SPECIAL TEAMS DOOM WOLVERINES

Special teams were the name of the game at the Great Lakes
Invitational championship and unfortunately for the Wolverines it
wasn't their strong suit. The Spartans used two power play goals and
a shorthanded tally to win their 11th GLI title, 4-1.

The Spartans got the only goal in a rather lackluster opening stanza
when Tim Crowder ripped a one-timer from between the circles past U-M
goalie Billy Sauer at 10:53 on the power play.

Michigan State definitely looked sharper than the Wolverines during
the first period and had more scoring chances. U-M was sloppy with
the puck, couldn't sustain almost any offensive pressure, couldn't win
a faceoff if their life depended on it, and at times just seemed to be
standing around.

The Wolverines would tie the game 5:11 into the second period with a
power play goal of their own. Travis Turnbull from the left corner
centered the puck and it deflected off an MSU defender in front of the
net past Spartan goalie Jeff Lerg.

Michigan would get some life in their skates after the goal, showing
more buzz and desire.

But midway through the period, the Wolverines would start marching to
the penalty box several times in a row and it finally cost them as
Crowder scored his second of the night during a 5-on-3 power play.
This time he beat Sauer with a one-timer from the top of the left
circle with 6:40 left in the period.

Moments later, while still on the power play, Crowder nearly completed
the hat trick with another one-timer from the same spot, but Sauer got
the pad down.

Michigan would finally kill off their penalties and get a power play,
but it was the Spartans who took advantage. Matt Hunwick gloved the
puck at the blueline and dropped it at his feet, but before he could
get his stick on it, Bryan Lerg jumped it, took it away, and took off
down ice and beat Sauer on a breakaway with 3:13 remaining in the
second period.

The Spartans would ice the game 7:14 into the third period on the
power play when Mike Rutchuk's shot from the inside right circle went
through a screen and between Sauer's legs to make it 4-1.

The Wolverines would get three more power play opportunities, but
couldn't connect.

Sauer finished the game with 31 saves, while Lerg needed just 20 stops
for the Spartans.

STREAK OVER: Junior forward Kevin Porter's 16 point streak also came
to an end tonight. During that span Porter generated 13 goals and 15
assists. His streak tied Andy Hilbert in 2000-01 and Brendan Morrison
in 1996-97 for the longest point streak since Mike Knuble's 19 game
streak in 1994-95.

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WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP UPDATE
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Team USA defeated Slovakia 6-1 today to stay alive. Jack Johnson
scored the game-winning goal 14:45 into the first period. Team USA
must beat host Sweden tomorrow if they want to advance to the medal
round.

Meanwhile, Team Canada is sitting pretty after defeating Germany
yesterday 3-1. Andrew Cogliano had a pair of assists and was name
Canada's Player of the Game. With the victory, Canada received a bye
straight to the semifinal round, putting them in good position to go
for their third straight gold medal.

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That's all for now...

Go Blue!

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