Saturday, January 10, 2009
Yost Arena, Ann Arbor, Michigan

The weather and the related damage to Yost Arena may have delayed the first game in this weekend series, but it certainly did not seem to phase Michigan. The Wolverines scored their first goal twenty-eight seconds into the game. By the time five minutes had ticked off the clock Michigan had scored a total of three goals, had chasing out the starting goalie, and were well on their way to a five to one route of the visiting Redhawks.

Following the opening face off Michigan quickly got the puck deep into the Redhawk zone, going directly to the net. The initial shot, from just outside the crease, was blocked, however, the rebound left the puck on the ice. Summers, who got off the initial shot, picked up his own rebound, lifting the puck up and over the Redhawk goalie for the quick score. Palushaj and Caporusso each picked up assists on the goal just twenty-eight seconds into the game.

With just over seventeen minutes on the clock the Redhawks were whistled for a penalty, putting Michigan on the power play. Once again the Wolverines didn't waste much time, scoring a power play goal just twenty-five seconds into the man advantage. Caporusso had the puck at the right circle until he passed it over to Burlon coming down the other side. Burlon got off a shot that was blocked, but the rebound was redirected back into the goal by a Miami defender giving Michigan their second goal of the night. Burlon got credit for the goal while Caporusso and Palushaj again picked up assists.

With the clock still showing just over fifteen minutes to play in the period the Wolverines scored their third goal of the game. With the puck in the Miami zone Naurato got off a shot from the mid slot. This was blocked, but the puck made its way back to Naurato who got off another shot from pretty much the same location, this one beating the goalie for the score. Burlon and Winnett each picked up assists on the goal. At this time Miami changed goal tenders.

With forty seconds left in the opening period the Wolverines were whistled for a penalty, putting the Redhawks on the power play. With just over seven seconds left in the period Hagelin would find a way to get the puck in the Redhawk net for the short handed goal. Following a face off in the Redhawk zone to the right of the goal tender Rust got off a shot that was blocked. Hagelin was skating toward the goal when the rebound came his way allowing him to quickly chip it past the goal tender for the score. Rust got the lone assist on the short handed goal.

The first period came to an end with the Wolverines holding a solid four to nothing lead. However, the Redhawks held a slim twelve to eleven advantage in shots on goal.

With just over eleven minutes to play in the second period the Wolverines were whistled for a penalty, giving the Redhawks another power play opportunity. In much the same manner that Michigan had been scoring goals the Redhawks got in close, getting off an initial shot that was blocked. The rebound was not covered and the Redhawks were right there to bang it home for the score.

The second period would come to an end with the Wolverines holding the four to one lead. Miami out shot Michigan nine to three in the middle period giving Miami a twenty-one to fourteen advantage in shots on goal through forty minutes of play.

With just over fourteen minutes to play in the final period Michigan would end the game scoring when Lebler got off a shot from the mid slot that beat the goalie for the score. The Wolverines got the puck into the zone, working it to Lebler. Lebler was able to get off a quick wrist shot that beat the goalie for the games final tally. Miller picked up the lone assist on the goal.

The third period would come to an end with Michigan winning by a score of five to one. The Redhawks out shot Michigan five to four in the final period to end the game with a twenty-six to eighteen advantage in shots on goal.

Michigan could not have asked for a better start to their second half conference schedule. Not only did the handily beat one of the conferences top teams, they took the first step in evening out the season series between these two teams. Given the distance between Miami and Michigan in the CCHA standings Wolverine wins this weekend were a top priority. All that remains for this weekend is to put forth that kind of effort in game two so that Michigan might sweep the weekend.