Michigan State Hockey Division separates from Minnesota State. Keeping hopes alive for the NCAA Tournament
The Wolverines are still in the bubble, but they showed championship-worthy determination to break away from the Gophers.
The Michigan Wolverines went into this weekend with everything on the line. A trip to the NCAA Tournament and possibly a No. 3 seed to the Big Ten Tournament was up for grabs.
Their rival, Minnesota, entered the final weekend of the regular season on a seven-game winning streak at home. The Gophers were the only Big Ten team the Wolverines didn’t beat this season, and Michigan was looking to change that.
Unfortunately, this change will have to wait until Saturday. Michigan started first in the opener, and Rutger McGroarty used a Minnesota defender to hit a bunker to give the Wolverines a 1-0 lead less than five minutes into the game. The Gophers responded with two quick goals, and Michigan looked poised to deliver blow after blow with freshman Garrett Sifsky scoring the tying goal late in the first quarter.
Neither team was able to take a 2-2 advantage until midway through the period, but the Gophers’ power play barrage was quickly broken in the second period.
First, a Seamus Casey penalty put Minnesota up 3-2 on him. Another penalty by Casey made the score 4-2 in favor of the Gophers. Then there was a bench penalty, making it 5-2, “Gophers.” The Wolverines fell apart.
For the remainder of the game, Minnesota negated Michigan’s forecheck and dominated the neutral zone. Both Gophers are physical and disciplined and looked a step above the Wolverines on Friday night.
To make matters worse, starting goaltender Jake Barszewski couldn’t get on the ice in the third period, forcing Noah West into the crease. Although West played well, they conceded a goal in the end and lost 6-2.
The only good news is that the Wolverines fell one spot in the dual rankings to stay at No. 15, even though some bubble teams also struggled. However, at the start of the second game, this team was only thinking about winning.
Although West started in goal in the winnable Game 2, it was clear from the start that everything head coach Brandon Nowrat had told his team after Friday night was working. Midway through the first period, Seamus Casey, looking to atone for last night’s sins, took the lead on a power play.
Michigan held the same lead the night before, but this time it was different. The Wolverines looked more physical and defensively sound. The team checked methodically, exiting the area with authority and creating chances in a hurry. One of those chances doubled Michigan’s lead with the remainder of the period.
Michigan’s Dylan Duke accidentally pushed the puck up the ice, found McCloughty near the slot, and connected with Gavin Brindley at the backdoor with 3:40 left in the first period. And Michigan isn’t done yet.
Less than 40 seconds later, Minnesota goaltender Justin Crouse came out and played the puck, the puck caught in his glove, and Mark Estapa made a clean save to give the Wolverines a 3-0 lead. gave. A day after the Wolverines scored just 21 goals, Michigan led 16-5 in shots at the end of the first.
Minnesota changed nets early in the second game, choosing to play closer in favor of freshman Nathan Airey. Either way, this wasn’t a white flag, and 2023-24 Wolverines fans knew this game wouldn’t end without drama.
Michigan continued to move up and down the ice, but the penalties began to pile up, culminating in a five-minute counter check by T.J. Hughes. But on Saturday, after a night of being gutted on the power play, the Wolverines attacked relentlessly, going all five minutes with virtually no threat.
Going into the third with a 3-0 lead, Michigan was expected to lose. This team has had this chance several times this year, but things got dicey in the final period.
Less than a minute into the third, Minnesota cut Michigan State’s lead to 3-1. As the tide gradually turned, Michigan counterattacked with a 4-on-4 run as Brindley beat the freshman goaltender for his second goal, bringing the Wolverines within three points with less than 13 minutes remaining.
Unfortunately, on that same 4-on-4 play, a deflected puck missed West, cutting Michigan’s lead to his 4-2. And the Gophers aren’t done yet.
Minnesota then cut the Wolverines’ lead to one point, 4-3, with about half time remaining. Michigan’s playoff hopes hung in the arena air like a championship belt in a WWE ladder match.
The Wolverines grabbed the tiles, but their opponents flew to the other side. 9 minutes left…8 minutes… September…6… Minnesota tied the game 4-4. With less than six minutes left in the game, the Wolverines looked like they were falling apart again. But Michigan responded when McGraw-Arty brought the ball back with 3:30 left and Michigan regained the lead, 5-4. 3 minutes left, 2 minutes left… Minnesota – Empty Net – Tied 5-5 again.
Michigan ended the period with a power play, sending the game into overtime. As the power play weakened in overtime, Casey scored the first goal and closed out the game with a resounding 6-5 overtime victory.
Just as Jeff Hardy was knocked off the top of the ladder at WrestleMania 17, the Wolverines snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. The win moves Michigan into 13th place out of the projected cutline of 14 in the dual meet as of this writing, and will take on Notre Dame at Yost next weekend in the quarterfinals.
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