No. 2 Michigan hosts Alaska Anchorage at Yost Ice Arena on Friday, Oct. 9, at 7 p.m., the first of two games between the teams this weekend. It is the Seawolves’ first trip to Ann Arbor since 1990. Both games stream on B1G+, and Saturday’s rematch is also at 7 p.m.
The Wolverines (2-0-0) opened the season with a weekend sweep of Bowling Green, winning 7-2 at home and 4-3 on the road, a result that gave coach Brandon Naurato his 100th career win. Michigan is ranked second in both the USCHO and USA Hockey polls. Alaska Anchorage enters 0-2 after opening its season at home against defending national champion Denver.
Players to watch
Senior Jayden Perron and junior Michael Hage each had seven points against Bowling Green, tied for the most in the country that weekend, and were named the Big Ten’s first and second stars of the week. Freshman J.P. Hurlbert, the Red Wings’ first-round pick (23rd overall) in June, scored Michigan’s first goal of the season. On the back end, Drew Schock had a goal and three assists, while Landon DuPont and Henry Mews each added two assists.
In goal, Jack Ivankovic matched his career high with 38 saves in the win at Bowling Green and has 941 career saves, closing in on 1,000. Michigan has not announced its starter for Friday.
Series history and game-night notes
Michigan leads the all-time series 3-0-1. The last meeting came in October 2009, a 6-1 Michigan win. Friday is Youth Hockey Night at Yost, and Saturday is the annual pink Block Cancer game, with rally towels for the first 4,500 fans.
After this weekend, Michigan heads to Denver for a rematch of last spring’s Frozen Four semifinal on Oct. 16-17, then hosts Western Michigan on Oct. 23.
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