Saturday, November 1, 2008
Yost Ice Arena, Ann Arbor, Michigan

For the first time this year we saw a Michigan hockey team play with the same kind of grit and determination that we as fans saw for most of last year. They won the battles to the puck, they fought for control in the corners, they moved the puck up the ice, they blocked shots, and generally dominated this game on their way to a six to one victory over the visiting Ohio State Buckeyes.

Things got started early in tonights game with the Buckeyes heading to the penalty box barely two and half minutes into the game. The Wolverines kept the pressure up during most of this power play, with that pressure finally paying off with just under sixteen minutes to play when Caporusso got off a shot from the bottom of the right circle that beat the Buckeye goalie, five hole. Lebler and Langlais each picked up assists on the power play goal.

With roughly two and half minutes to play in the period Caporusso and Miller did made some great give and go passes that would lead to Michigan's second score of the game. Caporusso got the puck through center ice and into the Buckeye zone on the right side, with Miller skating in along the left. The Buckeye defense moved toward Caporusso so he dropped the puck over to Miller. Miller quickly sent it back to Caporusso, who just as quickly slid it back to Miller. Miller finished things off with the goal to spot Michigan to a two goal lead. Caporusso and Palushaj each picked up assists on the goal.

The first period would come to an end with the Wolverines holding a two to nothing lead. The Wolverines also held a substantial twelve to four advantage in shots on goal after twenty minutes of play.

With roughly eleven and half minutes to play the Wolverines were whistled for a penalty that would end up leading to a series of goals that would blow this game wide open. Things got going less than twenty seconds into the Buckeye power play. The Buckeyes had the puck behind their own goal where they once again mishandled the puck, much like they did on Friday night. Tonight it was Wohlberg who went in behind the net, stole the puck, and wrapped it around, stuffing it through the five hole for a short handed goal. This goal was scored as unassisted.

With the clock just under ten minutes each team saw a player head to the penalty box, creating some additional open space on the ice. With just over nine minutes to play, just thirty-four seconds into the penalty, the Wolverines would strike for the second time this period. Langlais fought through the Buckeye defense at center ice, kicking and chipping the puck forward to gain the Buckeye zone. As he got near the bottom of the right circle he dropped a pass back to Turnbull in the slot, who waited for his opening before firing the puck into the net for the score. Langlais picked up the lone assist.

With roughly eight and a half minutes to play, still thirty-eight seconds on the original matching penalties handed out with the clock just under ten minutes, the Buckeyes were whistled for another penalty to give Michigan a four on three power play. Once again the Wolverines used some great passing, creating the kind of movement around the zone that eventually creates scoring chances. This was no exception as Palushaj finally saw his chance, blasting the puck home, top shelf for Michigan's third straight goal over a roughly three minute period. Naurato and Pateryn each picked up assists on this power play goal.

At this point the Buckeyes replaced their goalie and called time as much to regroup as to slow down the Michigan attack. The period would come to an end with the Wolverines holding a five to nothing lead. The Buckeyes out shot the Wolverines fourteen to seven in the period, leaving Michigan with a slight nineteen to eighteen advantage in shots on goal through forty minutes of play.

With the clock one tick below fourteen minutes the Buckeyes were sent to the sin bin putting Michigan on the power play. As they had done on several occasions already in this game the Wolverines used great puck movement to create scoring chances while on this power play. Just such an opportunity would present itself to Caporusso with roughly thirteen and half minutes to play and he would bury the puck for Michigan's sixth goal of the game. Lebler and Langlais each picked up assists on this power play goal.

With the clock just under the ten minute mark the Wolverines were whistled for a penalty to put Ohio State on the power play. Barely ten seconds into the power play the Buckeyes would get off a shot from a flat angle shot along the ice, that somehow squeezed between Hogan and the pipe to give the Buckeyes their lone goal of the night.

The game would come to an end with the Michigan winning by a score of six to one. Ohio State out shot the Wolverines eight to six in the period to end the game with a twenty-six to twenty-five advantage in shots on goal.

What a difference a day makes. The previous night, while the Wolverines won the game, they had turned in a fairly lackluster performance on their way to that victory, getting out played for most of the game. Tonight the Wolverines hit the ice flying and never looked back. This was probably the best all around team effort that we have seen so far this year and was a pleasure to see after seeing them struggle through the previous two games.

This next week the Wolverines hit the road, heading up to Alaska for a pair of games against the Nanooks. This might be just what this team needs at this point in time. A chance to get away and focus on the team and hockey for a few days may be just what they need to build on the effort they put forth tonight. For now we can enjoy this sweep for a day or so and then get ready for what could be a tough road trip as the Nanooks seem to play most teams tight on their home ice.