Michigan
9-7-0, 5-5-0CCHA
Wisconsin
7-7-2, 5-5-2WCHA
Sauer Superb in U-M's Shutout Loss at Wisconsin
11/29/2008 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
Score: Wisconsin 3, #15 Michigan 0
Records: U-M (9-7-0), UW (7-7-2)
Next U-M Event: Friday, Dec. 5 -- vs. Michigan State (Yost Ice Arena), 7:35 p.m.
Boxscore | Notes & Quotes
MADISON, Wis. -- The No. 15-ranked University of Michigan ice hockey team lost 3-0 to the Wisconsin Badgers in the second half of the 16th annual College Hockey Showcase at the Kohl Center. Scoreless through two periods, Wisconsin scored two power-play goals in the third stanza and tacked on an empty-net tally.
Michigan controlled play during the first 10 minutes of the game, due in part to a power play that began at 1:32. Its two best chances came after the man-advantage from freshmen David Wohlberg(South Lyon, Mich.) and Robbie Czarnik(Washington, Mich.). Charging the net, Wohlberg chipped a crossing pass just high and wide right of the goal. Minutes later following a faceoff win, Czarnik quickly snapped a shot high on Connelly, who knocked the puck off target with his right shoulder.
Wisconsin did not register its first true shot on goal until 9:24 remained when Michael Davies had a chance in front during a Badger power play.
The Badgers returned to the power play with 4:20 to go in the opening period. As a result of strong work by Matt Rust(Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) and Carl Hagelin(Sodertalje, Sweden), who each blocked a point shot, U-M kept UW from scoring first. Tied 0-0 after 20 minutes of play, shots were 6-5 in favor of Michigan.
U-M was back on its heels for the first half of the second period after committing penalties at 0:46, 4:55 and 7:06. During the first two Badger power plays, the Wolverines allowed just one shot on goal. The third man-advantage of the series, however, put intense pressure on goalkeeper Billy Sauer(Walworth, N.Y.).
Eleven seconds after the second UW power play ended, the Badgers had two outstanding chances to get ahead. Davies had a wraparound that was barely stopped by a scrambling Sauer. Ben Grotting's whack at the rebound went off Sauer's outstretched glove hand and was smothered to draw a whistle. Chris Summers(Milan, Mich.) was penalized on the play for hooking Davies. Wisconsin's offense sprung to life with the third opportunity. Derek Stepan had a yawning net to shoot at off a rebound, but Sauer stretched out along the ice to his right to shut it down. Stepan got open in the left slot a minute later only to be stoned by Sauer. The senior goalie made one last save on Andy Bohmbach to frustrate the Badgers.
Wisconsin's spree of five straight power plays for the game ended when it was called for interference at 10:52. However, Michigan did not threaten to score with the extra man and the game remained scoreless after 40 minutes of play. Sauer made 13 stops in all in the middle stanza.
Michigan began the third period with a power play since UW was penalized very late in second frame, but U-M could not capitalize and gave a power play back to Wisconsin at 2:05.
The Badgers finally got the game's first goal at 2:55 on a rebound shot from Davies. Sauer stopped a point shot from Brendan Smith, but he could not get back into position to deny Davies' attempt from the right hash mark.
Michigan's comeback bid was severely hampered at 8:39 when Brian Lebler(Penticton, B.C.) was assessed a five-minute major penalty for clipping Ryan McDonagh.
Wisconsin's Tom Gorowsky scored a power-play marker at 12:38 to make it 2-0. Sauer dove out to stop Blake Geoffrion's shot from in close but could not reach far enough with his blocker to keep Gorowsky from flipping the puck into the goal.
Jordy Murray deposited an empty-net goal with 22 seconds left in regulation.
Next Friday (Dec. 5), Michigan returns home to Yost Ice Arena to host arch-rival Michigan State after playing its last five games on the road. Faceoff against the Spartans is 7:35 p.m. and the game will be televised on FSN-Plus.
Contact: Matt Trevor (734) 763-4423
