Moldenhauer delivers again in overtime, sealing a season sweep and stunning rival Ohio State with his clutch heroics.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — For the second time in 24 hours, the Schottenstein Center bore witness to the resilience of the nation’s top-ranked team. In a game that tested their discipline and defensive fortitude, the No. 1 Michigan Wolverines used a clinical overtime winner from junior forward Nick Moldenhauer to defeat Ohio State 3-2 on Saturday night.
The victory not only secured a hard-fought weekend sweep but completed a perfect 4-0 regular-season series sweep over their arch-rivals. Michigan finishes the month of January a flawless 6-0, firmly entrenching themselves at the summit of the Big Ten standings with a 22-4-0 overall record.
A Defensive Masterclass
Unlike Friday night’s 6-4 offensive explosion, Saturday’s finale was a tight-checking affair defined by stellar goaltending and heavy special teams play. Michigan freshman Stephen Peck, making his fourth consecutive start, was the story for much of the evening. Peck played over 54 minutes of shutout hockey, repeatedly denying a desperate Buckeyes attack that outshot Michigan 34-24.
Michigan drew first blood late in the opening period while skating shorthanded. At the 17:43 mark, Garrett Schifskynavigated the neutral zone before finding Moldenhauer in the slot. Moldenhauer didn't miss, rifling a shot into the top shelf to give the Wolverines a 1-0 lead and the momentum heading into the first intermission.
The second period was characterized by a parade to the penalty box. Schifsky was assessed a five-minute major and a game misconduct for charging, forcing the Michigan penalty kill into an extended trial. Behind Peck’s career-high 32 saves and a disciplined defensive shell, the Wolverines survived the onslaught, keeping the Buckeyes off the board through 40 minutes.
The Buckeyes’ Late Surge
Michigan appeared to have the game in hand midway through the third period. Freshman Adam Valentini extended the lead to 2-0 at 10:30, burying a setup from Cole McKinney and Luca Fantilli.
However, the "Schott" came alive in the final six minutes. Ohio State finally cracked Peck’s armor on a power play at 14:16, as Felix Caron found the back of the net to trim the lead to 2-1. With the crowd behind them, the Buckeyes found the equalizer just three minutes later when Nathan McBrayer’s point shot redirected through traffic to knot the game at 2-2 and force the extra session.
Overtime Dominance
Michigan has been clinical in overtime all season, and Saturday was no exception. Improving to 4-0 in extra time this year, the Wolverines took control of the 3-on-3 session immediately.
At 2:50 of the overtime period, captain T.J. Hughes—who notched his 100th career assist on the play—found Moldenhauer on the left flank. Moldenhauer walked in and sniped the game-winner, sparking a wild celebration as the Wolverines mobbed Peck and the junior hero against the glass.
"Nick has a knack for the big moment," said Michigan Head Coach Brandon Naurato. "To come into this environment and take six points on the weekend is a testament to the character in that locker room. We didn't have the shot advantage, but we had the heart when it counted."
Series Summary & Key Stats
Category
Friday Result
Saturday Result
Final Score
Michigan 6, OSU 4
Michigan 3, OSU 2 (OT)
U-M Top Scorer
T.J. Hughes (2G, 1A)
Nick Moldenhauer (2G)
Saves
Stephen Peck (30)
Stephen Peck (32)
Season Series
Michigan wins 4-0
What’s Next: The Battle for No. 1
The sweep sets the stage for the biggest weekend of the college hockey season. Michigan returns home to Ann Arbor next Friday to host No. 2 Michigan State in a clash that will likely determine the Big Ten regular-season champion and the No. 1 overall seed for the NCAA Tournament. The series will conclude Saturday night at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.