Michigan
21-14-3
Northeastern
23-10-5
Wolverines Defeat Northeastern to Advance to Northeast Regional Final
3/24/2018 8:46:00 PM | Ice Hockey
» Cooper Marody had his second consecutive multiple-goal game with two goals Saturday (March 24) including the game-winner.
» Dexter Dancs had one of his best performances of the year with a goal and the assist on the game's final goal.
» Michigan will take on Boston University tomorrow (Sunday, March 25) for the chance to reach the Frozen Four for a record 25th time.
Site: Worcester, Mass. (DCU Center)
Score: Michigan 3, Northeastern 2
Records: U-M 21-14-3, NE 23-8-5
Next U-M Event: Sunday, March 25 -- vs. Boston University (DCU Center), 4 p.m.
• 'DMC' Line Rises to Challenge in NCAA Opening-Round Victory over Northeastern
WORCESTER, Mass. -- The No. 2-seeded University of Michigan ice hockey team earned a 3-2 win over No.3-seeded Northeastern at the DCU Center on Saturday (March 24) in the first round of the NCAA Northeast Regional. Michigan advances to the regional final Sunday (March 25) and will take on No. 4-seeded Boston University. Puck drop is scheduled for 4 p.m. and will be televised live on ESPN2.
The Wolverines had multiple quality chances in the first period, but were unable to capitalize. Their best chance came in the first five minutes of the game from a shot that came from the top of the crease by freshman Jack Becker, but it was deflected wide. The Huskies put a lot of offensive pressure on a power play late in the first period, but were unable to beat sophomore goaltender Hayden Lavigne.
The Wolverines came out strong in the second period and scored the opening goal at the 15:03 mark. After receiving a pass from sophomore Luke Martin, junior Cooper Marody wrapped around the net and got a quick shot off -- which caught the goalie off-guard and went past him into the top-left corner to take a 1-0 lead.Â
Despite dominating the Huskies throughout the second period, Northeastern tied the game with a power-play goal late in the second period. Hobey Baker finalist Dylan Sikura found his way behind the U-M defense and buried the puck into the open cage from the back door to knot the game at 1 heading into the second intermission.Â
Michigan continued where it left off in the second, as it scored just 5:42 into the third. The Wolverines' goal came from a pass from Marody to senior Dexter Dancs, who brought the puck down the right side of the rink. He cut toward the net and fired a backhanded shot that slipped under the goalie's arm to give Michigan the 2-1 lead.
After the U-M goal, the Huskies tied it with 7:59 remaining in the third period. The Wolverines answered two minutes later to retake the lead. Off a breakout, senior captain Tony Calderone took the puck down the left side of the rink and passed it to the front of the Northeastern net. His pass connected with Marody, who slipped the puck between the Huskies goaltender's pads.
The Maize and Blue is now 15-5 overall in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, and improve its all-time tournament record 52-29. Michigan is in search of its 25th appearance in the Frozen Four, which would tie Boston College for the most in tournament history.
Michigan returns to the ice on Sunday (March 25) to face Boston University in the NCAA Northeast Regional Final at 4 p.m. This will be the ninth time (most amongst any opponent) the two teams face off in postseason play, with the teams splitting the previous eight. The last NCAA Tournament meeting between the two squads came in 1997, when the Terriers defeated the Maize and Blue, 3-2, in the Frozen Four Semifinals.
