Michigan
16-10-0, 8-4-0-0B1G
Minnesota
16-9-3, 7-2-3-0B1G
Wolverines Cannot Avoid Sweep at Minnesota
2/14/2015 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
Feb. 14, 2015
| Site: Minneapolis, Minn. (Mariucci Arena)
Score: Minnesota 2, #12 Michigan 0
Records: U-M (16-10-0, 8-4-0-0 Big Ten), MINN (16-9-3, 7-2-3-0 Big Ten)
Attendance: 10,216
Next U-M Event: Friday, Feb. 20 -- at Ohio State (Columbus, Ohio), 7 p.m.
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- Junior goaltender Steve Racine made 31 saves in net, but the University of Michigan ice hockey team (No. 12 USA Today/USA Hockey, No. 12 USCHO) fell, 2-0, at Minnesota Saturday night (Feb. 14) in front of 10,216 fans at Mariucci Arena. The Wolverines finished the regular-season series 2-2 against the Gophers, with each team earning two wins at their home rink.
Trailing 1-0 heading into the third period, Michigan outshot Minnesota, 11-8, in the final frame, but Minnesota goaltender Adam Wilccox (26 saves) turned away several quality scoring chances for the Wolverines.
Zach Hyman drew an early power play for Michigan at 3:31 when he was hooked by Taylor Cammarata, and U-M had its best chance in the opening moments of the man advantage, after Alex Kile's initial shot bounced into the slot. The rebound was steered wide of the net by Cristoval 'Boo' Nieves, and Minnesota killed off the remainder of the penalty.
At the 8:00 mark of the third, Hyman drew two Minnesota players and shoveled a pass to Dylan Larkin all alone in front. Larkin cut to his forehand and tried to jam a shot low past Wilcox, but the Minnesota goaltender made a great pad stop to keep the Gophers in front.
In the final minute of regulation, with Racine out of the net for an extra attacker, both Tyler Motte and Justin Selman had shots in a net front scramble, but Wilcox stopped the first chance, and the second did not get through.
Kyle Rau sealed the win for the Gophers with an empty-net goal with 20.7 seconds remaining.
Minnesota again jumped out to an early lead in the opening period, as Leon Bristedt drew two defenders and slipped a pass to Seth Ambroz at the left circle. With time and space, Ambroz beat Racine over the shoulder at 4:01 to give the Gophers the lead.
Michigan controlled the play for much of the remainder of the period, with several odd-man opportunities. JT Compher could not connect with Max Shuart on a 2-on-1 midway through the frame. With 7:00 to go in the period, Selman won an offensive zone faceoff right to Evan Allen, who fired a one-timer off the mask of Wilcox.
Racine was at his best in the second period, keeping Michigan in it with several fantastic stops. At the 8:00 mark, he made his best stop of the night, a sprawling glove save on Sam Warning's backhand shot from the right hash mark. Late in the period with Minnesota on the power play, he held firm at the far post as Hudson Fasching jammed at a loose puck in front. Racine made all 18 saves in the frame, as Minnesota outshot Michigan, 18-9, in the period.
At the other end, Michigan continued to test Wilcox as Compher's drive from the high slot was kicked away at the 4:00 mark, and Larkin's jam attempt was stopped at 12:30.
The Wolverines will finish an eight-game stretch away from Yost Ice Arena with a 7 p.m. contest at Ohio State on Friday (Feb. 20) in Columbus.
Communications Contact: Jeffrey Weinstein (734) 763-4423
