Michigan hockey falls again in the Frozen Four, losing 5-2 to Quinnipiac
TAMPA, Fla. — Some year, Michigan hockey will play its best game, get great goaltending from start to finish and win a Frozen Four game, maybe a national title for the first time since 1998.
It won’t be this year — again.
U-M came out tentative against Quinnipiac in the first period before gaining control in the second, but three softer goals against and three dreaded goalposts … it wasn’t meant to be. The Bobcats beat the Wolverines 5-2 with three, third period goals (including an empty netter) and will face Minnesota in Saturday’s National Championship game.
Junior goaltender Erik Portillo was fantastic at times to help keep the Wolverines in the game. At the same time, he gave up two goals banked off his back when he was out of position and a softy that made it 4-2 Quinnipiac late in the third period.
The third Bobcats goal, one that broke a 2-2 tie, was just as frustrating. Portillo made a sprawling save but stayed on the ice and didn’t recover to the post. Sam Lipkin knocked it home of his backside only 1:24 into the period, ensuring the Wolverines would have to play catch-up again, as they had all game.
The Bobcats’ first goal was similar. Jacob Quillan scored from behind the net, banking it in off Portillo, to open the scoring at 5:18.
Michigan, meanwhile, had a hard time against Quinnipiac’s stifling defense. The Wolverines had 8 shots in the first period, but not many great scoring chances. The only goal, in fact, came on a great individual play from Seamus Casey, who skated through defenders and put a move on goalie Yaniv Perets that brought the Michigan contingent to life.
The Bobcats, though, controlled the play for much of the first period and had several odd-man chances. Portillo made some ridiculous saves to keep the Wolverines within 2-1 at the end of the period.
U-M got it working in the second, and the Wolverines finally evened it on a wicked finish from Adam Fantilli at 10:15. Fantilli took a brilliant pass from Luke Hughes and buried it to tie the score at 2-2. Michigan had a power play to end the period but couldn’t convert, sending it to the third period tied.
Both teams had their opportunities in the period, but the Bobcats made the most of theirs to pull out the win and advance. Zach Metsa’s goal over Portillo’s left shoulder at 13:00 had U-M scrambling, but the Wolverines wouldn’t score again.
The bottom line — Michigan had the better talent, but Quinnipiac had the better, more experienced team in limiting U-M’s offensive chances and playing disciplined hockey from start to finish.
