Wolverines upset Terriers, split series
Boston University defenceman Dante Fabbro evades University of Michigan forward Max Shuart Nov. 12 at Yost Arena. (Photo by Garrett Fodor)
The Michigan Wolverines took on their first ranked opponent of the season and their biggest opponent all year, with hopes of home ice advantage for the weekend series.
In a history that goes back nearly seven decades between the teams, Michigan owned a better record in the head to head matchup, of 16-12-0. Entering the series, it was Boston University that was ranked 14 spots higher at number four. Boston earned the ranking in USA Today and USA Hockey Magazine with the second youngest team as of Oct. 1, 2016 with an average age of just over 20 years old.
The University of Boston Terriers boasts 42 per cent of their 26-man roster being chosen in an NHL draft. However, it was two draft-eligible freshmen goalies who stole the weekend show.
Michigan goalie and Brampton, Ontario native Hayden Lavigne was in net for the maize and blue Friday Nov. 11. The 6’3 goalie made his fourth start of the season against his toughest competition. Lavigne faced 30 shots and stopped every one to earn his second shutout of the season.
“I don’t think it (the game) is ever going to slow down… there’s always going to be an energy that speeds it up especially in a game with two highly touted schools,” said Lavigne. “There’s a lot of energy around there and it’s a really fast paced game. And the energy in yourself builds up as well.”
Jake Oettinger, the second youngest player in the country, was in net for the Terriers Nov. 12. Facing 29 shots, including a onslaught in the third period, he turned away 27.
The Terriers scored two unanswered goals in the final eight minutes to split the weekend series with the Wolverines.
Will Lockwood, freshmen forward for the University of Michigan was the biggest offensive performer of the series. Lockwood scored two goals including Friday’s game winner. He described the weekend contests as physical but felt that worked to his team’s advantage.
“Right off the get go there were some big hits that kind of get everyone in the game,” said Lockwood. “I think our team really plays that advantage, we are a physical team and when we are playing physical, we are playing better hockey.”
The Wolverines will look to use their split series against the number four ranked Terriers, to move up in the USA Today USA Hockey Magazine rankings.
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