Michigan was unable to overtake two late period goals by North Dakota Saturday night, falling 5-2 in the Midwest Regional Final at the US Bank Arena.
Two of the most storied college hockey teams in the Wolverines and Fighting Hawks faced off for a chance to go to the Frozen Four in Tampa, Florida.
Michigan, looking for its first Frozen Four appearance since the 2010-11 season, failed to muster any momentum.
Friday night, the second-seed Wolverines played the third-seed Notre Dame to a 3-2 final in overtime when junior Tyler Motte scored to give Michigan the victory.
Saturday’s regional final would be a lot different for the Wolverines as they faced a very skilled North Dakota team who has been in the Top Five of the parawise rankings all season. The Hawks beat Northeastern Friday night in the first semifinals game, 6-2.
The first period began with both teams feeling themselves out and getting used to each other out. Michigan opened the game with their top line with Compher, Connor and Motte which were able to give Michigan its first scoring opportunity against North Dakota goaltender Cam Johnson.
North Dakota came back with their skilled lineup to make the next eight shots on Michigan senior goaltender Steve Racine. Racine and the Michigan defense were able to keep the puck out of the net.
The Fighting Hawks took the first lead of the game at 1:06 left in the first period when Drake Caggiula scored on a breakaway to beat Racine.
The first period ended 1-0 in favor of the Hawks, who outshot the Wolverines 24-8 in the first period.
As the second period started, both teams were playing similar styles as they did in the first period. North Dakota would go on their second power play of the night when Michigan’s Dexter Dancs headed to the box for tripping. The North Dakota offense wasn’t able to setup for very long as they would be called for Interference to make it four on four for both teams.
Neither team were able to capitalize on their power plays as they went back to full strength. Both teams fought hard during the second and at 5:33 of the second period captain JT Compher tied the game at 1 when he would take a wrist shot from the top of the circles to beat Cam Johnson. The goal brought some much need emotion to the entire team.
With 45 remaining in the second, a turnover in the Michigan defensive zone gave the Fighting Hawks their second lead of the evening when Luke Johnson would beat goaltender Steve Racine. North Dakota would take a 2-1 lead heading into the third period. They once again outshot the Wolverines 35-16.
Michigan was known for being a third period team and for coming from behind to win or tie many games this season. Tonight, they needed the same thing to overcome the very strong North Dakota squad.
The final period began with Michigan giving the Fighting Hawks all they had. The Wolverines would get multiple scoring opportunities on Johnson but the phenomenal senior would prevent the puck from getting passed him.
North Dakota would give the Wolverines their first full power play of the tournament and they would capitalize on the mistake by the Fighting Hawks. At 8:39 of the third, Compher would take a cross ice pass from Freshman Kyle Connor and would fire the shot from the left faceoff dot. The shot would be redirected past Johnson and the game would be tied again at 2 goals apiece.
Unfortunately the Wolverines weren’t able to keep up the momentum when North Dakota’s Rhett Gardner deflected the puck to beat Racine at 12:03 of the period giving the lead to North Dakota once again. Just a minute and fourteen seconds later the Fighting Hawks would take a two goal lead when Colton Sanderson would deflect home another shot passed Racine to make it 4-2.
Michigan would try and bounce back in the waning minutes of the game but a slashing penalty on Michael Downing would make it difficult for the Wolverines. Coach Berenson would pull Racine to make it 5 on 5 hockey but Paul LaDue would seal the Wolverines fate when he scored an empty net goal to make it 5-2.
Senior Steve Racine unfortunately earned the loss stopping 44 of 48 shots. North Dakota goaltender Cam Johnson earned the win by stopping 25 of 27 shots.
Michigan was just one win away from returning to the Frozen Four.
There are two huge questions remaining for the Wolverines now: One, who stays and who decides to turn pro? Two, was Saturday Red’s last game as Michigan’s head coach?
He has stated that he will meet with Michigan AD Warde Manuel to discuss what’s best for Michigan after the season was over.
