Hockey Recap: Michigan earns extra point in shootout following 4-4 tie at Wisconsin

The Michigan hockey team surrendered a two-goal lead for a second straight night en route to a 4-4 tie, but did earn an extra point in the shootout over Wisconsin. Here’s a rundown of all the action from the ice in Saturday’s series finale:

After letting one slip away on Friday night , Michigan was determined to right the ship in its series finale with Wisconsin on Saturday. The Wolverines were able to avoid being swept in the series and a third straight loss, but were forced to settle for a 4-4 tie before earning an extra point in the shootout against the Badgers.

Michigan came out hot much like it did on Friday. This time, though, it was Kienan Draper that found the back of the net, burying a rebound that Wisconsin goaltender William Gramme couldn’t corral. Just over three minutes into the game, Michigan was out to a 1-0 lead. It wouldn’t last long, though, as Wisconsin’s Tyson Dyck would score a goal of his own just five minutes later to make it 1-1.

Looking to regain its grasp on the game, Michigan’s offense took advantage of a face off win in the Wisconsin zone. Garrett Schifsky won the draw and passed it back to Tyler Duke, who fed T.J. Hughes for a goal to give Michigan a 2-1 lead. The Wolverines kept the pedal to the metal in the first period by scoring once more, this time it was junior Luca Fantilli scoring to make it 3-1.

After dominating the scoreboard in the first period, it was a different story in the second period. Sophomore forward Quinn Finley would sneak one past Michigan’s Logan Stein to cut the lead to one just five minutes into the period.

Shortly thereafter, Christian Fitzgerald scored a goal of his own for the Badgers to knot the game up at three apiece. For the second straight night, Michigan had surrendered a two-goal lead to allow Wisconsin back into the game.

Needing to re-discover its offense in the third period, Michigan was able to do just that about eight minutes into the frame. Evan Werner was able to maintain control of the puck close to the net and slid it around the goaltender to give Michigan a 4-3 lead heading into the late stages of the contest. Desperate for offense late, Wisconsin pulled its goalie with just over three minutes to play and scored with the extra attacker to make it a 4-4 game.

The game went to overtime, but neither team was able to break through in the five-minute extra frame. Michigan was able to get the job done in the shootout, as Michael Hage’s goal was the deciding factor to provide the Wolverines with an extra point.

The Wolverines will have a chance to keep things moving in the right direction next weekend when they take on Penn State for a pair of games at Yost.