Michigan
20-14-0, 12-8-0B1G
Michigan State
17-15-2, 11-7-2B1G
Wolverines Fall to Spartans on Senior Night at Yost
3/14/2015 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
March 14, 2015
• Boxscore 
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Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Yost Ice Arena)
Score: Michigan State 2, Michigan 1
Records: U-M (20-14-0, 12-8-0-0 Big Ten), MSU (17-15-2, 11-7-2-0 Big Ten)
Attendance: 5,800
Next U-M Event: Thursday, March 19 -- vs. Wisconsin - Big Ten Tournament (Detroit, Mich.), 8 p.m.
• Kornacki Postgame Feature: Wolverines Look to Big Ten Tourney after Defeat
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- In a low-scoring game dominated by the University of Michigan ice hockey team (No. 19 USCHO, NR USA Today/USA Hockey), Zach Werenski scored a second-period power-play goal to tie the game at 1-1, but Matt DeBlouw's breakaway goal at 0:29 of the third period for Michigan State proved to be the game-winner, as the Spartans earned a one-goal win on Senior Night (Saturday, March 14) at Yost Ice Arena.
Zach Nagelvoort made 17 saves in net for Michigan, which had a chance to clinch a share of the Big Ten regular-season title tonight against the Spartans. Jake Hildebrand was outstanding in net for Michigan State, making 37 saves to earn the victory in net.
Trailing 1-0 after an early first-period goal by Michael Ferrantino, the Wolverines went on the power play midway through the second period when Josh Jacobs was sent off for cross-checking at 12:20. Dylan Larkin passed to Werenski at top of the offensive zone. Werenski skated into the high slot and with Zach Hyman in front screening Hildebrand, the freshman defenseman hit the top corner with a hard wrist shot at 12:59.
Nagelvoort made a key stop on Mackenzie MacEachern's one-timer with 4:30 remaining in the second period, and the two teams were tied at 1-1 heading into the final period of play.
Michigan State quickly gained the lead in the opening moments of the third, as DeBlouw slipped behind the Michigan defense on the right side of the ice, taking a pass from MacEachern and skating in alone on a breakaway. DeBlouw cut to his forehand and flipped a shot over the right pad of Nagelvoort.
The Wolverines came agonizingly close to scoring the equalizer several times in the remainder of the frame.
At 3:45, Cutler Martin's shot from the point get through to Hildebrand, but Hyman could not find the loose puck in front of the net.
At 6:15, Hyman again had a rebound chance off a shot by Brennan Serville, this time getting a puck on net with Hildebrand on his backside, but the goaltender made the stop.
Then at 13:41, the Wolverines had perhaps their best chance, when Cristoval 'Boo' Nieves skated through the Michigan State defense on a 2-on-2 rush and found Tyler Motte alone on the right wing. But Motte's one-timer found the sweeping glove of Hildebrand, as the Michigan State netminder went post to post to make the spectacular save.
In the waning moments of the game, with Nagelvoort out for an extra attacker, Michigan could not get a puck past Hildebrand, as the Spartans blocked shots, and the goaltender made the key stops to give Michigan State the victory.
Michigan had 92 shots attempted to Michigan State's 42, and the Spartans blocked 30 shots on the night.
In the opening period, Michigan fell behind after killing off Michigan State's first power-play chance of the night, as Alex Kile was in the penalty box for hitting from behind at 5:45. But just as Kile stepped out of the box, the Spartans struck for their first goal of the night.
Ron Boyd made a quick outlet pass to Michael Ferrantino skating up the left wing. Ferrantino fired a long shot through a defenseman, off the glove of Nagelvoort and into the net at 7:50.
Michigan tightened the screws thereafter, peppering Hildebrand with shots and dominating possession. The Wolverines earned their first power play of the night when Brent Darnell was called for tripping at 13:43 and had two glorious chances on the man advantage, both set up by Larkin.
Larkin fed cross ice to Nieves at the left circle for a one-timer that Hildebrand turned away. Moments later, Larkin fired a puck that Hyman deflected into the pad of Hildebrand.
Later in the period, Hyman cut to his backhand on a breakaway, and Hildebrand stuck his right leg all the way out to make the save, then Justin Selman hit the post on a follow up at 17:00, as Michigan trailed 1-0 after one.
The Wolverines finish the regular season at 20-14-0 (36 points, 12-8-0-0 Big Ten) and are the No. 3 seed in the Big Ten Tournament. U-M will open tourney play vs. Wisconsin on Thursday night (March 19, 8 p.m.) at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.
Communications Contact: Jeffrey Weinstein (734) 763-4423
