Friday night represented a battle of top-ranked teams, as No. 1 Michigan Hockey played host to rival No. 2 Michigan State, marking the start to the second series between the teams this year. They split
their home-and-home series in December, and both teams have continued to roll ever since.
Although it was a struggle, the Wolverines came back from two goals down to tie the game and force overtime. Jayden Perron buried the game-winner to give Michigan two points on the night and take down its rivals, 4-3.
However, this game got off to a bit of a slow start. Michigan State was the first to get on the scoreboard, with Charlie Stramel tipping in a puck in front of the net to give the Spartans a 1-0 lead with just about five minutes to go in the first period. Michigan State’s lead wouldn’t last long, though, as Nick Moldenhauer would tip in a shot off the stick of Drew Shock to tie the game at 1-1 two minutes later. That score held through the first intermission.
The defensive battle continued to start the second period. Both teams failed to convert on power play chances early on, but Michigan State finally broke through about 15 minutes into the frame. This time, it was Shane Vansaghi sniping one over the left shoulder of Michigan goaltender Stephen Peck.
Michigan State scored again just two minutes later, this time with the Spartans’ Owen West sniping a shot from the slot through some heavy traffic in front of the net. All of a sudden, Michigan State had a 3-1 lead heading into the second intermission.
Michigan got off to a good start in its comeback effort, holding strong on the defensive end before finally getting back in the goal column 10 minutes into the period. Asher Barnett took a pass from Aidan Park in front of the net and ripped the puck past the blocker of Michigan State goaltender Trey Augustine to make it a 3-2 game.
With about eight minutes left in the game, Adam Valentini was assessed a boarding penalty, giving the Spartans a key power play to perhaps add an insurance goal. However, it was Michigan that capitalized, as Kienan Draper pulled in a rebound in front of Michigan’s net and took it coast-to-coast, burying the short-hander to tie the game with just about seven minutes to go.
In overtime, Michigan State was assessed a tripping penalty with roughly three minutes left, giving Michigan a power play chance to win the game. About a minute later, Jayden Perron sniped a shot just inside the post to give Michigan its third straight goal and a 4-3 victory.
With the comeback win, Michigan now has won seven games in a row and is up to an impressive record of 23-4 on the year. More importantly, the Wolverines picked up a big series opening win over their rival to steal the momentum. The teams will be back in action once again on Saturday night in the always highly-anticipated Duel in The D at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
