Coming off a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory on Friday night, the Michigan hockey team had a chance to go for a sweep on Saturday night in its weekend series against Michigan State. Not only would a win mean sweeping a Big Ten opponent and in-state rival, but it would have been a huge momentum builder to do so against the No. 1 ranked team in the country.
However, the Wolverines were unable to get the job done, dropping Saturday’s game 4-1.
Michigan was riding high off its overtime win, and with Michigan State drawing a penalty a little more than a minute into the game, the Wolverines were offered a very early power play. The Spartans, though, were able to avoid going in an early hole and killed the penalty with ease. Michigan returned the favor shortly thereafter, as Mark Estapa was called for tripping to put Michigan State on the power play.
Michigan State’s power play unit came out strong. Just eight seconds into the man advantage, Matt Basgall found the back of the net to put the Spartans up 1-0. Michigan State would stay on the attack for the remainder of the period while holding Michigan to just five shots on goal in the opening frame. Michigan State’s Charlie Stramel tacked on another goal in the period’s final minutes to go up 2-0.
The second period opened up similar to the first. Michigan State was given another power play chance just four minutes into the period due to a William Whitelaw interference. Again, it was Michigan State’s power play unit going to work, as Shane Vansaghi scored to put Michigan State ahead 3-0.
Looking to get on the scoreboard itself, Michigan was given a power play chance at the 6:26 mark of the period thanks to an MSU hit from behind. Nothing was going the way of the Wolverines in this one, though, as Stramel scored a shorthanded goal to put the Spartans up 4-0.
Despite 19 shots on goal in the second period, Michigan entered the third scoreless. Michigan State’s defense was able to hold until the final minutes of the game, when T.J. Hughes was able to net a power play goal to make it 4-1. But it would be much too little, too late.
The Wolverines put themselves behind the eight-ball in this one, as they were sent to the box eight times, with Michigan State converting two power play goals. Michigan can’t afford to be so undisciplined, especially against a high-caliber opponent like Michigan State that will make the most of its chances.
With the loss, Michigan falls to 14-9-1 overall and 8-6-0 in the Big Ten. The Wolverines will look to rectify things next weekend, as they travel to Wisconsin for two games. This will be the second series Michigan and Wisconsin have played against each other this year, as the teams split a series at Yost in December.
