WOLVERINES, SPARTANS DEADLOCK, 3-3

Michigan and Michigan State kicked off CCHA play tonight by renewing their
rivalry and leaving things unresolved with a 3-3 tie.

The Wolverines entered the game ranked No. 1 in the country and were looking to
avoid the jinx that the ranking has carried with it.

Last season just about every team that was ranked No. 1 lost the following week,
including twice for the Wolverines. Just last week No. 1 ranked Minnesota lost
and tied Alaska Fairbanks to continue the trend. Even U-M head coach Red
Berenson said earlier this week that he didn't want the No. 1 ranking because
every time they get it they do everything possible to lose the game.

In the opening period, it looked like the Wolverines were heading down that path
once again. The Spartans jump out of the gates with several quality scoring
chances in the opening minutes. They finally connected when Tim Kennedy stole
the puck from Andrew Cogliano and went in alone to beat goalie Billy Sauer 4:17
into the first period.

The Wolverines were looking flat but managed to get the goal back with 6:59 left
when Andrew Ebbett teed up a lose puck in the high slot over the shoulder of
Dominic Vicari to tie the game.

The Spartans outshot the Wolverines 14-4 in the first period. U-M was lucky to
escape with a 1-1 tie, and they finished the period on a power play which
carried over to the second period.

On that power play, Brandon Kaleniecki took a backdoor feed and beat Vicari
shortside to put the Wolverines ahead 2-1 just 1:03 into the second period.

The lead would only last 2:19 when Jim McKenzie battled for the puck behind the
net and fed it out in front to Tyler Howells, who beat Sauer up top.

The Wolverines would regain the lead four minutes later on the power play when
Andrew Cogliano beat Vicari with a shot through traffic.

But in a scene that has been all too familiar for Wolverine fans over the past
handful of years, U-M once again suffered a late period breakdown that cost them
a big goal.

Tim Crowder picked up the puck along the halfboards and was allowed to walk
right out in front of Sauer and he fired it in with 43 seconds left in the
second period to tie the game, 3-3.

The third period was rather tame until halfway through when Jack Johnson picked
up a roughing penalty. Then 23 seconds later, Tim Cook hit Drew Miller into the
boards and was nailed with a checking from behind penalty, which is an automatic
5 minute major and in this case he was given a game disqualification, meaning he
won't be able to play next Friday. That gave the Spartans a 5-on-3 advantage
for 1:37, plus the rest of the major penalty to capitalize on.

The Wolverines pulled together and killed off Johnson's penalty, then with 2:28
left in the major penalty Spartan forward Justin Abdelkadaer took a high
sticking penalty to essentially negate the remainder of Cook's major.

In the overtime session, Michigan controlled most of the play and really poured
on the pressure during the final minute and did everything but score.

For the game, Billy Sauer really kept the Wolverines in it and earned No. 1 star
honors with 35 saves. Dominic Vicari finished with 20 saves for the Spartans.

U-M took advantage on special teams going 2-for-4 on the power play, while
holding the Spartans 0-for-5.

The Wolverines finally leave the confines of Yost and hit the road as they make
the long trek to Alaska Fairbanks next weekend.

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That's all for now...

Go Blue!

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