The Michigan hockey team is riding the high after sweeping BU on the road last weekend. Returning home, Michigan is set for another street fight against Jeff Jackson and Notre Dame to begin Big Ten play:
The No. 7 Michigan Wolverines (5-2-1) return home to Yost following a statement two-game sweep over previously fifth-ranked Boston University. With no time to rest on their laurels, the Wolverines must prepare for No. 20 Notre Dame (5-3-0), a team with revenge on its mind.
Last season, the Wolverines beat Notre Dame five out of six times, including a two-game sweep, to end the Irish’s season. Furthering the motivation, this season is also the last season that head coach Jeff Jackson will be behind the bench for the Irish.
Prior to the start of the season, Jackson announced that following an illustrious 20-year career that includes two NCAA championships at Notre Dame, this season would be his last in South Bend. Although the light at the end of the tunnel is growing nearer for Jackson, his team’s performance has not waned a degree to start his final season.
The Irish’s trademark heavy style has been in full force in the first eight games. Led by leading goal scorer Cole Knuble (6G, 6A), Notre Dame’s timely offense has been hotter than normal in the first month. Although the scoring offense is still only slightly above average, this is an encouraging sign for a team that relies on defense to generate offense.
On the blue line, Notre Dame has once again been bruising. Their physical “grown-man” style is the single biggest reason the Irish have already cracked the rankings after beginning the year on the outside looking in.
Defenseman Axel Kumlin (1G, 5A) is the leading scorer of the group, while Henry Nelson and Paul Fischer have been the sponges with 11 blocked shots apiece so far this season. The reinvigorated focus on “their” style of play has helped the Irish bounce back this season and once again develop another top-tier goaltender.
In net, junior goalie Owen Say has posted a ridiculous .960 save percentage through seven games. It is the fourth-highest mark in the country and the highest for any player who has made more than 100 saves this year. After multiple years of dealing with All-American Ryan Bischel between the pipes, the Wolverines will again have their work cut out for them.
Last weekend, Michigan showed tremendous growth on the power play and by balancing out its scorers across numerous players instead of just relying upon a select few. Against Notre Dame, the Wolverines will again need this depth and its new duo of “stars” to keep the pressure on the road team.
Colorado College transfer Evan Werner (3G, 2A) finally asserted his presence for his new team against BU with a massive three-goal, four-point weekend to snag the Big Ten’s First Star of the Week Award. Just off the pace was junior Jackson Hallum, who finally looked like himself again after an injury kept him out the majority of last season. In the second game against BU, Hallum tallied his first career hat trick and scored the game-winner in overtime to snag the Big Ten’s Second Star.
Defensively, the Wolverines will need to continue playing connected and reserved to prevent any easy odd-man rushes. Although they owned the season series last year, the Irish dominated, 6-1, in their one win. Not a historic offensive powerhouse, Notre Dame can light the lamp with the best of them when teams are undisciplined.
In net, both grad transfer Logan Stein (.932 save percentage) and freshman Cameron Korpi (.900) came away with key wins against the Terriers. Although Korpi allowed three more goals than Stein, the young freshman took the best shots from a desperate and superbly talented team on Saturday and delivered timely stops to force overtime.
Head coach Brandon Naurato appears committed to the rotation (for now) to get both players reps and help Korpi prepare to be the goalie of the future. However, in crunch time, expect Stein to be the go-to guy.
Key to the Game
For the Wolverines to get the best of this defense, they are going to have to be patient and relentless. A simple formula, but one that is hard to come by against the Irish, as their team goal is to lambast and frustrate opponents into mistakes. When those mistakes happen, Michigan’s penalty-killing unit is going to have to be the star.
Michigan’s PK has been excellent all season, and that will have to continue this weekend. Although the Wolverines rank No. 30 nationally, its .833 kill percentage is second in the Big Ten and sixth nationally for teams that have faced 30 or more power plays.
The Irish’s power play is currently the best in the Big Ten and ninth nationally, converting at a .280 percentage. With frequent struggles to score during five-on-five, Notre Dame has made its special teams a priority. If Michigan can limit being in the sin bin and/or keep the Irish off the score sheet on the man advantage, the Wolverines will have a chance to sweep Jackson in his last stand at Yost.
Game 1
When: Friday, Nov. 8, 6 p.m. ET
Where: Yost Arena, Ann Arbor, MI
How to watch: BIG+
How to listen: Varsity Podcast Network
Game 2
When: Saturday, Nov. 9, 7 p.m. ET
Where: Yost Arena, Ann Arbor, MI
How to watch: BIG+
How to listen: Varsity Podcast Network