Friday, October 31, 2008
Yost Ice Arena, Ann Arbor, Michigan

It was another struggle as the Wolverines struggled through long stretches of this game, but in the end they won where it counted; on the scoreboard. After losing a two goal lead in the second, Michigan would come up with the third periods lone goal to win the game by a four to three score.

With twelve and half minutes to play in the opening period the Buckeyes were whistled for a five minute major penalty to give the Wolverines a nice, long, power play opportunity. Almost a full three minutes into the penalty and still with no score one player from each team was sent to the penalty box, creating more open space on the ice. Finally, with the clock just under the nine minute mark the Wolverines got one past the Buckeye goalie for the games first score. Michigan had gotten off a shot that was blocked, however, the rebound was not covered and Caporusso was able to get the puck into the net for the score. Miller and Hagelin each picked up assists on the power play goal.

The first period would come to an end with the Wolverines holding a slim one to nothing lead. Ohio State held a thirteen to eight advantage in shots on goal after the first twenty minutes of play.

The second period turned into a free for all with the Wolverines scoring their second goal of the game with just over eleven minutes left on the clock. With the puck in the Buckeye zone, Michigan got it over to Naurato who was positioned at the top of the left face off circle. From he fired a quick one timer that was behind the goalie before he knew it was on the way. Caporusso had the lone assist on the goal.

About thirty seconds later, with the clock now under eleven minutes, the Wolverines were whistled for a penalty. About forty five seconds into the penalty, with just over ten minutes still on the clock the Buckeyes had their first goal of the period. Their initial shot was blocked, but Sauer didn't cover the rebound and when he blocked the shot he ended up down on the ice. Before he could get back into a defensive position the Buckeyes had the puck up and over his prone body for the score.

With about nine and a half minutes to play Michigan would regain its two goal lead when Palushaj made a great play to get the puck and come up with a score. the Ohio State goalie had gone behind the net after the puck. Before he knew what was going on Palushaj was back there with him and stealing the puck. The goalie went one way and Palushaj went the other, with Palushaj able to wrap the puck around the goal post and into the net before the goalie could get back in position. The goal was scored as unassisted.

Barely ten seconds later, with the clock still showing over nine minutes to play, the Wolverines were once again in the penalty box. With just over seven minutes to play the Buckeyes once again had the puck in close, getting off a shot that was blocked. In much the same fashion as the first goal, Sauer blocked the initial shot, ending up down on the ice in the process. While still laying on the ice the Buckeyes had the puck in the net seconds after the Wolverine penalty had expired.

With just over two minutes to play and the Wolverines really struggling to keep up, the Buckeyes would score their third goal of the game. This time the shot came from Sauers left and again he blocked it. While he didn't go down on the ice this time, he also didn't cover the rebound, instead deflected it off to his right. Unfortunately a Buckeye player was right there, easily putting the puck through the wide open back door to tie the game at three.

The second period would come to an end with the game all tied at three goals each. The Buckeyes once again out shot the Wolverines, this time sixteen to nine giving them a twenty-nine to seventeen advantage in shots on goal through forty minutes of play.

With roughly six and a half minutes to play the Wolverines would score what would prove to be the game winning goal off an end to end rush. Scooping up the puck in their own zone Michigan quickly moved it through center ice and into the Buckeye zone. They pushed into the zone crashing to the net with numbers. From the right circle Palushaj got off a shot that was redirected right in front of the goal by Miller for the what turned out to be the game winning score. Miller got credit for the goal, while Palushaj and Caporusso each picked up assists.

The game would come to an end with the Wolverines winning by a score of four to three. The Buckeyes out shot the Wolverines eight to seven in the period to end the game with a thirty-seven to twenty-four advantage in shots on goal.

It wasn't very pretty, in fact at times it was down right ugly, but after getting out worked and out played for long stretches of this game, the Wolverines found a way to come away with the much needed win. This seems to be a disturbing trend as they were heavily out worked for the second game in a row, something you rarely see happen for a game, let alone two games in a row. The Wolverines will have to play harder tomorrow night if they want to get the much needed sweep. A sweep would open a small gap between themselves and a couple of other teams that are expected to challenge for the CCHA title this year. Key losses by Northern Michigan and Miami have presented Michigan with an opportunity they need to take advantage of, however, they will have to step their game up a couple of notches if they really want to get the second win of the weekend.