The freshman class of the University of Michigan ice hockey team continued to carry the offensive charge on Friday night (February 19), but the No. 7 Wolverines fell, 3-2, to Ohio State. as a last minute push to tie the game it came up short.
Of Michigan’s six points on the night, five (two goals, three assists) came through freshmen. Erik Portillo stopped 16 of the 19 Buckeyes shots he faced.
Ohio State took an early lead less than two minutes into the game when it scored a puck confusion behind Michigan’s net. Undeterred, the Wolverines kept attacking.
Kent Johnson scored on Michigan’s first power play opportunity just 7:22 into the game. He made himself available for a pass at the top of the left circle before approaching the spot with the puck and drawing a Buckeye to use as a screen for his shot. With the OSU goalkeeper hidden by his own defender, Johnson chose the top corner for his seventh goal of the season. Owen Power and Matty Beniers picked up assistants on Michigan’s first goal.
Several minutes later, OSU scored to regain a one-goal lead with 7:55 left in the first leg. After a period of play, the Buckeyes led, 2-1.
With UM looking for a tie, Ohio State settled into his offensive zone and worked the puck around his structure. With several Buckeyes scattered throughout the slot and in front of the net, a shot was deflected past Portillo to extend the home team’s lead to 3-1.
After 40 minutes, shots were 21-16 in Michigan’s favor, but OSU held a 3-1 lead.
Beniers next hit for Michigan to lead the Wolverines to a goal, 3-2, just 4:21 in the final draw. Nick Granowicz and Johnson racked up assists on a goal that stemmed from Beniers’ phenomenal individual effort, culminating a run by putting a shot into the net before circling the goal and finding the loose puck to bury in an open net.
With the Michigan net empty, six Wolverines pressed the Ohio state zone for more than a minute. UM had a handful of A-grade chances, including a shot that rang off the crossbar in the closing seconds of the game, but couldn’t find the back of the net before time expired.
On Saturday night (February 20), Michigan and Ohio State will meet once again to complete their regular season series. Puck’s launch from Value City Arena is scheduled for 5:30 pm and the game will air live on Big Ten Network Plus.
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