The Michigan men’s ice hockey team has been on quite the roll to start the season, off to a 6-0 start with wins over Mercyhurst, Providence and Robert Morris. This week brought a big test to the table,
though, as the Wolverines squared off with Western Michigan — the defending national champions and No. 2 team in all of college hockey — in a home-and-home series.
Game 1
Michigan got off to a quick start in Thursday’s series opener at Yost. Just under two minutes into the game, Jayden Perron caught a cross-ice pass from Nick Moldenhauer and skated in on net before lifting the puck over the shoulder of Western Michigan goaltender Hampton Slukynsky to give the Wolverines a quick 1-0 lead. Michigan held its lead there for the rest of the first period despite Western Michigan peppering Jack Ivankovic for 15 shots on goal.
About eight minutes into the second period, Michigan got another chance to extend its lead by going on the power play. The Wolverines were able to take advantage with Michael Hage finding the back of the net to give Michigan a 2-0 lead. Coming out of the second intermission, Michigan was again awarded a power play chance, and this time it was Adam Valenti scoring off of Hage’s assist to give Michigan a commanding 3-0 lead.
With the game all but wrapped up, Michigan was able to tack on one more with Garrett Schifsky scoring the empty-net goal in the game’s final seconds. And just like that, Michigan had advanced to 7-0 on the year with a win over the reigning national champions.
Game 2
On Friday night, the teams headed to Kalamazoo to finish the series with Michigan looking to sweep and go to 8-0 on the year.
This time, it was Western Michigan getting off to the hot start. Michigan’s Henry Mews drew a holding penalty just five minutes into the game, and Liam Valentine of Western Michigan capitalized shortly thereafter with a power play goal to put the Broncos up 1-0. Michigan would respond later in the period with Dakoda Rheaume-Mullen finding the back of the net to tie the game at 1-1. That score would hold heading into the first intermission.
Michigan set up three Western Michigan opportunities to score thanks to three penalties in the second period. The Broncos weren’t able to capitalize on any of their power play chances, but did come through with a goal from Zack Sharp with just less than five minutes ton play in the second. The Broncos had the narrow 2-1 lead, leaving Michigan still with a chance to grab a late lead.
But Western Michigan’s Grant Slukynsky scored just 32 seconds into the third period to make it 3-1. The Broncos would hold the lead for the remainder of the game and even tacked on some insurance, with Bobby Cowan and Slukynsky scoring goals of their own to extend the lead. Michigan’s Will Horcoff would add one on the power play, but it was much too late in the game to start a comeback. The Broncos ended up winning by a 5-2 final score, giving Michigan its first loss of the young season.
The schedule doesn’t get much lighter, as Michigan will make the trek down to South Bend to take on Notre Dame for two games next Friday and Saturday.
