Michigan hockey’s season ends in the Frozen Four once again
ST. PAUL, MINN. — Always the third bridesmaid, never the bride for Michigan hockey. Boston College hammered the Wolverines 4-0 in the Frozen Four to send the Wolverines home empty handed once again.
The Wolverines came out strong in the first period, carrying play in the early going. They hit a post within the first few minutes and had the better chances, but the Eagles scored first. A risky pinch led to a 2-on-1 the other way, and Will Smith buried a shot past Michigan goaltender Jake Barczewski only 1:20 in to make it 1-0 on B.C.’s first shot.
That would be the Eagles’ only shot, in fact, until the 11:12 mark. The Wolverines outshot the Eagles 2-1 through the first 8:48, including several good chances. U- M had 12 shot attempts to B.C.’s 4 at the 8:38 mark.
But Mark Estapa took an ill-advised penalty behind the play to give Boston College a power play. It lasted only 35 seconds before B.C. picked up a hooking penalty to even it up. Neither team would score, though the Eagles came close shorthanded on Barczewski’s turnover trying to move the puck.
Estapa picked up another penalty on a questionable tripping call, but Michigan got the first good chance on the B.C. power play. Eagles’ goaltender Jacob Fowler knocked away Frank Nazar’s spinning wrist shot at 16:19 to keep it a 1-0 game. The Wolverines killed the penalty and provided more pressure, but couldn’t get the equalizer before the period ended 1-0, B.C.
The Wolverines outshot the Eagles 9-6 in the first stanza.
SECOND PERIOD — Boston College takes full control
Barczewski came up huge 1:30 into the period after a great move by Ryan Leonard moved him in on goal. Barczewski got the right pad out to prevent the goal and keep it a 1-0 game.
Michigan would get another opportunity at 15:55 on its first extended power play. The Wolverines controlled the zone for much of the 2 minutes but couldn’t score, keeping it 1-0 Eagles. A few chances went just wide, and Fowler stymied a 4-on-2 on another opportunity after the Eagles killed the penalty.
Michigan had logged 12 shots to 10 at the 8:26 mark of the second period, but several others didn’t get through, blocked by the B.C. defense. That would be a continued theme throughout the game.
U-M got another power play opportunity on a tripping call deep in the B.C. zone., but a tripping call on Dylan Duke ended the man advantage only 26 seconds in. The Eagles scored off Michigan defenseman Ethan Edwards’ skate in front to put the Wolverines in a 2-0 hole.
It quickly became 3-0 when Cutter Gauthier scored on a breakaway seconds later following an unforced Michigan turnover, and the Wolverines were in serious trouble. The period ended that way, and Michigan would need a miracle rally to make its first final in over a decade.
THIRD PERIOD — Michigan goes home empty-handed again
Michigan came out flying in the third and peppered the net in the first 45 seconds, but Fowler was up to the task. Barczewski came up huge on yet another B.C. breakaway seconds later to keep it a three-goal game and at least provide some a sliver of hope.
That ended at 14:57. Gabe Perreault scored unassisted on a wraparound to make it 4-0 and all but end the Wolverines’ chances.
U-M continued to press and outshot Boston College 13-3 through the first 13 minutes of the third period. Fowler was able to see most of them and easily turn them away, however, and several others were blocked.
The only question left at the 6:30 timeout was whether the Wolverines would get on the scoreboard. The answer — no. Fowler turned away all 32 shots he faced in the 4-0 win, including 17 in the third period alone.
The Wolverines head back to Ann Arbor having finished the season with a 23-15-3 record.
