Wolverine Spirit: Unleashing the Power of University of Michigan Athletics

» Michigan squared off against a highly-ranked MSU team for the first time since the 2001 “Cold War.”

» Garrett Schifsky netted the decisive goal in 3×3 overtime, marking his eighth goal of the season.

» T.J. Hughes scored and added a helper, being the sole Wolverine to record multiple points.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Supporters inside Yost Ice Arena were treated to yet another exciting chapter in a historic collegiate rivalry as the tenth-ranked University of Michigan ice hockey team rallied from two different deficits to defeat the top-ranked Michigan State Spartans by a score of 3-2 in overtime on Friday night (Jan. 17). This contest was the only meeting of the season in Ann Arbor; fans certainly received their money’s worth as the game extended into extra time.

Experienced goaltender Logan Stein received the start in goal for Michigan, marking his fourth collegiate start against MSU after three appearances at Ferris State. Despite conceding an early goal, Stein found his rhythm and supported the Wolverines towards a crucial win by making 35 saves on 37 shots faced from the nation’s most prolific offensive unit.

The visitors seized an early advantage when a shot from the corner slipped past Stein at 2:04, giving MSU a 1-0 lead.

The situation worsened at 5:42 when veteran defenseman Ethan Edwards was hurt on a play during which he was also penalized, granting the Spartans their first power play of the evening. Luckily for the Wolverines, they managed to kill the penalty, and Edwards returned to the ice following the power play.

The next penalty was assessed to MSU at 12:14, allowing U-M a chance on the power play. However, this opportunity passed without a goal as the home team couldn’t summon an equalizer. Sophomore forward Evan Werner nearly scored in one of two netfront scrambles for the Wolverines, representing their best scoring chances of the period.

As the first intermission concluded, Michigan was trailing 1-0 after falling behind early in shots on goal (15-7). The Spartans had also built a 10-5 advantage in faceoffs after 20 minutes.

Freshman defenseman Hunter Hady‘s physical presence earned a power play for Michigan at 11:09. The young blueliner delivered a solid hit in the MSU end, prompting another Spartan to retaliate with a two-handed chop, resulting in a slashing penalty.

Immediately off the following faceoff, the puck was circulated around the zone until it reached Werner in the left circle. The sophomore forward quickly unleashed a one-timer, redirected from the netfront area by Will Horcoff into the top right corner of the net, leveling the game with 8:34 remaining in the second period. Edwards recorded the secondary assist by feeding the puck directly to Werner. Both of Horcoff’s first two goals with U-M have occurred on the power play, and the standout freshman now boasts five points in five contests.

After 40 minutes of competitive rivalry action, the teams returned to their locker rooms with the score tied at one goal each. MSU maintained a commanding 27-17 lead in shots on goal, while U-M improved its performance in the faceoff circle during the second period but continued to trail the Spartans (27-20) in that area.

Michigan State regained a 2-1 lead at 8:35 when a player broke through the defense during transition, finding himself alone in front after receiving a pass from a teammate that he smoothly buried following impressive stickhandling.

Michigan equalized at 14:25 when T.J. Hughes capitalized on a broken play, skillfully depositing a backhand shot from the slot into the top left corner. Tyler Duke earned the secondary assist after putting a shot on goal that was deflected onto the ice by Jackson Hallum, who recorded the primary assist after the puck trickled off him and onto Hughes’ stick.

With no victor determined before the final buzzer, both teams braced for overtime in a 2-2 standoff. MSU concluded regulation with a 37-30 advantage in shots on goal and a 34-32 edge in faceoffs after the Wolverines closed the gap in the final frame.

Each team deployed three skaters for the extra period. After cycling through several trios, the Wolverines featured Garrett Schifsky alongside Hughes and captain Jacob Truscott. As Hughes advanced the puck up the right side, Schifsky positioned himself in the center lane, stick ready for a shot. Upon reaching the half wall, Hughes delivered a pass into the slot for Schifsky, who swiftly redirected it into the back of the net with a precise one-timer in stride to secure the victory. Hughes and Truscott were credited with assists on Schifsky’s goal. The Wolverines erupted from the bench to celebrate the game-winner, which came just a minute into the extra session, while Schifsky celebrated by mimicking Carl Hagelin and Zach Werenski’s violin-themed gesture.

With a victory over the top-ranked team secured, Michigan claimed two out of a possible three points in the Big Ten standings. This marks two consecutive matches in which U-M has taken No. 1 MSU to overtime, following the “Cold War,” which ended in a 3-3 draw on October 6, 2001.

Tomorrow night (Jan. 18), the in-state rivals will travel north to conclude the home-and-home series in East Lansing before reconvening next month for another two-game set. This weekend’s finale will be broadcast live on Big Ten Network, with puck drop slated for 7:30 p.m.