Michigan
3-0-0
Providence
0-1-0
Underclassmen Shine as Michigan Dominates No. 7 Providence
10/10/2025 11:23:00 PM | Ice Hockey
» Sophomore Michael Hage continued his scorching start with a pair of goals.
» Drew Schock netted his first career goal and was one of six skaters with multiple points.
» Freshman center Cole McKinney was perfect in the faceoff dot, going 14-0.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Traveling east for a top-10 showdown that doubled as one of the most anticipated non-conference matchups of the year, the No. 9-ranked University of Michigan ice hockey team rolled to a 5-1 win over No. 7 Providence College on Friday night (Oct. 10) inside Schneider Arena.
Freshman netminder Jack Ivankovic earned his third start in as many games for Michigan (3-0-0), and the second-round NHL Draft pick was solid once again. Ivankovic stopped 19 of the 20 shots he faced from a talented Providence (0-1-0) lineup and has now allowed just two goals through his first three collegiate outings.
Sophomore Michael Hage opened the scoring just 1:44 into the contest after being sprung on a breakaway by a slick cross-ice feed from Nick Moldenhauer. Freshman defender Henry Mews started the rush with a crisp outlet pass to his partner Tyler Duke, who moved it up ice to Moldenhauer and earned a secondary assist on Hage's third goal of the young season.
The Friars evened the score at 11:28 on a rebound following an odd-man rush. A Michigan defenseman initially broke up the play, but a Providence forward pounced on the loose puck to tie the game at 1-1.
With less than a minute left in the first period, a scramble deep in the Friar zone left a loose puck in front. Positioned in the slot, T.J. Hughes batted it out of midair before snapping a quick shot into the net to restore Michigan's lead with 20 seconds remaining. Aidan Park and Duke assisted on Hughes' 48th career goal.
Despite being outshot 9-7 in the first, the Wolverines took a 2-1 lead into the intermission. Both teams went 0-for-2 on the power play in the opening frame, buoyed by strong goaltending and penalty killing.
Early in the second, Adam Valentini and sophomore defenseman Dakoda Rhéaume-Mullen combined on a highlight-reel sequence that showcased Valentini's edgework and Rhéaume-Mullen's creativity. The pair worked the puck deep before Valentini fed Drew Schock on the left flank. Schock fired on goal, and Garrett Schifsky redirected the rebound home to make it 3-1 at 2:21.
On Michigan's third power play of the night, Hage buried a one-timer from the left circle just 26 seconds in, his second tally of the game at 5:07. Hughes collected the puck in the slot to draw the defense before slipping it to Hage, who ripped a rocket into the top corner. Hughes and Will Horcoff picked up the assists on Michigan's eighth power-play goal of the year.
Schock found the scoresheet again late in the second, netting his first collegiate goal at 15:42 by crashing the weak side to finish off a backdoor feed from Schifsky. Moldenhauer earned his second point of the night with the secondary assist, as Michigan extended its lead to 5-1.
Michigan dominated the middle frame, outshooting Providence 17-3 while adding three goals to build a four-goal advantage heading into the third.
In the opening minute of the final period, Josh Eernisse rang a shot off the post, keeping the Friar faithful anxious. Michigan continued to control play throughout the third, maintaining its four-goal cushion behind steady defense and goaltending.
The Wolverines sealed the 5-1 victory with decisive advantages in both shots on goal (35-20) and faceoffs (31-25).
The teams will meet again on Saturday (Oct. 11) at Schneider Arena to close out the non-conference series. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m., and the game will stream live on ESPN+.
