The first period of tonight’s matchup at Yost Ice Arena was back and forth throughout, and it really seemed like the Wolverines defense came to play, only allowing the Gophers to take 5 shots. Michigan took 15 shots, and there were a total of seven penalties called in the period. Each team went 0-3 on the power play and coincidental minor penalties called on AJ Treasis for Michigan and Mike Hoeffel for Minnesota would carry over into the second period for both teams to take “mini-power plays” early on in the middle period. Shots, as previously mentioned had the Gophers out-shot by Michigan 15-5, and the only goal of the period went to Michigan as David Wohlberg scored at 18:47, netting his seventh goal of the season. Wohlberg was assisted by Luke Caporusso on the even strength play.
In the second period, the Michigan Wolverines exercised the power play wonderfully to get out to a commanding lead through two periods with a score of 4-0. At 8:52, the Wolverines were the first to strike on the power play when Brandon Burton scored his first goal of the season with assists from Chris Brown and Steve Kampfer. Louie Caporusso extended the luck of Michigan’s power play when he struck twine at 15:25 with help from Chad Langlais and Ben Winnett. At 17:45, on an even strength exchange, Carl Hagelin made the score 4-0 Wolverines when he scored his sixth goal of the season. Lee Moffie and Steve Kampfer (second point of evening) assisted Hagelin. Shots in the second period had Michigan outshooting Minnesota 12-9 for two-period totals of 27-14. Power play numbers had Michigan going 2-3 and the Gophers going 0-2. Power plays were one of the keys I warned about in the pre-game buildup, and Minnesota’s power play just looks disappointing to say the least.
The Gophers actually outshot Michigan in the final period, but not before the Wolverines added two more goals to further clamp down on the opening night of the College Hockey Showcase. Carl Hagelin scored his second goal of the night with an assist from Matt Rust at 6:58, and to add even more, it was a shorthanded tally. The Wolverines would add a sixth goal at 11:28 when Ben Winnett scored, having been assisted by Greg Pateryn. Overall, saying that the Gophers looked sloppy tonight would be saying it nicely. Michigan went 0-1 on the power play in the period (2-7 overall) and the Gophers went 0-2 (0-7 overall). Minnesota outshot Michigan 10-5 in the third period for game totals of 32-24.
All in all, the Gophers need to bring spectators in, as it seems they can shoot better than the Gophs.
The Golden Gophers are in action tomorrow evening (Saturday night) at 7pm as they face the Michigan State Spartans from East Lansing. Listen to all the action as Wally Shaver and Glen Sonmor bring it to you on the radio. No TV tomorrow evening because of a Wild conflict on FSN.
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Until later on, I'll see you at the rink!
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