Saturday, December 8, 2007
Yost Ice Arena, Ann Arbor, Michigan

In a game similar to last night the Wolverines jumped out to a first period lead, saw that lead vanish in the second period, only to regain it late in that same period. In the end that late second period goal turned out to be the game winner, but the Falcons didn't make it easy as they battled to force overtime. In the end the Wolverines would come away with a three to two victory and the weekend sweep.

With the clock just under the seventeen minute mark the Wolverines were whistled for a penalty putting the Falcons their first power play of the game. Just thirty-two seconds into the power play, with just over sixteen minutes still on the clock, Rust tipped the puck at the Michigan blue line, gained control, and streaked into the Falcon zone. As he closed on the goal he flipped the puck past the goal tender for the short handed goal. The goal was scored as unassisted.

With just under nine minutes to play one player from each team ended up in the penalty box, leaving the teams skating four on four. Just eighteen seconds later the Falcons were whistled for a second penalty to put Michigan on the power play. With seven and half minutes to play the Wolverines would score their second goal of the period, this time on the power play. Michigan was passing the puck back and forth across the zone when they finally got it to Porter at the left face off circle. As soon as the puck reached him he fired off a slap shot that beat the goalie for the score. Assists went to Langlais and Pacioretty.

The first period would come to an end with Michigan holding a two to nothing lead. However, it was the Falcons who held a slim nine to seven advantage in shots on goal.

With roughly eighteen and half minutes left in the second period the Wolverines were whistled for a penalty putting the Falcons on the power play. Just seven seconds later Michigan was whistled for a second penalty to give the Falcons a two man advantage. About thirty seconds later the Falcons got a shot off from the left circle that beat Hogan for the score, cutting Michigan's lead to one.

With the clock just under eight minutes the Falcons would tie the game at two goals, scoring a goal after keeping the puck alive in the Michigan zone for a prolonged period of time. The puck was in the left corner with both teams trying to gain control. Suddenly the Falcons had control and quickly moved the puck to the side of the goal. From there they got off a quick shot that beat Hogan for the game tying goal.

With just thirty-five seconds left in the second period the Falcons were whistled for a penalty putting Michigan on the power play. With just six seconds left in the middle period Michigan would score what would prove to be the game winning goal. The Wolverines had worked the puck through center ice, gaining the Falcon zone. They passed the puck from the left side into the slot, then back over to the left to Naurato at the face off circle. As the puck hit his stick Naurato got off a wrist shot that beat the Falcon goalie through the five hole for the score. Both Hagelin and Kampfer picked up assists on the goal.

The second period would come to an end with the Wolverines holding a slim three to two lead after forty minutes of play. The Falcons continued to hold an edge in shots on goal finishing forty minutes of play with a sixteen to fourteen advantage in the category.

Both teams would battle through the third period with the Falcons looking to force overtime and the Wolverines looking to protect their one goal lead. The Falcons would finally pull their goalie with 1:49 to play in regulation time. The Wolverines would miss at least three golden opportunities to score an empty net goal to seal the win, but they missed each time giving the Falcons continued hope. In the end Michigan would hold onto their one goal lead, winning by a score of three to two. The Wolverines ended up with a twenty-eight to twenty-two advantage in shots on goal.

The sweep over the Falcons was a great way to end the first half of the season. It gives the Wolverines a little momentum to hang onto over the break and keeps them right in the thick of things in the CCHA race. In fact Michigan's wins coupled with Miami's loss once again gives Michigan a slight edge in the CCHA race. They'll need every bit of that edge once they get into the second half which promises to be a much tougher test than the first half. With all that said Michigan has had a great first half, finishing with just two losses and sixteen wins. That's the best start for a Michigan team in something like forty-five years. Michigan now gets about three weeks off with their next games coming the GLI tournament.