Friday, October 19, 2007
Berry Events Center, Marquette, Michigan

It was a very even match through two periods of play as both teams really flew up and down the ice, while at the same time playing solid team defense. Michigan finally broke things open in the third period on their way to a hard fought three to one victory.

The Wildcats were the first to draw blood in this game, digging the puck out of a scrum in front of the Wolverine net, before parking it in the back of the net. Michigan had a chance to clear the puck, but they failed on that clearing attempt, leaving the puck right in front of the Michigan net. The Wildcats were the ones to finally gain enough control over the puck to punch it past Sauer for the score.

The first period came to an end with the Wildcats holding a one to nothing lead. Both teams ended the first twenty minutes of play with seven shots on goal.

With just over three minutes to play in the period the Wildcats were whistled for a penalty to put Michigan on the power play for the fourth time this period. While the Wolverines kept pestering the Northern goal they were unable to get the puck past the Wildcat goalie. Then with the clock just under the two minute mark the Wildcats were whistled for a second penalty, giving Michigan a two man advantage for twenty-six seconds. Finally with just one and half minutes to play, five seconds in the two man advantage, Michigan was able to punch the puck into the net when Porter scooped up a rebound in front of the net, quickly burying it for the score. Porter picked up the goal, while Kolarik and Palushaj each picked up assists.

The second period would come to an end with the score all tied up at one goal each. The Wolverines out shot the Wildcats nine to two in the period to end forty minutes of play with a sixteen to nine advantage in shots on goal.

With nine and half minutes left in the final period the Wolverines were once again on the power play and once again it would be Porter who would come through with the man advantage to give Michigan the lead. Michigan's initial shot hit the cross bar, but the puck dropped right down in front of Porter who once again quickly poked it home for the score. Kolarik and Palushaj each picked up assists on the goal.

Michigan would get an insurance goal with the clock just under four minutes when Michigan broke into the Wildcat zone with a two on one odd man rush. Hagelin would finish the rush off by rifling a laser of a shot over the goalies shoulder for the score. Caparusso and Langlais each picked up assists on the goal.

The game would come to an end with the Wolverines winning by a score of three to one. The Wolverines out shot the Wildcats fourteen to five in the period to end the game with a thirty to fourteen advantage in shots on goal.

It was a very close game through two periods, but Michigan finally got control of the game in the final period. The Wildcats always seem to play Michigan tough and this game was no different. We can probably expect the same tomorrow night when these same to teams face off for the final game of this weekend set.