Michigan overcomes adversity in return win at Penn State, Number 5

Fleeing from two goals with one point to play, against the country's best offense on the road and not training for two days because of unorthodox travel plans, the cards were not exactly stacked in favor of the country. Michigan hockey team Friday night.

The Wolverines in 16th place have already played enough against Penn State's 5th State State at State College, as the Nittany Lions have undoubtedly inflicted the country's most aggressive attack and gathered more than 5,800 raging fans. But let's take the fact that the Wolverines Thursday flight was canceled due to heavy snowfall, forcing them to travel to Connecticut on Friday with the Michigan basketball team before flying to State College. a day later than originally planned without exercising, and Michigan had several excuses. to be down 4-2 after two periods.

But the message from Michigan coach Mel Pearson was simple: victories in the Big Ten will rarely be easy, and getting a Friday night would not come from practice, but from within.

"We've had some tough times in recent days," Pearson said. "… But we told them after the second period that it was not going to be an excuse – no excuses tonight for the way we played."

The message worked. In one of the most impressive returns in recent history, Michigan (2-1 Big Ten, 6-4 overall) scored four consecutive goals in the third period, beating Penn State's lead and winning an impressive 6-4 win.

Junior forwards Jake Slaker (two goals, a winning goal, a helper) and Will Lockwood (four assists) paced the offensive, but the reality is that in a match like Friday's, the individual's success n & # 39; is irrelevant because the whole team meets. topple Penn State (0-1, 8-2) is the only delivery that matters.

"I give them a ton of credit tonight," Pearson said. "Staying faithful, scoring some goals This first goal in the third gave us momentum and it really went on from there. So proud of the team. The Gutsy win in a difficult place, and they should feel good tonight. "

Although Michigan opened the game with a power play goal from Joseph Cecconi, Penn State took over Pegula Arena with three goals in a row. Entering the night at the forefront of shots on goal and goals, the Nittany Lions continued their aggressive approach, pulling

54 shot attempts out of 29 in Michigan, 27 out of 20 in Michigan and four goals against Michigan.

But Pearson saw first-year keeper Strauss Mann play enough and the Wolverines do enough to keep the faith alive. Michigan could come back, but needs to call another gear in the third period.

"It was not tactical," Pearson said. "It all boiled down to examining our room, each individual. We had to be more competitive, we had to do two things. … it was just to play louder. "

And of course, Michigan controlled the game in the third period, finishing with a 23-13 lead in three attempts in addition to 22 of the first 28 attempts. Josh Norris scored a goal of one goal at four minutes, while Jack Becker followed almost exactly four minutes later. Then, on the power play, Slaker scored the decisive goal just over five minutes from the end of the match, before returning with a shot from a cleared net in the final seconds.

Penn State will have a chance to take revenge tomorrow night, but the Wolverines will win a decisive victory over one of the top five teams on the road, especially given the circumstances.

"Every time you can scratch and scratch and go to three points like this, it's huge," said Pearson. "We could look back at one point of the season and watch this game, let's look at those three points."