PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Freshman goaltender Jack Ivankovic saved a mere 19 pucks for the No. 9 Michigan hockey team against No. 7 Providence. Although that might be considered a low production night for a goaltender, the Friars still hurled 42 shots on the night.
However, Ivankovic never saw the rest of those shots. He didn’t have to save those pucks because the Wolverines’ blue line made sure they never reached him.
“Hopefully that sounds like it’s going to be a trend if we’re playing our game,” Michigan coach Brandon Naurato said. “It’s a light name because the defense did a really good job of boxing out for second opportunities and Jack did a really good job. He’s a really good goalie. If he sees a puck, he’s gonna save it.”
Through the first period, the Wolverines’ defensive core struggled to deliver the high performance they soon found and maintained for the rest of the game. Providence’s size advantage overwhelmed Michigan early on. The Friars attempted to bulldoze into the Wolverines’ defensive zone and Michigan’s slow response opened the lanes for Providence’s sole goal of the game.
After Ivankovic conceded the one goal, Michigan’s defense showed it was determined to not see another hit the back of the Wolverines’ net. The only way Michigan’s blue-line players could commit to the high pressure styl of play was their belief in knowing that if another puck snuck through, Ivankovic was more than ready to snag it.
“It’s unreal having (Ivankovic), he’s unbelievable,” sophomore defenseman Dakoda Rhéaume-Mullen said. “And for us, he makes it easy… He’s gonna make that save nine times out of 10.”
With that one goal back of mind, the Wolverines’ swarmed the Friars. Michigan pushed Providence to the perimeters and checked them into the boards, limiting their chances to even get to the slot nor to take a threatening shot. As the Wolverines suppressed the Friar’s offensive cohesion and mobility, Ivankovic had little action in front of his crease.
But when the puck managed to cross into Ivankovic’s realm, his defensive line in front of him didn’t panic — because they knew their goaltender was likely to save that puck, nine times out of 10.
Ivankovic’s light workload demonstrated the depth of Michigan’s defense and its ability to build a wall around its goaltender. Through the consistent blocked shots, clearing the puck with ease and policing the blueline to keep the puck in the offensive zone, the Wolverines showcased their strength as a unit, but also their faith in Ivankovic.
“It just makes everyone more confident,” freshman defenseman Drew Schock said. “Everybody on our team can say they just want to help (Ivankovic) and to work the hardest for him.”
While holding a top-10 team to just a goal is an impressive feat, the real fruits of the win lies in Michigan’s united blue-line front.
The Wolverines silenced Providence as it attempted shot after shot only to be met with a brick wall made up of their defensive unit with Ivankovic behind them. For the young goaltender and newly formed defense, Michigan’s synchronous play allowed both to excel against the Friars.
