Michigan
Minnesota
Michigan Hosting No. 5 Minnesota in Conference Series
3/1/2017 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
• Complete Game Notes (PDF)
THIS WEEK
Friday, March 3 -- vs #5 Minnesota (Yost Ice Arena), 6:30 p.m.
TV: ESPNews | Live Stats | Watch | Listen
Saturday, March 4 -- vs #5 Minnesota (Yost Ice Arena), 8:30 p.m.
TV: Big Ten Network | Live Stats | Watch | Listen
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The University of Michigan ice hockey team will play host to No. 5 Minnesota this weekend (March 3-4) for a two-game Big Ten weekend series at Yost Ice Arena.
THE SERIES
Michigan and No. 5 Minnesota meet for the 277th time in the program's history, and for the third time this season as the Gophers took the first two games in Minneapolis, 5-2 and 4-2 (Jan. 13-14).
The Michigan-Minnesota rivalry is a battle between the No. 1 (Minnesota) and No. 2 (Michigan) winningest programs in college hockey. Minnesota is Michigan's second oldest rival, with the first meeting taking place on Jan. 23, 1923 (L, 2-0) at Minnesota.
Beginning in 1993, the Mariucci/Renfrew Trophy was created as an award for the winner of the annual Michigan-Minnesota game or series. The trophy is named after legendary coaches John Mariucci of Minnesota and Al Renfrew of Michigan. U-M has won the trophy nine out of the 20 times it has been awarded. Renfrew passed away on Nov. 10, 2014 at the age of 89.
Michigan heads into the weekend after splitting two games at Ohio State last weekend. The Wolverines were able to secure the split with a 1-0 shutout victory on Saturday (Feb. 25) on the back of a 42-save shutout from senior goaltender Zach Nagelvoort.
Michigan head coach Red Berenson played his first collegiate game against Minnesota on Feb. 5, 1960 (L, 6-3) in Minneapolis.
• Sean Ritchlin, a U-M alum and member of the 1996 and 1998 National Championship squads, will be the color commentator for Friday's contest on ESPNews.
SLAKER LEADS THE WAY
Jake Slaker has recorded seven points in his last nine games, while currently leading the Maize and Blue with 20 points (6g, 14a), 14 assists and 13 power-play points heading into the weekend.
WELCOME BACK, COOP
After returning to the team for the second half of the season, Cooper Marody has recorded 11 points (5g, 6a) in 14 games while also leading the team with a .548 (132/241) faceoff percentage.
KEEPER TRIO
Freshmen Jack LaFontaine and Hayden Lavigne have combined with senior Zach Nagelvoort between the pipes for the Maize and Blue, with each appearing in 11 games.
FIRST TIMERS
Eleven Wolverines have scored their first collegiate goals this season, which include eight freshmen (Will Lockwood, Griffin Luce, Luke Martin, Steven Merl, Nick Pastujov, James Sanchez, Jake Slaker and Adam Winborg), the most rookie scorers since the 2009-10/2007-08 seasons. The freshman class accounts for 71 of the team's 189 total points heading into the weekend.
STARS ALIGN FOR NAGS
Zach Nagelvoort was named Big Ten First Star of the Week for his efforts in the 1-0 shutout at Ohio State last Saturday, when he recorded a season-high 42 saves in his first shutout of the season. This is the fourth time in his career that the senior goaltender has been named Big Ten First Star, and seventh total weekly conference accolade.
POWER PLAY HEATIN' UP
After not registering a power-play goal in four straight games, U-M has scored seven man-up goals in the last eight games. Michigan's PP ranks No. 20 throughout NCAA DI (19.8%).
SHORTIES
U-M has registered six shorthanded goals thus far, tied for seventh most in NCAA DI coming into the weekend. They have already reached the total from last season (6). Will Lockwood's two shorthanded goals tie him for third in NCAA DI.
JUST BLOCKIN' IT
Michigan leads all of NCAA DI in blocked shots per game with 17.17 heading into the weekend. Luke Martin has the 15th-best blocks per game in NCAA DI with 2.17.
UP AHEAD
Michigan will host Penn State next weekend (March 10-11) in its final regular season contests of the season. On Saturday night following the contest a ceremony will take place to honor the senior class.
