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MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. — For many of two intervals Friday evening, Michigan’s hockey team regarded prefer it could be one and accomplished within the 2024 NCAA tournament.
Then the Wolverines put collectively a type of third intervals that remind simply how good they are often.
After scoring three third-period targets to take a two-goal lead — whereas outshooting North Dakota 15-1 via 12 minutes of the third interval — Michigan withstood a late North Dakota rally to skate away with a 4-3 victory in Friday’s regional semifinal at Centene Group Ice Heart.
Forwards Garrett Schifsky and T.J. Hughes each scored within the first three minutes of the third interval to place the Wolverines in entrance, and junior ahead Dylan Duke prolonged the lead — after a cross-crease go from Hughes discovered his stick — beating North Dakota goaltender Ludvig Persson.
Michigan will face Michigan State for the sixth time this season in Sunday’s regional ultimate (6:30 p.m., ESPN2). The Spartans defeated Western Michigan 5-4 in overtime earlier Friday and are 4-1 towards the Wolverines this season.
“Michigan State’s all the time a been good opponent for us,” Michigan junior Dylan Duke mentioned. “They’ve gotten the higher of us 4 instances. So it is gonna be a bit chip on our shoulder, one thing to show. Had been trying to go to three-peat again to the Frozen 4.”
READ MORE:College hockey’s NCAA tournament needs some fixing. Here’s how to do it.
Michigan gave the impression to be in management within the third interval Friday, earlier than the Combating Hawks rallied, starting with a aim from Jackson Kunz with simply over 5 minutes remaining.
North Dakota was capable of get eight pictures on Michigan goaltender Jake Barczewski within the ultimate 5 minutes, however the Canisius graduate switch stood agency and completed with 27 saves on the evening.
“(Heading into the third interval) we talked about some issues simply within our identification and the way we play and we actually did not discover it within the first two intervals,” Michigan coach Brandon Naurato mentioned. “I feel that is in all probability credit score to them they usually’re actually good. The ice is unhealthy. There is a recreation earlier than us in OT, pucks are going to be bouncing — and it is like that in each regional. I feel they bought behind us, they have been bodily. They fed their forechecking. They’re actually good within the first two intervals.”
North Dakota struck first early when Lindenwood switch Hunter Johannes returned to the rink he performed in final 12 months and roofed a shot over Barczewski’s shoulder to place the Combating Hawks forward.
Michigan ahead Frank Nazar bought the Wolverines stage early within the second interval, however North Dakota leading-scorer Jackson Blake redirected a shot from former Michigan defenseman Keaton Pehrson to place the Combating Hawks again in entrance heading into the second intermission.
“Initially, they have been outshooting us fairly good,” Michigan freshman Garrett Schifsky mentioned. “We knew we needed to change one thing, needed to come out with a with a powerful mentality. We got here out and had a terrific first 5 minutes within the second interval, had some success however nonetheless ended up down a aim, after which we caught with the identical factor — first 5 minutes of the third, we scored twice, we blocked pictures. We did every part that it takes to win a hockey recreation, and particularly a hockey recreation like that towards a extremely good group.”
Contact Nathaniel Bott at nbott@lsj.com and observe him @Nathaniel_Bott.
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