Saturday, November 17, 2007
Taffy Abel Arena, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

The Wolverines finished a dominating weekend of hockey, sweeping the hosting Lakers with a six to two victory Saturday night, a follow up to the five to one victory enjoyed by the Wolverines the night before. The sweep keeps this young and surprising Wolverine team in the middle of the CCHA and National title races.

Michigan got things started early in this game scoring their first goal of the game with just over seventeen minutes left to play in the opening period. Kolarik hit Porter with a pass right at the Laker blue line, allowing him to break clean into the Laker zone. He closed on the goal, getting off a shot that deflected in off the goal post. Kolarik and Pacioretty each picked up assists on the goal.

With just under eleven minutes top lay the Lakers would tie the game off a shot that was deflected right in front of the goal. Michigan was trying to clear the puck from behind their net when a Laker was able to tip it out to the right face off circle. From there they got off a shot that was eventually deflected right in front of the goal for the score.

With just two and a half minutes to play the Lakers would get another goal from in close to take the lead in the game. Once again the Lakers were in tight to the Michigan goal, getting off a shot that was blocked, however, the rebound was not covered. Another Laker player was able get enough of his stick on the puck to chip it past Sauer for the go ahead goal.

The first period would come to an end with the Lakers holding a two to one lead. The Lakers also held an eighteen to nine advantage in shots on goal following the first twenty minutes of play.

Michigan would regain the lead and gain control of the game by scoring three goals in the first five minutes of the second period. Michigan got this going with the clock just under the eighteen minute mark. Winnett got off a shot that rebounded back to him at the face off circle. From there he passed the puck to Turnbull in the slot. Turnbull fought off a couple of Lakers to redirect the puck past the Laker net minder. Winnett picked up the lone assist.

With the clock just under seventeen minutes to play the Lakers were once again in the penalty box, putting Michigan on the power play. With just over sixteen minutes to play in the period Michigan won a face of at the left dot, getting the puck to Palushaj who got off a wrist shot from the left face off circle that beat the goalie for the score. Porter and Pacioretty each picked up assists on the goal.

Less than a minute later with just over fifteen minutes still showing on the clock Michigan extended their lead when Lebler picked up credit for Michigan's fourth goal of the game. Michigan dumped the puck into the Laker zone, leading to a race to the puck. Michigan got to it first, quickly passing it out front into the slot. From there Lebler took a shot sending the puck through the five hole for the score. Fardig and Ciraulo each picked up assists on the goal. The Lakers changed goalies following the goal.

The second period came to an end with Michigan leading by a score of four to two. The Lakers outshot the Wolverines eleven to ten in the second period to hold a twenty-nine to nineteen advantage in shots on goal.

With twelve and a half minutes left to play in regulation time Michigan would score their fifth goal of the game when Ciraulo scored his first goal of the season. Michigan had gotten off a shot, but the rebound came over to the left post. Ciraulo was parked on the left post, putting the rebound into the net. Lebler and Fardig each picked up assists on the goal.

Porter would finish the scoring when he scored an empty net goal with just under six minutes to play.

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

Michigan's fifth consecutive sweep pushed their win streak to ten games and set up the showdown between the CCHA and WCHA next weekend in the College Hockey Showcase. The Showcase will be a definite step up in competition and will give Michigan a real measure of just how good they are or if the wins so far have been more a function of schedule than play.