Thursday, April 10, 2008
Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado

They made it to the Frozen Four, but the Wolverines dream season could go no further than that. Spotting Notre Dame a three goal first period lead would eventually prove to much as the Wolverines lost their semi-final game in overtime by a five to four score.

The Irish scored the first of their first period goals with exactly fifteen minutes left in the game when they broke out of their own zone, carrying it into neutral ice. The Wolverine defenders poked the puck off the stick of the Irish player, but couldn't get it far enough away, allowing the Irish to continue into the Wolverine zone. The Irish player unleashed a rocket of a shot from between the circles that beat Sauer high over the blocker for the score.

With just over fourteen minutes to play, just forty-two seconds after scoring the games first goal, the Irish scored goal number two to turn momentum in the game and take control of the period. The Irish gained the Michigan zone, driving to the right circle. From there they dropped a pass back into the slot, where they got off another shot that slipped between Sauers arm and body for the score.

With just over thirty seconds to play in the period and Michigan on the power play, the Irish scored a short handed goal to end their first period scoring. Notre Dame got control of the puck in their own zone moving it the length of the ice with little resistance from the Wolverine defense. They drove into the Wolverine zone, gained the right circle and got off a shot that beat Sauer for the score.

The first period would come to an end with the Irish leading by a score of three to nothing. Michigan held a slight eleven to nine advantage in shots on goal.

In a somewhat surprising, yet unexpected move, the Wolverines started the second period with a new goalie between the pipes, replacing Sauer with freshman Bryan Hogan.

With just over eleven minutes to play in the second the Wolverines would finally get the puck past the Irish net minder, cutting the lead to two. Using some great give and go passing Porter and Kolarik would get the Wolverines going as they have done so often this year. Kolarik got the puck to Porter who carried it through neutral ice and into the Irish zone. As he reached the right circle he dropped the puck back into the slot where Kolarik got off a shot that beat the Irish goalie for the score. Kolarik got credit for the goal, while Porter and Hogan each picked up assists.

Just fifteen seconds later, with the clock now just under the eleven minute mark Michigan would score for the second time to cut the lead to one. Right off the face off following their first goal, Michigan got the puck quickly into the Irish zone. Hagelin found Palushaj who found Rust just off to the right of the goal, where Rust attempted to get off a shot. Unfortunately he fanned on the shot, but on a quick follow up he banked the puck in off the Irish goalie for the score. Rust got credit for the goal, while both Palushaj and Hagelin picked up assists.

The second period would come to an end with the Irish still leading by a score of three to two. Michigan out shot Notre Dame nine to six in the period to end forty minutes of play with a twenty to fifteen advantage in shots on goal.

With nineteen and a half minutes to play in the final period of regulation the Irish were whistled for a penalty putting Michigan on the power play. With the clock just under eighteen minutes, just eighteen seconds left in the power play, the Wolverines would strike to tie the game. Getting some sustained pressure in the final forty seconds of the power play the Wolverines got off a number of shots, with the rebounds left uncovered each time. Finally the Irish gave up one to many rebounds and Michigan was able to chip the puck home for the score. Kolarik got credit for the goal, while Pacioretty and Palushaj each picked up assists on the power play goal.

With just eight and half minutes to play in regulation time the Irish would once again take the lead. As had happened in the first period, the Irish were able to push the puck up the ice with little defensive interfernce from Michigan. They easily gained the Wolverine zone, closed on the goal, and blasted a shot past Hogan for the score.

With just over five minutes to play the Wolverines would once againg tie the game and it would once again be the combination of Rust, Palushaj, and Hagelin who would get it done. Just as the Irish had a few minutes earlier the Wolverines pushed the puck quickly up the ice, gaining the Irish zone, and closing on the goal. As he passed by the goal with the puck Hagelin got off a back hand shot that glanced off the Irish goalie and into the net for the score. Rust and Palushaj each picked up assists.

Regulation play would come to an end with the game all tied at four goals each. Once again Michigan out shot the Irish nine to six to end regulation time with a twenty-nine to twenty-one advantage in shots on goal.

With just over fourteen minutes to play in the overtime period the Irish would score the goal that would propel the Irish into the National Championship game against Boston College. The Irish got a shot off from the point that was blocked, but the rebound was not covered. With the puck on the ice and no Michigan defenders able to cause the Irish player problems it was an easy play to lift the puck up and over the sprawled Hogan for the game winner.

The game came to an end with the Irish winning by a score of five to four. The Irish had an eight to four advantage in shots on goal in the short overtime period leaving Michigan with a thirty-three to twenty-nine advantage in shots on goal.

It was certainly disappointing to see Michigan's season end in the manner that it did, losing a game to Notre Dame, a team that they beat during the regular season schedule. However, the one thing that all Michigan fans can hold onto is that this was a great season. It didn't end as we had hoped, but given the youth of this team, and the fact that this was truly believed to be a rebuilding year for Michigan, to see them make it to the Frozen Four was more than many really believed possible. We can all enjoy the high points, the sweep of the Showcase, the GLI championship, the CCHA regular season title, and the CCHA tournament title, and the victory in the East Regionals. Something tells me that the core of this team will be back to the Frozen Four before there careers at Michigan come to an end.