Friday, February 20, 2009
Value City Arena, Columbus, Ohio

Michigan pretty much dominated the Buckeyes in this game, scoring the games first goal early in the contest, setting the tone for the rest of the game. While they carried the play through most of the game, a series of penalties in the final period and a clear letdown in energy in the final minute by the defense in front of the net while the Wolverines were on the power play led to a short handed goal that spoiled what should have been a shut out for Hogan. The final score was four to one.

Michigan got on the board first just over one minute into the game when Wohlberg found a rebound and buried it for the score. Miller got the puck below the right side circle. He fed it to Caporusso at the right of the goal who got off a shot. The shot was blocked, but the rebound went left right to Wohlberg who wasted no time putting it in the back of the net. Caporusso and Miller each picked up assists.

With the clock just under eight minutes the Wolverines would strike for the second time in the period. Once again the initial shot came from the right, this time from the top of the right circle. The puck is deflected to the left and goes in off an Ohio State players skate for the score. Langlais got credit for the goal, while Caporusso and Turnbull each picked up an assist.

The first period came to an end with the Wolverines holding a two to nothing lead. The Wolverines ended the period with a nine to seven advantage in shots on goal.

With the clock just over ten minutes the Buckeyes were sent to the sin bin putting Michigan on the power play. With just over nine minutes to play the Wolverines would strike for goal number three. Langlais got the puck along the boards on the left side, skating toward the slot. As he got between the circles he fired off a blast of a shot that squirted through the five hole for the goal. Langlais with the goal while Kampfer and Winnett each picked up assists.

With just over five minutes to play in the second period the Wolverines would score their fourth goal of the game, this time off a great bit of work, passing, and a one timer by Miller. Michigan dug the puck out of the corner, passing it to Miller who was in the slot between the circles. Miller quickly passed it down to the goal line to Caporusso who sent it right back to Miller. Miller got off the one timer that beat the net minder for the score. Miller with the goal, Caporusso and Wohlberg with the assists.

The second period would come to an end with the Wolverines holding a four to nothing lead. The Wolverines out shot the Buckeyes fourteen to nine in the period to hold a twenty-three to sixteen advantage in shots on goal through forty minutes of play.

With just 1:46 left to play the Buckeyes were whistled for a penalty to put Michigan on the power play for the remainder of the game, unless they scored. Michigan got a little lazy and careless with the puck, turning it over in their own zone. With just thirty seconds left to play the Buckeyes got off an uncontested shot right down the slot that beat Hogan to spoil the shut out.

The game would come to an end with the Wolverines winning by a four to one score. The Buckeyes out shot the Wolverines five to three in the period, leaving the Wolverines with a twenty-six to twenty-one advantage in shots on goal at the end of sixty minutes of play.

Other than the last minute of play the Wolverines controlled this game from beginning to end. Every time the Buckeyes looked like they would get something going the Wolverines would force a turnover or Hogan would come up with a stop, all of which kept the Buckeyes from gaining any momentum in the contest. The first game of the weekend is always an important one to win, especially so when playing on the road. The Wolverines go for their third straight sweep tomorrow night when they play the second game of this weekend series.