Saturday, February 21, 2009
Value City Arena, Columbus, Ohio

The Wolverines got out to a two goal lead, then gave up two in the second and a third late in the final period to drop a crucial game to the Buckeyes three to two.

It took a little longer tonight, but the Wolverines notched the games first goal, scoring with just under seventeen minutes to play in the first period. Gaining control of the puck in the Ohio State zone, Michigan went end to end as Czarnik put on a burst of speed, getting cleanly past the defense, burying the puck as he crossed in front of the net. Czarnik got the goal, while Langlais and Kampfer each picked up an assist.

The first period came to an end with the Wolverines holding the slim one to nothing lead. Ohio State out shot Michigan eight to seven in the period.

With the clock showing just under eighteen minutes the Wolverines would strike for the second and final time in this game. Michigan had the puck in the Buckeye zone, moving quickly with it toward the slot, between the circles. They got off a shot that was blocked, however, the rebound came right back up the slot to Miller who slammed it home for the score. Vaughn and Langlais each picked up assists.

With just over ten minutes to play Michigan gave up their first goal of the weekend allowing the Buckeyes within one. The Wolverines got a little lazy with a clearing pass, turning it over inside their zone. The Buckeyes, in control of the puck and most Wolverines out of position, walked right in on the goal and buried it for the score.

With just under seven minutes to play the Buckeyes would score their second goal of the period when a rebound was left laying on the ice in the crease. The Buckeyes got off a shot that Hogan stopped, but he didn't cover the rebound and it lay on the ice in the crease right by the goal line. Hogan finally saw the puck, lunged for it and nudged it a little bit with his glove, but an Ohio State player got there and chipped it into the goal for the score.

Just thirteen seconds later, right from the face off following the Ohio State goal, Michigan took the puck, drove in to the Buckeye zone, putting the puck behind the goalie off a rebound. The goal was waved off and reviewed, eventually being denied apparently with the officials saying it went in off a skate, which TV replays clearly showed it did not. This would turn out to be a costly ruling.

The second period ended with the score all tied up at two goals each. Michigan out shot the Buckeyes fourteen to twelve in the period to hold a slim twenty-one to twenty advantage in shots on goal through forty minutes of play.

Michigan really turned up the pressure in the third period getting several scoring chances, all of which they failed to connect on. With just over four minutes left in regulation the Buckeyes would score the game winner. Once again it was a shot that was stopped by Hogan, but not covered, squeezing through his pads and slowly sliding through the crease. The Buckeyes got to it, chipping it in for the score.

Michigan pulled Hogan with about one minute to play, but they could not score with the extra attacker. The game would come to an end with the Buckeyes winning by a score of three to two. The Wolverines out shot the Buckeyes sixteen to five in the final period to end the game with a thirty-seven to twenty-five advantage in shots on goal.

This was a very costly loss for the Wolverines as it dropped them back into third place in the CCHA after getting the help they needed to move into second on Friday night. While Michigan certainly could have and maybe should have buried some of those chances they had the CCHA officiating and their ridiculously bad review process have done the Wolverines no favors this season, especially in the second half. This makes the second key game where good goals were waved off after review, this one not just ending up in a loss, but costing the Wolverines position within the conference. Something has to be done to either fix the replay system or they may as well get rid of it because it is clearly flawed.

The Wolverines have just two games remaining, a home and home series with Ferris next weekend that Michigan simply must win. They can afford no more losses. Saturday night will be Senior night and that could be the night that Mitera returns to the line up if he can return at all. That is also the night when fans will have a chance to purchase a photo signed by both Red Berenson and Gordy Howe.