The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/480355
MICHIGAN HOCKEY Dylan Larkin. In that vein, he compares favorably to defender Jacob Trouba, who by the end of the 2013 season was Michi- gan's most important player, con- tributing four goals and eight assists during U-M's playoff push. Werenski tallied four goals and two assists in U-M's final eight games of the regular season. "He's a young kid that did get off to a good start, and after Christmas just took things to a new level," said Powers, who is responsible for the blue liners. "The comparison to Ja- cob Trouba is real as far as a young kid that just keeps getting better and better. "He's a young kid that loves the game and loves to be on the ice. And he has the abilities — the things you can't teach — to change a game. It's great to see his confidence is at an all- time high, and he believes he can be a difference-maker, and obviously he's proven that." ❑ HOCKEY REWIND: FEB. 20-MARCH 14 Overall Record: 20-14-0 Big Ten Record: 12-8-0 Record Feb. 20-March 14: 4-4-0 Pairwise Ranking: No. 21 Best Win — 5-3 at Michigan State March 13: Facing a must-win game to keep alive any hope of winning the Big Ten regular-season title, Michigan went into East Lansing determined to avoid the slow starts that had led to an 0-5-0 record in its previous five road games. This time, the Wolverines struck first, netting the first two goals. Even when Michigan State tied it up, Michigan did not crack, moving back ahead 3-2 late in the second and then 4-3 late in the third. Sophomore Tyler Motte put the finishing touches on the win with an empty- net goal, and the victory moved the Maize and Blue momentarily into first place in the conference standings. Worst Loss — 6-4 at Penn State March 6: In control of its own destiny within the Big Ten, Michigan traveled to State College looking to avenge a Nov. 21 loss to the Nittany Lions and three defeats in five games during the 2013-14 campaign. But the Wolverines played horribly in the first period, falling behind 3-0, and eventually 4-0 early in the second period. Playing at Penn State has become a nightmare for Michigan goalies, with junior Steve Racine and sophomore Zach Nagelvoort combining for a 1-3-0 record, a 4.25 goals-against average and an .887 save percentage in two sea- sons there. U-M would lose the following night also and lost control of the conference regular-season crown.