After splitting last weekend’s series with Wisconsin, Michigan Hockey headed to Penn State for a pair of games this weekend. Here’s a brief rundown of everything that happened on the ice in State College as the Wolverines took on the No. 5 team in the country.
Friday night’s series opener went just about as well as the Wolverines could have drawn it up. Despite taking an early penalty, it was Michigan that got on the board first with a shorthanded goal from Josh Eernisse to make it 1-0 about eight
minutes in. Michigan didn’t stop there in the first period, as Will Horcoff would find the back of the net for the 12th time this season, as would Nick Moldenhauer to make it a 3-0 game heading into the first intermission.
In the second period, Michigan didn’t exactly let up. Just over four minutes into the period, Garrett Schifsky scored for the sixth time this season to give Michigan a commanding 4-0 lead. Penn State would respond in the waning seconds of the period, as Shea Van Olm scored to make it 4-1.
Entering the third, Penn State was going to need a minor miracle to make a comeback, and Michigan was determined to make sure it wouldn’t happen. Just 51 seconds into the period, Michigan’s Adam Valenti scored to put the Wolverines ahead 5-1. Not much later, T.J. Hughes would score as well despite falling down in front of the net to put Michigan on top 6-1, while Cole McKinney put the icing on the cake with a goal of his own in the waning minutes of the period to secure Michigan a 7-1 victory.
On Saturday night, the teams took to the ice once again with Michigan looking for the sweep in the series finale. However, it was Penn State that struck first after a scoreless first period. The Nittany Lions’ Luke Misa scored midway through the second to put Penn State on top, 1-0. Nick Fascia would score for Penn State as well in the closing seconds of the period to make it a 2-0 game. Facing a late deficit, Michigan was going to need a big third period for a second consecutive night.
Things didn’t get off to a great start in the final stanza, though, as Penn State’s Reese Laubach scored to make it 3-0. Will Horcoff scored goal No. 13 on the season to cut the deficit to two goals. Jayden Perron would find the back of the net as well with about four minutes to play, giving the Wolverines a bit more hope of completing the comeback. However, Michigan wouldn’t be able to convert again and Penn State scored once more on the empty net to win it by a 4-2 final score.
With another split this weekend, Michigan moved its record to 11-3 on the year, including a mark of 4-2 in conference play. Next weekend, Michigan will return home for a pair of games against the Ohio State Buckeyes on Friday and Saturday night.
