Michigan Hockey: NCAA Tournament Bentley Preview

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - MARCH 21: T.J. Hughes #13 of the Michigan Wolverines skates with the puck against during the second period against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Big Ten Tournament Championship game at Yost Ice Arena on March 21, 2026 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Jaime Crawford/Getty Imag

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What is the story about?

The No. 1 Michigan Wolverines (29-7-1) are rolling entering the NCAA Tournament. Similar to 2022 with the Big Four, Michigan cruised to a Big Ten Tournament championship and now enters the final stretch of the season as the No. 1 overall seed. Seeking to become the first top overall team to win the title since 2017, Michigan’s journey begins today with Bentley University (23-11-5).

In the recent Big Ten Tournament, conference Player of the Year, T.J. Hughes (20G, 33A) and Michael Hage (13G, 38A) led

the team with six points each in three games. More impressively, the nation’s top offense was further bolstered with 10 (T-E-N) other players registering multiple points over the trio of games as Michigan outscored its opponents, 18-6.

Defensively, the Wolverines have been connected. Against Penn State, Michigan became one of only two teams to hold the Nittany Lions to two or fewer goals since Jan. 4. Moreover, Michigan’s penalty-kill holding Penn State’s skilled unit to 0-for-6 was a massive boost of confidence for a Wolverines PK that has experienced its share of ups and downs this season.

In net, freshman Jack Ivankovic (.923) has been the biggest difference-maker for head coach Brandon Naurato’s squad this season. Ivankovic posted a .926 save percentage in the Big Ten Tournament and will be the biggest X-factor for the Wolverines in these final (hopefully) four games.

Getting to know Bentley

Bentley — a program that only moved to Division 1 in 1999 — is currently riding its best two-year stretch in program history. The Falcons return to the NCAA Tournament after qualifying for their first in 2025. Bentley won the regular-season Atlantic Hockey crown by five points, tied the school record for wins (which was set last year), and proceeded to win five straight games to claim the tournament title as well. The Falcons are flying high entering the postseason and are no longer just happy to be here.

Up front, Bentley is a top-heavy offense buoyed by a quartet of sub-6-foot, 30-point scorers. Jake Black (19G, 22A) is the team’s leading scorer with 41 points and is the focal point for this offense. Kellan Hjartarson(10G, 24A), Plymouth native Michael Mesic (15G, 17A), and Stephen Castagna (11G, 20A) round out the top scorers and are excellent peripheral pieces. However, depth is an issue with this foursome being 12 points clear of any other player on the roster.

On the blue line, what Bentley lacks in dynamic skaters is overcompensated by defensive stalwarts and a top-10 scoring defense. David Helledy (5G, 14A) and Colton Cameron (3G, 4A) have made it their season’s work to stop pucks and have both blocked over 40 apiece this season. This sacrificial willingness will be on full display against the Wolverines as they work to protect their netminder.

Freshman Swede Lukas Swedin (.921) is one of the best in the country and is currently playing the best hockey of his young career. Swedin has not allowed more than two goals in his last four starts and has posted two shutouts during that time, his only two shutouts of the season.

Key to the game

Dominate early and get to their depth. Upsets are rooted in sluggish starts and poor effort. Michigan has had several days now to shake off the confetti and celebration from the Big Ten Tournament and refocus. By jumping out to an early two-goal lead, Michigan will dictate the terms of play and force the Falcons to shorten their bench. Bentley is not a deep team when it is winning, and against the Wolverines, a comeback would require above a Herculean effort with their shallow talent pool against Michigan’s relentless four-line attack.

Furthermore, the magic number for the Wolverines is three. Michigan is undefeated when scoring three or more goals this season, and a fast start would almost guarantee crossing this threshold in regulation.