Michigan
20-14-5
Michigan State
23-11-8
Michigan Defeated in CCHA Semifinal by Michigan State
3/17/2006 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
DETROIT, Mich. -- The No. 11-ranked University of Michigan ice hockey team fell to No. 6 Michigan State by a 4-1 count in a CCHA semifinal on Friday (March 17) at Joe Louis Arena. Andrew Ebbett (Vernon, B.C.) netted the Wolverines' lone goal in the first period. Noah Ruden (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) had 20 saves in net for the Maize and Blue. Michigan will face Northern Michigan in the CCHA third-place game at 3:35 p.m. Saturday (March 18).
The Wolverines started the scoring with a goal by Ebbett at 7:26 of the opening frame. Mark Mitera (Livonia, Mich.) dumped the puck behind the net for Chad Kolarik (Abington, Pa.). Kolarik sent it in front of the net, where it was deflected to Ebbett on the right side of the crease. Michigan's captain put the puck in the back of the net for his 14th goal of the season, giving his team the 1-0 lead.
An obstruction-tripping call against U-M proved costly when Tim Crowder tied the game at 1-1. David Booth telegraphed a pass to Corey Potter just inside the blue line. Potter slapped a shot that was deflected by a U-M defender onto the stick of Crowder just inside the left faceoff circle, and Crowder stuffed the puck behind Ruden for the power-play goal at 8:56 of the opening period.
Michigan State took the lead at 16:45 of the first frame. Chris Lawrence lined a hard shot in on Ruden, who made the initial save. Zak McClellan gobbled up the rebound and slipped the puck through traffic and between Ruden's legs to make the score 2-1.
The second period was primarily a defensive battle with neither team able to put any points on the board. Each team managed nine shots on goal in the middle frame, with Michigan State holding an 18-13 edge in shots over the Maize and Blue through two periods.
Michigan was given a power-play opportunity at 6:36 of the third period when Ethan Graham was called for obstruction-cross checking. The Wolverines pressured the Spartans, but their advantage was neutralized when David Rohlfs (Northville, Mich.) was whistled for a penalty of his own at 9:13.
The defensive battle continued until 17:44 of the final frame, when Michigan State's Bryan Lerg put his team up 3-1. Colton Fretter sent the puck up-ice to Mueller, who skated in on the goal before sliding a pass across the front of the crease to Lerg. The left winger redirected the puck into the net to light the lamp for the Spartans.
Crowder's second extra-attacker goal of the night cemented the MSU victory with 32 seconds remaining in the game. Mueller won the faceoff deep in the Michigan zone and sent the puck to Crowder in slot. Crowder lofted a shot that beat Ruden glove-side for a final score of 4-1.
Michigan will face Northern Michigan in the third-place game at 3:35 p.m. Saturday (March 18). The championship matchup between Michigan State and the Miami RedHawks is slated for 7:05 p.m.
Contact: Matt Trevor (734) 763-4423
