Michigan hockey beats Penn State in OT to reach Frozen Four again

Michigan hockey scored 52 seconds into overtime to beat Penn State and clinch another berth in the Frozen Four. 

There was plenty of drama and for much of the night, it looked like Michigan hockey might never score on Penn State.

But late in the third, Adam Faintilli found the back of the net which forced the Allentown Regional Final into overtime. Postseason hockey is always stressful, but there isn’t anything more stressful than sudden-death hockey.

However, the extra session didn’t last long. The Wolverines scored 52 seconds into the overtime period on a slapshot by Mackie Samoskevich, a first-round pick of the Florida Panthers. The shot was a rocket and there was no stopping it.

It also gave Michigan hockey the 2-1 win and punched their ticket to Tampa.

It was the fifth meeting of the season between the Nittany Lions and Wolverines and it was the second time that the two went to overtime. The Wolverines had a bunch of opportunities early in the game including a couple of chances that glanced off the post.

Penn State, even as the lower seed, was playing closer to home and there seemed to be somewhat of a home-ice advantage. However, the Wolverines finally cracked the scoreboard with 7:51 left in the game as Samoskevich assisted on a goal by Faintilli — another first-round pick for the Michigan hockey team.

Erik Portillo was spectacular in the net and kept the Wolverines within striking distance as the offense struggled to score. Michigan hockey has a bunch of big-time NHL prospects on the roster and that talent showed up late.

It’s the 27th Frozen Four appearance which is an NCAA record. It’s also the second straight trip for the Wolverines who lost in the Frozen Four a season ago.

Michigan hockey is looking for its 10th national championship and will face Quinnipiac, which knocked out Ohio State on Sunday, on April 6th in the Frozen Four in Tampa Bay.