Michigan hockey has a phenomenal class of freshman that lead the team in goal and assist contribution, but coach Mel Pearson feels that the Wolverines will only go as far as their upperclassmen take them. This means that, as it has been all season, secondary scoring from more senior members of the team will be essential to Michigan's continued offensive and team success.
COLUMBUS — Late in the second period of the Michigan hockey team’s series finale against Ohio State on Saturday, a point shot from sophomore defenseman Cam York deflected off Buckeyes’ goaltender Tommy Nappier and fluttered in front of the crease.
While a pair of Ohio State defenders stayed tentatively camped at the top of the crease, Wolverines freshman forward Thomas Bordeleau swooped in to collect the puck and tally Michigan’s fourth goal of the period.
Sometimes, when an upset happens, it’s because the underdog found a new way to catch its opponent off guard or attack a previously undiscovered vulnerability.
That didn’t happen to the Michigan hockey team Friday night. Ohio State didn’t bring anything the Wolverines hadn’t seen before; Michigan just kept shooting itself in the foot.
Throughout the weekend series against the Badgers, Michigan’s defensemen could be found jumping into the rush, cycling the puck in the offensive zone and working to get pucks on net, part of a longer trend that’s been encouraged by the Wolverines’ coaching staff
Michigan's best talent was not enough to stop key conference rival Wisconsin.
But after entering the holiday break 5-5, Wisconsin has caught fire. It’s won seven of its last eight games and outscored opponents 39-11 in that span.
Over the last year, the No. 7 Michigan hockey team has dealt with repeated spells of uncertainty.
The Michigan defense remains one of the conference’s most talented units. Last weekend's series against Ohio State was a reminder of what it can do when that defense plays at its best. Perhaps all it needed to do was stay focused and get back to basics.
For about a season and a half now, junior goaltender Strauss Mann has been the unquestioned starter for the Michigan hockey team. Last season, he was a finalist for the Mike Richter award — given to the best goalie in college hockey — and he’s put up a respectable 0.914 save percentage for the Wolverines this year.
Hockey is back. At least, it will be soon.