Michigan Shuts Out No. 2 WMU to Stay Undefeated

» Michigan is 7-0 for the primary time since 1979; that is the very best defensive begin in program historical past.

» Jack Ivankovic secured his second shutout of the month by stopping all 32 photographs that he confronted.

» Adam Valentini and Michael Hage every scored as soon as and added an help for two-point nights.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – A packed home was rewarded with a stellar efficiency from the No. 3-ranked University of Michigan ice hockey group on Thursday evening, because the Wolverines shut out the nation’s defending champions, No. 2 Western Michigan, in a decisive 4-0 victory inside Yost Ice Arena.

Freshman netminder Jack Ivankovic was terrific from the opening whistle for the maize-clad Wolverines, making 15 saves within the first 20 minutes to endure his busiest interval up to now as a collegian. Despite the early stress, Ivankovic stood tall and prevented Western Michigan from discovering the online to safe his second shutout. In whole, he stopped all 32 photographs he confronted from a potent Bronco assault – a brand new profession excessive in saves for the younger goaltender.

Ivankovic joins All-American goaltender Paul Fricker as the one Wolverines to start their careers in maize and blue with an ideal 7-0 document. Fricker’s 1979-80 squad was additionally the final U-M group to open a season with seven straight wins.

With Yost abuzz for the high-profile Mitten State matchup, Jayden Perron obtained the occasion began early by faking a move earlier than utilizing his backhand to attain a short-side aim on Michigan’s first shot of the sport at 1:50. Despite having two years of NCHC expertise from his time at North Dakota, Perron’s tally was his first aim and level in opposition to the Broncos in six profession appearances. Junior Nick Moldenhauer collected the first help, whereas Ben Robertson added his team-leading tenth help of the younger season.

After one interval, Michigan carried a 1-0 lead into intermission regardless of trailing in photographs on aim (15-9). The Wolverines began robust within the faceoff circle, and that success solely grew all through the evening regardless of Western getting into because the nation’s second-best faceoff group.

A single Western defender was whistled for a pair of minor penalties at 5:21 of the second interval, granting Michigan a four-minute energy play. This time, U-M wouldn’t be denied. Michigan relentlessly attacked the Western web through the man benefit, and after a number of close-range makes an attempt had been turned apart, a rebound slid out to the facet of the crease for Michael Hage to corral and deposit into the online from a good angle. His linemates, Will Horcoff and Adam Valentini, earned the assists on Hage’s sixth aim of the season. Four of his six objectives have come on the facility play.

The defending champions struggled to generate constant offense, alternating between high-volume stretches and lengthy droughts – together with two separate spans of over 10 minutes and not using a shot on aim. That inconsistency helped Michigan construct a 24-19 edge in photographs after 40 minutes of play.

Through two durations, the Wolverines held a two-goal lead over their in-state foes. A powerful center body noticed U-M dominate in photographs (15-3) and faceoffs (16-6). Western Michigan went the ultimate 16:49 of the interval with out registering a shot on aim.

Michigan started the third on a short-lived penalty kill earlier than Garrett Schifsky dashed down the ice on a shorthanded rush and drew a penalty to even up the motion at 4-on-4 simply 38 seconds in. Shortly after, Henry Mews quarterbacked the facility play from close to the blue line, sending a shot towards the online that was deflected by a stick in entrance. The puck skipped excessive, caught Hage within the facemask, and dropped at his ft, the place Valentini was completely positioned to bury Michigan’s third aim of the evening.

As the Wolverines moved nearer to securing the assertion victory, Western pulled its goaltender for an additional attacker. Robertson was tagged with a minor penalty with 1:44 remaining, giving the Broncos a 6-on-4 benefit. Instead, Schifsky intercepted the puck and fired residence an unassisted shorthanded empty-net aim with 10 seconds left to seal the 4-0 win.

Michigan completed the evening with a commanding 41-17 benefit in faceoffs. Western held a slim 32-30 edge in photographs on aim however could not clear up Ivankovic because the Wolverines completed on high the place it mattered most.

Tomorrow evening (Oct. 24), Michigan and Western will head west alongside I-94 to complete off the two-game set in Kalamazoo. Puck drop at Lawson Ice Arena is about for 7 p.m., with the sport streaming reside on NCHC.television as a non-league contest.