Winners of six in a row, the Michigan hockey team will look to stay hot this weekend against the Western Michigan Broncos, who are national championship contenders in their own right:
The No. 6 Michigan Wolverines (9-2-1) are set for a top-10 clash against their third-straight ranked opponent in No. 7 Western Michigan (8-1-1). The Broncos are winners of five of their last six and will be looking to cement themselves as legitimate national championship contenders in a critical non-conference home-and-home series.
Led by a quartet of talented scorers, Pat Ferschweiler’s team is once again anchored by one of the country’s top offenses. Fifth-year forward Tim Washe (5G, 7A) is the headliner. Washe provides a big veteran presence and uplifts every player on the ice. Leading the team with a ridiculous +11, Washe will be a defensive focal point for the Wolverines every time he’s on the ice.
Joining Washe up front is a duo of talented sophomores who each carry a specific offensive responsibility for the Broncos. Leading goal scorer Owen Michaels (6G, 2A) and leading set-up man Grant Slukynsky (2G, 8A) perfectly complement each other’s games and mesh seamlessly with Washe.
On the blue line, Western Michigan has taken a step in large part due to true freshman Iiro Hakkarainen (2 G, 3A). The young Finn has helped take the team’s defense — currently ranked fourth in the country in scoring defense — to another level. While his scoring numbers won’t wow anyone, Hakkarainen leads the team in blocked shots (10) and is second in +/- with a +10.
In net, Western Michigan deploys the same senior/freshman goalie rotation as the Wolverines — only better. Freshman Hampton Slukynsky leads the nation in save percentage (.949), and senior Cameron Rowe (.938) is also in the top-10. The only team to beat the Broncos this season is fourth-ranked Boston College. Michigan will have its hands full this weekend, but the Wolverines are also one of the hottest and most surprising teams in college hockey.
Coming off a prolific 16-goal scoring barrage against Penn State, Michigan took its offense to a new heights in Happy Valley. The Wolverines are led by true freshman Michael Hage (8G, 8A) who is coming off a seven-point weekend and the Big Ten’s First Star of the Week recognition. Not to be outdone, T.J. Hughes (5G, 7A) finally overcame his slow start to the season and added five goals (six points) against Penn State to earn the conference’s second Star of the Week.
Defensively, the Wolverines took a step back against the Nittany Lions, allowing 11 goals in two games. Michigan had only allowed eight goals in its previous four games, so the blue line will have to get back on track to slow down the prolific Broncos. Despite the regression, Ethan Edwards and Dakoda Rheaume-mullen continue to block shots at an absurd rate, as both players have absorbed 18 so far this season.
In net, the rotation took a beating on the road last week. Logan Stein (.914) lost two-tenths of his season save percentage and allowed two more goals in his Friday night start than his last four starts combined. Freshman Cameron Korpi also struggled, allowing six goals in his start and dipping his save percentage (.890) south of .900.
Given their track record, last weekend appears to be an aberration for the Wolverines’ defense. The most important thing is they found a new way to win when they needed it. However, getting back to a championship standard on both ends of the ice against a legitimate Frozen Four contender and well-rounded team leaves little time for growing pains.
Key to the Game
Reignite the penalty kill and keep the power play hot. Michigan’s penalty-kill started the season on fire, but has waned in recent weeks. Although it is still operating at a decent level — .795 is nothing to scoff at — if the Wolverines want to make a run in the Big Ten and NCAA Tournament, all special teams must be operating at a high level. Despite the dip in efficiency, Michigan is still third in the country in short-handed goals with three.
On the bright side, Michigan’s power play has finally caught up with Brandon Naurato’s reputation. The Wolverines have quietly rocketed up the rankings and now rank fifth nationally with a .289 power-play conversion. If the Wolverines can stay hot on the PP and string together a .900 PK weekend, Michigan could extend its winning streak to eight.
Game 1
When: Friday, Nov. 29, 7 p.m. ET
Where: Lawson Arena, Kalamazoo, MI
How to watch: NCHC.tv
How to listen: Varsity Podcast Network
Game 2
When: Saturday, Nov. 30, 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Yost Arena, Ann Arbor, MI
How to watch: BIG+
How to listen: Varsity Podcast Network