By Karl Henkel/At the Joe
Detroit -- Welcome again to another hockey night in Hockeytown ... or something like that. Michigan State and Michigan are about 40 minutes away from their fourth meeting of the season. The Spartans have won all three, including last night's 3-2 victory at Munn Ice Arena. I'll be live blogging throughout the game, and, if any fights break out in the stands, I'll post the exclusive video.
25 minutes 'til puck drop: Michigan in maize and State in the green tonight. Looks as if Drew Palmisano and Bryan Hogan will get the starts in net for MSU and UM, respectively.
15 minutes 'til puck drop: Joe Louis Arena popcorn is both addicting and stomach-churning. Right now I'm in the addicted stage.
10 minutes 'til puck drop: It's the 278th meeting between these two teams, an NCAA record. Has anyone out there seen them all? I've got a pair of "Big Game" tickets for the first one who has.
Nine minutes 'til puck drop: MiCHO's lawyers have advised me to state that I do not really have any "Big Game" tickets to give away. Wait a minute ... we have lawyers?
:11: MSU's Derek Grant with an early chance in front of the net; Hogan with the save.
4:10: Pretty uneventful first few minutes. MSU's Torey Krug had a turnover in his own zone, but nothing more than a scoring chance transpired.
7:00: After an early chance for MSU, the Wolverines have fired the last six at Palmisano. The latest was a point-blank opportunity off the stick of A.J. Treais.
8:30: If anyone knows what song is played during the "Make some noise" segment of game stoppages, please let me know.
9:35: MSU has its first real sustained pressure. Krug had one shot blocked, then his ensuing point shot was smothered by Hogan.
9:58: An offensive zone penalty won't help the Spartans. Dean Chelios goes off for tripping.
11:15: Let's even things up. Louie Caporusso gets a two-minute sit session for obstruction holding.
11:20: Which school won the first NCAA hockey Championship in 1948? Find out the answer at the conclusion of the first period. (Don't go and Google it; you'll ruin the fun.)
12:14: MSU's power play lasted about as long that piece of pizza stayed on my plate. It's five-on-five for a minute after Derek Grant goes off for interference.
13:07: Too many scoring chances to keep up with, but Michigan takes the lead on a goal from Treais. A diving Palmisano can't reach far enough left to knock down the shot from Treais.
15:05: In an "I can't make this up" moment, a former college economics professor at Wayne State -- Mike Faulkner -- was just honored for his time and dedication to hockey on the big screen.
15:46: Michigan State has the puck deep in Michigan territory, but the Wolverines come away with a two-on-one scoring opportunity. Palmisano has looked strong so far for the Spartans.
17:51: Just as Palmisano looks good, he lets one squeak through the five-hole. We'll tentatively award the goal to Chris Summers.
18:45: MSU captain Nick Sucharski limps off with an apparent upper-body injury.
19:34: Brian Lebler, quickly becoming a fan favorite amongst the Maize and Blue faithful, roofs one over Palmisano for a 3-0 UM lead.
19:52: Michigan takes a late interference penalty. Scooter Vaughan will finish out the penalty in the second period.
Trivia question answer: Michigan.
Second period
:45: Palmisano comes up with an critical save on a redirection from Summers to keep his team in the game.
2:00: The shot advantage now favors Michigan, 17-8. MSU looks like a team on the ropes, much like Michigan did earlier in the season.
3:16: Real tacky call against Corey Tropp, and the replayed was just shown of an elbow thrown by Michigan's Kevin Lynch.
3:48: Andrew Rowe with a shorthanded goal from in front of the net. It's his 13th of the season, and MSU has an inkling of life.
4:14: In two more seconds, MSU will go on a power play. Steve Kampfer got a little too close to Palmisano.
7:30: State can't hold onto the puck ...
7:36: ... but it can shoot. Brett Perlini fires a laser past Hogan. It's 3-2 Wolverines.
9:34: Anthony Hayes goes off for high-sticking and Michigan has a chance to regain its two-goal advantage.
11:52: Game is pretty chipper at this point. Most of the sellout (unconfirmed) is enjoying it.
15:15: This game has settled in, and Michigan holds a 10-shot advantage. The Spartans should feel lucky to be only down one considering the number of scoring chances they've allowed.
9:00 p.m.: Billy Joel time ...
16:59: Michigan State elects to take its time out.
18:54: MSU with a golden opportunity after Carl Hagelin gets called for roughing.
End of period: The Spartans will have nearly a minute of power-play time to begin the third. Michigan has doubled up MSU in terms of shots, 26-13.
Third period
:50: Rebound poked in by Jeff Petry. Michigan has officially blown a three-goal lead.
1:52: Not getting any better for the Wolverines. Brian Lebler is called for elbowing. MSU on the power play with a chance to take its first lead.
2:47: Two good-looking chances for MSU, both turned aside by Hogan.
5:20: Treais with a chance right on the door step for Michigan, but he couldn't get his stick on the puck.
6:39: Petry's one-timer from the point is gloved by Hogan.
8:55: After a Michigan giveaway, MSU's Trevor Nill fires a seed right to Bryan Hogan. Almost a costly turnover.
12:40: Anthony Hayes misses from close range. Michigan State has it deep in Michigan territory.
13:09: The Spartans have taken their first lead of the game after Chelios' wraparound sneaks beneath Hogan. MSU leads 4-3.
13:49: Michigan shoots itself in the foot and picks up another penalty.
15:12: Michigan finally stops the bleeding. Matt Rust's shorthanded tally from the near the right post has this game knotted at 4.
17:51: With a scramble at the doorstep, Chris Brown finds a way to sneak one in. Michigan leads 5-4.
18:25: Michigan State with the empty net.
End of game: Hell of game, to say the least. Michigan breaks the temporary curse with a 5-4 victory.
1 comment:
I love it when you guys do this. Really sets you apart from other college hockey blogs.
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