Michigan
7-0-0
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Western Michigan
3-2-0
Michigan Shuts Out No. 2 WMU to Remain Undefeated
10/23/2025 10:57:00 PM | Ice Hockey
» Michigan is 7-0 for the first time since 1979; this is the best defensive start in program history.
» Jack Ivankovic secured his second shutout of the month by stopping all 32 shots that he faced.
» Adam Valentini and Michael Hage each scored once and added an assist for two-point nights.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – A packed house was rewarded with a stellar performance from the No. 3-ranked University of Michigan ice hockey team on Thursday night, as the Wolverines shut out the nation's defending champions, No. 2 Western Michigan, in a decisive 4-0 victory inside Yost Ice Arena.
Freshman netminder Jack Ivankovic was terrific from the opening whistle for the maize-clad Wolverines, making 15 saves in the first 20 minutes to endure his busiest period to date as a collegian. Despite the early pressure, Ivankovic stood tall and prevented Western Michigan from finding the net to secure his second shutout. In total, he stopped all 32 shots he faced from a potent Bronco attack – a new career high in saves for the young goaltender.
Ivankovic joins All-American goaltender Paul Fricker as the only Wolverines to begin their careers in maize and blue with a perfect 7-0 record. Fricker's 1979-80 squad was also the last U-M team to open a season with seven straight wins.
With Yost abuzz for the high-profile Mitten State matchup, Jayden Perron got the party started early by faking a pass before using his backhand to score a short-side goal on Michigan's first shot of the game at 1:50. Despite having two years of NCHC experience from his time at North Dakota, Perron's tally was his first goal and point against the Broncos in six career appearances. Junior Nick Moldenhauer collected the primary assist, while Ben Robertson added his team-leading 10th assist of the young season.
After one period, Michigan carried a 1-0 lead into intermission despite trailing in shots on goal (15-9). The Wolverines started strong in the faceoff circle, and that success only grew throughout the night despite Western entering as the nation's second-best faceoff team.
A single Western defender was whistled for a pair of minor penalties at 5:21 of the second period, granting Michigan a four-minute power play. This time, U-M would not be denied. Michigan relentlessly attacked the Western net during the man advantage, and after several close-range attempts were turned aside, a rebound slid out to the side of the crease for Michael Hage to corral and deposit into the net from a tight angle. His linemates, Will Horcoff and Adam Valentini, earned the assists on Hage's sixth goal of the season. Four of his six goals have come on the power play.
The defending champions struggled to generate consistent offense, alternating between high-volume stretches and long droughts – including two separate spans of over 10 minutes without a shot on goal. That inconsistency helped Michigan build a 24-19 edge in shots after 40 minutes of play.
Through two periods, the Wolverines held a two-goal lead over their in-state foes. A strong middle frame saw U-M dominate in shots (15-3) and faceoffs (16-6). Western Michigan went the final 16:49 of the period without registering a shot on goal.
Michigan began the third on a short-lived penalty kill before Garrett Schifsky dashed down the ice on a shorthanded rush and drew a penalty to even up the action at 4-on-4 just 38 seconds in. Shortly after, Henry Mews quarterbacked the power play from near the blue line, sending a shot toward the net that was deflected by a stick in front. The puck skipped high, caught Hage in the facemask, and dropped at his feet, where Valentini was perfectly positioned to bury Michigan's third goal of the night.
As the Wolverines moved closer to securing the statement victory, Western pulled its goaltender for an extra attacker. Robertson was tagged with a minor penalty with 1:44 remaining, giving the Broncos a 6-on-4 advantage. Instead, Schifsky intercepted the puck and fired home an unassisted shorthanded empty-net goal with 10 seconds left to seal the 4-0 win.
Michigan finished the night with a commanding 41-17 advantage in faceoffs. Western held a slim 32-30 edge in shots on goal but couldn't solve Ivankovic as the Wolverines finished on top where it mattered most.
Tomorrow night (Oct. 24), Michigan and Western will head west along I-94 to finish off the two-game set in Kalamazoo. Puck drop at Lawson Ice Arena is set for 7 p.m., with the game streaming live on NCHC.tv as a non-league contest.
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