Michigan
15-6-3, 9-4-1
Ohio State
11-9-1, 8-6-1
Wolverines Cannot Solve Betz, Fall 3-1 at Ohio State
1/12/2001 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Territorial advantage in ice hockey, like time of possession in football, is wonderful to control. Unfortunately, sometimes the advantage doesn't parlay itself into a win.
That is exactly what happened Friday night (Jan. 12) at Value City Arena in front of 12,752 fans, as Ohio State goalie Mike Betz held his own and led the Buckeyes to a 3-1 win over No. 8-ranked Michigan. The Wolverines kept OSU bottled up and on its heels in the first 10 minutes of play, but Betz's steady play kept the Buckeyes in the game early and led to the victory for Ohio State, which was outshot 34-21 for the game.
After a scoreless first period that extended junior goaltender Josh Blackburn's (Choctaw, Okla.) shutout streak to seven periods, it was OSU's Miguel Lafleche who banged in the first goal of the game at 1:42 of the second period. Just over nine minutes later, Doug Andress broke into the slot and fired a power-play goal by Blackburn at 10:42 to make the score 2-0.
Betz, who had been outstanding in net, couldn't hold on to the shutout as Michigan took an early territorial advantage again in the third period. The Wolverines got on the board at 5:31 of the final period as freshman defenseman Mike Komisarek (Islip Terrace, N.Y) lobbed the puck to the net from the point and beat a screened Buckeye goalie.
The action picked up even more as the game restarted on the faceoff. Sophomore defenseman Pete Broccoli took a tripping penalty, and shortly thereafter OSU junior Nick Ganga stole the puck at center ice and was stoned by Blackburn on a breakaway while the Wolverines were on the power play.
As Ohio State killed off the penalty, it was OSU's turn to return to the penalty box as U-M did most of the second period. This time, Jaisen Freeman took a goaltender interference penalty at 11:25, giving Michigan the man advantage once again, but again the Wolverines couldn't capitalize on it.
Betz, who stopped numerous U-M scoring chances, was sensational again in the third period, holding the Wolverines scoreless during both power-play opportunities, then through the remainder of the game. He stopped 14 shots in that final period and 33 overall, while Blackburn made 18 saves in the loss.
Dave Steckel scored the final goal of the game into an open net with just one second left.
Michigan (15-6-3, 9-4-1 CCHA) will be back on the ice Saturday (Jan. 13) in Columbus for the second game of the weekend series with the Buckeyes (11-9-1, 8-6-1 CCHA). Game time is 7:35 p.m.
GAME SUMMARY
| Goals By Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | F |
| Michigan | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Ohio State | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
1st period
PENALTIES - Andy Burnes, MICH (SLASHING) 06:14; Paul Caponigri, OSU (TRIPPING) 08:08; Mike Komisarek, MICH (TRIPPING) 10:21; Chris Olsgard, OSU (TRIPPING) 13:38; Chris Olsgard, OSU (ELBOWING) 17:52; Scott Matzka, MICH (HIGH STICKING) 18:02.
2nd period
1, OSU, Miguel Lafleche 4 (Nick Ganga, Eric Skaug) 01:42.
2, OSU, Doug Andress 5 (Dave Steckel, Jean-Francois Dufour) 10:56 (pp).
PENALTIES - Andy Burnes, MICH (TRIPPING) 03:23; Eric Skaug, OSU (CHARGING) 07:23; John Shouneyia, MICH (HOOKING) 08:33; Bob Gassoff, MICH (SLASHING) 10:23; Jed Ortmeyer, MICH (HOLDING) 11:19; Jason Crain, OSU (HOLDING) 15:12.
3rd period
3, MICH, Mike Komisarek 3 (Jeff Jillson, Andy Hilbert) 05:31.
4, OSU, Dave Steckel 10 19:59 (empty net).
PENALTIES - Doug Andress, OSU (HOLDING) 01:21; Pete Broccoli, OSU (TRIPPING) 06:32; Jaisen Freeman, OSU (Goaltender Interference) 08:55.
Shots on goal: MICH 9-10-15-34; OSU 7-9-5-21. Power plays: MICH 0 of 8; OSU 1 of 7. Penalties: MICH 7 (14 min); OSU 8 (16 min). Goalies: Josh Blackburn 15-6-3 (20 shots-18 saves); OSU, Mike Betz 10-8-1 (34-33). Referee: Brian Pochmara. Assistant Referees: Kevin Langseth, Bruce Vida. Attendance: 12752. Time: 2:39.
Contact: Jason Binge (734) 763-4423
