It was everything a hockey fan could hope for and more. Heated rivals, stellar two-way play and stout goaltending. Here is how the Michigan Wolverines knocked off the Spartans in overtime:
The latest edition of college hockey’s most-played matchup was as highly anticipated as ever. A top-10 showdown between bitter rivals at one of hockey’s most storied rinks?
Sign me up.
With nearly 50 NHL scouts in attendance, these heated foes lived up to the hype and provided the Yost faithful with an instant classic.
The No. 10 Michigan Wolverines (14-8-1, 8-5 Big Ten) used a late rally and a dramatic overtime goal to upset the No. 1 Michigan State Spartans (18-2-3, 9-1-3) Friday night.
It was a rough start for Michigan. Just a few shifts into the game, Michigan State won a battle in the corner and fired a puck at goaltender Logan Stein’s blocker. The nearside shot slipped through and gave the Spartans a quick 1-0 lead.
But Stein was undeterred by the greasy goal. He dialed in and ended up stopping 35 shots in a heroic outing.
It was crucial that he match the goaltending prowess of his opponent, and Friday was one of his best efforts of the season. Most notably, Stein came up with several clutch saves during a late first-period push from Michigan State.
The expected chippiness and animosity were on full display, and a second-period Spartan slash set the Wolverines up on the power play.
Relative newcomer and immediate contributor freshman forward Will Horcoff did what he does best — create chaos in front of the net. Forward Evan Werner fired a one-timer from the left circle and Horcoff’s redirection snuck past Trey Augustine’s glove.
Head coach Brandon Naurato knew it would be difficult to beat Augustine with clean shots. He was a brick wall for most of the game, but Michigan did well to affect pucks and screen his vision. Credit to Naurato and the determination of the forwards.
Nearly a period later, Michigan State responded. It used a long bank pass from the defensive zone to set up a breakaway. Stein was unable to come up with the stop and the Spartans suddenly led 2-1 with only 11 minutes remaining.
The Wolverines — desperate for points in the Big Ten — turned it up a notch and kept their foot on the gas the rest of the game. Finally, with less than six minutes left, forward TJ Hughes got the puck in the high slot, drove toward the net and beat Augustine with a nifty backhander.
His eighth tally of the season tied the game and injected the Children of Yost with bundles of energy. Michigan fed on that energy and continued to control play during regulation.
Fittingly, this one would not be decided in 60 minutes.
Hughes stayed hot in overtime, as he skated the puck into the Michigan State zone and found a cutting Garrett Schifsky in the slot. Schifsky snapped the bobbling puck into the back of the net, giving the Wolverines yet another overtime winner (their fifth of the year).
This was arguably Michigan’s most complete performance of the season. It defended well, played a physical brand and capitalized on scoring chances. Plus, Stein was absolutely phenomenal between the pipes.
Furthermore, the Wolverines proved they can still hang with the best teams and should use this momentum to catapult the second half of their season.
These teams will meet three more times over the next three weeks, and if Friday was any indicator, we are in for some epic battles.