MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. — For most of the second period Friday night, it looked like the Michigan State hockey team was going to end up as one in the 2024 NCAA Tournament.
The Wolverines then put together one of those third periods that reminded us just how good they are.
After scoring three goals in the third period to take a two-point lead, Michigan withstood a late North Dakota rally and outscored North Dakota 15-1 through the 12th minute of the third period. They won 4-3 in the regional semifinals. at the Centene Community Ice Center.
Forwards Garrett Sifsky and TJ Hughes both scored in the first three minutes of the third period to put the Wolverines ahead, and junior forward Dylan Duke scored after a cross-crease pass from Hughes hit his stick. He extended his lead by beating North Dakota State goaltender Ludwig. Man.
Michigan will face Michigan State for the sixth time this season in Sunday's regional final (6:30 p.m., ESPN 2). The Spartans defeated Western Michigan 5-4 in overtime early Friday and are now 4-1 against the Wolverines this season.
“Michigan State has always been a good opponent for us,” Michigan junior Dylan Duke said. “They beat us four times. So it's going to be a little bit of a chip on our shoulders, we've got something to prove. To get back to the Frozen Four and get back to the three-peat. I was thinking.”
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Michigan appeared to take control in the third period Friday, but the Fighting Hawks began a comeback, starting with a goal by Jackson Kuntz with just over five minutes left.
North Dakota had eight shots taken by Michigan goaltender Jake Barczewski in the final five minutes, but the Canisius graduate transfer held strong and finished with 27 saves on the night.
“We talked about our identity and the way we played (heading into the third period), and we just couldn't find it in the first two periods,” Michigan coach Brandon Nowrat said. “I think it's probably a credit to them, and they're really good. The ice is bad. In OT, you've got a game in front of you and pucks are going to bounce – and that's the same in every area. I think behind us, they were physical. They fed on the forecheck. They were really good in the first two periods.”
North Dakota took the lead early in the game when Lindenwood transfer Hunter Johannes returned to the rink where he played last year and fired a shot over Barczewski's shoulder to put the Fighting Hawks ahead.
Michigan forward Frank Nazar tied it for the Wolverines early in the second period, but North Dakota State's leading scorer Jackson Blake deflected former Michigan defenseman Keaton Parson's shot, resulting in a fight. -We entered the second intermission with the Hawks in the lead again.
“They outplayed us pretty well at first,” Michigan freshman Garrett Sifsky said. “We knew something had to change and we had to be mentally strong. We came out and the first five minutes of the second period were great, We had some success, but we ended up giving up a goal. From then on, we just kept doing the same thing — scoring twice in the first five minutes of the third period and blocking a shot. We win the hockey game. We did everything we needed to do to win, especially hockey games like this one against a really good team.”
Contact Nathaniel Bott at nbott@lsj.com and follow him @Nathaniel_Bott.
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