Michigan
18-6-1, 15-2-0CCHA
Ohio State
16-6-3, 13-3-1CCHA
Buckeyes Power Past Wolverines in CCHA Showdown
1/21/2005 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The No. 3-ranked University of Michigan hockey team saw its 12-game CCHA winning streak snapped by No. 10 Ohio State with a 4-1 defeat on Friday (Jan. 21) in front of 14,777 fans at Value City Arena. Michigan permitted a season-high four power-play goals. Meanwhile, the Wolverines converted on just one of their nine chances with the man advantage. In the CCHA race, the Buckeyes (16-6-3, 13-3-1 CCHA) drew within three points of the first-place Wolverines (18-6-1, 15-2-0).
OSU picked up the first power play of the contest at 6:21. The Wolverine penalty kill kept up its dubious streak by allowing a goal for the eighth straight contest when Dan Knapp banged in a rebound from the slot at 7:07.
The Maize and Blue then received four successive chances with the man advantage. After failing to score on its first power play, Michigan cashed in on its second opportunity at the 12:20 mark. T.J. Hensick (Howell, Mich.) carried the puck across the Buckeye zone and set up above the left circle. Brandon Rogers (Rochester, N.H.) cut into the slot, received a pass and then flicked a shot on net. OSU goalie Dave Caruso appeared to have the puck but Milan Gajic (Burnaby, B.C.) spotted it loose in the crease and tucked it inside the left post.
Michigan's fourth power play was cut short due to its own back-to-back penalties at 15:18 and 15:34. The Wolverines allowed a power-play goal by Matt Beaudoin at 16:52 to give OSU the lead again at 2-1. Already down two skaters, the situation got worse as David Moss' (Livonia, Mich.) stick broke as OSU moved into the U-M zone. With only two players to cover the Buckeyes, Beaudoin was free in the left circle to fire a loose puck past Al Montoya (Glenview, Ill.).
The first period ended with Ohio State holding a 2-1 advantage on the scoreboard and a 13-9 shooting edge.
In the second period, the Buckeyes were whistled for two quick infractions at 6:11 and 6:49. The Wolverines believed they had knotted the game at 2-2 at 7:50 when Brandon Kaleniecki (Livonia, Mich.) deflected a shot into the OSU net, but the referee ruled that the puck was hit with a high stick. Another Michigan power play that began at 12:28 was again fruitless.
The middle stanza wound up scoreless to allow the Buckeyes to maintain their 2-1 lead heading into the second intermission.
U-M was quickly whistled for a penalty to start the third period. The Buckeyes capitalized with the man advantage for the third time of the game courtesy of Rod Pelley at 1:37. A screen set up by Bryce Anderson in front prevented Montoya from cleanly seeing Pelley's point shot.
Five minutes into the frame Michigan earned another power play but failed to convert for the sixth consecutive time in the game. Kyle Hood put the game out of reach with the Buckeyes' fourth power-play marker at 10:28. His shot from the right point went low into the U-M net.
The Wolverines and Buckeyes will meet again tomorrow night (Saturday, Jan. 22) with another 7:05 p.m. faceoff at Value City Arena. The game will be televised by College Sports Television.
Contact: Matt Trevor (734) 763-4423
