To start the Big Ten Tournament, Michigan hockey overcomes a two-goal deficit and defeats Notre Dame.
ANN ARBOR, Michigan — The Michigan hockey team overcame a two-goal deficit to defeat Notre Dame 5-4 in the opening game of their best-of-three Big Ten Tournament series.

ANN ARBOR, Michigan: In the opening game of a best-of-three Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal, Michigan hockey overcame a two-goal deficit to defeat Notre Dame 5-4.

The Wolverines made a significant advancement toward winning the conference tournament and earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament thanks to two goals from Rutger McGroarty and three assists from Seamus Casey.

After 5:33, the Wolverines gave up the first goal of the game to a clever shot from the high slot that beat Jake Barczewski, using a defenseman as a screen. However, Michigan overcame the early hole, outshooting their opponents 20–4 in the first quarter and scoring twice to lead 2-1 at the half. Nick Moldenhauer scored the opening goal during a power play when he cleared a loose puck and shot through Ryan Bischel from the slot. Ninety seconds later, Rutger McGroarty made a partial breakaway after being fed by Garrett Schifsky.

In a second phase that Notre Dame dominated, the script turned. Halfway through the frame, the Irish got back-to-back power plays, and that eventually let the water run. Near the end of a man advantage, Drew Bavaro scored from the point, and the visitors added two more after offensive zone face-offs. Michigan had only mustered three shots on goal for the entire second half and was facing a two-goal hole with four minutes remaining.

With a twisting blast from the left face-off circle, Garrett Schifsky ignited the Yost crowd and beat Bischel to his near post, beginning the comeback. If the goal opened the door for a comeback, the Irish opened it even wider by winning two penalties, one of which was a five-minute major, which gave Michigan more man advantage time.

The Wolverines needed the significant penalty to be the turning point. By the time Drew Bavaro came out of the box, Michigan led 5–4 after scoring twice more. T.J. Hughes scored the first of those when he skated in from the point in the closing seconds of the third period, during a 5-on-3. With Seamus Casey, the

For the last seventeen minutes, the Wolverines had to hold onto that one-goal advantage. Their aggressiveness was commendable, as demonstrated by Rutger McGroarty’s effort to score a “Michigan” goal from behind the Notre Dame goalie. He didn’t succeed, but the Irish also didn’t find the equalizer.

With two minutes remaining, Notre Dame withdrew its goalkeeper, and aside from an icing call, the Wolverines looked to have sealed the victory with an empty-netter. Nevertheless, the Wolverines managed to hold on and win 5–4.

Three points No. 1: Gavin Brindley; No. 2: Seamus Casey; No. 3: Patrick Moynihan

Hockey in Michigan: What’s next?

Game 2 of the best-of-three series between the Wolverines and Irish takes place at Yost Ice Arena on Saturday night. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m., and BTN+ will broadcast the competition.

If needed, game three is set for Sunday night at 7 p.m. The series victor moves on to a semifinal single-elimination matchup with an opponent of their choosing.

Watch: Juwan Howard discusses roster building and previews Michigan basketball’s Senior Day.
Senior Day will be celebrated by Michigan men’s basketball versus the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Sunday afternoon at the Crisler Center. Nimari Burnett will be honored by the Wolverines,

Senior Day will be celebrated by Michigan men’s basketball versus the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Sunday afternoon at the Crisler Center. The Wolverines will celebrate Nimari Burnett, Terrance Williams II, Jaelin Llewellyn, and Jackson Selvala prior to kickoff.

Coach Juwan Howard of U-M discussed his expectations for Senior Day on Friday afternoon. He stated the following of Terrance Williams II:

This weekend is fantastic for our program to honor and congratulate our seniors on a special day by presenting them the flowers they deserve in recognition of all the wonderful times they have spent participating in the program. And Terrance Williams Jr. was my first. He’s been this guy for four years. Recalling his initial enrollment as a young guy and the years since then that he has spent in the program. Being able to play and be a part of the rotation in the first year.Had few minutes, but he genuinely earned every second he spent on the court. However, following that, we switched to COVID

and experienced the COVID period, which we all remember as an intriguing time when we were only missing a little normalcy. Terrance improved after that and started in his third season. Now, for the second year in a row, he is a starter in his fourth year. This kid has really matured into a man. He will therefore be among those who are honored to be a Michigan man after he graduates from this program. And I’m incredibly honored to have the chance to mentor him and witness his development.