Michigan hockey: Wolverines set new Frozen Four record

For the 26th time in their history — an NCAA record — Michigan hockey will advance to the Frozen Four. The Wolverines took home a 7-4 victory over Quinnipiac Sunday night and will face fellow 1-seed Denver for a chance to advance to the national title game. 

With the win, Michigan will advance to their third Frozen Four since 2010 and did so in a convincing fashion. Michigan came out hot in the first period — Nolan Moyle scored the Wolverines’ first goal just 33 seconds into the game — and did not stop there.

With just under six minutes to play in the first period, Jimmy Lambert netted Michigan’s second goal, giving the Wolverines a 2-0 lead heading into the first-period intermission. Erik Portillo’s performance during the first period was stellar, stopping all of Quinnipiac’s shots before the break. Portillo has been one of the Wolverines’ best performers this season and is a big part of why Michigan hockey has made it this far.

Michigan buried their third goal less than seven minutes into the second period, stretching its lead to three goals. Once again, Erik Portillo shinned in the most significant moments with a handful of jaw-dropping saves that kept the Wolverines’ 3-0 lead intact. Portillo was arguably the deciding factor in Michigan’s success against Quinnipiac. The Wolverines would bury one more goal before the second intermission, leading Quinnipiac 4-0 after two periods of hockey. This is where things began to break down.

During the few minutes of the third and final period, everything remained calm for Michigan. With 15:48 remaining, the Bobcats got on the board behind Jayden Lee’s goal — the first of many Quinnipiac goals during the third period. Minutes later, the Bobcats netted a second goal and then a third. With just under nine minutes remaining, Michigan’s 4-0 lead had dwindled to a 4-3 lead.

In a fantastic turn of events, the Wolverines again managed to regain momentum, netting three unanswered goals of their own in the final three minutes of play. The Bobcats scored one final goal with 22 seconds remaining to close out the game with a final of Michigan 7, Quinnipiac 4.

Michigan hockey will take on 1-seed Denver on April 7th at 5 PM (ET). The winner will advance to the national title game against the winner of Minnesota vs. Minnesota St., the other two Frozen Four teams.

For the Wolverines, this is nothing new. Current head coach Mel Pearson will make his second appearance in the Frozen Four — both coming in the past five seasons. Michigan hockey has also broken the tie between the Wolverines and Boston College for most Frozen Four appearances. The old record, 25, now belongs to Michigan, who will appear in their 26th Frozen Four next Thursday.