Michigan
9-3-1
Wisconsin
11-1-2
Wolverines Upended by Wisconsin, Swept in Showcase
11/26/2005 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 1-ranked University of Michigan ice hockey team dropped a heartbreaking 3-2 contest to No. 2 Wisconsin Saturday (Nov. 26) on the second night of the College Hockey Hockey Showcase. U-M battled back from a 2-0 deficit to tie the game early in the third period, but the Badgers tallied the game-winning goal with 1:58 left in the game. The Wolverines were swept in the College Hockey Showcase for the third straight season.
The game began very physically as the first shift featured big hits from both sides. The tight checking continued for the next few minutes as U-M had the game's lone shot on goal.
T.J. Hensick (Howell, Mich.) had the best chance early on four minutes into the contest when he gained a step on his defender. The initial shot was stopped by Brian Elliot, and Jason Bailey's (Nepean, Ontario) backhanded swat at the rebound sailed wide as he swooped across the front of the goal.
Michigan went on the penalty kill with 12 and a half minutes to go in the opening period. Noah Ruden (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) made three saves over the two-minute span to keep the game scoreless.
Wisconsin earned its second power play of the game at 13:13. The advantage was short-lived, however, as the Badgers were called for a penalty a minute later.
Seconds after U-M's ensuing power play the Wolverines turned over the puck at UW's blue line, resulting in a breakaway opportunity for Robbie Earl. Earl faked a wrister in the slot, recoiled and then had his low shot stopped by Ruden.
Wisconsin earned its third power play with less than two minutes to go in the first stanza. The Badgers could have had goals on two occasions if it weren't for stops by the U-M defense. David Rohlfs (Northville, Mich.) blocked a likely goal on a one-timer by Joe Pavelski from the left circle. Then Andrew Cogliano (Woodbridge, Ontario) stymied another chance on the right side moments later.
After one period of play the score remained 0-0 with UW holding a 10-5 shot advantage.
Ryan MacMurchy scored 59 seconds into the second period to kick off the scoring in the game. Jack Skille took a slap shot from the right circle that was stopped by Ruden, but the puck trickled down his arm and into the slot. All alone in front, MacMurchy found the puck and tapped it into the goal.
At 5:05 of the second period the Wolverines gained their first full power play of the game. Michigan's only quality chance came after a Jack Johnson (Ann Arbor, Mich.) point shot was stopped and the rebound lay just left of the crease. Chad Kolarik (Abington, Pa.) had a chance to put it in, but Elliott beat him to the puck to push it out of danger.
The Badgers took a 2-0 lead at 9:32 of the middle stanza. Michigan attempted to make a cross-ice pass in its own zone, but the puck fluttered and Earl intercepted it. Earl took a couple strides and rifled the puck inside the right post.
The Maize and Blue responded with a tally just over one minute later at 10:43. Tim Miller (Davisburg, Mich.) took a pass from Tyler Swystun (Cochrane, Alberta) and scored on a wraparound shot that bounced off Elliot into the net.
Shortly afterward Michigan had the man-advantage with an opportunity to knot up the game. The Badger penalty killers did their job and held the 2-1 UW lead heading into the second intermission.
To begin the final frame, UW was called for back-to-back penalties at 1:35 and 1:44. With the two-man advatage Brandon Naurato (Livonia, Mich.) smacked a rebound shot by Johnson between the goalie's legs to tie the game at 2-2.
Only a few minutes later on Naurato's next shift he nearly gave U-M the lead with another chance on the doorstep. This time Elliott turned him away.
In the final 10 minutes the Badgers and Wolverines exchanged power plays. Though each team had quality chances the score remained tied. Inside three minutes to play Ruden had to be sharp to stop a point-blank chance by Pavelski as the pass came out from behind the goal.
With 1:58 to play Burish cut down the middle to split the Michigan defensemen and gain an open lane on the open net. Burish's shot hit Ruden's pad but slipped through his legs for the goal.
Michigan travels to Oxford, Ohio, next Friday and Saturday (Dec. 2-3) to take on CCHA leader Miami (Ohio).
Contact: Matt Trevor (734) 763-4423
