Michigan
18-14-4
Michigan State
15-19-2
U-M Blanks MSU For Second Straight Night, Advances to B1G Semifinals
3/7/2020 10:59:00 PM | Ice Hockey
» Strauss Mann recorded his second consecutive shutout to tie Al Montoya's single-season record of six shutouts set in 2003-04.
» Jake Slaker contributed a goal and an assist to drive the Wolverine offense.
» Michigan recorded back-to-back shutouts for the first time since the 2007 Great Lakes Invitational.
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Yost Ice Arena)
Score: Michigan 3, Michigan State 0
Records: U-M (18-14-4), MSU (15-19-2)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, March 15 -- vs. Ohio State - Big Ten Tournament (Semifinal), 5:30 p.m.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Strauss Mann recorded his second consecutive shutout to propel the University of Michigan ice hockey team past Michigan State, 3-0, on Saturday (March 7) in Game 2 of its Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal series at Yost Ice Arena. With the win, Michigan advances to a semifinal showdown against Ohio State next Sunday (March 15) at Nationwide Arena in Columbus.
One night after special teams propelled the Wolverines to a 3-0 win in the series opener, it was the Wolverine penalty kill picking up where it left off to deny two MSU opportunities in the opening period. Each side threatened at times while driving play in the opposing end, but the game was scoreless after 20 minutes.
The first goal of the contest came 5:20 into the second stanza when a Will Lockwood deflection found the back of the net on the power play to put the Wolverines up, 1-0. After MSU took a tripping penalty at 4:45, the U-M power play worked the puck around the Spartan end. Defenseman Nick Blankenburg set up at the point before Jake Slaker got him the puck for a one-time blast. With Lockwood waiting in front to alter the path of the shot at the last moment, MSU's goalie was rendered helpless. Slaker notched his team-leading 30th point of the year with an assist on the play.
The game remained 1-0 in Michigan's favor until Johnny Beecher doubled the lead with 1:32 remaining in the second period off a Herculean end-to-end effort. Following a gorgeous rush up the ice that resulted in an abbreviated breakaway, Beecher chose to keep the puck and loop back around in search of another option. After flying past the goaltender, Beecher circled back up the wall before curling into the slot. As he cut across the top of the circle, the freshman forward sent a wrist shot toward the net that beat the MSU netminder to put U-M up, 2-0.
The third period featured strong play from the Wolverines as they worked to put the finishing touches on the team's second straight shutout. With time winding down on the Michigan State season, it was Slaker who iced the game with an empty-net goal. Classmate Nick Pastujov collected an assist on the marker that came with just 47 seconds remaining.
Michigan advances to the Big Ten semifinals for the fourth time in six seasons. Puck drop for next Sunday's (March 15) single-game elimination matchup between the Wolverines and Buckeyes is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., and the game will be broadcast live on Big Ten Network.
