Saturday, December 27, 2008
Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan

Michigan rode an over powering four goal first period to an eventual five to nothing victory over the Michigan Tech Huskies. Taking advantage of a young goal tender and taking full advantage of opportunities as they presented themselves allowed Michigan to gain that early lead, a lead from which they never looked back.

With the clock showing just under seventeen minutes to play in the opening period the Wolverines would strike for the first time. Picking up where he left off, Wohlberg was behind the Husky net, fighting for the puck. He gained control, quickly flipping it out front to Caporusso, who was positioned at the top of the crease. Caporusso quickly tapped the puck into the net before the goalie could get into position and Michigan was up by one. Wohlberg got the lone assist.

Twenty-four seconds later it would once again be Wohlberg setting the stage for Michigan goal number two. This time Wohlberg stole the puck out of the right corner, getting it to Langlais at the left point. Langlais got off a shot, but the rebound was not covered and the ever present Caporusso was right there to ship the rebound into the net for the score. Langlais and Wohlberg each picked up assists on the score.

With just under eight minutes to play Caporusso would complete his hat trick, ending a set of events that left the net wide open for the shot. Wohlberg was down around the net when he made a quick pass to Caporusso at the left circle. Immediately following the pass he was tripped by a Huskie player, knocking him into the goalie and eventually taking him to the ice. About the time this is happening the puck is getting to Caporusso at the circle. Because Wohlberg was knocked into the goalie play continued and Caporusso made the easy shot into open top half of the net. Wohlberg and Lebler each picked up assists.

With the clock just under six minutes to go in the opening period Michigan got control of the puck along the boards. A quick pass over to the left circle got the puck to Ciraulo who fired off a shot as the puck got to him, beating the goalie low for the score. Glendening and Fardig each picked up assists on the goal.

The first period would come to an end with the Wolverines holding a four to nothing lead. The Wolverines held a nine to seven advantage in shots on goal.

The second period would see neither team scoring, leaving the score at four to nothing after forty minutes of play. Michigan out shot the Huskies ten to one in the period to take a nineteen to eight advantage in shots on goal through two periods.

With right around ten minutes to play in the final period Burlon got off a slap shot from the right point that beat the goalie for the Wolverines fifth and final goal of the game. Glendening and Fardig each picked up assists on the goal.

The game would come to an end with the Wolverines earning the five to nothing victory. Michigan out shot the Huskies ten to seven in the period to end the game with a twenty-nine to fifteen advantage in shots on goal.

It didn't take long for Michigan to knock off the rust of the long lay off as they scored early and often in this game. It looks like, at least for the time being, that Michigan will go with Hogan in goal. The Spartans pulled off a victory over North Dakota in the days other semi-final so the Wolverines and Spartans will battle for the GLI Championship tomorrow night at 6:35pm.