The Michigan Wolverines are on a roll, and it’s not just on the basketball court. Shortly after their hoops team secured a spot in the Final Four, the hockey squad followed suit with a nail-biting 4-3 victory over Minnesota-Duluth in the Albany Region. It wasn’t without drama, as the Bulldogs mounted a late comeback that had fans on the edge of their seats.
Michigan came out swinging, mirroring their basketball counterparts with a rapid-fire start. Junior forward Nick Moldenhauer set the tone, blazing into the offensive zone.
Freshman Cole McKinney showcased some nifty stickwork in the corner, setting up junior defenseman Ben Robertson. Robertson’s quick release found sophomore Will Horcoff for a beautifully deflected goal.
The Wolverines weren’t done yet. Midway through the first, Moldenhauer delivered a pinpoint cross-slot pass to freshman Adam Valentini, who unleashed a one-timer that left the goalie with no chance. Just a few minutes later, junior Garrett Schifsky capitalized on a shorthanded opportunity, intercepting a lazy pass and converting a breakaway to give Michigan a commanding three-goal lead.
As the game moved into the second period, both teams traded quality chances, but Michigan’s freshman goalie Jack Ivankovic stood tall. The Wolverines’ defense clamped down on the Bulldogs’ potent attack, maintaining their 3-0 lead through two periods.
Then came the rollercoaster third period. The Bulldogs struck early with a goal that seemed all too easy, cutting into Michigan’s lead.
But the Wolverines answered back. Junior Jayden Perron, despite losing the puck on a 2-on-1, stayed with the play and netted Michigan’s fourth goal.
Minnesota-Duluth wasn’t done, though. They clawed back with a power-play goal that mirrored their first, and then added another with less than 10 minutes to go, making it a one-goal game. The tension was palpable as the Bulldogs pressed with an extra skater, but Michigan’s defense held firm, sealing their trip to an NCAA-record 29th Frozen Four.
Next up for the Wolverines is a showdown in Las Vegas on April 9 against Denver, a team with a rich history of Frozen Four appearances. The last time these two met in the National Semifinal back in 2022, Denver emerged victorious in overtime. While no current Wolverines were part of that squad, fans are certainly hoping for a measure of revenge as these storied programs battle for a spot in the National Championship.