Michigan hockey's ferocious finish nips North Dakota in NCAA opener; clash with MSU next

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. — For most of two periods Friday night, Michigan's hockey team looked like it might be one and done in the 2024 NCAA tournament.

Then the Wolverines put together one of those third periods that remind just how good they can be.

After scoring three third-period goals to take a two-goal lead — while outshooting North Dakota 15-1 through 12 minutes of the third period — Michigan withstood a late North Dakota rally to skate away with a 4-3 victory in Friday's regional semifinal at Centene Community Ice Center.

Forwards Garrett Schifsky and T.J. Hughes both scored in the first three minutes of the third period to put the Wolverines in front, and junior forward Dylan Duke extended the lead — after a cross-crease pass from Hughes found his stick — beating North Dakota goaltender Ludvig Persson.

Michigan will face Michigan State for the sixth time this season in Sunday's regional final (6:30 p.m., ESPN2). The Spartans defeated Western Michigan 5-4 in overtime earlier Friday and are 4-1 against the Wolverines this season.

“Michigan State's always a been good opponent for us,” Michigan junior Dylan Duke said. “They've gotten the better of us four times. So it's gonna be a little chip on our shoulder, something to prove. Were looking to go to three-peat back to the Frozen Four.”

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Michigan appeared to be in control in the third period Friday, before the Fighting Hawks rallied, beginning with a goal from Jackson Kunz with just over five minutes remaining.

North Dakota was able to get eight shots on Michigan goaltender Jake Barczewski in the final five minutes, but the Canisius graduate transfer stood firm and finished with 27 saves on the night.

“(Heading into the third period) we talked about some things just inside of our identity and how we play and we really didn't find it in the first two periods,” Michigan coach Brandon Naurato said. “I think that's probably credit to them and they're really good. The ice is bad. There's a game before us in OT, pucks are going to be bouncing — and it's like that in every regional. I think they got behind us, they were physical. They fed their forechecking. They're really good in the first two periods.”

North Dakota struck first early when Lindenwood transfer Hunter Johannes returned to the rink he played in last year and roofed a shot over Barczewski's shoulder to put the Fighting Hawks ahead.

Michigan forward Frank Nazar got the Wolverines level early in the second period, but North Dakota leading-scorer Jackson Blake redirected a shot from former Michigan defenseman Keaton Pehrson to put the Fighting Hawks back in front heading into the second intermission.

“At the beginning, they were outshooting us pretty good,” Michigan freshman Garrett Schifsky said. “We knew we had to change something, had to come out with a with a strong mentality. We came out and had a great first five minutes in the second period, had some success but still ended up down a goal, and then we stuck with the same thing — first five minutes of the third, we scored twice, we blocked shots. We did everything that it takes to win a hockey game, and especially a hockey game like that against a really good team.”

Contact Nathaniel Bott at nbott@lsj.com and follow him @Nathaniel_Bott.

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This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Michigan hockey rallies past North Dakota in NCAA tournament opener