Michigan
Minnesota
Michigan to Face Minnesota for First Time This Season
1/14/2026 12:01:00 PM | Ice Hockey
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 1-ranked University of Michigan hockey team (18-4, 9-3 Big Ten) will face its first test against Minnesota this weekend with a two-game series in Minneapolis. The teams will meet on Friday (Jan. 16) at 8 p.m. ET and Saturday (Jan. 17) at 7 p.m. ET, with both games streaming on B1G+.
Notes
• Michigan is 18-4 following a weekend sweep of Notre Dame and remains the No. 1-ranked team in the national poll and the NCAA Percentage Index (NPI).
• The Wolverines are in first place in the Big Ten standings with 26 points, four ahead of Wisconsin's 22, though Michigan has played two more games.
• Graham Family Head Ice Hockey Coach Brandon Naurato signed a new multi-year agreement on Monday (Jan. 12) that runs through the 2029-30 season.
• Nick Moldenhauer was named the Big Ten First Star of the Week on Tuesday (Jan. 13) after a four-point weekend. He totaled two goals, including a game-winner, and two assists in Michigan's two wins over the Irish.
• Minnesota is 8-12-1 overall and sits fifth in the Big Ten with 13 points. The Gophers' power play is converting at 22 percent, while the penalty kill is at 66.7 percent.
• Minnesota leads the all-time series 156-138-21 across 315 meetings. Michigan dropped both games in Minneapolis last season, snapping a two-game win streak at Mariucci.
• Michigan continues to lead the nation in several categories, including scoring margin (2.77), scoring offense (4.91), team assists (188), penalty minutes per game (19.68), team points (296) and win percentage (.818).
• T.J. Hughes leads the team with 31 points on nine goals and a team-best 22 assists. Michael Hage follows with 30 points, while Will Horcoff has 29 points and a team-leading 19 goals. Jayden Perron and Nick Moldenhauer round out the scoring leaders after each posted four points last weekend.
• Freshman goaltender Stephen Peck made his collegiate debut in relief of an injured Jack Ivankovic on Saturday. Peck stopped 18 shots in more than 37 minutes of action to earn his first career win.
