Friday, March 13, 2009
Yost Ice Arena, Ann Arbor, Michigan

While the Wolverines controlled play for most of this game a stretch of time during the second period when the Wolverines seemed to collectively back off on the aggressive play allowed the Bronco's to get back into the game, getting to and staying within one goal for a little over a period of play. Michigan finally broke the game open late in the third to cruise to a five to two victory.

With the clock showing just over seventeen minutes to play in the first period the Wolverines drew first blood in this game, scoring the games first goal off a rebound. The initial shot came from the right circle, with the rebound coming out into the slot and slightly left. About the same time Winnett came cruising through the slot and knocked the puck into the net for the score. Naurato and Fardig each picked up assists on the goal.

With the clock just under the fifteen minute mark the Bronco's were whistled for a penalty putting Michigan on the power play. Barely thirty seconds into the man advantage, with just over fourteen minutes left to play, the Bronco's were whistled for a second penalty giving Michigan an extended two man advantage. With the clock just under the thirteen minute mark, just one second left in the original penalty, the Wolverines would strike for a power play goal. The shot was a one timer from the right circle that squeezed into the wide side of the net to put Michigan up by two. Langlais got credit for the goal while Palushaj and Caporusso each picked up assists.

With just over one minute to play in the period Michigan was whistled for a penalty to give the Bronco's a man advantage, but it would be the Wolverines taking advantage, short handed style. Rust forced a turnover in the Michigan zone, poking the puck past a Bronco defender, carrying the puck into the Bronco zone down the right side. As he closed on the goal the defense and goalie drew toward him, then Rust slid a pass over to Hagelin on the left. Hagelin got off a shot that was initially blocked, with the rebound being punched back toward and into the net with just one second left to play in the period. Hagelin got credit for the short handed goal and Rust got the lone assist.

The first period came to an end with the Wolverines holding a three to nothing lead. The Wolverines out shot the Bronco's nineteen to six in the period.

The Wolverines continued to control play in the second period, but they were a little less aggressive with their passing, their defense, and the overall pace of the game. That slight let down would eventually prove costly. With just under eight minutes to play in the period the Bronco's would strike for the first of their two second period goals. With Michigan playing much loser defensively in their zone the Bronco's got the puck in tight to the Michigan goal. A Bronco player was finally able to get his stick on the puck, flicking it past Hogan for a goal from just outside the crease.

With about three and half minutes to play in the period the Wolverines were whistled for a penalty putting the Bronco's on the power play. With just three seconds left in the man advantage the Bronco's would strike for the second time to cut the Michigan lead to one. The Wolverines had a chance to break into the Bronco zone all alone with the puck, but it was at the end of a shift and they just slid the puck into the Bronco zone, heading to the bench for a change. The Bronco's, however, quickly scooped up the puck and headed straight back into the Michigan zone. With the Michigan defense caught a little off guard, putting up just a token resistance, the Bronco's walked in, firing the puck past Hogan for a power play goal.

The second period would come to an end with the Wolverines clinging to a much slimmer three to two lead. Michigan out shot the Bronco's eleven to five to hold a thirty to eleven advantage in shots on goal through forty minutes of play.

Michigan cranked the tempo back up in the third period, really controlling play in the final period right from the opening face off. The didn't strike pay dirt until the clock showed just over three minutes to play when they would score a goal that was originally waved off, only being counted after a review. Palushaj got to the puck in the right circle, getting off a shot as he spun back toward the goal. The puck was redirected in front past the goalie for the score. Rust got credit for the goal, while Palushaj and Hagelin each picked up assists.

The Bronco's pulled their goalie with roughly two minutes left to play in the game, trying to get back into the game. Michigan had several chances to get the puck into the empty net, missing on all of them until Hagelin finally escorted the puck down the ice, sliding it into the empty net for insurance goal with just over one minute to play. Hagelin with the goal, Langlais and Palushaj with the assists.

The third period would come to an end with Michigan winning the game by a score of five to two. Michigan out shot the Bronco's eighteen to seven in the final period to end the game with a forty-eight to eighteen advantage in shots on goal.

A great win for Michigan to get back into play after sitting out a week because of their first round bye in the CCHA playoffs. They didn't show much rust in the opening period as they relentlessly pressured the Bronco goal, eventually scoring those three goals. They slowed a bit in the second period and that cost them, but they came back strong in the third to really put their stamp on this game, setting the tone for the rest of the weekend. If Michigan can keep playing like this, especially if they add a little more urgency to the second period this playoff series should be over Saturday night.