Saturday, February 14, 2009
Yost Ice Arena, Ann Arbor, Michigan

A rash of penalties, including a five minute major, in the opening period of this game saw the Wolverines fall behind, trailing by two going into the first intermission. Half way through the game things hadn't changed, but Michigan kept playing, eventually scoring two goals in the second, before scoring the game winning goal late in the third period. An empty net goal led to the final four to two score.

With just under fourteen minutes to play in the opening period the Wolverines were whistled for a five minute major penalty. With just over twelve minutes to play, still just over three minutes in the major penalty, Michigan was whistled for another penalty giving the Mavericks a full two minutes of two man advantage. With just over ten minutes to play, just four seconds left in the minor penalty, the Mavericks got a shot past Sauer for the score. The puck was down in close to the goal bouncing around on the ice. Sauer blocked a couple of shots, but eventually the Mavericks were able to get one past him for the power play goal.

With the clock now under ten minutes, just forty-two seconds left on the five minute major penalty the Mavericks would strike for the second power play goal. They got a floater of a shot off that was going right down the slot. Sauer got his glove up and hit the puck, however, it glanced off the top of his glove, dropping behind him into the goal.

The first period would come to an end with the Mavericks holding a two to nothing lead. Nebraska also held a sixteen to thirteen advantage in shots goal at the end of twenty minutes of play.

With roughly six and half minutes left in the second period the Mavericks were whistled for a penalty putting Michigan on the power play. With just under five minutes to play Michigan would finally find the back of the net with a nice setup pass and goal. The Wolverines had the puck in the Maverick zone around the right circle, when the passed left and low. This pulled the goalie to his left and a quick pass back to the right provided an easy tap in goal through the wide open back door. Turnbull got credit for the power play goal, while Caporusso and Wohlberg each picked up assists.

With just over three minutes to play the Wolverines once again moved into the Nebraska zone, this time with a three to two man advantage. They were skating the puck right down the slot, sending a pass to the left of the goal as they got between the circles. From there the Wolverines got off a shot that was blocked, but the rebound went right back up the slot. Lebler was still positioned there, taking the easy shot into the wide open net to tie the game. Turnbull and Czarnik each picked up assists on the goal.

The second period ended with the score all tied at two goals each. Michigan out shot the Mavericks eighteen to four in the period to hold a thirty-one to twenty advantage in shots on goal through forty minutes of play.

It was getting late into the game and the score was still tied, but that all changed with just four and half minutes to play when the Wolverines would score what proved to be the game winning goal. Caporusso carried the puck into the zone with Glendening right with him. As the defense moved to him Caporusso passed the puck to Glendening who continued on to the goal. Showing great patience Glendening waited until he had the shot he was looking for then fired off a one timer that beat the goalie for the score. Caporusso had the lone assist.

With 1:33 left in the game and a face off coming to the left of the Michigan goal the Mavericks called time out. When they returned to the ice the goalie stayed on the bench giving them the extra attacker. With just thirty-four seconds left to play Michigan had the puck in the Maverick zone and Glendening was able to put it into the empty net for the insurance goal. Caporusso and Wohlberg each picked up assists on the goal.

The game would come to an end with the Wolverines winning by a score of four to two. Nebraska out shot Michigan ten to nine in the period, however, Michigan ended the game with a forty to thirty advantage in shots on goal.

The early penalties and extended Maverick power play time really kept the Wolverines on their heals in the first period and while they weren't in the box as much the Mavericks managed to hold the Wolverines at bay for the majority of the second period before Michigan was finally able to get some points on the board. The game was chippy right from the start and it was looking like Sauer was once again going to be undone by getting no real support from the rest of the team. Finally they started putting the puck in the net, improving their defense along the way. This game perhaps didn't go a smoothly as the Wolverines would have hoped, but in the end they won and right now that is what counts.