Saturday, November 15, 2008
Lawson Arena, Kalamazoo, Michigan

For two of the three CCHA weekends that Michigan has played over the last month the Wolverines have lost Friday night and won Saturday night, splitting the weekends with some of the conferences worst teams. This weekend proved to be the same as the Wolverines struggled to score on Friday only to turn around and record their first shut of the year with a five to nothing victory over the Bronco's.

Michigan scored their first goal of the game just fourteen seconds into the contest as they moved the puck quickly into the Bronco zone from the opening face off. Michigan dumped the puck toward the net from the blue line and the Bronco goalie easily pushed it off to the left boards. From there Michigan quickly passed it back in front of the net where Wohlberg was positioned. After missing on his first chip shot he used a back hand to punch the puck past the goalie for the score. Assists went to Turnbull and Llewellyn.

With just over thirteen minutes to play Michigan would strike for the second time in the opening period to extend their lead to two goals. Caporusso carried the puck into the zone and tried to get a shot off from the right circle. He pretty much fanned on the shot, but regained control of the puck and circled back out toward the blue line. As he neared the top of the circle he passed into the slot to Miller who was crashing toward the net. Miller continued in and got the puck past the goalie for the score. Caporusso and Burlon each picked up assists on the goal.

The first period would come to an end with the Wolverines holding a two to nothing lead. Michigan also held an eleven to five advantage in shots on goal.

Neither team was able to score in the second period as things got a little chippy and defense ruled the period. After forty minutes of play the score remained Michigan two, Western Michigan nothing. The Bronco's out shot Michigan five to four in the period, leaving Michigan with a fifteen to ten advantage in shots on goal through forty minutes.

Michigan once again struck early in the third period, scoring the first of three Caporusso third period goals to take a three to nothing lead with just over nineteen minutes still on the clock. The Bronco's were whistled for a penalty right at the twenty minute mark of the second period to give Michigan a full power play to start the third period. Already a man down a delay penalty was going to be called as soon as they got control of the puck allowing Michigan to get a sixth attacker into the fray. With the puck in the Bronco zone they quickly moved it from right to left, getting it to Caporusso who was positioned at the left face off circle. As he got the puck he ripped a one timer that beat the goalie for the power play goal. Langlais and Palushaj each picked up assists.

Much like the first period, the next Wolverine goal would come with just over thirteen minutes to play in this, the final period of regulation play. Michigan had the puck in the Bronco zone, where Palushaj got off a shot from the left of the goal. His shot was blocked, but the puck came right back to him and he circled out to the right. As he turned back toward the middle of the ice he saw Caporusso coming down the slot. Palushaj quickly passed the puck into the slot to Caporusso, who just as quickly wristed the puck past the goalie for his second of the period, the teams fourth. Palushaj and Miller each picked up assists on this goal.

With the clock showing just fifty-six seconds left to play Caporusso would notch his first career hat trick. Michigan again moved the puck into the zone, getting off a shot that was blocked. Fighting for the puck behind the net the Wolverines gained control, flipping it back out front to Caporusso who was once again left alone in the slot. Caporusso quickly fired off a shot that beat the goal tender to put the cap on his hat trick and the scoring for Michigan. Palushaj and Burlon each picked up assists on this final goal of the game.

The game would come to an end with the Wolverines winning by a score of five to nothing. Shots in the period were tied a ten apiece, leaving Michigan with a twenty-five to twenty advantage in shots on goal for the game.

While getting the win tonight was great for the Wolverines, these weekend splits in the conference, especially to the conferences bottom teams, is going to cost the Wolverines if they don't get things turned around. The next three weekends will go a long way in determining where this team is going to go. They start next week with a road trip to Miami to take on the conferences leading team. Then comes the College Hockey Showcase with two games against the WCHA, and the first half ends with two games against Michigan State. Michigan can put themselves in great position for a second half run or they can put themselves in a hole, making the second half a pressure filled grind. Time will tell if the Wolverines can put their Friday problems behind them or if they will struggle into the mid-season break.