The No. 2 Michigan hockey team rarely finds itself forced into an underdog position so early on into a contest. However, for three straight games, the Wolverines have seen the scales tipped out of their favor. Tonight that trend came to a close, launching Michigan back into a position it’s more familiar with.
In the teams’ final meeting of the regular season, the Wolverines (24-5-1) defeated No. 6 Penn State (18-9-1), 6-3, on the backs of their success found early on in the matchup. Michigan’s tie the night before sparked a quick fuse that burned just long enough for the Wolverines to achieve another win this season over the Nittany Lions.
Seven minutes into the game, freshman forward Cole McKinney stepped up to take the face off in Penn State’s end. Despite losing the draw, freshman forward Aidan Park quickly picked up the puck in the left corner, then sent it back to senior defenseman Luca Fantilli. When given a look at net, Fantilli sent a shot on frame where McKinney was ready to tip the puck past the Nittany Lions’ goaltender and put his team out front, 1-0.
And just four minutes later, junior defenseman Ben Robertson would aid Michigan’s hopes at extending the lead. After his individual effort fell short, he was saved by junior forward Nick Moldenhauer’s ability to snag the rebound and add another goal to the Wolverines’ tally.
“We want to dictate the game,” freshman forward Adam Valentini said. “We don’t want to sit back and let them take it to us. So, I think it’s pretty big of us coming out in the first.”
Now leading 2-0, a small cushion provided a thin safety net for Michigan — one that would rip a minute later.
Penn State forward Matt DiMarsico entered the Wolverines’ zone heavily outnumbered. Falling to his knees, it seemed the Nittany Lions’ try would end as quickly as it started. However, DiMarsico managed to commence a string of passes that ended once the puck rested behind freshman goaltender Jack Ivankovic.
The first period concluded with Michigan up, 2-1, clutching tight to its four minutes of success when preparing for the remaining periods of play. Penn State’s shot count wasn’t slowing down any time soon, much to the Wolverines’ dismay. And this lead would be more vital than ever.
The second period was relatively stable. Both groups remained strong in their defensive identities, killing any offensive berths before they became a threat. The period’s lone moment of excitement came from a Michigan power-play goal scored by junior forward Jayden Perron, simply building off that early success the Wolverines cemented 20 minutes prior, to lead 3-1.
Michigan had the advantage going into the third period, but whether or not it could maintain that lead was the greater question at hand. The game looked as though the next goal would either give the Nittany Lions hope or carve a clear path to victory for the Wolverines.
Then the goal horn sounded.
Michigan celebrated around sophomore forward Will Horcoff as he notched his 21st goal of the season on the power play, opening the floodgates for a series of goals in the Wolverines’ favor. A 4-1 lead quickly expanded to 5-1 within three minutes, in spite of Penn State’s notably greater shot tally. While the Nittany Lions were able to squeeze two more past Ivankovic, a 5-3 score did little in energizing Penn State enough to win, especially once Moldenhauer scored an empty netter with a minute to play.
“That’s part of our dominance,” senior forward Josh Eernisse said. “When we’re playing our game and playing our strategy. That’s what we wanted to get back to tonight, having a good Saturday night where we get back to our identity in Michigan hockey.”
Michigan broke the Nittany Lions early Saturday, something they had failed to do in recent games that played into its struggles. However, the Wolverines’ ability to revert to old habits boded well for their final regular season matchup against a Big Ten opponent.
