the Irish ended the first period with a slight edge in shots on goal, leading ten to eight.

Michigan applied great pressure in the second period, however, the Irish net minder had been able to keep the puck out of the net. That would all change in the closing minutes of the period when the Wolverines would add two more goals to board to finally take control of the game.

The Wolverines were once again on the power play with the clock having just moved under the five minute mark. Working the puck back and forth across the blue line Johnson quickly passed the puck down low to the left of the Irish net minder. A quick pass over to the right and Kolarik made it look easy redirecting the puck into a wide open net. Cogliano and Johnson each picked up assists on this power play goal.

With just over three minutes left to play the puck was behind the Irish net. Both Hensick and Bailey were skating for the puck from different directions. They crossed behind the net with Hensick popping out on the left side of the net with the puck. As soon as he was past the front post he planted a back hand wrap around shot into the net for the Wolverines fourth goal of the game. Bailey and Porter each picked up an assist on the goal.

The second period would come to an end with Michigan leading by a score of four to two. The Wolverines outshot the Irish twelve to two in the period, leaving them with a twenty to twelve advantage in shots on goal through two periods of play.

The third period was a chippy affair with both teams spending time in the penalty box and a lot of physical play up and down the ice. Neither team would be able to score in the final twenty minutes of play.

The game would come to an end with Michigan winning by a score of four to two. The game ended with shots on goal equal at twenty-nine each.

The Wolverines picked up their first CCHA weekend sweep by virtue of their two wins over the Irish, keeping them near the top of the conference standings. At this time there is no clear front runner, however, one thing is perfectly clear. This years race is going to be wild. There are a number of teams at the top of the conference that were not expected to be there and a couple of teams at the bottom that were expected to near the top. The only certainty at this time is that you had better come prepared to play each night or your likely to go home on the losing end of the score. Michigan returns to the road next week with a weekend long trip to Northern Michigan.