Friday, February 8, 2008
Steve Cady Arena, Oxford, Ohio

Playing perhaps their best period of hockey the Wolverines scored early and never relented as they pushed out to a first period four to nothing lead. The second period was an evenly fought, up and down battle that saw both teams get some class A scoring chances, but neither team able to put the puck in the net. The final period was a penalty filled, sloppy period that allowed Miami to get a breath of life, but in the end the hill was to steep to climb as the Redhawks ran out of time in their come back bid. Michigan ended the game with a four to two victory over the countries number one team.

With just under eleven minutes left to play in the opening period the Wolverines would score their first goal of the game off a rebound close in to the goal. Michigan had the puck behind the Redhawk net, quickly passing it out front, where they got off a couple of shots at the net. Each of those were blocked, however, the rebounds were not covered. Finally Caporusso was able to get his stick on the puck, chipping it into the top corner of the net, wide side for the score. Turnbull and Naurato each picked up assists on the goal.

With just under eight minutes on the clock Michigan would score goal number two on a beautiful play by Palushaj. Hagelin had the puck in the left circle, quickly feeding a pass through the slot and left of the goal where Palushaj was waiting. Palushaj stopped the puck with his skate, got his stick down on the ice, firing the puck back across the goalie to the left where the net was wide open. Hagelin and Rust each picked up assists.

Thirty-seven seconds later, with just over seven minutes left, Porter would get free on a break away, walk in on the goal, and fired the puck past the Miami goalie for goal number three. Kolarik had the lone assist on the goal.

With just under six minutes to play the Redhawks were whistled for a penalty, putting Michigan on the power play. With just over five minutes to play Palushaj would get off a shot from the right circle, however, the puck didn't have much on it as his stick broke as he hit the puck. As the puck slid into the slot Pacioretty was able to get his stick down on it, chipping it into the net before Miami could really recover and react. Palushaj and Kolarik each picked up assists on the goal.

The first period would come to an end with the Wolverines holding a four to nothing lead. Michigan also held a commanding eleven to three advantage in shots on goal.

Both teams would get chances to score in the second period, but neither team would be able to find a way to score as the score remained four to nothing in favor of the Wolverines after forty minutes of play. Michigan out shot Miami eleven to five in the second period to hold a twenty-two to eight advantage in shots on goal through two periods.

With fifteen and half minutes still on the clock and the teams skating four on four the Wolverines were whistled for a five minute major penalty. With just over fourteen minutes to play and still almost four minutes of the major penalty still on the clock the Redhawks would score their first goal of the game to cut Michigan's lead to three.

With just under eight minutes to play the Wolverines made yet another trip to the penalty box, putting the Redhawks back on the power play. About half way through the power play, with the clock just under the seven minute mark, the Redhawks would pull Sauer out of position, making it look easy as they scored their second power play goal of the period.

The game would come to an end with the Wolverines winning by a score of four to two. Miami out shot the Wolverines twelve to two in the period, but Michigan ended the game with a twenty-four to twenty advantage in shots on goal.

Michigan played forty solid minutes of hockey and then played one of their sloppiest periods of hockey to close out the game. With the number of power play chances the Redhawks had Michigan was lucky to hold them to just two goals. A more complete effort will be needed Saturday night if the Wolverines hope to have any chance at sweeping this series.