Saturday, March 29, 2008
Times Union Arena, Albany, New York

The Clarkson Golden Knights gave the Wolverines everything they had, keeping the game close the entire way, but in the end the Wolverines proved to be to much as they advance to the Frozen Four with a two to nothing win.

With the clock just under seven minutes both teams would send a player to the penalty box, but Clarkson was assessed an additional penalty to put Michigan on the power play. With just under six minutes to play the Wolverines would strike for the games first goal to take the early lead. Carrying the puck up the left side Palushaj would force the goal tender to commit to him, then he would wrap around behind the net, and stuff the puck over the line from the right side. Mitera and Porter each picked up assists on the power play goal.

The first period would end with Michigan holding the slim one to nothing lead. Each team managed ten shots on goal through the first twenty minutes of play.

Michigan was unable to mount any consistent offensive pressure as they spent much of the second period on the penalty kill, taking a number of penalties. Through all of the special teams play both teams would see scoring chances come and go. After two periods of play the score remained Michigan one, Clarkson zero. Clarkson out shot Michigan seven to four in the second to hold a seventeen to fourteen edge in shots on goal through forty minutes of play.

The third period had barely begun when Porter would give Michigan some breathing room, scoring a goal just twenty-six seconds into the final period. Pacioretty intercepted a clearing pass along the left boards. He got the puck to Kolarik in the slot, who made a great back hand pass to Porter. Porter swept across in front of the goal, waiting just long enough for the goalie to make his move, then slid the puck through the five hole for the score. Kolarik and Pacioretty each with assists on the goal.

Michigan would keep the pressure on the Clarkson goal through the entire third period. However, following a series of penalties by both teams and the Golden Knights pulling their goalie with 2:07 to play, the Wolverines would find themselves fighting off a six on three Clarkson power play as the final minutes ticked off the clock. While the Golden Knights would come close they would not find a way to get the puck past Sauer. The game would come to an end with Michigan winning by a score of two to nothing. The Wolverines out shot the Golden Knights fifteen to ten in the period to end the game with a thirty-two to twenty-seven advantage in shots on goal.

The Wolverines have made it to the NCAA tournament for eighteen straight years, but this is the first time since 2003 the Wolverines have advanced to the Frozen Four. So far this year Michigan has met every challenge, but the competition will only get tougher as they move into the final weekend of the hockey season. That being said this is probably one of the best chances Michigan has had at winning this tournament since the late 1990's. There will be a two week gap between the regionals and the Frozen Four so Michigan can use that time to heal up some sore players. No matter the out come this has been a fantastic season for the Wolverines, who have exceeded even the most optimistic outlook for this years young team. If you can make it to Denver do so, attending a Frozen Four is great fun for any college hockey fan.