The last full non-conference weekend of the season closed with an exclamation point thanks to a Wolverines’ game-winning goal with 0.1 seconds left and a statement sweep from the Golden Gophers. Check out a dramatic few days around Big Ten Hockey.
At The Last (Tenth of a) Second
Fan inside Yost Ice Arena on Friday night witnessed something they likely never saw or may never see again in person – a game-winning goal scored with 0.1 seconds left in regulation! Will Horcoff’s wrist shot at the last possible moment gave No. 1 Michigan a 3-2 victory over No. 5 Western Michigan.
The entire third period, in fact, was one to remember. The Wolverines trailed 1-0 entering the final frame but Jayden Perron extended his goal and point streaks to nine and 13 games, respectively, to tie the contest just 44 seconds in. The Michigan faithful were barely back in their seats when Dakoda Rhéaume-Mullen scored to give the Wolverines the lead 21 seconds later, but the Broncos answered with a shorthanded goal near the midway point of the third. The score stayed knotted at two the rest of the period, setting up Horcoff for his hero moment.
Michigan has met every challenge, heading into conference play undefeated with three straight top-five victories and the country’s best offense (5.57 goals per game). The Maize and Blue’s conference slate begins on Halloween with a visit to rival Ohio State. More from Ann Arbor.
No. 6 Wisconsin took a turn facing Western Michigan in an exhibition game on Saturday night, and the Badgers also took down the Broncos 4-0 behind Alexis Cournoyer’s 33-save performance.
Sweep Complete
When a program brings in a new head coach, there can be an acclimation period as the team find its new identity. It seemed that might be the case for the Golden Gophers when they lost three straight to start the season. But, Brett Larson may already have his new squad clicking after Minnesota completed a sweep of No. 3 North Dakota on Friday night with another 5-3 triumph.
Freshman Wyatt Cullen endeared himself to the Gopher fans with a hat trick for his first collegiate goals. Trailing 2-1 in the second period, Cullen scored and assisted on the tying and go-ahead goals, then scored two more times in the third to seal the victory.
In net, Swedish sophomore Melvin Strahl racked up 42 saves to finish off a perfect weekend against the Fighting Hawks. Minnesota begins conference play Friday night against Penn State. The Gophers’ Report.
Around the Big Ten
See what else happened on the ice this weekend:
Things heat up with the arrival of conference play this weekend. See the schedule.