Thursday, April 7, 2011

Michigan stuns the X

Is it an upset when Michigan wins in the Frozen Four? Usually not; it has nine of them. But it certainly seemed like an upset on Thursday night at the Xcel Energy Center when the Wolverines knocked off North Dakota 2-0 in the Frozen Four semifinals.

Michigan goalie Shawn Hunwick stopped 40 shots, as UND outshot Michigan 40-20. Michigan got a first-period goal from Ben Winnett and was pretty much content on playing defense the rest of the way until Scooter Vaughan's empty-net goal in the final minute clinched the win.

Hunwick had to make two huge saves on Evan Trupp in the final minute before the empty-netter. However, Michigan's defense seemed to have North Dakota frustrated and discombobulated throughout the night. The Sioux simply had trouble making good, clean plays when they needed them most. Their power play, at times, looked more like MSU's this season than UND's.

That sets up a Michigan-Minnesota Duluth championship game on Saturday night. Michigan will be going for its 10th national title, while UMD will be going for its first.

1 comment:

crossjcek said...

Mich looks never strong hope UMD can solve the defense. GO dogs