Michigan to Host Series with Minnesota to Conclude First Half of Season

• Complete Game Notes (PDF)

The No. 15-ranked University of Michigan ice hockey team (6-6-3, 2-3-3-1 Big Ten) will continue its Big Ten schedule when it takes on Minnesota (4-6-3, 2-2-2-0 Big Ten) at home this weekend (Dec. 7-8) on Red Berenson Rink at Yost Ice Arena.

Michigan will host its annual Military Appreciation Game on Friday night and encourages fans to share photos of their loves ones that are serving or have served using #MGoTroops on social media for a chance to have the photo appear on the video board during the game. Fans that served or currently are serving in the armed forces are encouraged to wear their military hats.

On Saturday, U-M will be collecting new toys to be donated to Wolverine Human Services. All fans that bring at least one new toy will receive a puck to participate in a chuck-a-puck promotion to win Michigan hockey prizes.

The Minnesota Series

Michigan and Minnesota meet for the 278th time with Minnesota holding a 136-125-16 record in the all-time series. The teams first met on Jan. 23, 1923, when Michigan fell to the Gophers, 2-0. Minnesota is U-M's second-oldest opponent behind Wisconsin. At home, the Wolverines hold a 67-50-8 record in the all-time series.

Last season, U-M went 2-0-2 against the Gophers. The Maize and Blue forced back-to-back ties in the first weekend series last November at Yost Ice Arena. The next time the teams played, Michigan won both games en route to U-M's first series sweep in Minnesota since 1977. The sweep earned the Wolverines their first Mariucci/Renfrow Trophy since the 2008-09 season.

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. With this weekend's sweep, U-M has won the trophy 10 of the 23 times it has been awarded.

Scouting the Gophers

The Gophers are led by first-year head coach Bob Motzko, who spent the last 13 seasons behind the bench at St. Cloud State. While coaching the Huskies, Motzko went to eight NCAA tournaments including a Frozen Four appearance in 2013.

Minnesota was picked to finish fourth in the Big Ten this season in the preseason poll. Minnesota enters the weekend a pair of ties (Nov. 30-Dec. 1) against Ohio State. The Gophers are 4-6-3 (2-2-2-0 Big Ten) thus far this season.

Leading Minnesota

Minnesota's offense is led by junior Rem Pitlick who leads the team with 12 points (six goals, six assists). In addition to Pitlick, Tyler Sheehy (5G, 4A), Brent Gates Jr. (3G, 6A), and Sammy Walker (3G, 6A) have been responsible for nine points each this season.

In net, the Gophers are led by junior goaltender Mat Robson, who has played in nine games this year. Robson has posted a .923 save percentage and a 2.53 goals-against average. Senior Eric Schierhorn has appeared in five games with a .899 save percentage and a 2.22 goals-against average.

Last Weekend Recap

The Wolverines are coming off of a weekend that saw them lose and tie against in-state rival Michigan State. Michigan was unable to complete a third-period comeback on Friday (Nov. 30) on the road in East Lansing, but did manage to force a tie on Saturday (Dec. 1), before falling to the Spartans in a shootout for the additional B1G point.

Quinn-tesential Blue-liner

Sophomore Quinn Hughes assisted on each goal scored over the weekend, and now has 16, which is tied for first in the Big Ten and second in the country. He has recorded a point in 10 of the last 11 games, while his 19 points on the season are a team high and rank sixth in the nation.

No Joshin' Around

Josh Norris is seventh in the Big Ten in points with 17 (nine goals, eight assists). His nine goals are tied for third in the Big Ten and 10th in the nation. He has recorded points in 12 of 15 games this season.

Saint Nick

Nicholas Boka scored his first goal of the season in the first period on Saturday night against Michigan State. The goal gave the Wolverines an early lead , and was one of two tallies in a low-scoring game that eventually went into overtime.

Jack-ed Up

Jack Becker scored a goal and assist in Michigan's loss to Michigan State on Friday (Nov. 30) and has tallied six points in his last six games after earning two in the first 10 contests.

Oh Captain, Our Captain

Joseph Cecconi assisted on Jack Becker's goal on Friday (Nov. 30) and now has 12 assists on the season. Cecconi, along with blue-line mate Hughes rank as the top two defenders in the Big Ten when it comes to assist totals.

The 'SNL' Line

Michigan's top line of Jake Slaker, Josh Norris, and Will Lockwood have accounted for 42 percent (20 of 48) of the team's goals thus far and have recorded a combined 43 points.

Luck of the Draw

Michigan has won 520 faceoffs this year, the fifth most in the country, and wins faceoffs at 52.6 percent which is 15th best in the county. Michigan center Josh Norris has won 199 faceoffs alone, the third largest total in the country.

Man Advantage

Michigan has converted on 24 percent of its power plays, which is the 12th-best percentage in the nation. Michigan has scored 17 goals on the man-advantage which is fifth highest in the country.

Up Ahead

Sun-Mon. (Dec. 30-31) – Great Lakes Invitational
Sunday, Dec. 30 -- Michigan Tech (Detroit, Mich.), 1 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 31 -- Lake Superior State or Michigan State, 11:30 a.m. or 2:30 p.m.