Michigan hockey locks up second in the Big Ten despite OT loss, will host playoff series
Michigan hockey picked up only two points in two games against Notre Dame this weekend, but it was enough to secure home ice for the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal. The Wolverines lost 4-3 in a shootout Friday, though it counted as a tie for NCAA pairwise rankings purposes. The Fighting Irish picked up the extra point in the conference standings.
On Saturday night, Michigan dominated most of the game, but N.D. got two goals from Drew Bavaro, including the game-winner in overtime, to beat the Wolverines 2-1. Their two points earned them the No. 4 seed and home ice in next week’s playoff, a best-of-3 against Michigan State. It also extended an improbable streak of nine straight regular season games at Yost Ice Arena without a loss.
Michigan will host No. 7 seed Wisconsin next weekend. No. 3 Ohio State will host Penn State, and No. 1 Minnesota gets the bye.
On Saturday, the Michigan outshot Notre Dame 49-19 through 3 periods but had a hard time finding the net. T.J. Hughes missed a golden opportunity with under 30 seconds remaining, a rebound on a bouncing puck off a Mackie Samosekvich shot.
That was one of several Michigan opportunities in the third period. The Wolverines outshot the Fighting Irish 27-6 in the third period alone, but couldn’t solve goaltender Ryan Bischel until 10:01 of the third period. Rutger McGroarty scored an even strength goal to even it after Bavaro’s power play goal at 16:25.
The Fighting Irish notched the only three shots on goal in the 3-on-3 overtime session, however, and Bavaro’s rebound goal ended it.
Minnesota will host the lowest remaining seed after next week’s action. If Michigan beats the last place Badgers — and the Wolverines will be heavily favored — they’ll host another series, as well, against the second lowest seed.
Michigan actually locked up second place before the game began after Ohio State lost to Minnesota in Minneapolis for the second straight night, but the Wolverines would have liked to end senior night on a better note.
The Wolverines still ranked fourth in the pairwise rankings used to determine NCAA Tournament seeding heading into the N.D. series, but could drop after the home losses.
