The Gophers scratched, clawed and bit their way back in the third period
last night against the Wolverines in the final game of this weekend's
College Hockey Showcase. Minnesota scored 3 unanswered goals in the third
period to upset Michigan 4 - 3.
 
This was a fantastic game to watch. Both teams play similar styles of
hockey, so there was a lot of passing and fast skating. How did Minnesota
come back in the third? The Wolverines had been playing tough defense all
night, consistantly contolling play in front of their net and breaking up
centering passes. In the third period, however, the Gophers started
getting more chances in front of the net. The second goal of the third
period tied the game at 3. From a face off in the Michigan end at the
right circle, freshman Ryan Kraft won the face off, controlled the puck
and fired it low between the Wolverines goalie's pads. The Civic Center
errupted! Coming back to tie the game was increadible.
 
At 3 a piece, and halfway into the final period, momentum shifted to the
Gophers. Play was kept in the neutral zone and the Michigan zone most of
the rest of the game. At one point a Minnesota player dealt a hard check
to a Michigan player in front of the Michigan bench. The Michigan bench
stood up yelling for a call, but the refs said it was a clean hit. With
this, the Michigan players seemed to vow revenge and the during the next
several shifts, Michigan player laid enormus hits on the Minnesota skaters.
 
Minnesota remained undaunted, however, and kept pressure on the Michigan
zone. The winning goal was almost freakish. The Gophers were controlling
the puck in the Michigan zone. Play scrapped along the boards and the
puck made its way to the boards behind the goalie. A Minnesota player let
a shot off that hit the side of net. The crowd roared, seeing the puck
hit net but realized it was on the back of the net. In the next second,
the puck was freed and somehow fed to Brian Bonnin at the goal mouth,
where he successfully chiped the puck in. Unbelievable! The crowd went
wild. Their Gophers down by 2 against one of the best teams in the nation
and they come back.
 
The go-ahead goal was scored at like 17:25 or something, so there was
still plenty of time for the Wolverines to come back. Minnesota's defense
now switched into survival mode and successfully thwarted the Michigan
rushes. At 19:00 or so Minnesota iced the puck so with a face off in the
Minnesota zone, Michigan pulled their goalie and put in an extra
attacker. The Gophers swatted centering shots clear and broke out of
their zone towards an open net 2 times. Both times Michigan players were
on them, so the puck was sent down the ice as the clock ticked on.
 
Michigan played a great game last night, but seemed to be put back on
their heels by the Gophers in the third period.
 
The Wisconsin Michigan State game was sleepy in comparison, although MSU
did mount a successful come back in the 3rd. Down 2 - 0, Michigan State
came out in the 3rd and skated past the slopppy Badgers. This game was
penalty-filled. Each team alternating on the man advantage. Despite the
high number of power plays, I think only 1 goal was scored on the power
play.
 
Minnesota Michigan game was the highlight of the weekend.