Michigan Hockey: Wolverines look to build momentum before Denver rematch

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 9: Jayden Perron #18 of the Michigan Wolverines skates against the Denver Pioneers during the NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Frozen Four semifinal at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 9, 2026. The Pioneers won 4-3 in double overtime. (Photo by Richard T Gag

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Michigan hockey is undefeated, No. 2 in the nation, and back in action this weekend with a two-game home stand against Alaska Anchorage (0-2). If any football team wants to complain about bad travel, don’t mention it to the Seawolves, who are traveling nearly 4,000 miles for this weekend’s matchup.

Last weekend, Michigan dominated Bowling Green by a combined score of 11-5 and helped head coach Brandon Naurato win his 100th career game. Through two games, Jayden Perron (3G, 4A) and Michael Hage (3G, 4A) have

already racked up seven points apiece and a total of 13 Wolverines have registered a point.

Two standouts among this crop of scorers were defensemen Henry Mews (0G, 2A) and Landon DuPont (0G, 2A). Mews returned after nine months on the sidelines with an injury and immediately looked like his old self as the top power play quarterback. DuPont – the most decorated recruit in program history – shared PP-1 responsibilities with Mews (when you D-men this dynamic, you can play two on the top unit) and acquitted himself nicely with two points in his first career college hockey game. To look like you belong as a freshman in your first career game is high praise.

In net, Jake Ivankovic (.931 SV%) picked up right where he left off last season. The sophomore netminder stopped 29 shots on Friday and 38 on Saturday, and only three of the five goals he allowed came at even strength. The team looked as advertised against Bowling Green. Now comes the test of any great team. How do they handle success?

Alaska Anchorage

Alaska Anchorage is in a rough patch as a program. It’s been three years since this team has won more than six games in a season and they are well on their way to keeping that streak alive this season. In their opening series against Denver last week, the Pios dominated by scores of 6-2 and 4-1. Traveling to Ann Arbor next, first-year head coach Eric Rud has work cut out for him.

Up front, don’t be fooled by Tye Spencer’s (2G, 0A) stature. He may stand four inches south of six feet, but he beat Denver All-Universe goalie Johnny Hicks twice last Saturday. He should keep those pucks. Oren Shtrom (0G, 2A) is the top assist man for the Seawolves, whose point guard style allows him to attack pressure and pass through to empty space. Shtrom is a catalyst for the forwards. If Anchorage wants to get anything going on the forecheck or in transition, look for him at the center of the action.

On the blue line, Cooper Anderson (1G, 1A), who does not work for CNN, might be Anchorage’s best player. At 6’4, the freshman is a fluid player, dynamic enough to activate in the offensive zone and gritty enough to absorb pucks in the defensive end. If there is an X factor this weekend, it’s likely Anderson’s 200-foot game.

Between the pipes, the Seawolves tried out a different goalie each night against the Pios and neither will tell their children about their performances. On Friday, William Gramme allowed six goals on 33 shots and on night two, Joey Rocha allowed three on 29 shots. Michigan will likely face both this weekend as the Seawolves continue to search for stability.

Key to the Game

Don’t get caught looking ahead. This is a classic trap series for the Wolverines. It is easy to overlook Alaska Anchorage. This is a bad program with minimal talent that just got smoked to start the season. Not to mention, next weekend, Michigan travels to Denver for a Frozen Four rematch. Which is also the same weekend Denver is raising its national championship banner, but I can’t get ahead of myself either.

This is a weekend series for the Wolverines to work out some of the rust the team experienced against Bowling Green. There weren’t many, but this is an opportunity to try out different lines, D pairings, and iron out the special teams. Improvement cannot be rushed and this is a great week to improve before heading to Denver. If Michigan is focused on the details required to improve, both the Wolverines and Seawolves will finish the weekend with the zeroes in their records still intact.