U-M Looks to Secure Top Billing Hosting OSU in Final Regular-Season Home Games

U-M Looks to Secure Top Billing Hosting OSU in Final Regular-Season Home Games

» Michigan has won nine of its last 10 games, outscoring its opponents 48-12.

» Luke Hughes leads the nation’s defensemen in scoring with 13 goals and was named the Big Ten First Star of the Week on Tuesday (Feb. 15).

» Erik Portillo is second in the country in saves with 827 in his 23 wins.

THIS WEEK

Friday, Feb. 18 — vs. #11 Ohio State (Yost Ice Arena), 7:30 p.m.

TV: CW50, B1G+ | Tickets | Live Stats | Live Audio | Live Video

Saturday, Feb. 19 — vs. #11 Ohio State (Yost Ice Arena), 8:30 p.m.

TV: Big Ten Network | Tickets | Live Stats | Live Audio | Live Video

• Complete Game Notes (PDF)

PROMOTIONS

• Feb. 18 — Fan Appreciation Game, Trading Card Giveaway – Set #4

• Feb. 19 — Senior Night, Michigan Ice Hockey Tumbler Giveaway (first 3,000), BOGO Concession — Buy a nacho (regular or pulled pork) or pizza (cheese or pepperoni) and receive a FREE 16 oz. fountain soda • Full Promotions Schedule

• Social Media: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Note: Effective Jan. 1, 2022, the University of Michigan has instituted a proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative-test protocol for indoor athletic events. Face masks continue to be required and must be worn during all home indoor athletic events. [ U-M Vaccination Policy ]

Just three points separate the No. 2-ranked University of Michigan ice hockey team and No. 11 Ohio State in the Big Ten league race, with Minnesota nipping at the Wolverines’ heels. Already secured a top-four spot in the conference tournament, Michigan looks to stay atop the standings as it takes on the Buckeyes this weekend in the final home games of the regular season at Yost Ice Arena.

The teams will face off on Friday (Feb. 18) at 7:30 p.m., with the game broadcast live in the Detroit viewing area on CW50 and streamed live on B1G+. Saturday (Feb. 19) will be Senior Day as Michigan honors its nine seniors after its 8:30 p.m. game, which will be broadcast live on Big Ten Network.

Wolverine Bites

• Michigan is 23-7-1 overall after sweeping Michigan State at Yost Ice Arena and Little Caesars Arena in the Duel in the D game last week.

• This week, U-M checks in at No. 2 in the USCHO and USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine polls. The Wolverines garnered eight first-place votes in the USCHO and five in the USA Today rankings.

• Michigan is in first place in the Big Ten standings with 45 points. The Wolverines have secured one of the top four spots in the Big Ten Tournament, and will host a postseason game/series. The Wolverines also have a chance to at least a share of or clinch outright Big Ten title this weekend.

• Four of the Wolverines’ leading scorers have been representing their nations at the Winter Olympics. Matty Beniers leads with 36 points (16 goals, 22 assists) while fellow Team USA forward Brendan Brisson has 32 (17G, 15A). They’re followed by a Canadian pair, as Kent Johnson has notched 30 points (6G, 24A) while Owen Power has 26 (3G, 23A).

• Freshman blueliner Luke Hughes leads this weekend’s group in scoring from the back end with 29 points (13 goals, 16 assists). Behind Hughes, sophomore center Thomas Bordeleau paces the forward corps with 26 points (8G, 18A) and a 57 percent track record in faceoffs. Freshman Mackie Samoskevich (7G, 15A) has 22 points after a four-point weekend, while fifth-year senior Michael Pastujov (9G, 11A) has a career-best 20. Samoskevich notched his third three-point game of the season at Yost against MSU (Feb. 11) with one goal and two assists.

• Owen Power leads U-M in blocked shots with 37, while captain Nick Blankenburg has 35.

• Sophomore Erik Portillo has started every game in net for the Wolverines this year. He has a 23-7-1 record, including two shutouts, a .926 save percentage and a 2.16 goals-against average. The Swedish stalwart is second in the NCAA with 827 saves and 23 wins.

Scouting the Buckeyes

• Coach Steve Rohlik’s 11th-ranked Ohio State squad has been the story of the season thus far, crafting an excellent campaign after being picked to finish in seventh place by the conference coaches in the preseason. The Buckeyes are 21-9-2 and find themselves near the top of the Big Ten standings.

• Georgii Merkulov paces Ohio State with 18 goals and 32 points, while Jake Wise has chipped in 26 (10G, 16A). Cam Thiesing has a team-high 106 shots on goal, plus 24 points (8G, 16A).

• On the back end, first-year Mason Lohrei has been exceptional (4G, 25A) with 29 points while Grant Gabriele and LSSU transfer/Buckeye captain Will Riedell have been a steady presence.

• Freshman Jakub Dobes has been a standout in net for OSU, claiming a .934 save percentage off 896 saves, a 2.16 goals-against average, and a 20-8-2 record with three shutouts.

Up Next

Friday, Feb. 25 — at Notre Dame (South Bend, Ind.), 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 26 — at Notre Dame (South Bend, Ind.), 6 p.m.