Saturday, November 3, 2007
Qwest Center, Omaha, Nebraska

The Wolverines jumped out to an early two goal lead, saw that lead evaporate and decided to follow the example of the football team scoring the winning goal late in the game, then denying the Mavericks at every turn to get the win. The three to two victory over the hosting Mavericks gave the Wolverines their third straight weekend sweep and kept them undefeated in CCHA play.

With just over five minutes gone in the opening period the Wolverines would score the games first goal when Porter slapped the puck past the Maverick netminder for the tally. After working the puck around the Maverick zone the Wolverines finished things off with a couple of quick passes from the corner, to the point, then down to the right face off circle. Porter unleashed a slap shot from that circle to score the goal. Langlais and Pacioretty each picked up assists on the goal.

With seven minutes gone the Mavericks were in the penalty box putting Michigan on the power play. About a minute later, with just under twelve minutes to play, the Wolverines put together an end to end rush that resulted in a power play goal and a two to nothing lead. Langlais got things going by feeding a pass to Turnbull who streaked down the center of the ice. Caparusso was trailing on his left and as Turnbull closed on the goal he flipped a quick pass to Caparusso who fired it to the far post and low, scoring the goal. Caparusso was credited with the goal while Langlais and Turnbull each picked up an assist.

The first period would come to an end with the Wolverines holding their two to nothing lead. The Mavericks ended the period with a nine to six advantage in shots on goal.

The teams started the second period with skating four on four for 1:39. With twenty-four seconds remaining in the four on four the Wolverines were whistled for a penalty putting the Mavericks on the power play. The extra space created some issues defensively for Michigan and just nine seconds into the power play the Mavericks closed on the Michigan goal, punching the puck past Sauer stick side.

With just over ten minutes played in the second period the Wolverines turned the puck over at their blue line and had to scramble to try and get back into their zone to set up a defense. In the ensuing scramble the Mavericks got off a shot that was blocked, but the rebound was not covered. Before Michigan could get to that rebound a Maverick skater jumped all over it, banging it past Sauer before he could react.

The second period would come to an end with the game all tied at two goals each. The Mavericks out shot the Wolverines fourteen to three in the period to hold a twenty-three to nine advantage in shots on goal through forty minutes.

It looked like this game might go to overtime, but Michigan pulled out the winning goal with just under three minutes left to play in regulation. Summers got the puck into the corner in the Maverick zone. From there Turnbull flipped the puck toward the net. Hagelin was positioned right outside the crease and he knocked the puck up and over the goalie for the score. Both Turnbull and Summers received assists on the Hagelin game winning goal.

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

The Wolverines were rough around the edges this weekend, especially in the second period of both games when it seemed they were more surviving than actually attacking. On both nights the Mavericks out shot the Wolverines, but on both nights it was Michigan coming away with the victory. These are the kinds of wins that can lead to great seasons, if only they can keep putting them in the win column. Next week the Wolverines return to Yost Arena to host the Alaska Nanooks.