Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Yost Ice Arena, Ann Arbor, Michigan

The Michigan Wolverines played the USA NDTP under 18 team tonight in their yearly exhibition game against the youngsters from across town. Unlike recent years where the games have been close going down the stretch the Wolverines scored in each period, coming within about six minutes of a shut out on their way to a five to one victory.

Michigan got the scoring started just over eight minutes into the opening period when they banged a shot home from the slot right in front of the net. Michigan had the puck behind the net, making a quick pass out front to Naurato who fired off a shot that beat the USA goalie for the score. Ciraulo and Fardig each picked up assists on the goal.

The first period would come to an end with the Wolverines leading by a score of one to nothing. The Wolverines also held a slim nine to seven advantage in shots on goal.

With thirteen and half minutes left in the second period Michigan would strike for the second time, this time using some great tic-tac-toe passing to create an open lane to the net. Once again they had the puck deep in the USA zone, then quickly passed the puck from the right of the goalie to the left face off circle. From there another quick pass just outside the crease to the right of the goalie. A quick flip of the stick from there and the puck was in the net. Lebler got credit for the goal, while Quick and Caparusso each picked up assists.

With the clock just under the thirteen minute mark the USA team was whistled for a penalty putting Michigan on the power play. With just over eleven minutes left the Wolverines would score their second goal of the period to extend their lead to three goals. Moving the puck quickly around the USA zone the Wolverines created an opening for a score through a wide open back door. Winnett got credit for the goal while Naurato and Caparusso each picked up assists.

With the clock just eight minutes the Wolverines would score their third goal of the period to move their lead to four goals. Michigan got a pass up the ice to Kolarik who got off a shot from the left face off circle that beat the USA goalie for the score. Pacioretty and Llewellyn each picked up assists on the goal.

The second period would come to an end with the Wolverines leading by a score of four to nothing. Michigan again out shot the USA team nine to seven in the second period to hold an eighteen to fourteen advantage in shots on goal through forty minutes of play.

With the clock just under the thirteen minute mark the Wolverines would score their fifth and final goal of the game. Pacioretty carried the puck through the slot and then slid the puck backward into the goal as he passed in front. Kampfer and Rust each had assists on the goal.

Team USA ended the Wolverines shut out bid with just over six minutes left in the period while on the power play. They got the puck in close to the goal, getting a couple of shots off before any Michigan defenders could move them out of the way, finally getting the puck past Hunwick for the score.

The game would come to an end with Michigan winning by a score of five to one. The USA team out shot Michigan twelve to four in the period to end the game with a twenty-six to twenty-two advantage in shots on goal.

It's always an interesting night when the USA team comes to Yost. With both teams based out of Ann Arbor and usually at least a couple of players on the USA team scheduled to play for Michigan in the future, the USA team always brings everything they have to this game. While the USA team has not yet beaten the Wolverines its been fairly rare to see such a large winning margin. For another year the Wolverines are king of the hill in Ann Arbor hockey.