The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1422614
After a record-setting NHL Draft, the Michigan Wolverines ice hockey team entered the campaign with sky-high ex- pectations, and they knew they would be tested early in the season at the Ice Breaker Tournament in Duluth, Minn. On the docket for the Wolverines, who were 2-0 and ranked third nationally at the time, was No. 5 Minnesota Duluth Oct. 15 and No. 1 Minnesota State the following day. After an impressive 5-1 blowout in the first tilt, one of col- lege hockey's marquee early season matchups was set be- tween the top-three programs. Despite a slow start in which the Wolverines were outshot 19-10 and found themselves trailing 2-1 on the scoreboard after the first two periods, they came alive in the final frame to post a 2-0 advantage in the period and claim a 3-2 comeback victory. Sophomore Thomas Bordeleau tied things up at 2-2 after deflecting a shot past the opposing goalie, who was a Mike Richter Award finalist as one of America's top goaltenders a year ago. Bordeleau played a role in the winning goal, as well, threading a perfect seam pass to classmate Brendan Brisson, who knocked a one-timer home with less than five minutes to play. Brisson tallied the game-winning goal in both contests at the event, and three straight games overall, and was named the Big Ten First Star of the Week for a second straight week Oct. 19. The game-winner against Duluth made SportsCen- ter's Top 10, ranking No. 4 among the day's top plays. The win marked U-M's fourth straight victory when play- ing the nation's No. 1-ranked squad, and it even allowed the Wolverines to take over the top spot in both major national polls Oct. 18. Though U-M slipped from No. 1 the following week after a loss, they still check in at No. 2 nationally per USCHO.com, with Minnesota State No. 3 and Minnesota Duluth — who claimed two of the last three NCAA championships — No. 4. PHOTOS BY DAVE HARWIG TO BE THE BEST, YOU'VE GOT TO BEAT THE BEST NOVEMBER 2021 THE WOLVERINE 7 MICHIGAN CAPTAIN NICK BLANKENBURG