Friday, December 28, 2007
Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan

Michigan got off to a slow start, as the Friars clearly controlled the bulk of the games opening period. Michigan started to find their legs toward the end of the first period, then improved with each period as they blew past the Friars for a six to nothing win in this years Great Lakes Invitational opening game.

Michigan got things going early in this one, scoring the games first goal just 1:02 into the period. Michigan had the puck in front of the Providence goal when Caparusso half spun around, half back handed the puck slowly through the slot, heading very wide of the goal. Right in front of the net the puck hit a Providence defenseman in the skates, radically redirected toward the goal, and just trickled over the goal line. Caparusso got credit for the goal, while Miller picked up the lone assist.

With just thirty seconds left in the opening period the Wolverines would score for the second time in the game. The Wolverines broke out of their zone with a two on one advantage. As they skated into the Friar zone the puck was being skated down the right side by Lebler. Lebler held the puck until the last second when he passed it over to Turnbull. Turnbull got a little shot off but it was blocked, leaving the puck to the front and just left of the goal. As he went past the net, Turnbull reached back with his stick, scooping the puck up and into the net for the score.

The first period would come to an end with the Wolverines holding a two to nothing lead. The Friars, having controlled most of the opening period, held a huge sixteen to three advantage in shots on goal.

With nine and half minutes to play the Wolverines were whistled for a penalty putting the Friars on the power play. With the clock just under the nine minute mark the Wolverines would score a short handed goal, moving their lead to three. Michigan turned the puck over at their own blue line, breaking out of the zone with a two on one advantage. Porter carried the puck down the left slot, holding the puck until a last minute pass over to Ciraulo who went top shelf for the score. Porter picked up the lone assist on the goal.

With just over eight minutes to play Providence was whistled for a penalty, leaving the teams skating with four players each for thirty seconds when Michigan would move to the power play. With just twenty-five seconds left in the power play the Wolverines would score goal number four when Porter fired a one timer from the left face off circle. Michigan was working the puck around the Friar zone, getting it behind their goal to the goalies right. A quick pass out to the right circle, a touch pass over to Porter at the left circle, followed by a one timer for the score. Langlais and Palushaj each picked up assists on the power play goal.

With just over two minutes to play in the period the Wolverines would score their third goal of the period, fifth of the game. The Friars turned the puck over in the high slot inside their zone. Winnett scooped up the puck, skated to the center edge of the circle, firing off a shot that beat the goalie for the score. This goal was scored as unassisted.

The second period would come to an end with the Wolverines holding a commanding five to nothing lead. The Friars out shot the Wolverines sixteen to eleven in the period to end forty minutes of play with a thirty-two to fourteen advantage in shots on goal.

With just under sixteen minutes on the clock the Wolverines would score their sixth and final goal of the game. Forcing a turnover just inside their own zone, Michigan broke out of their zone with Turnbull carrying the puck into the Friar zone down the right side of the slot. Looking like he was setting up to pass he quickly fired a shot through the five hole to beat the goalie for the score. Naurato picked up the lone assist on the goal.

With just under nine minutes to play it looked like Kolarik scored a seventh goal, but it was waved off with the official saying that Naurato interfered with the goalie (even though it surely looked like he was pushed into the goalie by a Friar defenseman).

The game came to an end with the Wolverines winning by a score of six to nothing. The Friars out shot the Wolverines sixteen to eight to end the game with a forty-eight to twenty-two advantage in shots on goal.

A great way for Michigan to start the second half of the season. They started slow, but they came on strong, finishing with the game under control. Michigan advances to the finals against either Michigan Tech or Michigan State tomorrow night.