Friday, March 28, 2008
Times Union Arena, Albany, New York

After getting off to a slow start and ending twenty minutes of play in a score less tie, the Wolverines came out energized in the second period to start down the road that would eventually lead to a five to one Wolverine victory. After being kept off the score sheet the last three games it was the Captain, Kevin Porter, that would lead his team to victory as he scored once in the second, and three times in the third to lead the charge. In fact the top line accounted for twelve out of a total of fifteen points awarded to Wolverine players in this game.

While the Wolverines didn't play bad, dominating most of the play in the opening period, they came up short in one category, scoring. Neither team was able to get the puck past the opponents goalie leaving the score all tied at zero at the end of the first period. The Wolverines held an eleven to four advantage in shots on goal.

The Wolverines started the second period with about 1:15 of power play time from a penalty called late in the first period. With just over nineteen minutes on the clock Pacioretty would find the back of the net to give Michigan the lead. Using some great passing the Wolverines moved the puck high, then low, and finally found Pacioretty in the slot. As the puck hit his stick he snapped off a quick shot that beat the goalie for the score. Kolarik and Palushaj each picked up assists on the power play goal.

With about ten and a half minutes to play in the period the Wolverines would strike gold for the second time to gain a little score board breathing room. Getting control of the puck just outside the Eagle blue line Pacioretty would lead the charge into the Eagle zone. As he reached the circles he passed the puck back to Kolarik, who quickly passed the puck ahead to Porter who was charging right down the slot. Porter carried the puck in close to the goal, slipping a back hand shot through the five hole for the first of his four goals. Kolarik and Pacioretty each picked up assists on the goal.

The second period would come to an end with the Wolverines holding a two to nothing lead. The Wolverines out shot the Eagles nineteen to five in the period to end forty minutes of play with a thirty to nine advantage in shots on goal.

With just over eleven minutes to play the Wolverines would extend their lead to three goals when Porter found the back of the net for the second time in the game. Getting some great pressure on the Niagara goal the Wolverines got off a couple of shots that were all blocked, but the puck continued to bounce around in front of the net. Finally, following one of those missed shots Porter got to the puck and chipped it home for goal number two. Kolarik and Llewellyn each picked up assists on the goal.

Barely two minutes later, with the clock just under the nine minute mark Porter would score his hat trick to spot Michigan to a four goal lead. Once again it was great passing that setup the goal, moving from side to side, up high and back down low. All that puck movement ended up leaving Porter all alone in close to the goal. Eventually Kolarik would get him the puck and Porter would put it home through the open back door. Kolarik and Palushaj each picked up assists on the goal.

With just over four minutes to play the Eagles would get a little pressure of their own, scoring a goal and ending the Wolverines bid for a shut out. Getting some traffic in front of the goal and using some quick passes of their own, the Eagles were finally able to get the puck past Sauer, going top shelf for the score.

With about two and half minutes to play the Eagles called time out and when they returned to the ice they had pulled their goalie, leaving their net empty. With just 1:37 to play Porter was able to dig the puck out of scrum along the left boards. Now with the puck Porter wheeled and headed straight for the goal. As he skated through the crease he slid the puck home for goal number four. Pacioretty and Kolarik each picked up assists on the goal.

The game would come to an end with the Wolverines winning by a score of five to one. Michigan out shot the Eagles nine to eight in the final period to end the game with a thirty-nine to seventeen advantage in shots on goal.

The Wolverines used some dominating play in the final two periods of play to end the Purple Eagles season. Using constant pressure and an equally stifling defense the Wolverines slowly, but steadily scored goals and pulled away from the Eagles. The win leaves the Wolverines just one win away from a trip to Denver and the Frozen Four.