For the first time in school history, the Michigan Wolverines have won their first Big Ten Hockey Championship. A late period power play goal by sophomore Zach Werenski gave the Wolverines a 4-3 lead with less than 5 minutes to go in regulation.
Two of the most recognizable programs in college hockey faced off on Saturday night for the Big Ten Championship. Minnesota beat Michigan a year before, 2-1, which prevented the Wolverines from making it to the NCAA playoffs. This year, the roles have changed as Minnesota needed to win the Big Ten Championship to earn a spot in the NCAA playoffs. Due to how well the Wolverines played throughout the season, they were already a lock in the playoffs.
Michigan came into Saturday night’s contest after a 7-2 victory over the Penn State in the semifinals of the Big Ten Championship. Michigan freshman Kyle Connor, scored a natural hat trick in the second period on his way to a four goal night. Connor, who was named the Big Ten Player of the Year and a Hobey Baker Finalist broke the Michigan freshman goal record. This record has not been duplicated since Denny Felsner during the 1988-89 season.
In the other semifinal game, Minnesota had to come from behind to beat the Ohio State Buckeye’s 4-2 setting up a rematch from last year’s Big Ten Championship game with Michigan.
Michigan and Minnesota split the season series 2-2-0 with Minnesota having the upper hand on the Wolverines due to a 3-2 overtime win on February 26th. Minnesota won the regular season title over the Wolverines by 1 point.
As the first period began, the Wolverines seemed to have the early momentum. Michigan junior Tyler Motte, gave the Wolverines the early lead at 9:36 when knocked home a Kyle Connor pass on a second effort to beat the Big Ten Goalie of the Year freshman Eric Schierhorn for his 30th goal of the season. Michigan would head into the second period with a 1-0 lead.
Michigan junior captain JT Compher would extend the Wolverines lead 2-0 just a 1:31 into the second. Compher, earned his 14th goal of the season and Michigan’s second power play goal of the game when he jammed the puck between the left post and Schierhorn’s pad.
Minnesota’s Vinni Lieteri would find his line mate Leon Brisdedt with a backhand pass which he would beat Michigan senior goaltender Steve Racine top shelf at 6:39 of the second.
Momentum would continue for the Gophers just four minutes later when Jake Bischoff would tie the game at two when he would score on a wraparound to beat a diving Racine. The goal would be reviewed as it seemed that Racine was knocked down by a Minnesota player but the goal was upheld after review.
Minnesota’s Justin Kloos would give them their first lead of the night on the power play at 16:50 with a one timer from the top of the slot to beat Racine. The Wolverines would trail the Gophers 3-2 at the end of the second period.
During the course of the season, the Wolverines have had many games where they’ve had to come from behind in the later periods to sneak out a victory. This game against the Gophers would not be any different.
Entering the third period, the Wolverines would go full force on the Gophers forcing the Schierhorn to make many great saves to keep them with a one goal lead and a chance at the Big Ten Championship.
At 3:13, the magnificent freshman Kyle Connor would extend his NCAA goal lead to 35 and tie the game 3 with an amazing move and hands to beat Schierhorn and give the Wolverines that much needed momentum to capture the Big Ten title.
Both teams were working hard to score that next goal that could potentially lead them to the championship. At 14:42 of the third, Minnesota’s Jack Glover would head to the box for holding Justin Selman. The Wolverines were 2 of 3 on the power play throughout the game and this penalty would prove costly for the Gophers.
Michigan sophomore Zach Werenski would give the Wolverines the lead and eventual game winning goal at 15:27 when he took a JT Compher pass at the point and fired home the wrister to beat Schierhorn. Throughout the remaining minutes of the game, the Michigan defense and goaltender Steve Racine stayed strong to prevent the Gophers from evening up the game.
At 19:37, Tyler Motte would score his second goal of the game with an empty net goal to seal a 5-3 victory for the Wolverines.
Coach Berenson and Michigan Wolverines captured their first Big Ten Hockey title and would turn the table on Minnesota and preventing them from winning the Big Ten title and denying them a chance at spot in the NCAA tournament.
Michigan goaltender Steve Racine would earn the W making 30 saves. Minnesota’s freshman goaltender Eric Schierhorn would earn the loss also stopping 30 goals.
Something to encouraging as of late has been the Michigan power play unit who were 3 for 4 on the power play on Saturday night and 6 for 9 during the two games in St. Paul.
The Wolverines will face storied rival the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Friday, March 25th at 5:30 PM EST in the first round of the NCAA Ice Hockey Regionals in Cincinnati, Ohio at the U.S Bank Arena.
