It was another successful series for Michigan Hockey. After cruising to a 5-1 victory on Friday night, the No. 1 Wolverines (20-4-0) found themselves in a dogfight with the Minnesota Golden Gophers (8-13-2)
on Saturday.
Michigan’s Jayden Perron capitalized on a lazy drop-pass on Minnesota’s blue line and buried it for a 3-2 overtime win.
Back in the first period, Garrett Schifsky opened up the scoring when Tyler Duke jumped in on the rush and hit him right outside the Gopher’s crease for the tuck. The Wolverines were opportunistic on those rushes and did a great job forcing Minnesota into uncomfortable breakout passes. That type of energy and explosiveness is a big part of their success this season.
Despite outshooting and out-chancing the Gophers, Michigan struggled to generate good looks. Two power-play goals within less than three minutes gave Minnesota a 2-1 lead in the second period, and suddenly, this was anything but a sure thing.
The Wolverines, of course, are still without goaltender Jack Ivankovic, but Stephen Peck has looked the part so far. Sure, Michigan knows it has to help out Peck more than Ivankovic; however, that is not necessarily a bad thing, as this program has faltered in the past because of its run-and-gun style.
Peck ended the night with 26 saves, including 18 in the second period. His play should give the team in front of him all the confidence that even without Ivankovic, this is still a National Championship-caliber squad.
As the second period wound down, captain T.J. Hughes picked off a neutral zone pass, flew through the Gophers’ zone and ripped a wrist shot to even the score.
Each team played with more caution than in that fast-flying second frame, and the Wolverines continue to prove they can win in a variety of ways; again, something which we might not have said in previous seasons.
Michigan is off next weekend before regrouping in Columbus for a road series vs the Buckeyes on Jan. 30-31.
