Wolverines' firepower strikes down Falcons, 5-4

DAVID ROCHKIND/Daily Bob Gassoff played his second straight game last night at his new position - forward. The sophomore took several shots and made sure that his physical presence was felt. Although Gassoff didn't score, he did take a slapshot from beyond the blue line at Bowling Green goalie Mike Savard.

By Chris Duprey
Daily Sports Writer

The Michigan hockey team knew it would have trouble beating Bowling Green last night if it allowed the Falcons' top line to run wild offensively.

The Wolverines also figured it would be difficult to win if it turned the puck over in its own zone frequently, or if it surrendered goals on Bowling Green's power play.

Michigan did all of those things, but thanks to a two-goal burst early in the third period, the Wolverines (14-3-1 CCHA, 17-5-2 overall) were still able to hold off Bowling Green (7-9-2, 11-11-2) 5-4 at Yost Ice Arena.

"It was a 0-0 game, for all purposes," Michigan coach Red Berenson said of the third period. "Both teams looked like they could run away with it. The momentum kept shifting."

For the second time in as many weeks, Michigan opened up the final period with a full power play, courtesy of Bowling Green defenseman Ryan Murphy's charging penalty at the conclusion of the second.

This time, the Wolverines capitalized on the opportunity, as Josh Langfeld completed a dazzling behind-the-back pass to Mike Comrie for a slam dunk and a 4-3 Michigan advantage.

Just 55 seconds later, Scott Matzka found his passing touch, and hit Dale Rominski from across the crease. Rominski's shot was on target, beating Bowling Green netminder Mike Savard and giving Michigan a two-goal advantage. The Wolverines would never relinquish the lead.

For the better part of the third period, Michigan played classic rag-the-puck hockey, both to prevent easy scoring opportunities and to save the legs of its five remaining defensemen. Mike Van Ryn suffered a calf injury in the first period after sliding into the Bowling Green net and didn't return.

At even strength, the Wolverines stymied the Falcons' high-powered offense. But after Matzka was sent off for high-sticking with 5:25 remaining in the game, the Falcons came to life.

Just 13 seconds into the power play, Dan Price controlled a rebound and fired it past Michigan goaltender Josh Blackburn to make it 5-4 and bring Bowling Green within striking distance.

The Falcons continued to buzz around the Michigan net with less than a minute left, as both Price and Adam Edinger had chances to send the game into overtime. But they couldn't get the look they needed and the Wolverines closed out the victory without further threats.

"We played hard. Michigan played hard," Bowling Green coach Buddy Powers said. "But it came down to the fact that we made one more mistake than they did."

Role players like Geoff Koch made key contributions to Michigan's cause. Koch recovered from concussion-like symptoms suffered this past weekend to tally a power-play goal last night, and as provide much-needed toughness along the boards.

Despite being pleased with the victory, it certainly wasn't the type of game Berenson had envisioned in preparation for tomorrow's clash against Ohio State in Columbus. Three of Bowling Green's four scores came on their power play, and the Wolverines permitted Price and Edinger, the Falcons' most obvious offensive weapons, to notch a goal apiece.

Fundamentally pretty or not, the victory gave Michigan the two points it needed to knot up first place in the CCHA race with Michigan State. And the scrappy nature of last night's game also overshadows the fact that the Wolverines have won four of their last five.

"That was a great challenge tonight," Michigan assistant captain Dale Rominski said. "We're still very confident that we can come out and play a full game."

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