Michigan Hockey sweeps Penn State thanks to Luke Hughes hat trick

The Michigan hockey team defeated Penn State on Saturday night thanks to an incredible showing from Luke Hughes. 

Michigan hockey made the Frozen Four last season and the Wolverines have certainly looked like a team capable of making a return recently.

Last weekend, Michigan hockey split a two-game set with second-ranked Minnesota. The Wolverines were actually just seconds away from a sweep as Minnesota tied the score late in the first game which turned into an overtime loss.

Since then, Michigan was able to rally last Saturday to defeat Minnesota. On Friday night, the Wolverines dominated the first of two games against Penn State by a score of 7-3. The Wolverines scored the first two goals and actually led 4-1 after two periods.

On Saturday, it was a totally different story. Penn State opened the game in Ann Arbor with two goals in the first period and it was looking like sixth-ranked Penn State would be well on its way to a split with Michigan hockey in a key Big Ten matchup.

However, Luke Hughes would have something to say about that.

Penn State grabbed a 3-0 lead in the third and 34 minutes into the game, Michigan didn’t have a single goal. Yet, Hughes scored twice in the final six minutes of the third to get the Wolverines within one (3-2) with 20 minutes to go.

Penn State pushed the lead to 4-2 early in the third period. Hughes got Michigan within one on the goal that clinched the hat trick. Then, less than three minutes later, Dylan Duke tied the score and Hughes scored his fourth goal 87 seconds later in what proved to be the winner in a 5-4 victory.

Michigan actually scored three goals in the third period in four minutes and six seconds. Erik Portillo finished with 32 saves after he stopped 51 shots on Friday night.

The seventh-ranked Michigan hockey team is now 8-8 in the Big Ten and 16-9-1 overall after winning three straight games. The Wolverines will play at Wisconsin next Friday and Saturday.