U-M CLINCHES SECOND PLACE WITH 4-4 TIE AGAINST BUCKEYES
March 7, 2003

The classic in Columbus. That's how fans will remember this contest.

Michigan took an early 2-0 lead against Ohio State, but the Buckeyes
stormed back with four goals.

The fourth goal came by Ryan Kesslar early in the third period as he
bounced the puck off U-M goalie Al Montoya's back and into the net.

Down 4-2, if there's one thing about this Michigan hockey team, it's
that they don't know the meaning of the word quit.

Eric Nystrom would cut the lead to 4-3 with his second goal of the
contest.

With 1:06 remaining and a faceoff in the Ohio State zone, the
Wolverines pulled Montoya from net for the extra attacker.

After ringing one off the post with half a minute to play, defenseman
Brandon Rogers beat Buckeye goaltender Mike Betz with ONE SECOND left
in regulation to send the game into overtime.

Neither team scored in the extra session as the game ends in a 4-4
tie.

With the tie Michigan secures second place in the CCHA and the #2
seed in the CCHA tournament. U-M has not finished lower than second
place for 13 consecutive seasons.

Ferris State won the CCHA regular season title tonight with a 4-2
victory over Bowling Green. Michigan will host the Falcons in the
best-of-three opening round of the CCHA tournament next weekend at
Yost Ice Arena.

Nystrom opened the scoring at 5:35, and Jason Ryznar made it 2-0 with
a goal at 8:38.

Rod Pelley scored on the power play late in the opening stanza to cut
the lead in half. Pelley netted his second of the contest midway
through the second period. Not sure who scored OSU's third goal, but
it also came in the second period.

Michigan and Ohio State finish off the regular season tomorrow night
in Columbus. The game can be seen on Fox Sports Detroit.

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That's all for now...

Go Blue!

Jason
Michigan Hockey Net
http://MichiganHockey.net/