The 2010 Great Lakes Invitational championship game will be between Michigan and Colorado College. Michigan beat Michigan Tech, 4-2, on Wednesday night to advance to tonight's championship game. Earlier in the day, Colorado College held on to beat Michigan State, 5-4, to clinch a spot in the title game.
The Wolverines' win against Michigan Tech was a bit of an odd game. Through two periods, Michigan led by a score of only 1-0 despite outshooting Michigan Tech by a ridiculous margin of 31-13. This was a completely one-sided affair, but Michigan only had a one-goal lead to show for it. In the third period, the play was much more even, as Michigan had 18 shots and Michigan Tech had 17 shots in the final 20 minutes. Despite the play seemingly being more even, Michigan netted three goals during the third period. Michigan Tech got two of its own during the third, but the Wolverines scored three goals, including an empty-netter, to win by a score of 4-2.
The Michigan State game against Colorado College was also somewhat odd based on the statistics. Colorado College had only one more shot than MSU through two periods, but the score was 5-2 in its favor. In the third period, the Spartans outshot CC by a margin of 15-2, but they could only net two goals, one of which was on a power play in the final minute of the game. Colorado College won by a score of 5-4 despite MSU dominating the action during the final 20 minutes.
Michigan and Colorado College will play each other tonight at 7:35 p.m. for the 2010 GLI title. The game will be broadcast on Fox Sports Detroit. Earlier in the day, at 4:05 p.m., Michigan State will take on Michigan Tech in the third-place game.