Wolverine Spirit: Exploring the Heart of University of Michigan Athletics

» Freshman forward William Horcoff netted a goal and registered an assist in his first collegiate game.

» Michael Hage and T.J. Hughes each found the back of the net, contributing to their respective two-point performances.

» Michigan’s power-play squad finished 2-for-2, while Ohio State wrapped up the game at 2-for-6.

CHICAGO, Ill. — The University of Michigan ice hockey team, ranked ninth, seized an early advantage and maintained it until the final minute of the match, but ultimately succumbed 4-3 to No. 13 Ohio State in a fiercely contested rivalry game on Saturday (Jan. 3) during the Frozen Confines event at Wrigley Field.

Penalties proved detrimental for the Wolverines (11-7-1, 5-4 Big Ten), allowing OSU (13-5-1, 7-2 Big Ten) to score on two out of six opportunities, including the decisive goal with just 38.4 seconds remaining. Michigan conversely went 2-for-2 on its power-play chances.

As the second half of the season commenced, U-M welcomed a new addition to the roster; rookie forward Will Horcoff made his outdoor collegiate debut after transferring from the United States National Team Development Program based in Plymouth, Mich., where he spent one and a half seasons. His debut was noteworthy as he notched a goal and an assist.

The majority of the first period elapsed without a score, yet the tempo of the match was brisk from the initial puck drop. Both teams exhibited comfort in the elements as they accumulated hits, with physicality surging throughout the period.

Michigan’s top scorer, Michael Hage, capitalized on the forecheck with 1:46 left when he intercepted a casual pass from a Buckeye defenseman in the Ohio State zone. Hage quickly controlled the puck in the slot on his forehand and unleashed a shot that hit the net, opening the scoring and igniting celebrations inside Wrigley. This unassisted goal marked the freshman’s 11th of the season.

After one period in the Friendly Confines, Michigan led 1-0. Each team registered 11 shots on goal, while Ohio State held a 13-10 advantage in faceoff wins over the first 20 minutes.

Michigan commenced its first power play of the evening at 3:39 when the Buckeyes were penalized for cross-checking. A little more than a minute into the advantage, the Wolverines were cycling the puck around the corner when Horcoff made his landmark assist, delivering a precise pass to the slot where T.J. Hughes buried it, extending the Wolverines’ lead to two goals. Evan Werner provided the secondary assist on Hughes’ power-play score, while Horcoff tallied his first-ever point with a beautiful setup from behind the net.

Near the middle of the game, Werner nearly scored himself when a backdoor pass eluded his stick during a one-timer attempt. Following that sequence, Ohio State challenged the play for a potential major penalty. After a review, no penalty was issued, and OSU forfeited its timeout.

The Buckeyes were awarded their first power play of the night with 8:52 left in the second period when U-M captain Jacob Truscott was penalized for cross-checking. During that same play, a Wolverine limped off the ice after being pushed from behind into the end wall during a puck retrieval.

Halfway through OSU’s power play, Hunter Hady received a penalty for elbowing, granting the Buckeyes a substantial 5-on-3 opportunity. Michigan successfully killed off the first penalty and almost capitalized on a shorthand opportunity before neutralizing the second as well.

Back at even strength, Ohio State scored to halve the deficit with 4:34 remaining. Head coach Brandon Naurato summoned the referee to the bench and protested a missed major penalty, yet the review did not result in any call, and play resumed.

Merely nine seconds later, Mark Estapa was penalized for cross-checking, sending the Buckeyes back on the power play. Michigan’s penalty killers met the challenge and extinguished the opportunity.

Ohio State equalized with a slap shot goal from the point with 1:23 remaining in the second period.

Entering the final period of play in the Frozen Confines, both Michigan and Ohio State were tied 2-2. The Buckeyes marginally led in shots on goal 22-20 and faceoffs 23-19.

OSU received another power play early in the final period after Horcoff was penalized for slashing while in the offensive zone. Once again, Michigan’s penalty kill proved effective, leaving the Buckeyes at 0-for-4 with the extra skater.

Michigan was awarded a second power play opportunity at 7:55 after successfully converting on their earlier chance during the game.

During the resulting power play, Horcoff crashed the net to score his inaugural collegiate goal, putting the Wolverines ahead 3-2 at the 9:15 mark of the third period, marking his second point of the game. Hage and Hughes recorded assists on Horcoff’s opening goal, all occurring in close vicinity of the blue paint. This tally brought U-M’s power play success to 2-for-2.

Estapa received a penalty for a faceoff violation after handling the puck with his glove at 11:48, and Ohio State finally capitalized on their fifth power play chance of the evening to tie the match at three with 7:55 remaining in regulation.

In the closing moments, Michigan was penalized with 1:08 left after a turnover created an opportunity for Ohio State, leading to Josh Eernisse having to interrupt the play. Just twenty seconds later, a Buckeye shot was deflected from in front of the net, granting them their first lead of the game at 4-3.

Freshman goaltender Cameron Korpi, with 30 saves on 34 shots, was replaced by an extra skater with 38 seconds remaining. The Wolverines sought a late equalizer, but it was too late, with Ohio State sealing their 4-3 victory. Both teams concluded the night with 34 shots on goal, but the penalties were the deciding factor.

With the Wrigley setback behind them, both teams will pack their equipment and travel to Ann Arbor to complete the series on Sunday evening (Jan. 5) at Yost Ice Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 5 p.m., and the match will be broadcasted live via B1G+.