Michigan
20-9-1, 12-8-0
Michigan State
15-15-2, 9-11-2
Hughes Beats Buzzer in OT to Capture Michigan's Sixth Straight Iron 'D'
2/12/2023 12:09:00 AM | Ice Hockey
» Luke Hughes netted the game-winning goal in overtime and added an assist on top of nine shots on goal.
» Sophomore Mackie Samoskevich led all scorers with a three-assist performance.
» Frank Nazar III scored his first-career goal before unleashing a memorable celebration.
DETROIT, Mich. -- University of Michigan ice hockey sophomore sensation Luke Hughes inked another chapter in his legendary collegiate career by notching a game-winning goal with 0.6 seconds left in the 3x3 overtime session against No. 15 Michigan State on Saturday night (Feb. 11) in front of a record-setting crowd for the rivalry's annual "Duel in the D" showdown at Little Caesars Arena.
Hughes' last-second tally led the fifth-ranked Wolverines past their in-state rivals in a 4-3 overtime decision. After an official review revealed that Hughes' strike did indeed cross the goal line before the buzzer sounded to give U-M a full three points in the conference standings and an emotional sweep over Michigan State, the Wolverines skated the trophy -- their sixth-consecutive in the series -- down to the north end to celebrate with the Children of Yost.
Junior goalie Erik Portillo made his 26th start of the season, making 30 saves for the second-straight night to pick up his 19th win and help the Wolverines sweep their bitter rivals.
Michigan's first power play of the game came with 4:32 left in the first period when an MSU skater was penalized for roughing. Just 19 seconds later, T.J. Hughes opened the scoring by burying a rebound that had bounced out to his blade at the top of the left circle. Mackie Samoskevich earned the primary assist for rifling the initial shot on goal from the middle of the zone while Luke Hughes collected the secondary helper for quarterbacking the unit at the point.
The Spartans (15-15-2, 9-11-2) struck back with 1:51 remaining in the first period off a rebound goal of their own to tie it at one after Portillo made an impressive stop on their first attempt.
Michigan's special teams returned to the limelight with 1:20 left in the first period when MSU was called for high-sticking on a play that sent Luca Fantilli back to the bench in pain. U-M threatened for the final 80 seconds of the opening frame but failed to dent the twine before the buzzer sounded for the first intermission. Following the period's end, a minor penalty for high-sticking was called on Jackson Hallum that would even play for 40 seconds in the second period before MSU started 1:20 of power-play time.
After one period, the teams headed to the locker rooms with the score tied at one. Michigan outshot MSU in the first period, 8-6, while also leading in the faceoff dot (13-10). U-M finished the frame at 1-for-2 on the man-advantage while MSU was 0-for-1.
Back for the period of the long change, Michigan killed off the last-minute penalty to return play to 5x5.
Seven minutes into the second frame, Samoskevich was called for holding an opponent's stick and the Spartans took advantage with a strike from the point on the power play to take a 2-1 lead.
Facing a deficit for the first time all weekend, Dylan Duke worked his magic from the netfront area to notch a redirection goal off a Fantilli point shot and tie it at two at 8:39. Fantilli and Samoskevich assisted on Duke's 16th marker of the season.
Playing in just his second collegiate game, freshman Frank Nazar III took the opportunity in front of a sold-out NHL arena to net his first collegiate goal at 9:33 after skating the puck into the offensive zone and coolly depositing a wrist shot into the corner of the net and giving Michigan a 3-2 lead with half of the game to go.Â
The team's traded penalties for the final five minutes of the middle frame, ending the second period with MSU carrying over 56 seconds of power-play time to the third.
After two periods of play, Michigan held a 3-2 lead despite surrendering its lead in shots on goal (17-14) and being tied in the faceoff dot with 25 wins for each team.Â
Portillo made another stellar stop 44 seconds into the third period to deny the Spartans their best chance and ensure play returned to even-strength with Michigan's one-goal lead intact.
Michigan's power-play unit returned to the ice with 11:48 left in regulation when a Spartan defender was called for tripping. The Wolverines threatened and applied consistent pressure but failed to register a critical fourth goal despite numerous scrambles in front of the MSU cage.
Michigan State scored a game-tying goal to knot the score at 3-3 with 4:55 remaining when a point shot worked its way through traffic to find the back of the net.
The Duel in the D was unable to be settled in regulation time, so the teams prepared for 3x3 overtime. Both sides tested the other team's netminder in the first 2:16 of overtime before Duke was called for a penalty, giving MSU a 4x3 power play with 2:44 left in the extra session.
After the teams returned to even strength, a shootout appeared to be a foregone conclusion as MSU settled the puck in its half of the ice. As the extra session wound down, the Wolverines forced a turnover and put a shot on goal that ricocheted off the end wall in a nod to the lively boards at Joe Louis Arena. After bouncing back out to the left side of the zone, the puck found Luke Hughes' blade and the sophomore star wasted no time before sending a rocket of a shot in and out of the net to send the arena into a frenzy. While the Wolverines stormed onto the ice to celebrate Hughes' miraculous goal, the officials convened in the penalty box to review the play, ultimately counting it.Â
Next week, Michigan (20-9-1, 12-8-0) continues its rivalry road swing with a pair of games at unique venues within the Buckeye state. On Thursday night (Feb. 16), U-M will play at Ohio State's Schottenstein Center before the teams migrate north to play outdoors on Saturday (Feb. 18) at Cleveland's FirstEnergy Stadium for the "Faceoff On The Lake." Puck drop on Thursday is set for 7 p.m., and the game will be streamed on B1G + while Saturday's special contest will start at 4 p.m. and air on Big Ten Network.
