Fans and program alumni packed out the sold-out Yost Ice Arena to mark the sell-out. 100 years All Michigan hockey festivities went well.
Arena staff rolled out the carpet, LED wristbands lit the barn, and students held center ice for a live national anthem performance. The stage was perfectly set for a Top 10 showdown between the No. 6 Wolverines and their rival No. 8 Ohio State.
However, stage emotions surged to Michigan, and high tension gave way to undisciplined play.Uncontrollable, the Wolverines dragged themselves steadily Friday.
“A game like this is emotional,” said Michigan manager Brandon Naulaht. “I wish they would do everything that came out of my mouth, but they won’t. bottom.”
The Wolverines were able to use the rivalry’s passion to spark a comeback as Ohio State put up a 45-shot onslaught in the first two periods to build a 4-1 lead with five minutes remaining. I should have. But that passion turned to frustration, exemplified by freshman forward TJ Hughes serving his holding penalty shortly after.
Within 45 seconds of goal, Hughes chased Ohio defenseman Tyler Duke behind the Buckeyes net. Chasing his pack, Hughes became impatient and took the liberty to grab Duke from behind, scoring a two-minute minor.Ohio scored Subsequent power plays extend an already almost insurmountable lead.
“I don’t think the penalty got us out of control,” Naurath said. “It’s just a bad choice. We talk all the time about these rival games and the big games in general just by controlling our emotions. Obviously, we didn’t do that.”
With eight minutes left in the third period, Michigan lost 7-2, and that feeling completely got out of hand. An extended scrum broke out between the two sides after sophomore forward Mackey Samoskevic was hit while trying to leave the ice. Two Wolverines sat in the penalty box as they left the game on penalties.
And although Michigan’s chances of winning Friday’s incident were all but gone by that point, someone had to step in to prevent the rest of the game from devolving into a brawl. Senior forward and captain Nolan Moyle gathered his teammates around him on the bench while sorting out who on each team would take penalties.
And for the next three or four minutes, with all eyes on him, Moyle gave his speech.
“I was trying to send the message that there are eight minutes left in the game,” Moyle said. “At least I’ve just started sending the message that I’ll play tomorrow. Just be smart. Obviously you want to be physically competitive and show your emotions, but let me remind you that you will play tomorrow. ”
In the final eight minutes, the Wolverines began to take Moyle’s word. His first 52 minutes were frustrating, but he managed to finish the match without the lasting effects of his already embarrassing loss.
Michigan’s often undisciplined play wasn’t the only thing that doomed them on Friday. But Moyle’s speech will have to hold as he tries to wipe this loss and rebound in Saturday’s rematch.
Because, as Naurath said, emotions are high on the highest stages. If Wolverine can’t control them, they’ll have a hard time succeeding.
