Michigan Wolverines Hockey

[Rob F]

We've had about 20 hours to digest what happened last night in the CCHA, and it all boils down to this for Michigan's Icer--gotta get a "W" tonight!

For whatever reason, we laid an egg last night at cellar-dweller Bowling Green, very uncharacteristic of a Michigan team that has been consistantly good to great for the last 2 1/2 weeks or so. We struck very early for a goal, only to give an equalizer up just 6 seconds later. We had a lead in the 3rd, only to let it slip away when BG got thru the D and Hunswick for two late goals. Final score, BG 4, M 3, BG (lowest-scoring team in the CCHA) scoring 4 when we have seldom given up as many as 3 since early December.

If I were to look for a silver lining, maybe this will serve as a wake-up call, that Hockey can be a fickle game decided by a bad bounce or two, decided by a hot goalie, or decided by other factors that aren't anticipated when you play a supposedly far inferior team---if you can lose to a team like BG, then what about playoff time (both CCHA and NCAA) when you won't have any so-called easy games?

That said, I expect a much better game by Michigan tonight, it's just an hour away, so we'll soon find out (while also watching M Hoops).

[Rob F]

WMU, who beat Ferris in a shootout last night to pull into a 2nd-place tie with Michigan, just lost at Ferris 4-1. All Michigan needs to do is win or tie to finish 2nd----BUT I STILL WANT A WIN TO REGAIN MOMENTUM!

0-0 with 6 minutes gone in the first period...

(edit: CCHA website had me and the Michigan radio team both fooled---WMU leads Ferris 1-0 in the first period)

[Rob F]

still 0-0 with 4 to go in the 1st

[Rob F]

scoreless, 2nd period soon to begin.

[Rob F]

wow..still scoreless midway thru the 2nd, BG going on their 7th PP opportunity of the game, Hunswick has apparently been sharp, but not our offense.

[Rob F]

FINALLY! A GOAL!! 3rd period, 5 minutes in, Wohlberg SCOOOORES!

1-0 Maize and Blue

[Rob F]

Guptill got an assist on that one.

MEEEECHIGAN SCORES AGAIN!!

Now 2-0!

[Rob F]

Kevin Lynch got that important 2nd goal at the 8:12 mark of the 3rd, an assist by Luke Moffatt, BIG GOAL to take some pressure off Hunswick, who has been very sharp tonight

[Rob F]

Just have to hold this lead for another 9 minutes and win, as all 3 teams still chasing us lead: WMU leads Ferris 2-0 midway thru the 3rd, Miami killing ohio 5-1 also in the 3rd, and spartie leading ND 3-2 after 2.

From what I understand, if both U of M and WMU win and stay tied in points, we get the tie-breaker over the Broncos for the 2nd seed in the CCHA tourney.

[Rob F]

now under 4 minutes left, still 2-0, Michigan has now killed off 9 power play chances for BG

[Rob F]

so far, we've outshot BG 48-22. Their goalie, even if they lose, has played a helluva game. BG already going to empty net with 3 minutes left...

GOAL!!!! 3-0!!

[Rob F]

that one with 2:09 left, by Mac Bennett

[Rob F]

It's Over, 3-0 final. Playoffs up next!

[*JD*]

Good to know. This was the first time I've checked this thread in a good while.

[Mike]

I was afraid that loss to BGSU would kill us in the Pairwise but it didn't. Michigan slips from #2 to #3. #1 Duluth, #2 BC, and #4 Ferris would round out the regional #1 seeds if the season ended right now.