Wolverines make B1G statement with Minnesota sweep
By @MichaelCaples –
ANN ARBOR – Their overall record might be 12-7-0, but their Big Ten record looks a little bit more impressive.
The Wolverines are 4-1-0-0 in conference play, thanks to a sweep of No. 9 Minnesota.
With a 7-5 win Saturday evening at Yost Ice Arena against a top-tier opponent, the Wolverines won their fourth straight game – and head coach Red Berenson’s 800th as head coach of the Michigan hockey program.
Plenty to celebrate for a now surging Wolverines team fresh off a Great Lakes Invitational title.
“I think a lot is going right,” captain Andrew Copp said after the game. “I think our power play did a great job. We went 2-for-3 on the power play, we’re getting pucks behind their defense, cycling pretty well down low, scoring off the rush, scoring off faceoffs, good on the power play as I said. Seems like any possible way we can put the puck in the net it’s going right. We had a bit different lines this week, so it’s nice to see guys gelling quickly. Putting up seven on one of the best defenses in the country is pretty good.”
Michigan seized control of Saturday’s contest in the first period, scoring four goals in the opening frame. Two of those came in the final minute of the first period, thanks to Zach Hyman and JT Compher. Before that, Travis Lynch had recorded the game-tying goal, and Andrew Copp had scored the go-ahead goal – in a span of 1:39.
In total, six players scored for Wolverines over the course of 60 minutes. And while they may still be trying to work out their goaltending situation – Steve Racine was replaced by Zach Nagelvoort halfway through the second period – the potent Wolverines’ offense appears to be in full stride heading into the home stretch of the Big Ten conference season.
“I liked our offense, and I didn’t like our defense,” Berenson said. “I see Mike Knuble in the back, he’s smirking. As players, I call it ‘holiday hockey.’ The game got out of control in terms of good defense or good goalies. Their goalie is one of the best goalies in the country, and he had to come out, it just wasn’t working for them. Our goalie had to come out, he had a foot he couldn’t put any weight on. It was a weird game, but we found a way to win it, and that’s the important thing. They’re a great team, and we are going to play them again in their barn, so we don’t want to get too carried away.”
Michigan’s World Juniors contingent have returned from international competition with plenty of offense still available for their collegiate program. Dylan Larkin, fresh off being named to NHL.com’s WJC all-tournament team, scored twice for UM Saturday evening, after a goal and an assist on Friday. Compher added the back-breaking goal with 13 seconds left in the first period on Saturday, while Tyler Motte recorded four assists over the two games. Zach Werenski was plus-four on the weekend.
With veteran leaders Andrew Copp and Zach Hyman also finding the back of the net, the Wolverines’ offensive stars are appear ready for a big second half of the season.
Michigan also capitalized on their time at Yost; they won’t compete at home again until they host Ohio State for a single home game on Feb. 22. Before that contest, they will have a single road game in Columbus, a weekend set in Wisconsin, a game against Michigan State at Joe Louis Arena, another game against Michigan State outdoors at Soldier Field and a weekend set in Minnesota.
While that road stretch may look like a daunting task, the Wolverines have put themselves into a tie for first in the Big Ten conference schedule, and their confidence level is high.
“I think it means a lot, going back to the GLI, getting some momentum there and continuing that this weekend, moving up in the Big Ten standings,” Copp said. “It’s certainly tough to win up in Minneapolis, so holding serve here at Yost is really important for us. Pairwise, in the NCAA, I don’t know where we’re at. If we keep playing the way we’re playing, I think we’ll get in.”