Michigan
13-15-7
Minnesota
17-15-4
Michigan Drops First Game of B1G Quarterfinals to Minnesota in OT
3/8/2019 11:17:00 PM | Ice Hockey
» Will Lockwood extended his point streak to eight games.
» Michael Pastujov scored his ninth goal of the season.
» The Wolverines played in their third consecutive overtime game and 11th of the season.
Site: Minneapolis, Minn. (3M Arena at Mariucci)
Score: Minnesota 3, Michigan 2 (OT)
Records: Michigan (13-14-9), Minnesota (17-15-4)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, March 9 -- at Minnesota – Big Ten Quarterfinals Game 2 (Minneapolis, Minn.), 4 p.m. CST
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- The University of Michigan ice hockey team could not hold on to a two-goal lead and fell to Minnesota, 3-2, in overtime Friday night (Mar. 8) in game one of the Big Ten Quarterfinals at 3M Arena at Mariucci.
With the win, Minnesota took a 1-0 lead in its best-of-three series against the Wolverines.
"It's a tough way to lose," said head coach Mel Pearson. "Especially with the importance of the first game in a short series like this. I am really proud of the team and their work ethic and how they competed tonight."
The Wolverines broke open the scoring in the first period when junior forward Jake Slaker made a touch pass to sophomore forward Michael Pastujov at the blue line and sending him into the attacking zone. Pastujov skated in on net and got off a wrist shot that ricocheted off two Gopher defenders and into the back of the net, giving U-M a 1-0 lead at the 8:28 mark.
The Michigan penalty kill was sent to work for the first time in the game with eight minutes left in the opening period. Playing a man down, freshman goaltender Strauss Mann made a big save as he turned away an initial Minnesota one-timer from the right faceoff circle and recovered to save the rebound in front of the net, keeping the Wolverines ahead by one.
U-M extended its lead just over a minute into the second period as sophomore forward Jack Becker fired a shot from atop the right faceoff circle that went intentionally wide of the net. Junior forward Nick Pastujov beat the Gophers defense to the puck and slid a backhand pass out in front of the net where junior forward Will Lockwood beat the Minnesota netminder inside the near post, increasing the lead to 2-0. This goal extended Lockwood's point streak to a team-high eight games and he has recorded a point in 13 of his last 14 games.
Minnesota cut into the Wolverines' lead at the 15:18 mark of the second period when Tyler Sheehy beat Mann over his glove side into the top-right corner of the net, bringing the score to 2-1.
The Gophers added another goal with 10:54 left in the final period when Sampo Ranta sent a pass ahead through the neutral zone to Sammy Walker who found Blake McLaughlin with a backhand pass across the slot. McLaughlin got off a quick wrist shot from the slot to beat Mann and tie the game at 2.
After 60 minutes of regulation play, the Wolverines and Gophers remained deadlocked at 2, sending the game into sudden-death overtime, Michigan's fourth straight OT contest and 11th of the season.
The two teams went back-and-forth early in the overtime period with both teams having a power play opportunity. The Wolverines nearly scored when senior defensemen Nicholas Boka threw a shot on net that bounced off the Gopher goalie in front of the net where redshirt sophomore Luke Morgan could not bury the rebound opportunity.
With 10:37 left in overtime, the Wolverines were called for tripping and gave Minnesota another man-advantage opportunity. This time the Gophers were able to capitalize when Rem Pitlick carried the puck behind the net and found Brannon McMannus in front of the crease. McMannus beat Mann over his glove-side shoulder to lift Minnesota to a 3-2 win.
The Wolverines will return to the ice at 3M Arena at Mariucci Saturday night (March 9) for the second game of their quarterfinal-round series with the Gophers. Puck drop is scheduled for 4 p.m. CST and will be broadcast on FS Detroit Plus.
