Michigan
3-1-05-2-1; CCHA
Ferris State
1-3-02-6-0; CCHA
Wolverines Blanked in Overtime Thriller at Ferris State
10/30/2004 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
BIG RAPIDS, Mich. -- The No. 4-ranked University of Michigan ice hockey team lost a 1-0 overtime contest at Ferris State on Saturday (Oct. 30) at Ewigleben Ice Arena. Michigan outshot the Bulldogs 33-20 but could never beat FSU goalie Mike Brown.
Al Montoya (Glenview, Ill.) set a personal shutout streak record of 150:01 minutes, which began against Lake Superior State last week and stretched into overtime against FSU tonight.
For the second straight night the Wolverines and Bulldogs skated to a scoreless tie in the opening period of play. Each team received a pair of power plays but scoring chances were at a minimum. Overall shots in the period were 10-8 in Michigan's favor.
Michigan's two best scoring chances came courtesy of Kevin Porter (Northville, Mich.) and Mike Brown (Northbrook, Ill.). With about seven minutes left in the first period Porter earned a breakaway while on the penalty kill. He could never get the puck settled though, and his shot went wide of the netminder. Brown had a chance in the final minute of play from the left circle following a turnover but was stopped by the Bulldog goalie.
The second period of play was very fast-paced and featured plenty of physical play by both teams. However, the scoreboard still read 0-0 following 40 minutes of play. The Wolverines controlled the offensive flow in the period by outshooting Ferris State 15-3. U-M garnered one power play in the frame and recorded two shots on goal during that span. The Bulldogs had two power plays in the period.
With five minutes to go in the second period, Jeff Tambellini (Port Moody, B.C.) ripped a slap shot that trickled through the pads of the Ferris State goalie, but the puck was cleared away as it bounced in the crease towards the goal line. Milan Gajic (Burnaby, B.C.) had a chance with three minutes left by deking around an FSU defender in the slot, but Brown was up to the task and turned aside Gajic's shot.
Michigan had its best chance of the game to break open the scoring with a power play at 1:30 of the third period. Just after, FSU took another penalty to give the Wolverines a two-man advantage for 1:40. Nevertheless, the Maize and Blue could not crack Brown. Brandon Kaleniecki (Livonia, Mich.) was robbed by a glove save on U-M's best opportunity during the span.
Montoya had to make his best save of the game with 15:30 to play in regulation. A good pass off the side boards sprung Mark Bomersback on a breakaway. Montoya stayed calm and denied the charging Bulldog. With 11:40 remaining, Montoya was forced to slide to his right and stack his pads in order to prevent Zac Pearson from scoring on a rebound chance.
Ferris State then earned a power play at the halfway point of the frame but could do nothing with it. Both teams had a few chances to end regulation, but the game went into overtime.
Ferris State's Matt Rutkowski ended the game at 1:52 into the overtime session with a shot from the left wing that fluttered and beat Montoya beside his blocker at the left side.
The Wolverines return to Ann Arbor next weekend (Nov. 5-6) for a pair of games against Miami (Ohio). Faceoff for both games is scheduled for 7:35 p.m. at Yost Ice Arena.
Contact: Matt Trevor (734) 763-4423
