Top-Ranked U-M Dominates Notre Dame to Kickstart Season’s Second Half
The University of Michigan ice hockey team showcased a dominant performance against Notre Dame, winning 5-2 on January 9. This match marked the opening of the second half of the season for the top-ranked Wolverines at Yost Ice Arena in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Key Players Shine for Michigan
Veteran players played an essential role in this victory. Jayden Perron and T.J. Hughes each contributed a pair of assists, while Nick Moldenhauer scored an empty-net goal. Freshman Jack Ivankovic, freshly back from the IIHF U20 World Junior Championship, held strong in goal, making 29 saves out of 31 shots. This victory was his 17th win of the NCAA season, leading the nation.
Early Momentum Sets the Stage
Michigan started the game with significant pressure, controlling puck possession for the initial 10 minutes. The first power play occurred for Michigan when Notre Dame received a cross-checking penalty at the 11-minute mark. Adam Valentini capitalized on this opportunity, scoring at 11:57 with assists from Will Horcoff and T.J. Hughes.
Building a Strong Lead
The Wolverines doubled their lead early in the second period, with Malcolm Spence scoring the second goal just 1:39 in, assisted by Moldenhauer and senior defenseman Luca Fantilli. Kienan Draper then extended the lead to 3-0, finishing off a rebound with assists from Perron and Garrett Schifsky. Asher Barnett further widened the gap, scoring unassisted to make it 4-0.
Notre Dame Strikes Back
Notre Dame finally managed to score with less than two minutes left in the second period, trimming the deficit to 4-1. Tempers flared at the end of the frame, leading to penalties for two Michigan players. The Fighting Irish began the third period with 1:53 of power-play opportunity due to these penalties.
Securing the Victory
Despite a strong effort from Notre Dame, who scored again to make it 4-2, Michigan sealed their victory when Moldenhauer scored the final goal of the night, making it 5-2 with just over two minutes remaining. Hughes and Perron assisted on this goal, rounding out an impressive game for these players.
Statistics Summary
- Final Score: Michigan 5, Notre Dame 2
- Shots on Goal: Michigan 39, Notre Dame 19
- Faceoffs Won: Michigan 26, Notre Dame 14
- Power Play Goals: Michigan 1, Notre Dame 0
- Michigan Season Record: 17-4-0 (8-3-0 Big Ten)
- Next Game: January 10 against Notre Dame
As the Wolverines look forward to their next match, they continue to impose pressure on their opponents and build on this strong performance. The team seeks to carry this momentum into the rest of the season.
