The Wolverines let up two early goals before going on a five-goal onslaught to cruise past the Fighting Irish on Friday night
The No. 9 Michigan Wolverines hockey team came into South Bend needing points in the ever-competitive Big Ten.
After Friday’s commanding 5-3 victory, the Wolverines (13-7-1, 7-4 Big Ten) are back in business with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish falling to 6-14-1, 1-11-1 on the year.
Michigan came out flying, controlling the offensive zone possession and forcing the Notre Dame defense on its heels.
However, poor rebound control from goaltender Logan Stein led to a greasy goal for the Irish’s Cole Knuble — son of former NHLer and Wolverine Mike Knuble.
It went from bad to worse when Michigan forward Jackson Hallum took an interference penalty on the forecheck. Notre Dame made quick work on the power play to extend its first period lead to 2-0.
But, the Wolverines did not stay down for long.
A few minutes later, Mark Estapa recorded his first goal of the season on a power play. The senior forward situated himself down low, caught a pass on the goal line and ripped a quick release below the goaltender’s pad.
Estapa may not have gaudy stats on the season, but ask anyone on the team and they will rave about his physicality and willingness to work in the dirty areas.
Using that rejuvenated energy, Michigan struck again with under five minutes in the opening frame.
The Wolverines sped through the neutral zone and forward Kienan Draper, coming down the left wing, used his right-handed shot to fire one past the Notre Dame goaltender.
Much like the first period, Michigan skated well in the second.
Three minutes in, defenseman Ethan Edwards started his own rush and found a backdoor cutter in forward Philippe Lapointe. The graduate student and alternate captain tucked the sweet feed to give the Wolverines a 3-2 advantage.
Michigan — clearly the faster and more skilled team — continued to dominate play as Draper added another goal and an Edwards power play tally stretched the score to 5-2 in the second period.
The Irish would score their third to pull within two, but the Wolverines did a great job of shutting down scoring opportunities in the third period.
Tonight marks Michigan’s eighth straight win against the Irish, and while this result was no surprise, it was refreshing to see them play such a sturdy defensive structure in the final 20 minutes.
Even down two goals, the Wolverines looked confident in their play and this resounding finish should jumpstart the 2025 campaign.
It was a game that head coach Brandon Naurato’s squad desperately needed to build confidence and accumulate Big Ten points against an inferior opponent.
Now, it’s on to Saturday night’s tilt for a chance at the season sweep.