Michigan to Host Ohio State in Series at Yost

Friday, January 15

Ann Arbor, Mich.

7:00 PM

Michigan

Ohio State

Jimmy Lambert (Michigan Photography)

1/13/2021 3:28:00 PM | Ice Hockey

By: Kristy McNeil

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The No. 9-ranked University of Michigan ice hockey team (6-6-0, 4-6-0-1 Big Ten) will host rival Ohio State (4-7-1, 4-6-0-0 Big Ten) on Friday and Saturday (Jan. 15-16) at Yost Ice Arena. Both games are scheduled for 7 p.m. puck drops. Friday's game (Jan. 15) will be streamed live on Big Ten Network Plus, while Saturday night's (Jan. 16) contest will be broadcast live on Big Ten Network.

Hail From Home

Game days may look different this season, but the tradition of cheering on Michigan ice hockey continues. Hail From Home is our way to virtually bring the excitement of game day to fans. Throughout the season, fans can look forward to a variety of digital engagements including fan cutouts at Yost, game day playlists, Yost scoreboard messages, virtual Zamboni rides, a season ticket giveaway, and more. » Hail From Home

The Series

Michigan leads, 84-47-14, in the all-time series with Ohio State that began in 1964. In Ann Arbor, the Wolverines have won 67 percent of the time. The teams split their series at Yost last season, with Michigan earning a 3-2 win in game one before the Buckeyes grabbed a 4-1 victory in the finale. Michigan and Ohio State were slated to face each other in rhe Big Ten Tournament semifinals before the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Johnson Named Big Ten's First Star

Freshman forward Kent Johnson was named the Big Ten First Star of the Week after recording a five-point (one goal, four assists) game on Friday night (Jan. 8) against Michigan State. It marked the first time a Wolverine collected five points in a game since JT Compher on March 18, 2016, vs. Penn State. Johnson's 15 points lead the Wolverines and the Big Ten, and he is averaging 1.25 per game.

Wolverine Bites

• The Wolverines remain No. 9 in the latest USCHO poll (Jan. 11) after splitting a hone-and-home series with Michigan State last weekend. Michigan posted a 9-0 shutout on Friday night (Jan. 8) with nine different U-M goal scorers. Kent Johnson led the offense with a five-point outing, while goaltender Strauss Mann picked up two assists in his 21-save shutout. On Saturday (Jan. 9) at Munn Ice Arena in East Lansing, the Wolverines surrendered two goals in the final 2:01 to fall, 3-2.

• Michigan has 11 points courtesy of a 4-6-0-1-0 record, good for a fifth-place tie with Michigan State in the Big Ten Standings.

• Freshman Kent Johnson leads the team and the Big Ten in scoring with 15 points on three goals and 12 assists. He and Thomas Bordeleau are the top two scoring rookies in the nation as Bordeleau has 12 points (four goals, eight assists). Freshmen Brendan Brisson adds nine points, while freshman Matty Beniers and sophomore defenseman Cam York have eight points. Senior Michael Pastujov leads U-M with five goals.

• Junior captain Strauss Mann has a .914 save percentage and a 2.28 goals-against average as the starting netminder. He has posted two shutouts this season and has two assists. Freshman Erik Portillo has made two appearances and has 32 saves on 34 shots.

• Michigan averages 3.42 goals per game (15th nationally), while limiting opponents to 2.42 GPG (14th nationally)

• The Wolverines power play ranks seventh nationally, converting 10 of 37 (27 percent). The penalty kill is 32-for-42 (76.2 percent, 38th nationally).

Scouting the Buckeyes

• OSU is 4-7-1 on the season, most recently splitting a home series with Penn State last weekend. At 4-6-0 in the league, the Buckeyes have 13 points to sit in third place.

• Freshman Travis Treloar leads the offense with 12 points, scoring five goals and collecting seven assists. Sophomore Mark Cheremeta also has seven assists while adding four goals. Quinn Preston has scored five goals, three of which have been game winners, and adding five helpers.

• Senior Tommy Nappier is OSU's last defense, starting all 12 games this season. He has a .920 save percentage and a 2.80 goals-against average.

• OSU is averaging 2.42 goals per game, while allowing 3.00 GPG.

• The Buckeyes power play ranks 10th nationally, converting on 10 of 39 chances (25.6 percent), while the penalty-kill unit is 22nd at 81.4 percent (35-for-43).

Up Next

• Thursday, Jan. 21 -- at Notre Dame (South Bend, Ind.), 6:30 p.m.
• Friday, Jan. 22 -- at Notre Dame (South Bend, Ind.), 6:30 p.m.