Michigan Wolverines Mid-Season Hockey Update
The Big Ten has three teams ranked in the top 10 and six in top 20. Wisconsin is the only team not ranked. Last season, the Big League had three NCAA teams in NCAA Tournament: Michigan, Minnesota and Notre Dame. The Wolverines are currently fourth in conference standings. The conference is expected to have four or five teams make the NCAA tournament this year.
No. 3 Minnesota is the best team in college hockey. The Gophers are 8 points ahead of the Big Ten Conference. Minnesota and Michigan are playing each other on the weekend of Jan. 20-21. Michigan had been hit by illness and was forced to play without several key players.
No. 5 Penn State is 15-5-0 and 7-4 in the conference. They have won more games than they did last season. No player scored more than 16 points this season, but 10 players accounted for 10 or more. Michigan split the road series with Penn state.
No. 11 Michigan State has a record of 12-7-1 and is one win away from the conference's top spot. First-year coach Adam Nightingale has already equal their win totals from last year. The team's star player is Dylan St. Cyr, who is tied for the league's lead with a .925 save percentage. Michigan split with the Spartans in a home-and-home series. They will play again on Feb. 10-11.
Brandon Naurato has been the interim head coach of the Michigan Wolverines since August. He has had to replace nine players from a Frozen Four team and rebuild a fractured culture. The team is on the verge of greatness, but lacks consistency and experience. Nurato is a good coach. Warde Manuel should remove the interim tag and let him build a dynasty.
No. 14 Ohio State is struggling in the hockey league. The team is currently ranked No. 16 in scoring offense and defense. They are a fringe contender to make the NCAA Tournament. Michigan and Ohio will play each other in February.
No. 19 Notre Dame is struggling to find its form. They lost to Michigan in South Bend. The team is 3-3 in their last 6 games. Ryan Bischel is leading the conference in saves (570) and save percentage (925). They play Michigan on Feb. 24-25.
Wisconsin is struggling to score and defend. They are tied with Notre Dame for the worst offense in the conference. Michigan is Wisconsin's only conference victory. The Badgers will play Michigan at Yost the first weekend of February.
