Saturday, November 10, 2007
Yost Ice Arena, Ann Arbor, Michigan

The Michigan Wolverines continue to put together an incredible season opening run, winning their eighth straight game by a four to two score. This was also the Wolverines fourth straight weekend sweep as they move their overall record to 9-1 with their lone loss of the season coming in the season opening Ice Breaker Tournament to host Minnesota.

Michigan gets on the board first, scoring with the clock just seconds shy of the five minute mark. The Wolverines dug the puck out of the corner, quickly getting it out in front of the goal to Kolarik. Kolarik wasted no time flipping a back hand shot into the goal for the score. Pacioretty and Langlais each picked up assists on the goal.

With just under three minutes left to play the Nanooks were sent to the penalty box ending the power play they were on and setting Michigan up for a power play of their own. With just over one minute left to play Michigan would score a power play goal to extend their lead to two goals. Kampfer carried the puck up the right boards, before getting off a pass that sent the puck right down in front of the goal. As it arrived Naurato redirected the puck past the net minder for the goal. Kampfer and Sauer each picked up the assists on the goal.

The first period would come to an end with the Wolverines leading by a score of two to nothing. The Wolverines also held a fourteen to seven edge in shots on goal following the first period of play.

The Wolverines started the second period with 1:26 of power play time and they took advantage of that extra attacker scoring their third goal of the game just over one minute into the period. Alaska turned the puck over near the lower rim of the face off circle. Before anyone else can get there Kolarik scoops up the puck firing off a shot that beats the net minder for the score. The goal was scored as unassisted.

It looked like the period might come to an end with Michigan sitting on a three goal lead, but with just over one minute to play the Nanooks managed to score a goal to cut the Michigan lead back to two. The Nanooks got off a shot that Sauer got a piece of, but he didn't get quite enough of it, allowing the puck to cross the goal line for the score.

The second period came to an end with the Wolverines holding a three to one lead. Michigan out shot Alaska thirteen to four in the period to end forty minutes of play with a twenty-seven to eleven advantage in shots on goal.

With just over eighteen minutes left to play the Wolverines get back to a three goal lead when Palushaj redirects the puck past the goalie for Michigans fourth goal of the game. It was a very similar goal to their third one, with the puck being sent on goal, only to be redirected right in front of the goal. Miller and Naurato each picked up assists on the goal.

With just three and half minutes left to play the Nanooks would cut the Wolverine lead to two when they got off a shot that beat Sauer. The Nanooks went to the top shelf for the final score of the game.

The game would end with Michigan winning by a score of four to two. The Nanooks out shot the Wolverines nine to four in the period, but the Wolverines ended the game with a thirty-one to twenty advantage in shots on goal.

Another great weekend for the Wolverines as they complete their fourth straight sweep, win their eight straight game, keeping pace with both Miami and Notre Dame as those three teams are currently battling for the top spot in the CCHA. It's back on the road for the Wolverines next week as they head up to Lake State for a pair of games, before returning to Yost the following weekend for the College Hockey Showcase.