Friday, December 30, 2011
Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan

While the final score shows a total of five goals scored, this was a low scoring game with the first overall goal not scored until the second period was well past the midpoint. The Wolverines, while playing well, didn't play with the lead in this game. They had to come from behind twice, tied the game to force overtime with less than a minute on the clock, then fought there way through just over eight minutes of overtime before knocking in the winning goal sending the Spartans down to defeat, claiming their 15th GLI title, with a three to two overtime victory.

Both teams had a few scoring chances in the opening period, including one penalty to each team during the opening twenty minutes of the game. While there were some close calls, neither team found the back of the net and the first period came to an end with the score all tied at zero. The Spartans held an eleven to seven advantage in shots on goal after the first twenty minutes.

The scoreless tie was finally broken with just over six minutes to play in the second period when the Spartans found the back of the net for the first time. The Spartans brought the puck up the left side of the ice and into the Michigan zone. As the Spartan skater with the puck reached the top of the left faceoff circle he fired off a shot that somehow beat Hunwick for the score, spotting the Spartans to their first lead of the game.

The second period would come to an end with the Spartans holding that slim one to nothing lead. Michigan out shot Michigan State eleven to seven in the second period, leaving each team with eighteen shots on goal through forty minutes of play.

With the clock just under the ten minute mark of the final period the Wolverines would tie the game for the first time, scoring off a rebound. Sustaining pressure in the Spartan zone following the expiration of a Wolverine power play, the Wolverines got in tight, allowing Di Giuseppe to get off a shot from point blank range. This shot was blocked, but the puck was not covered. As the rebound went to the ice DeBlois came through the crease, chipping the puck up and over a prone Spartan netminder for the score. Lynch (Kevin) and Lynch (Travis) each picked up assists on the goal.

The tie wouldn't last long as the Spartans found a way to get the puck past Hunwick for a second time with roughly seven and a half minutes to play in the final period. The Spartans had the puck in the Michigan zone when they got off a shot from the right faceoff circle that again looked to be blocked, but somehow got past Hunwick. With just over seven minutes to play in the game, the Spartans were back in the lead.

With just 2:18 left in the game the Spartans were whistled for a penalty, putting Michigan on the power play late in the contest. Still trailing by a goal and time running down in their man advantage the Wolverines pulled Hunwick with roughly one minute to play, giving them a two man advantage. The Wolverines would finally score their second game tying goal with just fifty seconds left on the clock, setting the game on a path to overtime. Moffatt was able to dig the puck out of the corner sending it through the crease where Lynch (Kevin) tipped it just enough to slip it past the Spartan netminder for the score. Moffatt and Bennett each picked up assists on the Lynch power play goal.

Regulation time would come to an end with the Wolverines and Spartans all tied up with two goals each. The Wolverines out shot the Spartans twenty-four to three in the final period, leaving them with a forty-two to twenty-one advantage in shots on goal through sixty minutes.

With this being a tournament game standard playoff overtime rules were in effect, meaning that the ice would be re-surfaced and the teams would play full twenty minute periods of hockey until a winner was decided. The Wolverines would need 8:16 of the first overtime period to score the game winning goal and claim the GLI title. The Wolverines were closing on the Spartan net, with Moffie and Clare leading the charge. Moffie carried the puck up the left side, drawing the defense to him. With the defense fully pulled to him, including the Spartan netminder, Moffie made a great little pass to Clare on the right, who buried the puck into the wide open net. Moffie and Moffatt each picked up assists on the Clare goal.

With the goal scored the game came to an end with the Wolverines on top by a three to two score. Michigan out shot the Spartans six to four in the overtime period, leaving Michigan with a forty-eight to twenty-five advantage in shots on goal for the game.

What a way for the Wolverines to start off their second half, with two huge wins in the GLI, first over number three Boston College, then in overtime over their biggest rival, the Spartans. These two wins were big for a number of reasons. First, it sets the tone for what will hopefully be a much better second half (or at least a much better month of January than the month of November). Now with these two wins over two ranked teams the Wolverines are out of the gate strong and they are back in the playoff conversation (they might still be on the fringes, but they are back in the conversation). With roughly two months left in the regular season and a brutal stretch of games over the next four or five weeks, the Wolverines should have the confidence they need to make a push for the conference title.

While that title is still a long ways off and probably still not very likely for Michigan (given the size of the hole they have dug themselves into), they should now be in a position where they can push for a top four finish and when it comes down to it, being in the top four of the conference is where you want to be when the first month of March comes along. The Wolverines still have a long way to go, but with these wins it at least looks like they might have a fighting chance to get there.

The second half gets into full swing next weekend when the Wolverines host Lake State for a pair of games. The Lakers are currently in fourth place in the CCHA, four points ahead of eighth place Michigan. A couple of wins next weekend and Michigan can take down one of the teams in front of them in the conference standings. We'll see how things go starting next Friday at Yost Arena when the Wolverines and Lakers face off for the first of two games.