Top-ranked Michigan split its Big Ten-opening series at Ohio State, losing 5-2 on Saturday before winning 5-4 in overtime on Sunday at Value City Arena in Columbus. The Wolverines leave Columbus 8-1-0 overall and 1-1-0 in conference play; the Buckeyes are 3-5-0.
Two different nights
Saturday was Michigan’s first loss of the season. Ohio State scored twice in the second period and once midway through the third, then added two empty-net goals. Garrett Schifsky and Cole McKinney scored for Michigan, which went 0-for-2 on the power play and was outshot 32-28.
The power play made the difference Sunday. Michigan scored twice with the man advantage in the second period, through Malcolm Spence and J.P. Hurlbert, and outshot the Buckeyes 32-27. Michigan still trailed 4-3 late after Ohio State scored shorthanded and again at 17:38 of the third, but Spence tied it with an extra attacker at 18:48 and Adam Valentini won it 4:17 into overtime.
Standouts
Michael Hage had a goal and four assists Sunday, figuring in all five Michigan goals. Spence scored twice in the finale to reach six goals this season, and Jayden Perron, Michigan’s leading scorer entering the weekend, added three assists Sunday. Jack Ivankovic started both games, stopping 27 of 30 shots Saturday and 23 of 27 Sunday. For Ohio State, Evan Jardine and Jake Karabela scored or set up goals on both nights, and Jakub Milota started in goal each game.
What’s next
Michigan entered the weekend No. 1 in the national polls; the new polls come out Monday. The College Hockey News scoreboard lists no Michigan game for the week of Nov. 2-8.
Read the game recaps: Saturday, Oct. 31 and Sunday, Nov. 1.
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