Overtime Thrills: Wolverines Edge Buckeyes 3-2 in Heart-Pounding Clash

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The No. 13 Ohio State men’s ice hockey squad lost to No. 9 Michigan, 3-2 in overtime on Sunday at Yost Ice Arena in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Buckeyes were ahead 2-0 after the first period, but the Wolverines scored all goals in the second and third periods, ultimately netting the winning goal just 20 seconds into the 3×3 overtime.
 
Following the defeat, the Buckeyes, who saw their five-game winning streak halted, now hold a record of 14-5-1, with 7-3-0 in Big Ten play. The Wolverines stand at 12-7-1, with a 6-4-0 in league matches. Ohio State bounced back for a 4-3 victory on Friday at Wrigley Field, gathering four B1G points from the weekend with the win and overtime defeat. The teams will conclude the regular season with a series in Columbus on Feb. 27-28.
 
The Brief Recap
Ohio State secured a 2-0 lead just over 10 minutes into the matchup, thanks to two goals from Gunnarwolfe Fontaine, with the initial strike coming on a power play. The Wolverines responded with a goal at 8:46 in the second period while taking advantage of a man advantage and leveled the score at 3:15 in the third. The decisive goal arrived 20 seconds into the overtime period.
 
The Buckeyes were outshot 36-32 overall, with Logan Terness stopping 33 shots in 60:20. Ohio State converted 1-of-2 power plays and held the Wolverines to 3-of-4 on the penalty kill. Fontaine recorded his fifth career two-goal game and third as a Buckeye, leading Ohio State with nine goals and 22 points this year.
 
Comments from Head Coach Steve Rohlik
“We started strong, just as you want to on the road. We encountered some penalty issues that enabled them to get back into the game. It could have ended either way at the conclusion. We’ll return home and prepare for Minnesota next week.”
 
Looking Ahead
Ohio State is set to host No. 3 Minnesota for a two-game Big Ten series next weekend. The matchups will take place at 5 p.m. Friday (please note the time has been adjusted from earlier schedules) and at 6:30 p.m. Saturday in Value City Arena in Columbus.
 
Single-game, mini-plan, and group tickets are available now. Ticket details and purchasing methods can be found online, and fans can also contact the Ohio State Athletics Ticket Office at 1-800-GOBUCKS (select Option 2, then Option 2) or email [email protected]. Customer service representatives are accessible via phone Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free parking is provided for all men’s hockey home games.

How it Unfolded

• During an early power play, Riley Thompson located Gunnarwolfe Fontaine isolated in front following a rush, and he finished the opportunity. Aiden Hansen-Bukata provided the second assist on the goal, which occurred at 7:29.
• At 10:17, the Buckeyes extended their advantage when Fontaine found the net up close after receiving a pass from Davis Burnside from behind the net. Chris Able earned the second assist on the goal.
• Ohio State led 10-6 in shots for the first 20 minutes and capitalized on two of the three power play opportunities.
• The Wolverines got on the scoreboard at 8:46 in the second with a power play goal by Evan Werner, which was the only power play chance in the period for either team.
• The squads combined for 26 shots in the second period, with Michigan leading 14-12 in that category.
• A goal immediately following a faceoff 3:15 into the third by William Whitelaw tied the game at two.
• Neither team managed to score for the remainder of regulation, and both earned a point in the Big Ten standings. Michigan outshot Ohio State 15-10 in the third. The Buckeyes successfully killed all two penalties in that period.
• The Wolverines found the net on their first shift of overtime, with Jackson Hallum converting during an odd-man rush just 20 seconds in.
• In total, the Buckeyes were outshot 36-34. Ohio State’s Logan Terness recorded 33 saves in 60:20, while Logan Stein of the Wolverines stopped 30 shots in 60:20.
• Ohio State managed 23 shot blocks throughout the match, with Hansen-Bukata leading the team with four, and Able contributing three as well. Six other Buckeyes had two shot blocks each.
• The Buckeyes successfully converted 1-of-2 power plays during the encounter, while Michigan converted 1-of-4.

Noting the Buckeyes

• Fontaine leads the Buckeyes with 22 points and nine goals, maintaining a six-game scoring streak (5g, 5a, totaling 10 points). He also netted two goals against Penn State on Dec. 5 and at Lindenwood on Nov. 15, including two instances of two-goal performances during his time at Northeastern.
• Thompson and Hansen-Bukata share the second place for team points with 19 each. Hansen-Bukata leads with 18 assists, while Thompson has eight goals and 11 assists. Hansen-Bukata is currently on a six-game assist and point streak, producing eight assists during this span.
• Burnside is fourth on the team in points, with 18, and is having a six-game point streak (1g, 5a).
• The Buckeyes have achieved a power play goal in each of the last seven games, boasting a record of 14-for-72 (.194) for the season.
• This loss was the Buckeyes’ first in overtime since March 4, 2023, against Penn State during the Big Ten Tournament.

Buckeyes lead the Wolverines 2-0 after 20 minutes on two Gunnarwolfe Fontaine goals????#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/WWde918V0x

— Ohio State Men’s Hockey (@OhioStateMHKY) January 5, 2025