Friday, March 20, 2009
Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan

In a game that was dominated by goal tending and defense the Wolverines squeaked out a three to one victory over the Nanooks to advance to the CCHA finals for the second straight year and a chance to defend their CCHA tournament title against the very same Notre Dame team they defeated last year to claim the Mason Cup.

With roughly four and a half minutes left in the opening period the Nanooks where hit with a five minute major penalty for hitting from behind when one of their players pounded Palushaj into the boards. With just over three minutes yet to play in the period the Wolverines would score on a beautiful back door play, scoring the games first goal. Miller received the puck at the bottom of the left circle, holding it there momentarily until the Alaska defense and goalie all turned to him. He then sent a quick pass through the crease to Langlais who had been left all alone to the right of the goal. Langlais wasted no time putting the puck in the net, scoring the power play goal that gave Michigan the lead. Both Miller and Caporusso picked up assists on the marker.

The first period would come to an end with the Wolverines holding on to that one to nothing lead. The Wolverines out shot the Nanooks nine to six in the period.

With about seven and half minutes to play in the middle period the Wolverines were whistled for a penalty that would lead to the Nanooks one and only goal of the game. Almost exactly one minute later the Nanooks sent a shot from the point toward the net that Hogan was in position to stop, but as the puck passed through the circle it was redirected by another Nanook, going through Mitera's legs and into the far side of the goal for the score.

With just over four minutes to play the Wolverines used their speed to set up another great play to retake the lead, this time for good. Kampfer carried the puck into the Nanook zone, going wide down the left side of the ice. This again drew the attention of the defense and goalie. As he neared the goal line he sent a pass through the crease to Caporusso who was crashing to the net on the right side. Caporusso one timed it just as the puck hit is stick, putting the puck in the net before the goalie could recover. Kampfer and Palushaj each picked up assists on the goal.

The second period would end with the Wolverines holding a two to one lead. Michigan out shot the Nanooks twelve to eleven in the period to hold a slim twenty-one to seventeen advantage in shots on goal through forty minutes of play.

As the game neared the closing minutes the Nanooks were whistled for a penalty with just 2:22 left on the clock. With 2:12 to go and a face off coming in the Michigan zone the Nanooks rolled the dice and pulled their goalie. Michigan won the face off, getting the puck to Caporusso along the right side boards. He chipped the puck over a couple of sticks, taking off along the boards with the puck. Palushaj was right with him coming down center ice. As Caporusso neared the Nanook blue line a defender started to close at which time he slipped the puck over to Palushaj who continued straight down the slot uncontested, guiding the puck into the net to seal the win for Michigan. Both Caporusso and Miller each picked up assists on the Palushaj empty net goal.

The game would come to an end with the Wolverines winning by a score of three to one. Michigan out shot the Nanooks eleven to nine to end the game with a thirty-two to twenty-six advantage in shots on goal.

Tonights game was a defensive struggle and that was to be expected when you play a team with perhaps the countries best goalie and a stifling defense in front of him that barely allowed a goal and half a game on the year. It was all the more painful knowing this when Kampfer missed on a scoring chance in the opening minutes of the game. The chances would be few and far between and taking advantage of the chances you got was going to be a key to this game. In the end it didn't cost them in the end, but playing with a one goal lead for most of the game sure made that missed opportunity loom large for the duration of the game. In the end Michigan's offense was just a little to good even for a solid defensive team like the Nanooks. This was a good warm up for tomorrow nights game against Notre Dame. If anything they might be just a bit better on defense than the Nanooks. Expect another close contest in the conference final game tomorrow night.