As Michigan hockey (13-8-1 overall, 5-7 Big Ten) turns to the final page of its 2022-23 regular season, it is facing a gauntlet of a schedule. When we say “gauntlet,” we don’t mean they face a ranked team or two; rather, the Wolverines are slated to face three top-10 teams plus Wisconsin (9-13-0) and Notre Dame (10-11-3).
Michigan hockey needs to win most of its remaining games
Despite being ranked No. 8 in the nation, Michigan hockey has a record of 13-8-1 and is coming off of a series split with No. 7 Ohio State last weekend. Throughout the season the Wolverines have periodically been shorthanded due to the World Juniors and a sickness that hit the team; there is nothing that U-M could have done to avoid this, so Michigan hockey had to simply make the best of it.
Now, as we head into the final months of the season, the Wolverines need to start adding more Ws than Ls. That is easier said than done given Michigan’s remaining schedule, but it is achievable. This weekend will tell us a lot about who Michigan hockey really is this year.
Wolverines facing huge test at Minnesota
This weekend, Michigan hockey is slated to face the 2nd-ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers. Earlier this season, No. 2 Minnesota swept Michigan (2-0) in the two teams’ first series of the 2022-23 schedule; now, Michigan looks to return the favor.
If Michigan can sweep (or split with) Minnesota on the road this weekend, U-M could be in-store for a huge second half of the year. If not, the Wolverines record will fall to 13-10-1, and some will start to scratch their heads. Last weekend, Michigan hockey suffered its first 5-goal loss at Yost since 1999 — a 7-2 beatdown at the hands of Ohio State. The following night, U-M beat the Buckeyes 4-2; however, the damage was already done.
No one is quite sure where the Wolverines stand thus far, but defeating the Gophers will do wonders for Michigan hockey as we head into the final stages of the regular season.
Michigan’s remaining schedule is doable, not favorable
At first glimpse, Michigan’s remaining games look daunting; in fact, the longer you look, the scarier it gets. That being said, winning the majority of these games is doable for the young Wolverines.
Michigan hockey has nothing but two-game series for the remainder of the season. After traveling to No. 2 Minnesota this weekend, Michigan is set to host No. 6 Penn State, will host Wisconsin, play at No. 15 Michigan State, play at No. 7 Ohio State, and finally, will host Notre Dame.
Luckily, Notre Dame and Wisconsin are not what they once were; however, Penn State and Michigan State are substantially better than they have been in years past.
So far this year, Michigan hockey is 1-1 against Michigan State, Penn State, Wisconsin, Notre Dame, and Ohio State. Only one game against MSU and one game against OSU will be true road games — the other two games will be neutral site games (‘Duel in the D’ in Detroit and the ‘Faceoff on the Lake’ in Cleveland).
U-M has proven it can beat Michigan State, Penn State, Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Wisconsin; however, has not swept any of these teams this year. As the season comes to a close, Michigan will need to start sweeping lesser opponents and proving that it belongs among the nation’s top-10 teams.
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