Friday, December 11, 2008
Yost Ice Arena, Ann Arbor, Michigan

The Wolverines officially opened second half play with a resounding win over the visiting Broncos from Western Michigan. Michigan broke the game open early in the second period, scoring two goals in the first minute and a half of play on their way to a six to one victory.

With just under seven minutes to play in the opening period the Broncos were whistled for a penalty putting Michigan on the power play. Less than thirty seconds later the Wolverines had the puck in the net and a one to nothing lead. Pacioretty carried the puck down the left boards, closing quickly with the goal. As he got close the goalie committed to him, when he quickly passed to the right side to Porter who had a wide open shot to the net. Porter got the goal, while Pacioretty and Kolarik each picked up assists.

The first period ended with the Wolverines leading by a score of one to nothing. Michigan also held a fourteen to six advantage in shots on goal.

Michigan got things rolling fast in the second period, scoring their second goal of the game just thirty-six seconds into the period. The got the puck to Quick in the left face off circle. From there he fired a shot that beat the goalie top shelf for the score (the first of his career). Kolarik and Porter each picked up assists.

Exactly one minute later the Wolverines again got off a shot from the left face off circle that found its way behind the goalie. This time it was Turnbull taking the shot, but he had a flatter angle firing off his shot from the bottom of the circle, hitting the goalie high, and bouncing over his shoulder into the goal. Summers and Rust each picked up assists on the goal, while the Bronco's called time out.

With the clock just under the twelve minute mark Kolarik got control of the puck in the slot between the circles. From there he got off a shot that beat the goalie for the score. The goal was scored as unassisted.

The second period would come to and end with the Wolverines holding a commanding four to nothing lead. Michigan out shot the Bronco's sixteen to five in the period to hold a thirty to eleven advantage in shots on goal through forty minutes of play.

Sauers bid for a third consecutive shut out ended just seven seconds into the third period when a Bronco player fired off a rocket of a slap shot from the left face off circle that was behind Sauer before he could really react.

The Wolverines quickly answered that score with their fifth goal of the game with just over eighteen minutes still on the clock. Kampfer got of a big shot from the blue line that was blocked, however, the rebound was not covered. Hagelin was in the right spot quickly getting to the puck and banging it home for the goal. Kampfer and Rust each picked up assists on the goal.

With about fourteen and half minutes to play and each team skating with just four players the Wolverines would strike for the sixth and final time in this game. Porter carried the puck into the Bronco zone and tried to pass over to Turnbull. He didn't get much on the pass, but it was enough to get to Turnbull who redirected it toward the net. It didn't look like it would go in until Summers, crashing to the net, got to the puck, jamming it home for the score. Turnbull and Porter each got assists on the goal.

The game would come to an end with the Wolverines winning by a score of six to one. Michigan out shot the Bronco's fourteen to eleven in the period to end the game with a forty-four to twenty-two advantage in shots on goal.

Michigan gets the second half off to a great start with a resounding win over the Bronco's, their first win as the consensus number one team in the country. While the ranking may still be a little high, there is no doubt that the Wolverines are ready for the stretch run of this season. They finish the weekend tomorrow with their second game against the Bronco's. Then they get into the real meat of their schedule with six of the next eight games against the conferences other top teams. A month from now most questions about the Wolverines and where they will fit in the CCHA and nationally should be answered.