Michigan to Face Non-Conference Niagara in Two-Game Set at Yost

Friday, November 26

Ann Arbor, Mich.

7:30 PM

Michigan

Niagara

Dylan Duke (Michigan Photography)

Michigan to Face Non-Conference Niagara in Two-Game Set at Yost

11/24/2021 2:24:00 PM | Ice Hockey

By: Kristy McNeil

• Michigan and Niagara meet for the first time since 2015, with the Wolverines holding a 9-1 series advantage.
• Kent Johnson and Owen Power lead the nation in assists with 17 each.
• Michigan is averaging 4.14 goals per game, the third-best scoring offense nationally.

• Complete Game Notes (PDF)

• Social Media: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

The No. 3-ranked University of Michigan ice hockey team (10-4-0) takes a break from Big Ten competition this weekend, hosting Niagara (2-6-2) on Friday and Saturday (Nov. 26-27) at Yost Ice Arena. Puck drop on Friday (Nov. 26) is set for 7:30 p.m., with Saturday's (Nov. 27) game beginning at 7 p.m. Both games will be streamed live on B1G+, and standing-room only tickets are available.

Wolverine Bites

• Michigan is 10-4 on the season and is ranked No. 3 in the USCHO poll and No. 4 in the USA Hockey Magazine poll.

• The Wolverines are in first place in the Big Ten conference standings with 17 points, one more than Minnesota.

• Michigan is averaging 4.14 goals per game, the third-best scoring offense nationally.

• The team's leading point-getter, Kent Johnson is tied for second in the nation with 21 points, while also being tied with teammate Owen Power for the nationwide lead in assists at 17. Power checks in at second on the squad with 20 points. Matty Beniers leads in goal-scoring with 10 (10-7-17) while Brendan Brisson's nine goals and six assists (15 points) has him tied with last year's leading point-getter, Thomas Bordeleau (5-10-15).

• Jacob Truscott leads the team with a +14 rating, while defensive partner and standout freshman Luke Hughes checks in at +11 along with 13 points. Power leads the team in blocked shots with 19, followed by Hughes (13) and Beniers (12).

• Erik Portillo has played every minute in goal for the Wolverines thus far, assembling a 10-4 record with one shutout, a .918 save percentage, and a 2.34 goals-against average.

Scouting the Purple Eagles

• Niagara was picked to finish sixth in Atlantic Hockey, with American International College being picked to finish first. The Purple Eagles are 2-6-2 overall, 0-4 against non-conference opponents, and have not defeated U-M since 1998.

• Michigander Ryan Naumovski is tied for the scoring lead with fellow junior Albin Nilsson; each has three goals and four assists for seven points. Defenseman Mike Faulkner leads the team with five assists while 5-foot-9-inch forward Walker Sommer paces the Eagles with four goals.

• In net, duties have been split between Atlantic Hockey's Preseason Rookie of the Year, Jake Sibell, who has started four games while posting a 3.49 goals-against average and an .884 save percentage, and junior Chad Veltri, with six starts, a 3.31 GAA and an .888 save percentage.

Series History

• Michigan owns a 9-1 lead in the all-time series against Niagara, and have only ever played Niagara at home or on neutral ice.

• Noah West is the only Wolverine who has faced Niagara, as he spent his freshman season in the Atlantic Hockey Association with Robert Morris. West is 4-2 with a .929 save percentage, with 209 saves and 16 goals allowed.

Up Next

• Friday, Dec. 3 -- vs. Minnesota (Yost Ice Arena), 6:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 4 -- vs. Minnesota (Yost Ice Arena), 7 p.m.