Michigan
6-1-0, 1-0-0
Wisconsin
2-5-0, 0-1-0
Portillo's First Career Shutout Leads U-M to B1G-Opening Win Over Wisconsin
10/28/2021 10:05:00 PM | Ice Hockey
» Erik Portillo stopped all 28 shots he faced to earn his first career shutout.
» Defensive partners Owen Power and Nick Blankenburg each tallied one goal and one assist.
» Kent Johnson scored the game's first goal before assisting on Blankenburg's marker.
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Red Berenson Rink at Yost Ice Arena)
Score: #2 Michigan 3, Wisconsin 0
Records: U-M (6-1-0, 1-0 B1G), UW (2-5-0, 0-1 BIG)
Next U-M Event: Friday, Oct. 29 -- vs. Wisconsin (Yost Ice Arena), 7:30 p.m.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan ice hockey team defeated Wisconsin 3-0 as Big Ten play got underway Thursday night (Oct. 28) at Yost Ice Arena. Sophomore Erik Portillo was outstanding in net, recording his first career shutout with 28 saves. With the win, U-M earns the first three points in the conference standings.
After a scoreless first period that saw U-M outshoot the Badgers 17-6, it was sophomore Kent Johnson lighting the lamp first for the Maize and Blue. Defensemen Owen Power and Nick Blankenburg assisted on the goal, which Johnson snapped home to the far side of the net from below the right dot. The two blueliners had joined forces for a slick passing play to free Power up for a shot from the slot, but Wisconsin goaltender Jared Moe pushed aside the initial attempt that preceded Johnson's strike.
Captain Blankenburg doubled the Wolverines' lead with 1:36 left in the middle frame after exhibiting patience and skill with the puck on his tape. Playing 4-on-4 after coincidental minor penalties, Johnson received a pass in the left circle. As he accepted the puck, Johnson sent a touch pass through the slot to Blankenburg, who was floating toward the net unabated. Rather than immediately redirecting the pass or throwing a blind shot on net, the captain took an extra stride across the top of the crease, waited for the goaltender to slide, and then buried the puck beyond his reach. Matty Beniers also collected an assist on Blankenburg's second goal in as many games.
With 20 minutes left to play, the Wolverines had earned a 2-0 advantage on the scoreboard while leading the game in shots on goal 35-20.
Early in the final stanza, Jimmy Lambert picked off a Wisconsin breakout pass in the neutral zone. The senior forward pushed the puck in the other direction to lead an impromptu rush toward the UW net with Power skating in behind the play. Lambert curled back on the left flank and dropped a pass to Power in stride. The big defenseman waited for a window before ripping a shot toward the front of the net. The puck skittered off of a Wisconsin defender and into the back of the net off to give Michigan a 3-0 lead on Power's second goal of the season.
For the entire 60 minutes, Portillo was engaged in the blue paint for Michigan. The sophomore looked sound as the Badgers ramped up the pressure toward the end of the contest. When the final buzzer sounded, teammates surrounded the netminder in celebration of the shutout win.
Shots on goal ended up at 41-28 in U-M's favor, while neither team could capitalize on the power play, going a combined 0-for-12 with the man advantage. Michigan's penalty killers were a perfect 7-for-7 on the night.
While Luke Hughes' six-game point streak to begin his collegiate career came to an end on Thursday night, three skaters did record multi-point games for the Wolverines: Johnson, as well as defensemen Blankenburg and Power. All three scored and added an assist.
On Friday night (Oct. 29), the Badgers and Wolverines will pick up where they left off at Yost Ice Arena to close out their two-game series in search of three points. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m., and the game will be streamed live on B1G+.
