PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The No. 9 Michigan hockey team found its players as frequent visitors of the penalty box in an attempt to match No. 7 Providence’s level of physicality. Rather than dwelling on their man-disadvantage, the Wolverines relied on their penalty kill unit to make use of the shorthanded play.
The success of Michigan’s penalty unit became the foundation of its victory as the Wolverines (4-0) triumphed over the Friars (0-2), 3-1, for the series sweep. While Providence attempted to capitalize on its power play opportunities, Michigan’s ability to both kill the penalty and score shorthanded outlasted the Friars’ offensive endeavors.
“It feels great,” Michigan coach Brandon Naurato said. “We have a lot of respect for their program and it was against a top-10ten team on the road. It was a great early test for us and the boys passed.”
Early in the first period, the Wolverines looked to corral control as they hoped to snag a goal in the first few minutes to set the tone. However, it looked as if that plan was going astray when they earned two penalties halfway through the first period, leaving a five-on-three opportunity for Providence to seize. Michigan held the threshold long enough for freshman forward Macolm Spence to return from the penalty box. Spence barreled down the left side to backhand the puck into the net for the shorthanded goal.
With only one goal collectively on the board, the Wolverines and the Friars returned to the second period looking to earn an advantage. However, rather than gaining the edge on Providence, Michigan continued to put itself into the penalty box.
But instead of scrambling, the Wolverines showed once again the versatility of their penalty-kill unit. In lieu of having to see the Friars put one into the net, Michigan decided to beat them to it.
“There were a lot of positive takeaways,” Eernisse said. “We had some (penalty) kills in the first that really helped us build momentum and big saves when we needed it.”
Five minutes into the second period, Providence ripped a shot on the power play that bounced off the pipes but managed to not cross the goal line. Moments after freshman goaltender Jack Ivankovic’s save, senior forward Josh Eernisse saw his opening as he traveled the puck down to put away the Wolverines’ second shorthanded goal of the night. Despite Michigan putting itself in jeopardizing moments with each acquired penalty, its penalty-kill units were determined to correct those moments while notching a goal or two.
However, even with producing two shorthanded goals, the Wolverines’ were killing off penalties for six minutes through the first two periods and eventually that caught up to them. When Michigan was depleted a little more than halfway through the second period, the Friars struck to notch their first goal of the night on the power play.
The third period stalled in scoring, but kept up the same fast and physical style of play. While Providence and the Wolverines battled on the boards for possession, Eernisse decided to take matters into his own hands to notch Michigan’s third goal of the game.
“We talked early on before the season started about taking a lot of pride in our (penalty) kill,” Eernisse said. “We call ourselves the power kill and I think we’re living up to that name right now.”
The Wolverines’ two shorthanded goals and penalty-kill units served as the groundwork of Michigan’s offensive success. Rather than fearing the penalty box, the Wolverines embraced its consequences and even prevailed because of them.
