Michigan Hockey Finishes Second in the Big Ten Conference
The Michigan Wolverines hockey team finished second in the Big Ten conference standings after losing games on Friday and Saturday night to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The Wolverines, who were ranked #2 in the country heading into the weekend, controlled their own destiny in the race for the Big Ten Championship but were unable to get a win in South Bend.
Michigan’s 16–8 record in conference was good for 51 points, four points behind conference regular season championship Minnesota. The Golden Gophers swept the Wisconsin Badgers over the weekend to claim their fifth Big Ten Ice Hockey Championship. Since moving to the Big Ten hockey conference in 2013, Michigan hasn’t won either the regular season or tournament championships, a disappointing metric for traditionally one of the more successful programs in college hockey.
Heading into the weekend the Wolverines needed to win both games against the #9 ranked Fighting Irish to guarantee a first place finish in the Big Ten. Michigan’s losses 4–1 on Friday night and 2–1 on Saturday night were their first regulation losses in two and half months. Michigan has struggled against Notre Dame this season, losing the two prior contests in Ann Arbor back in November.
As the number two seed in the Big Ten Tournament Michigan will play seven seed Michigan State in a best of three series that starts Friday, March 4th. The Wolverines have had plenty of success against their instate rival, winning all four contests by a combined score of 23–9 this season. Should Michigan advance, they will play the next highest remaining seed of the following games:
#3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. #6 Wisconsin Badgers
#4 Ohio State Buckeyes vs. #5 Penn State Nittany Lions
In the regular season Michigan has had a winning record against all of these teams with the exception of the Fighting Irish. After a best-of-three series in the first round, the tournament moves to a single elimination format at the campus site of the higher seeded team. Michigan will have home ice advantage against any opponent in the tournament with the exception of Minnesota.
Despite the disappointing finish to the regular season, Michigan is still a lock to get into the NCAA Tournament regardless of what happens to the team in the Big Ten Tournament. Michigan will be looking for its first Frozen Four appearance since 2018 and first National Championship since 1998 when the NCAA tournament starts at the end of March.
