Like other programs, the No. 1 Michigan hockey team hadn’t hit the ice with its full roster since before the mid-season winter break. But as players returned to Ann Arbor from their various international tournaments and restful breaks, it took little time for the Wolverines to shake the rust off their sticks — and for Notre Dame to feel the full force of Michigan’s offensive game in the new year.
The Wolverines (17-4 overall, 8-3 Big Ten) offensively dominated the Fighting Irish (4-14-1, 0-9), 5-2, to ring in the new year with a winning start.
“We know each other pretty well and that’s a very tight locker room,” freshman defenseman Asher Barnett said. “Obviously different systems were played in different tournaments we were at, but we stuck to our process and stuck to our game. We played well.”
Notre Dame delivered physicality from the puck drop. Though the Fighting Irish are known for that style of play, Michigan still found early success in the little moments. By forcing turnovers, blocking and deflecting shots, the Wolverines’ defense kept them at bay while leaving ample opportunities to land pucks in the net.
Freshman forward Adam Valentini opened the scoring for the night on the power play halfway through the first period. Michigan continuously peppered the net with its man-advantage and off a shot from the left side, Valentini gave the extra hit needed to secure the first goal.
With a quiet rest of the period on the scoring front, the Wolverines continued to control the offensive zone time, limiting Notre Dame’s chances. As Michigan contained the Fighting Irish’s shots, it found quick success of its own in the second period.
In the first two minutes of the period, two penalties led to 4-on-4 play, and the loss of one man didn’t hinder the Wolverines from building their lead. Junior forward Nick Moldenhauer carried the puck around the net and sent the puck to the open stick of freshman forward Malcolm Spence to put it away from the slot.
“It’s just the way we play it,” Valentini said. “We just keep going until things open up and we’re just not going to stop.”
Michigan continued to hold the reins of the game and pushed the Fighting Irish into the corner as it dominated the ice. The Wolverines crowded the neutral zone and created their own space by offering few chances for Notre Dame to cross the blue line. And with the Fighting Irish suppressed, Michigan put another two on the board.
In the middle of the second period, senior forward Kienan Draper put the puck away off a rebound shot for the Wolverines’ third goal. A few minutes later, Barnett followed suit, taking the puck around the net to find space off the right circle for the first goal of his collegiate career.
As Michigan persisted with a four-goal run, Notre Dame finally found its own offensive game, putting a goal on the board in the final minutes of the second period. This translated once again seven minutes into the third period, as the Fighting Irish pushed through the chaos in freshman goaltender Jack Ivankovic’s net-front that pushed the Wolverines further up 4-2.
But Michigan’s foundation held strong against Notre Dame’s increasing pressure, and as Moldenhauer scored an empty-netter to finish the game, the Wolverines put away their first Big Ten win of the new year.
“Depth scoring is massive,” Michigan coach Brandon Naurato said. “And then everyone’s involved and they’re feeling good. It should translate to the next game and next weekend, stuff like that.”
While Michigan’s performance in the first half of the season landed it the No. 1 spot, the second half of the season is a test to keep it. The Wolverines showed that their offensive success this season isn’t a fluke and their resolution for the new year is to keep that production level going.
