Michigan
Michigan State
Nation's Top Two Teams Set to Battle for Supremacy, Duel in the D Trophy
2/4/2026 3:40:00 PM | Ice Hockey
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 1-ranked University of Michigan hockey team (22-4, 13-3 Big Ten) hosts No. 2 Michigan State (21-5, 12-4 Big Ten) in a high-stakes showdown this weekend. The teams face off at 7 p.m. on Friday (Feb. 6) at Yost Ice Arena, with the game airing on FS1. Saturday's (Feb. 7) Duel in the D at Little Caesars Arena; puck drop is at 6:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network.
Notes
• Michigan is coming off a sweep of Ohio State in Columbus and, for the 10th straight week, is ranked No. 1 in the USCHO poll. The Wolverines are also first in the Big Ten standings, with a one-point edge over Michigan State.
• The Wolverines have recorded five road sweeps this season (Providence, Harvard, Notre Dame, Minnesota and Ohio State) for the first time in program history.
• This is the first time Michigan and Michigan State are meeting as the top two teams in the nation. Michigan is 1-2 when ranked No. 1 and facing the No. 2 team following a split with Western Michigan in October and a 3-2 loss to Wisconsin on Nov. 26, 2005.
• Friday's game marks the 350th meeting between Michigan and Michigan State. The Wolverines hold a 180-145-24 edge in the series. The teams have split the last three two-game series, including in December when Michigan won 3-0 at Munn Ice Arena before falling 3-1 at home.
• Saturday will mark the 10th annual Duel in the D. Michigan has won six times, while Michigan State has won three times, including the last two.
• Senior T.J. Hughes was named the Big Ten Third Star of the Week on Tuesday (Feb. 3) after a four-point weekend at OSU. He scored twice on Friday, including the game-winning goal, while chipping in an assist. Hughes' assist on Nick Moldenhauer's overtime game-winner marked his 100th career assist. Hughes is the 20th Wolverine to reach 100 career assists and the first since T.J. Hensick in 2007.
• With 160 career points, Hughes continues to make his climb up the Michigan career scoring list. He currently sits in 29th place, tied with Brad McCaughey.
• Michigan continues to put up big numbers, averaging 4.80 goals per game, as the top-scoring offense in the nation. Hughes leads the way with 38 points, followed by Michael Hage (35), Will Horcoff (32), Jayden Perron (26), and Adam Valentini (22).
• Stephen Peck is now 5-0 since taking over the net from an injured Jack Ivankovic. Peck made a career-best 30 saves on Friday (Jan. 30) at OSU, before besting it with 32 on Saturday.
