Bulldogs Swept Away

Saturday, January 27, 2007
Yost Ice Arena, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Unlike the previous night when Michigan seemed to get by a luck and prayer for most of the game, tonight they played a solid sixty minutes of hockey on their way to a six to two victory over the visiting Bulldogs from Ferris State. This win game them a sweep over the Bulldogs for the weekend and was their second straight conference sweep, allowing them to keep pace with conference leaders.

It would take most of the period, but the Wolverines finally scored the games first goal with the clock showing just under seven minutes to play. Michigan pushed the puck up the left side boards, always seeming to get it ahead to a teammate when the Ferris defense collapsed on the puck. As they closed on the net a quick pass from left to right gave Hunwick a great look at the net, which he did not waste blasting the puck into the net for the games first goal. Naurato and Turnbull each picked up an assist on the goal.

With just forty seconds left in the period a great little touch pass from Kolarik to Cogliano would lead to the Wolverines second score. Kolarik caught up to the puck at the blue line, making the pass just as the Bulldog defense was about to go for the puck. Cogliano took the puck, rushed to the net, firing the puck on a line into the top corner for the score. Kolarik and Johnson each got an assist on the goal.

The first period would come to an end with the Wolverines holding the two to nothing lead. Michigan out shot the Bulldogs twelve to four in the period.

Ferris was able to the cut the Wolverine lead in half with a goal just thirty-six seconds into the second period. Ferris had pushed the puck deep into the Wolverine zone, but it looked like Michigan would sweep it to the corner and continue play. Instead, the puck rebounded off the back boards to a waiting Bulldog, who quickly got it over to a teammate. From there they were able to push the puck past Sauer for the score.

With the clock just under thirteen minutes Michigan was able to regain their two goal lead on a cannon blast by Johnson. The Wolverines had been buzzing the Bulldog net, coming close to scoring on a couple of occasions when the puck ended up in the slot between the circles. Johnson got to the puck first, wound up, and let loose a rocket of a shot that was past the goal tender before he knew what was happening. Fardig and Hunwick each picked up assists on the goal.

With just under eleven minutes to go the Wolverines would strike for the third time in the period to take a three goal lead. The Wolverines got control of the puck at the Bulldog blue line, quickly charging down the left side boards. A passing attempt over to the right side of the slot was blocked, but the puck popped off the Bulldog stick and Lebler was right in front of the goal to tip it past the goal tender. Cogliano and Kolarik each picked up assists on the goal.

With just over nine minutes to play in the period both teams saw a man go to the sin bin, leaving the teams skating four on four. With about seven and half minutes to play the Bulldogs were whistled for another penalty putting Michigan on the power play. With about six and half minutes to play Michigan had the puck in the Bulldog zone where Naurato got off a blast from the dot in the left circle. The shot was somewhat blocked, but was slowly moving through the crease. To make sure it got over the goal line Turnbull stepped in behind the goal tender and knocked the puck over the goal line for the score. Turnbull got credit for the score, while Naurato and Johnson each picked up assists.

The second period would come to an end with Michigan leading by a score of five to one. Ferris out shot Michigan eleven to ten, leaving Michigan with a twenty-two to fifteen advantage in shots on goal through forty minutes of play.

With thirteen and half minutes to play the Wolverines were whistled for a penalty putting the Bulldogs on the power play. The Bulldogs were able to get some decent pressure on this power play and were finally able to blast a rocket through the five hole for the score.

With just over three minutes to play the Bulldogs were sent to the sin bin for another penalty giving the Wolverines a late power play chance. With just over two minutes to play, fifty-three seconds left in the initial penalty, the Bulldogs were whistled for a second penalty to give Michigan a two man advantage. Michigan held the puck in the Bulldog zone for an extended period of time, passing it well and getting off a couple of shots that didn't make it through. Finally, with one and half minutes to play Johnson got off another rocket of a shot from the left face off circle. Cogliano and Hensick each picked up assists on this power play goal.

While they didn't score as many goals tonight as they did Friday night, the Wolverines actually played a better game using solid defense for the entire sixty minutes of play to reduce the number of shots on goal. They also took advantage of enough of their scoring chances to end up winning by a comfortable margin. These wins were crucial for Michigan as it allowed them to keep pace with the conference leaders who split a pair of games in South Bend. They don't have much time to enjoy the win as they get ready for a home and home series next weekend against Western Michigan. Saturday's night game will be the last home game for the regular season and should be Senior night. Head out to Yost on Saturday for a final send off for this years group of Seniors.

This weekend against Ferris ended the month of January as far as hockey games go. There are now just eight regular season games left to play and the Wolverines are all alone in third place with twenty-eight points, three points ahead of the fourth place Spartans. Notre Dame appears to have first place locked up with thirty-two points, three points ahead of second place Miami and four points ahead of Michigan. While Notre Dame and Michigan have each played twenty games, the Redhawks have played twenty-two. With Michigan only one point behind the Redhawks they appear to be in a great position to eventually move into second place, but they will have to continue to win games. There is still a great deal at stake and these final eight games will decide it. Michigan could finish in second or they could finish as low as fourth. It seems unlikely right now that they could finish below fourth place unless they completely fall apart over the course of these final eight games. They still appear on track to make the NCAA tournament, but losses during the month of February could easily move Michigan to the bubble; something they want to avoid at all costs.