Sunday, December 28, 2008
Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan

The Wolverines basically spotted the Spartans a goal, with the Spartans scoring the games first goal while on a two man advantage power play. After that, however, it was all Wolverines as Michigan rocked the Spartans for a five to one victory, the third straight win over the Spartans in the last month, and fourth straight win over the Spartans going back to last year.

With about nine and half minutes to play the Wolverines were whistled for the first of two penalties that would set the Spartans up with that two man advantage power play. With just over eight minutes on the clock and thirty-three seconds remaining in the initial penalty, Michigan was whistled for penalty number two. With just one second left in the two man advantage, the Spartans would score a goal to take the lead. The Spartans got off a shot from the left circle, that was blocked, but it rolled up and over Hogan, dropping to the ice in the crease behind him. A Spartan player was right there at the edge of the net for the easy tap in goal.

With just under four minutes to play in the opening period the Wolverines would score the first of their five goals when Turnbull slid a nifty back hand shot past Lerg and into the net. The goal was set up by a great play at the blue line to keep the puck in the Spartan zone. Then some more great work along the boards to get the puck and eventually pass it into the slot to Turnbull. Turnbull would weave around a couple of defenders before finally depositing the puck in the net to tie the game. Glendening and Summers each picked up assists on the goal.

The first period came to an end with the score all tied at one goal each. The Wolverines out shot the Spartans eighteen to fifteen in period one.

With the clock just under the eighteen minute mark the Wolverines would take the lead for good on a chip in goal by Winnett. Michigan broke up the ice with three skaters spread out across the ice, one to the right, one down the slot, and one to the left. All while pushing down the ice toward the Spartan goal, Michigan would pass the puck from the left, into the slot, the to the right, where Winnett only had to lift the puck up and over Lerg's leg to finish off the rush. Assists went to Naurato and Turnbull.

With just over seven minutes to play in the middle period the Spartans were whistled for a penalty to put Michigan on the power play. With just over five minutes to play and the power play winding down, the Wolverines would strike for goal number three. Summers made a great pass from the left circle to the right circle and from there Naurato fired off a one timer that beat Naurato for the score. Summers and Kampfer each picked up assists on the power play goal.

With roughly two and half minutes to play Michigan would get goal number four when Miller chipped the puck in while falling to the ice. Once again things got started with a pass from Summers, this time to Miller. Miller went to fire off a one timer, but missed the puck, however, he was able to keep control of the puck for Michigan, making a move around a Spartan defender to get into the low slot. From there he fired the puck under Lerg's arm, getting it past him for the score. Summers and Czarnik each picked up assists on the goal.

The second period would come to an end with the Wolverines leading by a score of four to one. Michigan out shot the Spartans twenty to three in the period to finish forty minutes of play with a thirty-eight to eighteen advantage in shots on goal.

The third period started with both teams skating four on four for thirty-nine seconds, followed by a Michigan power play, 1:15 in length. With the clock just under the nineteen minute mark Michigan would score their fifth and final goal of the game, second while on the power play. Michigan got the puck to Caporusso as he skated through center ice. As he reached the Spartan zone he put on a burst of speed that got him past the defender, while sending him crashing to the goal. As he closed on the goal Lerg tried to poke check the puck, but missed, allowing Caporusso to lift a back hand shot up and over Lerg for the score. Czarnik and Langlais each picked up assists on this power play goal.

The game would come to an end with the Wolverines winning by a score of five to one. Michigan out shot the Spartans sixteen to two in the final period, to end the game with a fifty-four to twenty advantage in shots on goal.

A great way to get back to the ice as the Wolverines win their second straight GLI championship, thirteenth over all, with two dominating victories over Michigan Tech and Michigan State. North Dakota, the fourth team in the tournament, and the one you would have thought would be the best bet to win the tournament after Michigan, was beaten twice by the Spartans and Huskies respectively, leaving the Sioux with some questions going into the second half of the season.

Michigan will be off again this weekend, resuming CCHA play the second week of January when they begin a long, grueling second half schedule. They open January with a pair of must win games against Miami at Yost Arena. They follow that weekend with a pair against Bowling Green, then the final two regular season games against Michigan State, and we finish off the month with a pair of games against Notre Dame. If Michigan wants to make a run at the CCHA championship they almost have to win every game in the month of January. They games against Miami and Notre Dame are especially important because both of them have significant point leads over Michigan at this time. Michigan has games in hand against both, but they still have big leads over the Wolverines. After that you don't want to lose points to teams that you should beat and that includes the Spartans this year who are struggling mightily to find themselves. While the second half schedule is going to be tough, over two thirds of the games will be played at Yost, including many of the biggest games left on the schedule. That should give Michigan some a little boost as they try to close the gap on the conference leaders.