Michigan hockey leads Wisconsin 6-2 as Steven Holtz returns.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Michigan hockey team extended its winning streak to four games by dominating Wisconsin 6-2 on Friday night at Yost Ice Arena.

Five goals in the first 30 minutes built a comfortable lead for the Wolverines, who cruised through the third period for the series-opening win. Gavin Brindley had two goals and added two assists, while freshman phenom Adam Fantilli had four points (one goal, three assists).

The result was expected against a Badgers team that ranks last in the Big Ten, but it’s still important. UM finished fourth in the PairWise standings over the weekend — the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament — and just three points out of second place in the Big Ten.

The Wolverines took a 2-1 lead after the first period with goals from Nick Granowicz and Adam Fantill. Neither was particularly pretty – Granowicz poked the first as he fell, and Fantilli cleaned up the second after the ball came loose – but they’re all equally important. UM dominated the opening stanza in shots (17-6) and possession, and the Badgers stayed close on a well-placed power play goal by Tyson Jugnauth.

Michigan opened the game with three goals in the first 10 minutes of the second period. Brindley scored his first goal by poking a puck in the crease, then found the net again four minutes later with a one-timer from the faceoff during the man advantage.

This power play was the result of UM successfully challenging a major penalty and a foul on Jack Horbach for kneeling. The ensuing five-minute power play resulted in two goals, with Mackie Samoskevich sending home another loose rebound.

After 40 minutes, Michigan led 5-1 and held a 32-11 shot advantage against an outmatched and outplayed Wisconsin team.

Michigan added the first goal of the third when Dylan Duke fed off a turnover pass from TJ Hughes as the power play ended. After UM went up five times in Wisconsin, Yost Ice Arena appropriately played “Jump Around.”

The Badgers pulled within one with 7:17 left, but by then the game was tied, and the final minutes ended without much fireworks.

Three stars: 1 – Adam Fantilli, 2 – Gavin Brindley, 3 – Mackie Samoskevich.

Steven Holtz returns to Michigan

Michigan linebacker Steven Holtz, who was hospitalized in the intensive care unit in November due to a viral infection, played for the first time since the incident. The junior started and was paired with Luca Fantill. Holtz was introduced to a standing ovation from Yost’s crowd of 5,800.

UM also benefited from Samoskevich’s return from injury. He scored in the second period on Friday night.

Michigan hockey vs. Wisconsin: Series finale Saturday

The Wolverines and Badgers will play their final regular season game Saturday night at Yost Ice Arena. Puck drop is scheduled at 7 p.m. The game will be streamed on BTN+ and televised locally on CW50.