Michigan
16-11-0, 8-5-0-0B1G
Ohio State
9-16-2, 4-9-0-0B1G
Michigan Ends Road Swing with Loss at Ohio State
2/20/2015 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
Feb. 20, 2015
| Site: Columbus, Ohio (Value City Arena)
Score: Ohio State 5, Michigan 3
Records: U-M (16-11-0, 8-5-0-0 Big Ten), OSU (9-16-2, 4-9-0-0 Big Ten)
Attendance: 6,896
Next U-M Event: Sunday, Feb. 22 -- vs. Ohio State (Yost Ice Arena), 5 p.m.
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Zach Hyman and Dylan Larkin each had a goal and an assist, but the University of Michigan ice hockey team (RV USA Today/USA Hockey, No. 15 USCHO) fell, 5-3, at Ohio State on Friday night (Feb. 20) in front of 6,896 fans at Value City Arena. The loss ends a 10-game unbeaten streak against the Buckeyes (9-0-1) dating back to Nov. 19, 2011.
Steve Racine made 27 saves in net for the Wolverines, who trailed, 3-2, entering the third period before outshooting the Buckeyes, 16-9, in the final frame.
Michigan (0-for-4 on the man advantage) had two power-play chances in the third period, nearly tying the game on their second man advantage of the frame, with Matthew Weis in the penalty box for interference at 9:26. JT Compher took a pass at the left circle and fired a slap shot off the fa r post.
In the final minutes of the period, Darik Angeli took a pass from the side boards and beat Racine with a one-timer from the slot at 17:55. With an extra attacker,
Michigan quickly cut the lead back to one, as Tyler Motte poked a loose puck in the crease into an open net after Larkin's initial shot went off the arm of Ohio State goaltender Christian Frey (36 saves).
Frey came up with one big stop at the 19:00 mark on Compher, before Nick Schilkey sealed the win with an empty-net goal at 19:25.
The Wolverines struck first in the opening minutes of the game, as Larkin notched his 11th goal of the season at 3:52, finishing off his own rush up ice on a broken play. Larkin fed Justin Selman, who gained the offensive zone and has his pass deflect off an Ohio State stick back to Larkin alone in front. Larkin cut across the slot and beat Frey to give Michigan the early lead.
A little more than three minutes later the Buckeyes responded to even the score. Nicholas Jones made a blind backhand pass to the front of the net, and the puck deflected off of several skates to Matt Johnson, who beat Racine at 7:35.
Late in the period, it was Johnson again for Ohio State, as a turnover behind the Michigan net led to a pass from Tanner Fritz to Johnson for a tap-in goal in the slot at 18:16.
Hyman broke a four-game goal scoring drought after Racine made a big stop on a 2-on-1, kicking out the right pad on Angeli to start a 2-on-1 rush going the other way for the Wolverines. Hyman kept the puck on the left wing and beat Frey over the shoulder at 4:45 for his team-leading 17th goal of the season.
The Buckeyes answered right back at 7:11 converting after a long shift in the offensive zone. Tanner Fritz mishit a one-timer in the slot, but the puck deflected off Racine's pad right to Johnson, who slammed the rebound into the net for his second goal of the game to put Ohio State back in front.
Michigan continued to pepper Frey with quality chances through the end of the second period. Hyman hit the right post at the 11:00 mark after being left uncovered on an odd-man rush. With Michigan on a power play late in the period, Alex Kile redirected a slap-pass from Larkin on net, and Frey made an off balance stop at the 16:45 mark.
Zach Werenski's tripping penalty gave the Buckeyes time on their man advantage late in the period. Racine came up with big stops on a point drive from Sam Jardine, and a rebound chance from Johnson in the slot, as Michigan entered the third period down just one goal.
The Wolverines will host Ohio State on Sunday (Feb. 22) at 5 p.m. in a game that will be televised on Fox Sports Detroit. [ Tickets ]
Communications Contact: Jeffrey Weinstein (734) 763-4423
