Wolverines escape OSU with a split

By Bob Miller/Michigan Beat Writer

Ohio State sent a “big chill” down Michigan's collective spines Friday and Saturday.

The Buckeyes, situated in the lower echelon of the CCHA standings, edged the Wolverines in a stirring come-from-behind overtime win on Friday night and held the lead after two periods in Saturday night's contest.

Michigan found just enough offense to rescue themselves from a series sweep by Ohio State with a pair of goals in the third period of the series rematch to earn a weekend split with the Buckeyes.

Barely.

Leading 2-1 over Ohio State in the series opener, Michigan incurred a very costly penalty in the final minute of regulation time. Sergio Somma made the Wolverines pay with a power-play equalizer with only 11 seconds remaining in the contest. Ohio State nabbed the overtime winner 1:43 into extra time.

"Surprisingly, I thought we played a good game until the last two minutes when we had to play in our own zone and we got ourselves shorthanded,” said Michigan head coach Red Berenson. “It's a travesty to even give up the tie, let alone the win. That's just poor accountability on our part, but good for them and a good home ice victory. For us to give up the lead late in the game is unacceptable."

Third period goals by Luke Glendening and David Wohlberg salvaged the weekend for Michigan with a 2-1 win, allowing them to escape Columbus with a series split.

"It's amazing how many times we've had last minute, game-tying scenarios between these two teams,” remarked Berenson. “Tonight, the last few minutes went our way."

Michigan returns home, but not to Yost Ice Arena, for the long-awaited Big Chill at the Big House matchup Saturday afternoon with in-state rival Michigan State, scheduled to be play in front of over 110,000 fans in Ann Arbor's storied Michigan (football) Stadium, The Big House.

Hockey attendance records will fall and MiCHO devotees will find full coverage here.