The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MAY 2022 THE WOLVERINE 31 more forward Thomas Bordeleau took advantage of a blocked shot and turned it into a goal on the other end. Overtime belonged to Michigan — until it didn't. U-M generated pressure from the jump and carried the play, but the Wolverines didn't get the benefit of some calls that would have sent them to the power play. They were outshot 5-4 but had the better chances — they just couldn't convert. Freshman defenseman Luke Hughes didn't get enough on a breakaway oppor- tunity, a golden chance to end it, and that would be U-M's last good chance. The end came with 5:07 remaining in overtime. The Wolverines turned it over in their own zone, and Denver's Carter Savoie scored the winner to end Michi- gan's season. The Wolverines were outshot 33-21. Arguably the nation's top offensive team, the Wolverines didn't draw a single pen- alty all night, the first time all year Denver wasn't whistled for at least two penalties in a game. The Pioneers went 0-for-3 on the power play but scored when it mattered overtime. "This is my 40th year in Division I hockey," Pearson said after the game. "I couldn't be more proud of the young men that I was able to coach this year. It's the most fun I've had, and I owe it all to them. "I just told them at the end, that this one game is not going to define who they are as hockey players or people. There are a lot of expectations on this group, and they exceeded those expectations and dealt with all that pressure so well. So, I just want to thank them publicly." A SEASON TO REMEMBER Though coming up short as the favor- ite to win it all stings, the Wolverines still accomplished plenty in 2021-22. They entered the last series of the regular sea- son in first place in the Big Ten before getting swept at Notre Dame, giving Minnesota the regular-season crown. They bounced back, however, to beat Michigan State twice in a three-game series, handled the Irish in a Big Ten Tournament semifinal and then beat the Golden Gophers 4-3 on their ice, 4-3, to capture the Big Ten championship and automatic NCAA Tournament bid. The title was only Michigan's second in nine years since the Big Ten league was formed and its first since 2016. In the Big Ten final, Michigan jumped to a 4-1 lead after two periods then al- lowed two empty-net goals in the last minute, the last coming with only five seconds remaining. Jaxson Nelson put the Gophers on the board first with a goal only 32 seconds in. A frenzied crowd got even crazier when he put a semi-breakaway backhander behind goalie Portillo. Michigan battled back, however, and Portillo was a big reason. The Wolverines came up just short in their season-ending loss in the NCAA semifinals on April 7. U-M fell 3-2 in overtime to Denver, which went on to capture the title with a 5-1 win against Minnesota State. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN PHOTOGRAPHY Michigan's Postseason Run Ends With A Semifinal Loss To Denver