Wolverines Salvage Weekend With Split

Sunday, February 28, 2007
Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan

It wasn't often pretty, but the Wolverines found a way to get it done today on neutral ice, earning a hard fought three to one decision against the Lakers. Michigan got the only goals in the first and second periods, while the Lakers scored the third periods only goal, but the win went to Michigan who moves into second place in the CCHA with this win.

With the clock showing just under twelve minutes to play in the opening period the Wolverines found a way to get the puck past the Laker net minder to draw first blood in this game. Michigan got off a shot from the point that was blocked, but the puck bounced up into the air where Hensick was able to get his stick on it, punching it back toward and into the net. The goal was reviewed to see if it was tipped in with a high stick, but after the review the score was upheld. Hunwick picked up the lone assist on the goal.

The first period would come to an end with the Wolverines clinging to their slim one to nothing lead. The Lakers out shot the Wolverines ten to seven in the period.

With the clock just under the nineteen minute mark the Lakers were whistled for a penalty to give the Wolverines their first power play chance of the game. With the clock nearing the seventeen minute mark the Wolverines would strike for the second time in the game to build a two goal lead. Johnson passed the puck from the Michigan blue line up to Cogliano at the Laker blue line. Cogliano flew down the left side boards, driving deep into the Laker zone and starting to sweep in toward the goal. As he started to break toward the goal Hunwick got away from a defender, Cogliano slid the puck over to him, and Hunwick buried the puck for a power play goal. Both Cogliano and Johnson picked up assists on the goal.

With just over fourteen minutes to play the Lakers were whistled for a penalty putting the Wolverines back on the power play. About thirty seconds later the Wolverines were whistled for a penalty, leaving both teams skating with four men. With just over thirteen minutes to play Michigan broke out of their zone, getting the puck to Hensick at center ice. Hensick drove into the Laker zone, splitting a couple of defenders, on his way down the slot toward the goal. As he got to the goal he went right to left, switched from his backhand to his fore hand, finally slipping the puck under the Laker net minder to score his second goal of the game. Johnson picked up the lone assist on the goal.

The Wolverines ended the second period of play holding a three to nothing lead. The Lakers out shot the Wolverines fourteen to thirteen in the second period to hold a twenty-four to twenty advantage in shots on goal through forty minutes of play.

With the clock just under eleven minutes the Wolverines got caught in a line change that allowed a Laker player to get behind the Michigan defense, all by himself. The Laker closed on the goal, getting off a blast that beat Sauer for the score.

The Lakers would pull their goalie with 1:37 to play and Michigan would get whistled for a penalty with about thirty seconds to play to increase the Laker advantage, but there would be no further scoring as Michigan held on for the three to two win. The Lakers out shot Michigan twelve to six in the final period to end the game with a thirty-six to twenty-six advantage in shots on goal.

As already mentioned it wasn't the prettiest game in the world, with the Lakers out shooting the Wolverines in each of the three periods. While the Lakers gained the advantage in shots, the Wolverines ended with the advantage that counts, the one on the scoreboard. The game was more even than the shots on goal might indicate as the Lakers had at almost three times the number of power plays that the Wolverines saw, giving them many opportunities to add onto their shot total.

This win was the final game in hand that Michigan had on Miami and with the win they move into second place in the CCHA by a tenuous one point. If they win their final two regular season games Michigan will finish in second. Should they falter they will have to wait on Miami to see where they finish in the standings. After the last couple of weeks and the losses in those two weeks, the Wolverines really must win the rest of their regular season games and at a minimum their initial two playoff games to even entertain a berth in the NCAA tournament. They may even have to win their semi-final game, if not the CCHA tournament out right. After months of play this season is quickly drawing to a close. There are very few games left in which to make their case for the tournament and even less time.