Michigan
15-13-3, 10-9-2-1
Notre Dame
13-12-6, 8-8-5-3
Hayhurst Scores Late, but U-M Falls to Notre Dame in Series Opener
2/21/2020 10:25:00 PM | Ice Hockey
» Jacob Hayhurst extended his goal-scoring streak to five games.
» Goaltender Strauss Mann turned aside 26 of Notre Dame's 28 shots on goal.
» Jake Slaker is one point away from 100 career points.
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Yost Ice Arena)
Score: Notre Dame 2, Michigan 1
Records: U-M (15-13-3, 10-9-2-1 B1G), ND (13-12-6, 8-8-5-3 B1G)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Feb. 22 -- vs. Notre Dame (Yost Ice Arena), 4 p.m.
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ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- For the first time since Dec. 15, 2012, when the Wolverines dropped a low-scoring game to Western Michigan, the University of Michigan's ice hockey team entered the third period of a game in a scoreless tie.
The final 20 minutes would prove to be the difference-maker as Notre Dame scored twice in a 3:26 span early in the third period to pull away from a Wolverine hockey team that had entered the game with an 8-1-1 record in the last 10 games. A late Michigan goal with an extra attacker on the ice cut the deficit with 33 seconds remaining, but it was too little, too late as Notre Dame took the series opener, 2-1, on Friday night (Feb. 21) at Yost Ice Arena.
The first period consisted of back-and-forth play with both goaltenders proving why they belong in the conversation with the nation's best. Strauss Mann was the team's best penalty killer after the Wolverines were whistled for tripping 13:11 into the game. In one net-front scramble halfway through the kill, Mann jolted to his left to make an impressive save with his shoulder and keep the game scoreless.
Physicality picked up in the middle frame, as official video reviews on big open-ice hits against both teams brought the game to a halt at various points in the early minutes. Notre Dame did not cede a goal, but their netminder was tested frequently. When Notre Dame took a bench minor for too many men at 13:18, U-M had outshot the Irish, 9-2, to that point in the period. After the first Michigan power play was unsuccessful, the Irish spent 14 seconds at full strength before taking another penalty, a boarding call at 15:32.
Michigan's power play tried to get set up in the Notre Dame zone, but was held scoreless for the second time in a 4:11 span. Just 20 seconds later, Michigan found itself short-handed after being called for high-sticking while battling for a puck in the corner to bring about the game's third consecutive special-teams opportunity. The Fighting Irish moved the puck around the zone rapidly and fired off several outstanding chances, but Mann stood tall and the scrambling Michigan defense came to his aid when needed. After two periods of play, U-M led in shots (20-18) and faceoffs (23-20) but could not find a way to crack the scoresheet.
After nearly 45 minutes of scoreless hockey, the tie was broken when an Irish backhand attempt from the slot trickled across the goal line to pull the Irish to a 1-0 lead.
The Wolverine offense pressured after Notre Dame's tally but could not find an equalizer. At 7:31, a wrist shot from Matt Hellickson found its way through traffic to put the visitors ahead, 2-0.
As the game's final minutes ticked down, Mann skated to the Michigan bench for an extra attacker. The Wolverines' effort finally paid off when grad transfer Jacob Hayhurst received the puck in the slot from Jake Slaker, faked a shot to create a lane, and ripped a wrist shot to the back of the net to cut the deficit to one. Will Lockwood also picked up an assist on the goal.
The game's final 43 seconds were a whirlwind as the Wolverines tried to enter the Notre Dame zone with six attackers in search of a tying goal. As Lockwood made one last desperate rush down the ice, the final buzzer sounded and the Fighting Irish secured three points. Despite falling for the first time in five games, Michigan outshot the Irish, 35-28, and bested them in faceoffs, 38-29. Both teams ended the night 0-for-2 on the man-advantage.
Michigan and Notre Dame will meet Saturday inside Yost Ice Arena to close out U-M's regular-season home schedule. Puck drop is set for 4 p.m., and the game will br broadcast live on Biog Ten Network. Following the game, nine Wolverines will be honored in the program's annual Senior Night ceremony.
