Disappointing End to B1G Season

Michigan Loses B1G Title on Senior Night

With two games remaining in the Regular season, Michigan stood in a position to win the B1G regular season title and receive a first round bye.  The wolverines (20-14) took care of business at Munn Ice Arena in dramatic fashion on Friday, winning 5-3.  It was Zach Nagelvoort in nets for Michigan, his first start since Feb. 7th at the Hockey City Classic.  Nagelvoort looked to be a little rusty and was fighting the puck in the early going, finishing the game with 24 saves.

With a chance to win the B1G outright at home on Senior night, the Wolverines were stymied by Jake Hildebrand who made a ridiculous save late in the 3rd period to secure the victory for the Spartans.  With the loss, the Wolverines finish in 3rd place and will be forced to win 3 games to make the NCAA tournament.  Up next for the Wolverines will be the Wisconsin Badgers, who have had a disappointing season all year.  Although nothing is given in post-season play, the Wolverines do have 4 victories over the Badgers this season.  Looking beyond the first game, the maize and blue will draw Michigan State, and presumably the Minnesota Gophers if they make it that far.

Michigan will square off against the Badgers on Thursday night, at 7pm EST.

To The Brink

Michigan Swept by Penn State to Push Playoff Hopes to the Brink

As stated last week, Michigan would have likely had to have swept last weekend (and the MSU series) to receive an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament.  The sweep at Hockey Valley all but surely knocks the Maize and Blue out of the at-large bid, meaning the only way to extend the season for the first time in 3 seasons will be to win the B1G tournament.  

Both games were not televised last week, so I can't comment too much on what went wrong for the Wolverines, but from my understanding, it was pretty much everything.  Defense was apparently atrocious Friday night, and offense was non-existent with exception to JT Compher who is heating up down the stretch.  Good for him, but as a team, they're still a little late to the party...again.  

What does it all mean?

At this point, I don't even know.  Michigan went 1-3 against Penn State this year, making them an abysmal 3-6 against the Nittany Lions in B1G play.  That's a tough pill to swallow.  I think the only way Michigan makes the big dance this year is to win the B1G tournament, something that I don't have a lot of confidence they can do.  I've yet to explore the scenario of them having to play a play-in game before they reach the semis (I doubt the extra game would help them in any fashion, considering they'd have to lose to MSU as well).  

What's the likelihood of Michigan making the tournament?  Not good.  Since we've missed the last two years, I've come down from the "THE STREAK WILL NEVER END" mentality, and I've become more of a realist.  The truth is, our defense isn't good enough to carry us to the tournament.  We're too inconsistent and it's hurt us all year.  Another bitter truth, this team doesn't deserve to go to the tournament.  There, I said it.  They've squandered every lead they've had, they didn't run away with the B1G title like they should have, they CANNOT win on the road.  This team is bad outside of the friendly confines of Yost.  I wish like hell they could make it, I really do.  Everyone knows that once you make the tourney, anything can happen (Holy Cross, Air Force, RIT, etc.).  The reality is, this team will not make the tournament.  97% certainty in that statement.  I hope they can prove me wrong, but this could have catastrophic effects on what happens this off season.

As always, Go Blue. 

Taking Care of Business

Michigan Sweeps Wisconsin to Keep At-Large Bid Alive

A much needed sweep for Michigan this weekend as they took two games from a pesky Wisconsin Badgers squad.  Friday night's 3-0 win was a defensive battle between both squads, with Michigan netting two power play goals and one empty netter from JT Compher.  The shutout was the first for Junior goaltender Steve Racine, who turned away all 22 badger shots.  Zach Hyman opened the scoring in the second period with a PPG that deflected off a Wisconsin defenseman.  Zach Werenski added a late PPG that just snuck under the Joel Rumpel's pad.

Saturday night was a tighter game, a bit more offensive as Michigan's JT Compher leading the charge for Michigan, recording his first career hat trick.  Justin Selman scored two more to help lead the Wolverines, as Steve Racine had 26 saves in the win.

It was exactly what the Wolverines needed, as they now fall into the #15 spot in the latest pairwise rankings.  Michigan now stands alone atop the B1G standings once again, with Minnesota splitting with Michigan State.  Things won't get any easier from here, though.  Michigan heads to Penn State next weekend, and will finish the season with a home-and-home with MSU.  Michigan will still need 4 wins secure an at large bid, and one loss could potentially knock Michigan out of first place, and out of the post season for the third consecutive year.