Michigan Hockey splits series vs. No. 6 Penn State

The Michigan Wolverines hockey team got off to a slow start this season, but the past two weekends have shown they can compete with some of the best teams in the nation.

Over the weekend the Wolverines faced the No. 6 Penn State Nittany Lions for a two-game series, one in which Michigan got off to a hot start.

In game one on Friday, the Wolverines scored quickly and never looked back.

Michigan was able to build their lead to 4-0 before PSU scored a goal in the final minutes to make the final score 4-1. Jake Slaker, Cam York, Luke Morgan, and Johnny Beecher all scored and goalie Strauss Mann was solid with 34 saves.

Game two of the weekend was close and competitive from start to finish, but the final outcome didn’t result in a win for the Wolverines. Penn State scored two goals in the first period off a defensive miscue and a power play opportunity that put the Wolverines in a hole.

Michigan was able to claw its way back into the game with a goal by Luke Morgan, his third goal in the last three games, narrowing the deficit to 2-1.

That’s all Michigan would score, and PSU would add an empty net goal to win 3-1.

Michigan is now as healthy as they’ve been all season and they’ll have a few weeks to rest up before they play again. The next time the Wolverines take the ice it’ll be at the Great Lakes Invitational at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Dec. 30. The Wolverines currently sit at (6-10-2, 2-7-1-0 B1G).