The Michigan Wolverines are fighting for their postseason lives this weekend against a team that embarrassed them back in December. Can Michigan Hockey find a way to steal a few points from the top-five Minnesota Golden Gophers?
The Michigan Wolverines (16-12-2) are ranked 12th nationally in the USHCO rankings and in the Pariwise rankings — smack-dab directly on the edge of the NCAA Tournament bubble. Michigan picked up a massive three points last Friday against Michigan State, but a flaccid follow-up on Saturday quickly re-grounded the Wolverines.
With four games remaining, Michigan needs to find some consistency in the home stretch. But the unrelenting Big Ten schedule is not making it easy with the top-five Minnesota Golden Gophers coming to Yost this weekend — a team Michigan has yet to score a goal against this season.
No. 4 Minnesota (21-6-3) — third in Pairwise — kicked Michigan’s ass in December. The Gophers dominated the Wolverines, 6-0, in the first game in perhaps the worst performance by a Michigan team in the Brandon Naurato era. In the second game, the Wolverines showed some resolve, but not enough to muster a goal as they fell, 2-0.
On paper, it’s hard to find a true weakness for the Gophers. Up front, their offense has scored more goals (121) than any other team in the country. Led by junior Jimmy Snuggerud (20G, 21A), this attack is balanced, experienced and can score in bunches, as Michigan learned in December. Supporting Snuggerud is Connor Kurth (13G, 18A), who is second on the team in points and leads the Gophers with an outstanding +28.
Defensively, Motzko’s unit is again ranked inside the top-15. Star blue liner Sam Rinzel (9G, 17A) is one of the top-producing defensemen in the country and is joined by a trio of brutes who have each blocked more than 30 shots this season. Of the three, Ryan Chesley (7G, 10A) might be in contention for sponge of the year with 52 blocks alone.
Between the pipes, Penn State transfer Liam Souliere (.927 SV%) is one of the biggest revelations in all of college hockey. After a mediocre career in Happy Valley, Souliere now leads the Big Ten in save percentage and goals against average (2.015). Helping spell Souilere is Nathan Airey (.901 SV%) to form one of the best tandems in the country.
Looking to break this scoring slump for the Wolverines will undoubtedly be forward T.J. Hughes (13G, 20A). After growing tired of waiting for freshman Michael Hage (12G, 18A) to become a Fantilli-esque superstar, Hughes has put his foot on the gas and become the hottest player in the country. He is riding a nationally-leading 13-game points streak.
On the blue line, Michigan showed its Jekyll and Hyde identity against the Spartans. In Game 1, the defense was connected and smothering. But on Saturday, it was sloppy, zone exits were a mess, and the Wolverines were always on their back foot. This weekend, Michigan has to prioritize clean zone exits and limit offensive zone time. The Gophers thrive on volume shots at the net, so Ethan Edwards (4G, 14A) is going to have to play a monster role this weekend. That will require immense puck-handling and an average ice time of more than 30 minutes each night to keep Minnesota at bay.
In net, freshman Cameron Korpi (.903 SV%) started both games against Michigan State and had moments of dominance and weakness. Shots from the point and rebounds continue to give him issues, but unless Logan Stein (.893 SV%) has reclaimed his confidence from the back of the net, Korpi still gives Michigan the best chance this weekend.
Key to the Game
Start fast and reignite the power play. A fast start will help the Wolverines build confidence and forget about the scoring drought against the Gophers. Secondly, Michigan’s power play cooled off last weekend, but still remains the best in the Big Ten and top-10 nationally (.265). For as well-rounded as Minnesota is, its penalty kill (.754) is last in the Big Ten. The Gophers counter this by being one of the least penalized teams in the country, but if Michigan can drag them into the mud, they can steal a critical three points.
Game 1
When: Friday, Feb 14, 7 p.m. ET
Where: Yost Ice Arena; Ann Arbor, MI
How to watch: BIG+
How to listen: Varsity Podcast Network
Game 2
When: Saturday, Feb, 15, 6 p.m. ET
Where: Yost Ice Arena; Ann Arbor, MI
How to watch: Big Ten Network
How to listen: Varsity Podcast Network