MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. – Michigan scored four times in the third period, including the game’s final three goals in the final 7:18, as the Wolverines advanced to their third straight Frozen Four, 5-2, over archival Michigan State.
Michigan will face Boston College in the nightcap of the Frozen Four semifinals (April 11, 8:30 p.m. ET).
It was first time in the history of the NCAA tournament that Michigan and Michigan State faced one another. It was also the sixth time this season with the Spartans winning four of the first five entering Sunday.
The emotions of the game were clear throughout every running second, as scrums of pushing and shoving were quick to break out after most stoppages in play.
Michigan State took the early lead on a power play goal after Michigan’s sophomore forward phenom Gavin Brindley was called for hooking, allowing MSU’s freshman forward Gavin O’Connell to tip in a puck from sophomore defenseman Matt Basgall and give the Spartans an early lead.
Michigan trailed, 1-0, heading to the second but evened the game on a shot from junior defenseman Ethan Edwards.
Despite the effort from both teams in the second period, neither would score again in the middle frame, sending the game to the third, tied at 1.
The Wolverines would be the one to break the tie, after a pass from freshman forward Garrett Schifsky allowed graduate forward Marshall Warren to put one just to the side of MSU’s freshman netminder Trey Augustine and take a 2-1 lead.
But the Spartans special team continued to shine and sophomore forward Joey Larson tied the game at 2 with 9:34 remaining.
From there it was all Michigan.
Dylan Duke gave the Wolverines the lead at 12:42 and Brindley finished off a highlight-reel pass from Frank Nazar just 12 seconds later.
Duke scored his second of the night with 2:19 remaining to account for the 5-2 final.
Michigan reaches the Frozen Four for 28th time in program history and is looking for its record 10th national title.
