Michigan Wolverines Hockey Sweeps Wisconsin

The Michigan Wolverines (18-9-1) dominated the Wisconsin Badgers (10-18) to increase their profitable steak to 5 video games and moved right into a four-way tie for second within the Large Ten Convention standings.

Friday night time was a particular sport for the Wolverines as a result of it marked the return of defenseman Steven Holtz, who had been sidelined since November as a consequence of issues from adenovirus. The sickness positioned the junior defender in important situation and virtually claimed his life.

Lower than three months later, Holtzy was again on the ice and each video games performed out like a celebration in honor of his return.

Michigan was dominant within the first sport — outshooting the Badgers 48-25, controlling the impartial zone, overwhelming them within the face-off circle (34-25) and blowing them out on the scoreboard by a remaining of 6-2.

Regardless of Michigan controlling the sport and sustaining a 1-0 lead, it appeared Wisconsin was up for a combat early when an opportunistic Badgers energy play unit tied the sport simply wanting the midway level of the primary interval. Nevertheless, this was it for Wisconsin with the sport within the stability.

The Wolverines proceeded to unleash a barrage of 5 straight targets to blow this sport huge open. Freshman sensation and the nation’s main scorer Adam Fantilli accounted for 4 factors (1 G, 3 A), solely matched by his linemate and fellow freshman Gavin Brindley (2 G, 2 A) who has been one of many hottest gamers within the nation post-World Juniors.

Mackie Samoskevich notched two factors (1 G, 1 A) in his return from damage and Mark Estapa reclaimed his nationwide lead in penalty minutes.

Goaltender Erik Portillo stopped 23-of-25 photographs and solely relented the second late within the sport on a two-on-one alternative.

It was all Michigan in its fourth consecutive win. Even interim head coach Brandon Naurato lastly had a problem dominated in his favor.

THREE STARS

1- Steven Holtz, RETURNED

2- Gavin Brindley, 2 G, 2 A; 4 PTS

3- Adam Fantilli, 1 G, 3 A; 4 PTS

In sport two, it was the extra of the identical. Michigan opened up with a 3-0 lead in a chaotic first interval that included seven targets and 7 penalties. Happily for the house group, 5 of the seven targets had been in Michigan’s favor which carried a 5-2 lead into the second interval.

The Wolverines scored one other pair of targets within the center interval and —with a commanding 7-2 lead —eliminated any hope of a attainable Wisconsin comeback. Michigan coasted via the ultimate interval of motion and even because the Badgers added a pair of targets within the remaining body, all of it proved futile because the Wolverines prevailed, 7-4.

The opposite Hughes (TJ) was the star on this one by tallying 4 factors. Eric Ciccolini fired dwelling two targets, whereas Nick Granowicz (1 G, 1 A) and Samo (2 A) every added two factors of their dwelling.

The Wolverines have now gained a season-high 5 video games in a row and can face two of the three groups they’re tied with (Michigan State, Ohio State) within the Large Ten over the subsequent three weeks forward of the Large Ten Match. Nevertheless, the largest story of the weekend was by far is the return of Holtz who proved that even when Hell freezes over, he’s able to skating on it.

THREE STARS

1- TJ Hughes, 1 G, 3 A; 4 PTS.

2- Eric Ciccolini, 2 G

3- Nick Granowicz, 1 G, 1 A; 2 PTS