The Michigan hockey team has won seven straight over Notre Dame, and two more could help this team return to the elite form it showed in October:
The No. 9 Michigan Wolverines (12-7-1) are hitting the road for their second meeting this season with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. After a promising start, Notre Dame (6-13) has stumbled from the rankings and has only won two games since Halloween. However, losers of seven straight to Michigan, Notre Dame and head coach Jeff Jackson (in his final season) would love nothing more than to pull the Wolverines into the depths with them.
You can set your watch to matchups with Notre Dame on the ice. Twice, sometimes three times a year, this is a series where the buckets have to be strapped on a little tighter. The Irish are one of the most physical teams in college hockey and rely upon their heavy style and elite goaltending to win games.
In net, Owen Say (.922 SV%) is one of the best in the country. He plays behind a below average offense and defense, but is singlehandedly able to keep the Irish in every game.
Look no further than the first game against Michigan back in November. At home, Michigan outshot Notre Dame, 47-19, won 65 percent of faceoffs and took fewer penalties. However, due to Say standing on his head, the Wolverines barely escaped in overtime, 2-1.
With Say between the pipes, Notre Dame has a chance to beat any team any given night.
On the blue line, Notre Dame has significantly dropped off following its hot start, but there is still a lot to like with this group. Axel Kumlin (3G, 9A) still leads all defensemen in scoring, while Zach Plucinski and Paul Fischer continue to do the dirty work; both have blocked more than 30 shots already this season.
Up front, a pair of sophomores carry the workload. Cole Knuble (7G, 11A) leads the team with 18 points and Danny Nelson (8G, 5A) leads the Irish in goal-scoring. Another name to watch is Brennan Ali (4G, 7A). Although a bottom-six forward, Ali scored two of Notre Dame’s three total goals against the Wolverines in their first meeting.
For Michigan, this weekend is about finding some stability and consistency. In one of the strangest recent seasons for this program, the Wolverines have lost two players from their roster and added another during the season.
In late November, it was confirmed that Arizona State transfer Tim Lovell had left the university and has now subsequently moved to Finland. This week, it was reported that struggling freshman Christian Humphreys has left Michigan and signed with the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL. As for the addition, Will Horcoff — formerly of the USNTDP — joined the Wolverines during the winter break and notched a goal and an assist in his first career collegiate game last Friday against Ohio State at Wrigley Field .
Looking to guide the Wolverines through the chaos are freshman Michael Hage (10G, 10A) and veteran T.J. Hughes (6G, 11A). Hage is still coming to grips with his impending stardom, but has shown signs of maturation post-break, while Hughes is one of the hottest players in the country coming off a five-point weekend against Ohio State.
Defensively, the loss of Lovell has drastically affected Michigan’s ability to hold the blue line. Lovell’s physicality is sorely missed and Michigan hasn’t been the same team since he left. Only one Michigan defenseman — true freshman WIill Felicio — has a positive plus/minus this season, and he has only played in 12 games.
In net, freshman Cameron Korpi (.910 SV%) took over Friday night starting responsibilities against the Buckeyes and showed the highs and lows of a first-year netminder. On the precipice of victory, the team’s six penalties ultimately cost Korpi a shot at a win.
Continuing the goalie rotation, veteran Logan Stein (.890 SV%) looked back to his early-season form on Sunday. After a slow start, Stein kept the Wolverines alive by stopping 28-of-30 shots and securing an OT victory. The guess for the postseason stalwart is as murky as ever, as both players continue to show flashes while the defense in front of them continues to struggle.
Key to the Game
Penalties. It sounds reductive, but penalties directly impacted who won both games last weekend for Michigan, and that will also play a massive role this weekend. It’s a short week of preparation, and for a team as heavy as the Irish, the Wolverines cannot go out undisciplined and seek revenge for hard hits and checks. Furthermore, the Irish are far from an elite offensive team, but their top-10 power play will punish the Wolverines for any mental lapses.
Game 1
When: Friday, Jan. 10, 7 p.m. ET
Where: Compton Family Ice Arena, South Bend, IN
How to watch: Peacock
How to listen: Varsity Podcast Network
Game 2
When: Saturday, Jan. 11, 6 p.m. ET
Where: Compton Family Ice Arena, South Bend, IN
How to watch: Peacock
How to listen: Varsity Podcast Network