Wolverines Sweep Mavericks

Saturday, November 11, 2006
Yost Arena, Ann Arbor, Michigan

For the first time all season the Wolverines put together a complete, solid weekend of hockey and the end result was a weekend sweep of the visiting Mavericks, also a first for the season. While the Wolverines won both contests in the opening week of play over Alabama and Connecticut, this is the first sweep of the season over the same team on a given weekend.

Tonight Michigan wasn't going to have to work from an opening period deficit as they were the first to score in tonights game with just over twelve minute to play in the opening period. With a lot of traffic in front of the Nebraska net and a number of little chip shots being taken, Naurato finally got enough on the puck to get it past the Maverick net minder. The goal was reviewed with the score being upheld following that review. Johnson and Fardig each picked up an assist on the goal.

About three minutes later with the clock just under ten minutes, Michigan would score their second goal of the period in somewhat similar fashion. The Wolverines were sending the puck at the Maverick net from all directions, with a lot of them being blocked by the Maverick defense. Finally a strong shot from the goal tenders right got through and was blocked, but the rebound came right up the slot where Lebler was positioned. Lebler wasted no time banging the puck back toward and into the net for the score. The goal was ruled as unassisted.

The first period would come to an end with the Wolverines holding a two to nothing lead. Michigan also out shot the Mavericks ending twenty minutes of play with a sixteen to eight advantage in shots on goal.

With just over sixteen minutes to play in the second period one player from each team was sent to the penalty box, leaving each team with four men on the ice. With the clock showing just over fifteen minutes to play and 1:05 remaining in the penalties Michigan would score their third goal of the game. Michigan had the puck in the Maverick zone and was moving it from the goal tenders left to his right. The puck was sent behind the net, bouncing it off the back boards. As it came out on the right side of the goal Rohlfs was able to get his stick on the puck, but he was facing away from the goal. After about one stride, once he gained full control of the puck, Rohlfs swept the puck back toward the net surprising the Maverick net minder and slipping the puck through the five hole for the score. Both Porter and Dest picked up assists on the score.

That lone, early period goal, would be all the scoring in the second period as forty minutes of play went into the books with Michigan holding the three to nothing lead. Shots on goal for the period were tied at fifteen for each team, giving Michigan a thirty-one to twenty-three advantage in shots on goal through forty minutes.

With the clock just under the fourteen minute mark Michigan was moving the puck around the Maverick zone with some nice passing. Once again the puck moved behind the net and was brought out to the Maverick net minders right, followed by a quick pass into the slot where Naurato was positioned all by himself. As the puck hit his stick he unleashed a one timer that had the puck in the net before the Maverick goalie could react. Fardig and Ward each picked up an assist on the goal.

The Wolverines seemed to visibly relax after scoring their fourth goal of the game and just like they did last night the Mavericks wasted no time in taking advantage. Right from the face off following their fourth goal the Mavericks gained control of the puck and walked it right into the Wolverine zone. As they reached the left face off circle the Mavericks got off a big shot that was blocked, but he rebound went straight up the slot where another Maverick player was positioned. Taking a page out of Michigans play book the Maverick player in the slot got off a one timer that beat Sauer to get the Mavericks on the board, ending Sauers shut out bid.

It would take barely two minutes for the Wolverines to regain their four goal lead as they scored their fifth goal of the night with the clock just under twelve minutes. Cogliano carried the puck behind the net, came out on the right side of the goalie, making a quick pass to Miller who was positioned in the slot. Miller let loose a one timer that beat the net minder for the score. Cogliano and Kolarik each picked up assists on the score.

The game would come to an end with Michigan winning by a score of five to one to gain the weekend sweep. Michigan out shot Nebraska twelve to ten in the period to end the game with a forty-three to thirty-three advantage in shots on goal.

The weekend sweep was a breath of fresh air in the Wolverines season as they moved from the middle of the pack in the CCHA into a tie for second place with Alaska, just two points behind conference leading Miami (with two games in hand), and one point ahead of third place Michigan State. Now all that remains is for the Wolverines to put together several of these strong weekends to finish off the first half of the season.

It won't be an easy task for Michigan as they take their first full weekend road trip next weekend for a pair of games against Ferris State. These are two games that Michigan should win and needs to win. Then they host Michigan State for the second time this month, on the twenty-first, with a chance to open a small gap between themselves and the Spartans in the conference standings. That game is followed up three days later with the annual showdown with WCHA opponents Wisconsin and Minnesota in the 14th annual College Hockey Showcase. If Michigan can find a way to win all five of those games they will go into December with great momentum and they will once again be a team to be reckoned with in the national picture.