No. 7 Michigan Ice Hockey Sweeps No. 5 Boston University, Prepares for Big Ten Play

No. 7 Michigan Ice Hockey (5-2-1) overcame a third period deficit in back-to-back games last weekend to sweep No. 5 Boston University. The first contest saw the Wolverines score five goals in the final period to come out with a 5-1 victory. The second game went to overtime, and Michigan got it done by a score of 5-4. It was the first matchup with BU since it knocked the Wolverines out of the frozen four in the semifinals last season.

Here Comes Michigan Hockey

Junior defenseman Luca Fantilli said it gave the squad confidence. 

“It gives you that feeling – you can beat anyone in the country, you know what I mean?,” Fantilli said. “That’s a great hockey team, and they’re very skilled and hard, and being able to sweep those guys especially on the road just shows a lot about what we have in the locker room and our coaching staff. We just have to go out there and implement it now.”

Sophomore forward Evan Werner was named Big Ten first star of the week after tallying three goals and an assist in the BU series. Michigan head coach Brandon Naurato said Werner is like a sponge. 

“Werner’s been a little snake bit but he’s been generating some good chances,” Naurato said. “He’s very cerebral, (a) student of the game, he’s a guy that you tell him something it’s in his game the next day. (He) wants to be the best version of himself so, just happy for him that he’s found some confidence because we need him and other guys to get going to help our team.”

Werner played his freshman year at Colorado College, and he said Naurato played an important role in bringing him to Ann Arbor. 

“I think just like, playing style, what it had to offer,” Werner said. “I think coach Naurato has a lot of experience working with people at the highest levels and smaller players like me coming through the program and doing well. I think it was a no-brainer when this opportunity came.”

Werner has five points through eight games so far this season. Michigan is set to host No. 20 Notre Dame this weekend in its first Big 10 series of the season. 

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