Friday, November 9, 2007
Yost Ice Arena, Ann Arbor, Michigan

In a game that was much closer than the final four to nothing score would indicate the Wolverines mid way through the first period, then rode that one goal lead for most of the rest of the game, until breaking the game open with three goals in the final six minutes of the game.

With just eleven and half minutes to play in the opening period the Nanooks were sent to the penalty box, putting the Wolverines on the power play. With time running out in the man advantage Michigan gained control of the puck in the right corner, skating along the goal line toward the net. As the Wolverines closed on the goal Kolarik got off a flat angle shot that got behind the net minder for a goal just after the power play had ended. Both Palushaj and Langlais picked up assists on the goal.

The first period would come to an end with the Wolverines holding the slim one to nothing lead. The Wolverines out shot the Nanooks eight to six in the period.

The teams would trade power plays in the second period, but the scoreboard would not change as the Wolverines ended forty minutes of play still hanging onto their one to nothing lead. The Wolverines out shot the Nanooks nine to six in the second period for a seventeen to twelve advantage in shots on goal.

With just over six minutes to play in the game there was a face off in the Nanook zone to the right of the net minder. The Wolverines got control of the puck and quickly worked it down in front of the goal. From there players from both teams scrambled for the puck with Michigan finally getting enough of a stick on it to push it past the goalie for the games second goal. Turnbull was given credit for the goal, while Pacioretty and Caporusso each picked up assists on the score.

Roughly forty-five seconds later the Wolverines would strike again to open up a three goal lead. Once again the Wolverines had worked the puck down in front of the Nanook goal and once again it was a scramble for control of the puck. In very similar fashion to their second goal Michigan was able to get a stick on the puck, getting it behind the net minder for the score. This time it was Palushaj getting credit for the goal, while Rust and Miller each picked up assists.

With the clock just under the two minute mark the Wolverines would strike for the third time in just over four minutes to finish off the games scoring. Michigan forced a turnover at center ice. As they tried to make a pass it was somewhat blocked, ending up on Porters stick at the Nanook blue line. Porter carried the puck into the Nanook zone, firing a shot through the five hole as he closed on the goal. Hagelin and Summers each picked up assists on the goal.

The game would come to an end with the Wolverines winning by a score of four to nothing. Michigan out shot the Nanooks nine to three in the final period to end the game with a twenty-six to fifteen advantage in shots on goal.

It was a different kind of game than the final score might indicate, with a very defensive battle unfolding for most of the game. Michigan was able to break things open late in the game, but they will need to pick up the intensity tomorrow night if they want to finish off their fourth straight sweep of the season.