It happened again!
There's just something about Western Michigan vs Michigan in 2026...
After the Wolverines beat* the Broncos in Week 1 of the college football season on a Hail Mary after one second was controversially put back on the clock, the two schools had some more last-second drama Friday night this — time on the ice.
With 0.1 seconds left on the clock Michigan beat Western Michigan, 3-2, when Will Horcoff scored with a single tick left in regulation in a battle of top-five teams at Yost Ice Arena.
With 0.1 seconds left Will Horcoff ends this one! pic.twitter.com/d1FqzXMEf3
— Michigan Hockey (@umichhockey) October 24, 2026
Afterward, Michigan fans chanted, "Just like football!"
Woof.
Michigan Hockey's X account provided a nice little troll job after the game: "Different sport. Same ending.
👊"
Different sport. Same ending. 👊 pic.twitter.com/OviLCFwxey
— Michigan Hockey (@umichhockey) October 24, 2026
While the football matchup required days of explanations and statements about whether the second should have been added or not, there was no such controversy here.
It looked like the game was almost certainly heading to overtime — until Horcoff fired off the improbable winner, beating Western Michigan sophomore goalie Quentin Miller over his right shoulder.
That set off a raucous celebration at Yost. Officials reviewed the goal to make sure it did, in fact, beat the clock, and they ruled that it, indeed, was good. This time, the officials' clock ruling was correct, unlike in football, when the Wolverines shouldn't have been allotted that final play, the NCAA later acknowledged.
Michigan coach Brandon Naurato admitted to not seeing the game-winner: "I was looking down at the scorecard and starting to get 3-on-3 lines going (for overtime). So, what a finish. I mean unbelievable game against top competition... I know it's exciting moment to win with 0.1 seconds left and how we did it."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Different sport, same ending: Michigan breaks Western Michigan hearts again
