First Period:

No Scoring.

Second Period:

EMU: Hopper(Connolly, Opyd) [1-0 EMU] 1:17 
EMU: Porter(Unassisted) [2-0 EMU] 2:21
UM-D: Dawson(Unassisted) [2-1 EMU] 19:15

Third Period:

EMU: Connolly(Drdek) [3-1 EMU] 9:28
UM-D: Rademacher(Thompson) [3-2 EMU] 13:17

Ann Arbor, Michigan-  The Eastern Michigan University began the critical four game homestretch with a huge victory over the Michigan-Dearborn Wolves by the score of 3-2 here at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube in the home opener of the home-and-home series.  The game consisted of a large amount of physical player and a ton of penalties which really took all of the flow out of the game.

The first period set the tone as it did last week, setting into stone yet another defensive contest at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube, which isn't a surprise considering the fact Dearborn and EMU traditionally have played games of this nature. However, it has become quite apparent that the Eagles have started to pick up on the coaching of head coach Lee Norwood's NHL Defensive experience. Both teams had chances in the period, but neither side could capitalize, despite the fact that Eagles had a 15-5 shot advantage in the period. The score stayed scoreless for the remainder of the first period.

The Eagles came out flying in the second period with a pair of goals which gave the Eagles a lead that they would not lose on this evening. Brian Hopper scored the first goal on an assist from Ryan Connolly and Matt Opyd just 1:17 into the first period to give the Eagles a quick 1-0 lead. The Eagles took advantage of the newly found momentum and continued to press the Wolves and the Eagles were rewarded with their second goal this one an unassisted goal from Derek Porter to give the Eagles a 2-0 lead, just 2:21 into the period. At that point, the referees started to call just about everything and anything as both teams would have 5 on 3 power plays that neither side could capitalize on. Michigan-Dearborn did get on the board to the delight of the large Dearborn contingent on a goal from Kahlin Dawson with just 45 seconds left in the period to cut the Eagles lead in half, at 2-1. The Wolves had another great opportunity at the end of the period on a breakaway but EMU goaltender Brian Markowicz stood strong and the period ended with that 2-1 score.

The third period began with both teams having excellent opportunities on both ends of the ice, and another continuous barrage of penalties. However, at the 9:28 mark in the period, Ryan Connolly scored the game winning goal on an excellent deflection with an assist credited to Craig Drdek to give the Eagles a huge insurance goal, and their two goal lead back at 3-1. Michigan-Dearborn wasn't going to down without a fight and Steve Rademacher scored his 44th goal on the season with an assist credited to Joshua Thompson to get the Wolves back into the game. The Wolves then tried desperately for the tying marker, but in the last minute with the goalie pulled couldn't figure out a way to get past goaltender Brian Markowicz, and the Eagles celebrated a hard fought 3-2 victory.

My friend's observation of Michigan-Dearborn wasn't exactly the one that I would say about Dearborn. He said they really had no offense and really had no defense. Overall, the game did seem a bit odd in my opinion in terms of a Michigan-Dearborn vs EMU game. In a sense, I think part of it was the fact that the referees took the Wolves out of their style of play by calling a large number of penalties in a row against the Wolves. It's a lot harder to go out and implement a hard hitting style of play when the refs are going to call those penalties. I expect that tomorrow night the Wolves will probably have a better opportunity to get their style implemented. 

In fairness this is the first time in a long while I have taken a group of friends to a game and EMU has won the game. Perhaps it had something to do with a pair of them being U of M students... but that's another story for another evening. Eastern played in my opinion an excellent game overall, controlling the game from the onset of the second period and did enough to hold on in the end. I still feel that this Eagles team is better than the #18 ranking that they have been given nationally by the public. Considering as well that the Eagles have beaten a large number of teams in the mid level echelon of the ACHA, if they can complete a sweep tomorrow in Dearborn and win both next week vs Western Michigan, you'd have to make a valid argument that the Eagles would be deserving of a spot as the #15 or #16 team at the National Tournament. The Eagles have come a long way since the beginning of this season, and I overall like the direction that things are heading. Solid defense, enough offense and excellent goaltending. It's a winning formula and it won again tonight.

Looking Ahead:
The Eagles now travel to Michigan-Dearborn to complete the home and home series vs the Wolves. Game time is 7:30 PM at the U of M Dearborn Ice Arena. Next Friday Night, the Eagles travel to Kalamazoo for the opening of what could end up being a quite critical home-and-home vs the Stallions of WMU. The Eagles then conclude their regular season and the home portion of their 2006-2007 season Saturday Night at the Ice Cube vs those same Stallions of Western Michigan. One down, three to go!

GO EMU!
-Kevin