For all of Saturday’s game, Michigan and Notre Dame had struggled to score.
Both teams went two full periods unable to produce a single goal. The scarcity of goals wasn’t the fault of poor offense, but rather exceptional defense. Both sides have stout goaltending. They play the passing lanes. They pack the crease. And they recognized that the highly-coveted first goal would be the deciding factor.
Michigan tried to fight back by pulling Mann in the final minutes, but the efforts fell short. The Fighting Irish notched an empty-net goal, and thus the Wolverines fell, 3-0. The loss marked the second in a row and a change in momentum after what has been a surging second half performance.
Keaton Pehrson had his head down, fighting to gain control of the puck along the boards on the right side.
Michael Pastujov threw his head back in anguish.
The junior forward’s shot dinged off the crossbar and away from the net.
Jake Slaker finished his lap around the ice with a deadpan look on his face. The senior forward had scored the opening goal Friday at Munn Ice Arena, and made it a point to turn to the Michigan State student section.
On Nov. 16 after Michigan lost in East Lansing, the Wolverines were six games into Big Ten play and had only one point in the conference standings. Before Michigan got its first Big Ten win, it went 0-6-1 through its first seven conference games.
The picture for the Wolverines couldn’t be more different now. After starting out firmly in last place in the Big Ten, Michigan is now in third place and just three points behind Penn State and Minnesota, which are tied for the lead. If — emphasis on if — the Wolverines sweep Notre Dame and Minnesota to close the regular season, they’ll win the Big Ten regular season title.
Michigan’s work on the power play proved to be vital in its victory over Michigan State, where the Wolverines went 2-for-2 on its way to a 4-1 win Monday.
Michigan launched out to a quick lead in the first period, despite an early goal from Michigan State, and held onto it in the second period on the way to a 4-1 victory over the in-state rivals.
For years when Berenson coached, he preached the idea of a life after hockey. The last players with ties to his reign leaving won’t end the connection Berenson feels with the program. Pearson, Muckalt, volunteer assistant Matt Hunwick and player development coach Steve Shields all played or coached under him. When Pearson brings recruits in now, he tries to make sure they meet Berenson.
As the Wolverines push into the last few games of the regular season, contributions from seniors like Slaker have been key in getting Michigan back in the win column after a rough first half. Pearson has spent most of the year talking about how the Wolverines need their seniors to contribute, and Slaker’s success has clearly been crucial in Michigan’s recent run.
His two goals in Friday’s 5-1 win are just the most recent demonstration.