Michigan will defend its championship against Minnesota

A year after Michigan defeated Minnesota to win the Big Ten Tournament Championship game, the two conference foes meet in a rematch in Minneapolis.

The Wolverines take on the top-seeded Golden Gophers Saturday night at 3M Arena in Mariucci. The puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET, and the game will be televised on the Big Ten Network.

The matchup between two of college hockey’s top programs features several of its best players. Adam Fantilli, Logan Cooley and Matthew Knies are among 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, given annually to the best player in the sport. That talent, combined with a bunch of NHL skaters and Olympic-sized ice, should make for an open and entertaining game.

Notably, this will be the last game on the Olympic-sized plate at Mariucci, as the program shrinks the playing surface closer to traditional size before the 2023-24 season. Michigan will be playing in front of sold-out crowds with the “Gold Out” trophy on the line.

Both teams are national title contenders, and both could earn a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Gophers, who ran away with the Big Ten regular season race and are locked in at the top of the overall standings, are considered the best team in college hockey this year. They swept ailing Michigan at Yost Ice Arena last November and split the series at Mariucci in January.

The Gophers have lost just once at home this season, and netminder Justen Close has a 1.65 goals-against average and .935 save percentage in 18 such contests.

While neither team needs an automatic bid, Saturday’s winner will earn the Big Ten a guaranteed spot in the NCAA Tournament, which begins next week. The tournament field will be revealed on the NCAA Selection Show Sunday at 6:30 PM ET on ESPNU.

Michigan vs. Minnesota hockey: What they said

Michigan Coach Brandon Naurato (through Michigan Daily): “It’s just like winning any hockey game – it’s all about the little plays, getting the puck in or getting it out from the blue line. I can give you a bunch of cliche lines, but it’s just the right play at the right time. You don’t know which one it’s going to be.”

Minnesota defenseman Mike Koster (via Minnesota Daily): “Just up and down the lineup — they have skill everywhere. They have a D that can step up and rush as well, so obviously it’s going to be a very exciting game of hockey when we play them.

Michigan vs. Minnesota Hockey: Game Notes

Through programs:

• Michigan’s Adam Fantilli was named freshman of the year and a Hobey Baker finalist this week. Fantilli leads the country with 60 points in 32 games (1.88 ppg) and has scored 18 multiple points this season. Heading into the weekend, the rookie already holds the Big Ten records for points in a single tournament with 10 and goals in a single tournament with seven.
• First-team All-Big Ten defenseman Luke Hughes is second in Michigan in scoring with 42 points and ranks second nationally in points per game by a defenseman. He is followed by Mackie Samoskevich, Gavin Brindley and TJ Hughes, who all have at least 30 points as Michigan ranks second in the nation in scoring.
• First-round NHL draft picks in 2022, Logan Cooley (third overall) and Jimmy Snuggerud (23rd overall) continue to pace the Gophers offensively during freshman campaigns with 50 and 48 points, respectively, and are fourth and fifth in the NCAA.