Michigan Hockey struggled offensively and could not convert on quality chances in overtime, as the Ohio State Buckeyes took Game 1 Thursday night. Here’s what happened:
The No. 11 Michigan Wolverines (17-12-4, 33 points Big Ten) fell 2-1 in an overtime, defensive battle Thursday night to the No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes (23-6-4, 42 points Big Ten). Much like the previous outings, this thrilling affair included intense puck battles, seismic body checks and late-game dramatics.
The game was physical and hotly contested from the opening draw. There was very little open ice for puck carriers and seemingly every time someone touched the puck, they drew a body check. Garrett Schifsky embodied the animosity with a post-whistle wrestling match halfway through the frame.
Surprisingly, the offsetting roughings were the only penalties in what was a spiteful yet cleanly-played period.
Schifsky played a particularly hard game as he consistently flew in on the forecheck and made his presence felt with each body blow.
Neither team generated many high-danger scoring chances and after 20 minutes, there were only 10 combined shots on goal. This is not due to a lack of talent from either forward group, but a testament to their defensive orientation.
Over six minutes into the second, there was finally some offense. Mark Estapa took a questionable holding call which set the Buckeyes up on a power play. They used a tic-tac-toe passing play to pick apart the Wolverines’ defense and a slot shot beat goaltender Logan Stein.
Ohio State seized the momentum and had several excellent odd-man rush looks in the ensuing minutes. Stein, and some critical blocked shots by Jacob Truscott and Ethan Edwards, kept the deficit at one.
After some close calls and a strong defensive stand, the Wolverines finally cashed in on a transition opportunity — their first of the night. Estapa rifled a cross-slot pass to Philippe Lapointe, who, while trying to hit a backdoor cutter in Will Whitelaw, saw his feed take a crazy redirect off a Buckeye skate and into the net.
It was a pivotal goal not only because it tied the game, but it evaporated all of the momentum Ohio State had recently built.
Minutes later, Michigan finally took to the power play. First, Michael Hage drew a boarding minor to set up a 5-on-4. Then, halfway through the power play, Schifsky was tripped.
It was a golden chance to take the lead up two men.
However, the Wolverines squandered the advantage. It was not a complete disaster as Hage hit a post and Edwards just missed on a one-timer missile, but a disappointing result nonetheless.
The third period was a near carbon copy of the first, with neutral zone pressure and steady goaltending eliminating any scores. With Cameron Korpi in concussion protocol, perhaps Stein feels more comfortable knowing he is the only trustworthy option in net. The duo has split time for the majority of the 2024-25 campaign.
Michigan did have a crucial penalty kill with under eight minutes after Hunter Hady was sent off for cross-checking a Buckeye in the upper neck area. There was a mad scramble in front of Stein and Hady went over the line with his extracurricular activities after the whistle.
Fittingly, this one would require overtime.
During the 3-on-3, the Wolverines appeared destined for a goal. Hughes narrowly missed wide-open Edwards on the back post and a shift later, Hage was stuffed on a breakaway.
As it so often goes in this sport, if you can’t score on a couple of good looks, the opposition is due for a goal. And such was the case tonight.
Off a faceoff loss, Michigan sent two forwards after the puck carrier behind the net. This allowed Ohio State to get out in transition and it buried the game-winning goal. Stein played a great game and had 23 saves, several of which were magnificent. Unfortunately, he could not come up clutch this time.
The Wolverines are now in danger of losing home-ice advantage in the Big Ten Tournament to Penn State and will need a bounce-back effort tomorrow to wrap up the regular season.
If the previous three meetings between these rivals have been any indicator, that one will come down to the wire, too.