Michigan was unstoppable this weekend! They outshot Alaska Anchorage 95-44 and outscored them 17-3. The offensive onslaught was led by Moldenhauer and McKinney on Friday, and Perron and Hage on Saturday. The Wolverines stay perfect, improving to 4-0.
Game 1 Recap
- Friday, 10/9/26
- Yost Ice Arena
- Final Score: 10-1
- Boxscore
Michigan started this one right by scoring on the first shift of the game, and never let off the gas, finishing with double-digit goals. The Wolverines stayed in control the whole game, totaling more than double the Seawolves’ shots on goal too.
Cole McKinnney got the party started just 23 seconds into the game. He dumped the puck in and got to the net to receive a pass from Spence to score on an open net.
The Seawolves answered back, capitalizing on a Michigan turnover, sending Warrener in for a breakaway goal.
The rest of the game was owned by the Wolverines. Nesbitt scored his first career NCAA goal, set up by Moldenhauer.
Later in the first period, Schifsky stumbled his way down for an unorthodox short-handed goal.
Michigan added two more goals from Horcoff and Moldenhauer in the second period, and the floodgates opened up in the third period. The Wolverines doubled their lead, getting goals from Perron, McKinney, Schock, Nesbitt, and Rheaum-Mullen.
There were seven multipoint players in this game, led by McKinney and Moldenhauer, who each had four points. It’s good to see that the top line doesn’t always have to carry the load.
Game 2 Recap
- Saturday, 10/10/26
- Yost Ice Arena
- Final Score: 7-2
- Boxscore
Michigan didn’t have quite the same goal-scoring outburst as they did Friday, but still handled their business. The Wolverines once again carried the play throughout the game, frustrating the Seawolves. The first line of Horcoff, Hage, and Perron continued their strong play to start the season, factoring in on four of the seven goals.
Who other than Jayden Perron to start the scoring on Saturday, as he stays red hot to start the season. He was able to get positioning in front of the net after a faceoff win to tip home a pass from Robertson.
Schock scored shortly after for his third goal of the season. His production has been a pleasant surprise so far. With less than two minutes remaining in the period, some good tic-tac-toe passing led to a McKinney power-play goal. That gave McKinney his fifth point of the series and gave the 3-1 lead heading to the intermission.
The second period had a similar feel to the first, and the scoring reflects that. Michigan got goals from Spence and Perron, followed by a Seawolves goal from Anderson, then Horcoff put one in in the final minutes of the period.
Perron’s second of the night really put on display how lethal Michigan’s top line can be. Everything from the zone entry, to the clean give-and-go passing, to the setup for the Perron one-timer is something to marvel.
The play to set up the Horcoff goal was equally amazing. Hage makes a slick between-the-legs pass to Horcoff, who’s alone down low, and he makes no mistake beating the goalie.
Things settled down more in the third period. Only one goal was scored, and it was Perron’s third of the game, giving him his first career NCAA hat trick. The duo of Hage and Perron continue to impress with how they create offense for the team.
Ivankovic let in a couple of goals, but also had to make some pretty important saves, including a couple of breakaway stops. He closed out this series with a .932 save percentage.
WHH 3 Stars of the Series
With this series sweep, Michigan closes out what I consider their warm-up games for the season. The competition only gets tougher from here. Next weekend, the Wolverines travel to Denver for a marquee matchup against the defending champs. It should be exciting hockey. Go Blue!