Michigan hockey finishes disappointing weekend with loss to OSU
Michigan and Ohio State entered the weekend separated by 4 points in the Big Ten standings, U-M in second place. The Buckeyes pulled even with a 4-3 shootout win Thursday in Columbus and a 5-2 victory outdoors at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland Saturday.
Michigan faces Notre Dame in its final regular series with work to do to secure second place in the standings behind Minnesota, which has captured the league title. Michigan State could also pass U-M tonight with a win over Wisconsin, though the Spartans have no more games … they’re two back with one to play and could earn three points.
The Fighting Irish are 5 points behind Michigan, too, and Penn State is also within striking distance.
Michigan was badly outshot Thursday, but managed to take a 3-2 lead into the third period before the Buckeyes tied it up. OSU carried the play for the most part and won the game in a shootout. Shots were 37-14 Ohio State, but the Wolverines won the faceoff battle, 36-31.
That allowed the Buckeyes to pull within 3 points of the Wolverines. They got even with Saturday night’s outdoor win.
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OSU dominated face-offs, 53-26, and took an early 2-0 lead before Michigan battled back. Gavin Brindley scored an even strength goal at 18:25 of the second period, but U-M gave it right back. The Buckeyes had several odd-man rushes and scored at 19:10 to make it 3-1, a shorthanded goal no less to get the momentum back.
Eric Ciccolini gave Michigan life at 8:46 of the of the third, but once again, U-M gave it right back. Stephen Halliday scored for the Buckeyes on the power play at 9:42, and OSU held off Michigan for 3-plus minutes with the empty net to pick up a huge three points.
Michigan outshot the Buckeyes, 37-34, but OSU had the better scoring chances and capitalized for the weekend sweep.
