Friday, November 16, 2007
Taffy Abel Arena, Sault Ste. Marie, MI

The Wolverines got off to a sluggish start Friday, spotting the hosting Lakers a one goal first period lead. After the first twenty minutes of play a more energized Wolverines squad took to the ice and powered their way to a five to one victory to remain unbeaten in CCHA play.

With the clock just under eight minutes the Lakers got things rolling by working the puck out of the corner to the left of Sauer. The puck was quickly passed through the slot, to the right of Sauer. As soon as he committed to the player with the puck another quick pass over to the left was made, going to a Laker player at the left post for an easy tap in shot through an open back door.

The first period would come to an end with the Lakers leading by a score of one to nothing. The Wolverines held a twelve to six advantage in shots on goal.

With the clock just under the sixteen minute mark of the second stanza the Wolverines began their march to victory. Porter got things started with a quick up ice pass to Mitera who carried the puck into the Laker zone. Leading the goalie to believe he was preparing to take a shot Mitera instead slid the puck over to Pacioretty who had an easy tap in goal of his own into a wide open net. Porter and Mitera each picked up assists on the goal.

Just over two minutes later, with the clock under the fourteen minute mark, it was once again Porter leading the charge as Michigan took the lead for good. With the puck already in the Laker zone in scoring territory the Laker defense made two mistakes. They lost track of the puck and they lost track of Porter. Porter quickly gained control of the free puck and just as quickly buried it in the net going top shelf for the score. Kolarick and Pacioretty each picked up assists on the goal.

With just over two minutes left to play in the middle period the Wolverines opened up a two goal lead when Turnbull scored on a break away goal. The Lakers turned the puck over at the red line, with the Wolverines quickly gaining control and moving the puck to the Laker zone. Turnbull carried the puck into the zone, closed on the goal, and as he passed in front of the net he flipped a back hand to shelf for the score. Kampfer and Hagelin each picked up assists on the goal.

The second period of play would come to an end with the Wolverines holding a three to nothing lead. Each team had nine shots on goal in the period, giving Michigan a twenty-one to fifteen advantage in shots on goal through forty minutes of play.

With just over twelve minutes to play in the final period the Lakers were whistled for a penalty putting the Wolverines on the power play. Just twenty-nine seconds later, with the clock now under the twelve minute mark Porter would score his second goal of the game to give Michigan a four goal lead. Right from the face off that followed the penalty Michigan gained control of the puck, quickly moving it into the Laker zone. Once there they got the puck to Porter who ripped a shot past the goalie for the score. Palushaj and Langlais each picked up assists on the goal.

The Wolverines would finish off their scoring for the night with just over seven minutes to play in the final period. Summers made a nice pass up the ice to put the puck right on the stick of Palushaj right at the Laker blue line. With no Laker defenseman in front of him he carried the puck right down the slot, finally firing a shot over the glove and into the net for the score. Summers picked up the lone assist on the goal.

The game would come to an end with the Wolverines winning by a score of five to one. Michigan out shot the Lakers twelve to ten in the period to end the game with a thirty-three to twenty-five advantage in shots on goal.

Michigan was a bit sluggish in the opening period and it showed up on the score board with the early Laker lead. However, that didn't last long as they hit the ice in the second period with more bounce in their skates, starting to play some Michigan hockey. When it was all said and done they had won the game in convincing fashion, winning their ninth straight game. More importantly the Wolverines continue to win games on the road and continue to win games that they should win. If they can complete the sweep Saturday night they should have some real momentum going into the Showcase for two really big games against WCHA teams Minnesota and Wisconsin.