Friday, November 28, 2008
Mariucci Arena, Minneapolis, Minnesota

For the first time this year Michigan looked like they belonged on the same ice with a top ten team as they dominated Minnesota on their way to a six to three victory in the opening game of this years College Hockey Showcase.

Michigan would strike first in this game just as the clock moved under the fifteen minute mark. A great pass through the slot found Naurato crashing to the net hard. The back door was open as Naurato got to the net, leading to an easy tap in goal. Winnett and Langlais each picked up assists on the goal.

With the clock just under the eleven minute mark the Wolverines would strike for the second time in this period. The Gophers turned the puck over right in front of their own net and Hagelin was right their to scoop up the puck and bang it home before the goalie could react. Turnbull picked up the lone assist on the goal.

The first period would come to an end with the Wolverines leading by a score of two to nothing. Michigan out shot the Gophers nine to eight in the period.

Michigan got things rolling early in the second period when they scored their third goal of the game just over two minutes into the second stanza. Wohlberg cut in front of the net, getting off a backhand shot that beat the goalie for the score. Assists went to Fardig and Summers.

With the clock just one tick below the sixteen minute mark Michigan would strike for the second time in the period to take a four to nothing lead. A pass from behind the net to left wing boards got things started. From there a quick pass out front of the net where Hagelin was waiting. The puck no sooner reached Hagelin than he fired it high over the glove for the score. Turnbull and Czarnik each picked up assists on this goal.

With just under eleven minutes to play the Wolverines were whistled for a penalty putting Minnesota on the power play. With just over ten minutes to play the Wolverines were whistled for a second penalty to give the Gophers roughly forty-five seconds of a two man advantage. Minnesota used quick passes around the zone, with each series collapsing Michigan's defensive box toward the goal, until they finally got off a shot that beat Hogan for the score.

With just over a minute to play Michigan regained its four goal lead when they got the puck out front of the net to Wohlberg. Wasting no time Wohlberg got off a shot that beat the goalie for this second of the night. Lebler and Fardig each picked up assists on the goal.

Just when it looked like Michigan would take their four goal lead into the locker room the Gophers found pay dirt one last time with just fifteen seconds left on the clock. The Gophers had gotten off a shot that was blocked, but the rebound was not covered, allowing a Gopher player to get to the puck and punch it back home before a Michigan player could react.

The second period came to an end with the Wolverines leading by a score of five to two. The Wolverines out shot the Gophers nineteen to nine in the second period to hold a twenty-eight to seventeen advantage in shots on goal through forty minutes of play.

With just over sixteen minutes to play the Gophers cut the Wolverine lead to two goals when they scored their third goal of the game. Minnesota had the puck in the Michigan zone and got off one of those strange shots that seems to bounce off everything in sight like a pin ball. Unfortunately as it got near the front of the net it was tipped just enough to get it past Hogan for the score.

With just over nine minutes to play Michigan would score the games final goal, sending the Gopher fans streaming for the exits. Miller gathered up the puck at center ice and headed for the Gopher zone, carrying it into the zone. Showing some patience Miller waited for Caporusso to catch up, made a perfect pass, and Caporusso buried the puck for the score. Both Miller and Palushaj picked up assists on the goal.

The game came to an end with the Wolverines winning by a score of six to three. The Wolverines out shot the Gophers fourteen to eight in the final period to end the game with a forty-two to twenty-five advantage in shots on goal.

Now that's the kind of effort and game we've all been waiting for through the ups and downs that have been the first half of this season. While it was great to see them finally show up against a top ten team, the number one team in the country no less, it will still be much better if we see them play another solid game tomorrow night and finish a complete weekend of hockey.