Michigan
13-7-1, 8-4-1
Ohio State
13-9-0, 8-6-0
Ryznar Nets Game-Winner as Michigan Tops Ohio State
1/9/2004 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Junior forward Jason Ryznar (Ancorage, Alaska) netted the game-winner 6:23 into the third period to lift the No. 8-ranked University of Michigan hockey team to a 3-2 victory over Ohio State Friday night (Jan. 9) at Yost Ice Arena. The Wolverines (13-7-1, 8-4-1 CCHA), who moved into a three-way tie for first in the league standings, were paced by a pair of two-point efforts by junior forward Milan Gajic (Burnaby, B.C.) and freshman defenseman Matt Hunwick (Sterling Heights, Mich.).
| | Included in Gajic's two-point night was the game-tying goal in the second period. |
Sophomore goaltender Al Montoya (Glenview, Ill.) kept Ohio State off the board midway through the first period when he turned away the Buckeyes on a two-on-one break. Montoya made three acrobatic saves on the Ohio State odd-man rush, en route to 27 saves in the game.
Throughout the remainder of a physical first period, both teams struggled to grab control of the action. Michigan finished the period with eight shots on goal while the visiting Buckeyes mustered 10 shots on Montoya. In addition, the Buckeyes were unable to capitalize on their two power-play opportunities in the first period, while the Wolverines were one for two on the man advantage.
Early in the second period, Betz stole a goal from freshman forward T.J. Hensick (Howell, Mich.) with an acrobatic glove save on the Michigan power play. Gajic once again initiated the play as he received a pass from sophomore Brandon Kaleniecki (Livonia, Mich.) and skated down the left side of the Buckeye zone. Gajic found Hensick skating in alone at the back post with a cross-ice pass, but Hensick's one-time shot was snatched out of the air by Betz.
At 7:52 of the second period, the Buckeyes evened the score when forward Rod Pelley beat Montoya on a rebound shot. The play started when Nystrom failed to clear a bouncing puck from just inside the left faceoff circle. Ohio State senior Paul Caponigri jumped on the loose puck and fired a slap shot off the right post. After hitting the post, the puck bounced back in front of the Michigan net where Pelley was able to slip a backhand shot through the legs of Montoya.
Only 17 seconds later, the Buckeyes struck again as Dan Knapp put Ohio State on top 2-1. The initial shot from Buckeye defender Nate Guenin was saved by Montoya, but the Michigan netminder was unable to corral the rebound off his left pad. Much like the first OSU tally, the puck bounced out into the Michigan slot and Knapp pounced on the opportunity.
With just over six minutes remaining in the second period, Betz continued his stellar play during a Buckeye penalty kill, denying Kaleniecki on two point-blank opportunities from just outside the crease.
At 17:52 in the second period, Gajic notched his second point of the game when he rocketed a one-time slap shot over Betz's right shoulder to even the score at 2-2. Gajic received a pass from Hunwick below the left faceoff circle and one-timed the puck past Betz for Michigan's second power-play goal of the night.
On the heels of Gajic's late second period tally, the Wolverines parlayed that momentum to control the play early in the third period. At 6:23, Ryznar capitalized to put the Wolverines on top 3-2 with his second goal of the season. After a centering attempt by sophomore forward Andrew Ebbett (Vernon, B.C) was deflected into the slot by a Buckeye defender, Ryznar collected the bouncing puck and maneuvered to his right before sliding a low, backhanded shot past the Buckeye goalie.
Throughout the remainder of the third period, both teams were unable to generate many scoring opportunities, and with just under one minute remaining in the game the Buckeyes pulled their goalie in a final attempt to even the score. The Wolverine defense was up to task and held on to preserve a 3-2 victory.
Michigan and Ohio State will meet for the fourth and final time of the regular season tomorrow night (Saturday, Jan. 10) at Yost Ice Arena. The contest is set to begin at 7:35 p.m.
Contact: Andrew Ladd (734) 763-4423
